Do you ever look at your kitchen and wish it felt more like you? The kitchen is one of the areas where we spend the most waking hours, and it should be a place that reflects your style. But how do you know what style you should choose to make your kitchen feel truly your own?
There are dozens of different kitchen styles to choose from depending on your personal preferences. Read on to discover some of the most popular kitchen styles today and how you can create those looks in your own kitchen remodel.
Modern kitchens have become extraordinarily popular in recent years thanks to their clean lines and minimalistic style. Modern styles focus on low-profile silhouettes and high-end finishes that have space to shine.
The focus words for these kitchens are “sleek” and “sophisticated,” and they achieve that aesthetic through a return to simplicity.
Modern kitchens tend to use countertops made from stone or concrete in solid, neutral colors. There is little embellishment, and it’s best to keep counters as clear of appliances and tools as possible. Appliances tend to be stainless steel and high-tech, and backsplashes and wall paints are simple and light.
If you like the idea of modern kitchens, but the minimalistic style feels a little too sterile to you, you’ll love the contemporary style. This aesthetic uses the same simple lines and timeless profiles that the modern style does. However, it adds a little more warmth to create more of a stylistic statement.
Contemporary kitchens may include more artistic elements, such as statement light fixtures and pops of color. Counters may still be solid, neutral stone or concrete, but cabinets may be natural wood with more décor on the counters. Lines tend to be straight and unembellished in this style, and the goal is to hit a bold statement for your kitchen that remains simple and elegant.
French country kitchens have also seen a rise in popularity in recent years thanks to the charming balance they bring. These kitchens are elegant, with hints of old-world opulence, while maintaining the clean simplicity popular in more modern décor.
You may also hear this style called “Mediterranean,” as it is meant to emulate the world-famous kitchens of France, Italy, and Greece.
French country kitchens tend to base their color palettes around earthy neutral colors, especially whites and creams. They tend to also include intricate detail design work on cabinets and accent décor. Glass, wood, and copper are popular finishes, and you may see pops of jewel tones throughout the décor.
Coastal kitchens aim to make you feel like you’ve just opened a window to breathe in the salt air from a sea breeze. These kitchens use cool color palettes to emulate the ocean tones, and natural light is a must. Finishes tend to be more natural, and everything stays in a light color palette to keep things airy.
In a coastal kitchen, counters are often white or light gray, although light woods are popular too. Cabinets are usually white or blue, and they may include glass inserts in the upper cabinets for some added shine. Walls are often blue, and wood floors invite sandy feet fresh off the beach.
Old World kitchens have fallen out of favor in recent years, but there are still many people who are entranced by the rich opulence of the style. Old World styles are built on high-quality, rich finishes, including mahogany, quartz, stone, and heavy fabrics. The details are ornate, and the craftsmanship is of the highest quality.
In an Old World kitchen, your goal is less to make things feel airy and minimalistic and more to make them feel comfortable and luxurious. Fine details on cabinets and counter edges will make your kitchen feel finely crafted. Stone or wood floors will call back to the solidity of the Old World originals.
Traditional kitchens aim to create a look that is timeless and elegant without feeling out of date. These kitchens have a familiar, comforting aesthetic that will speak of home to many of us. They combine both older and newer design elements to create a balance that can stand up to the test of time.
Traditional kitchens use classical design elements, such as detailed cabinets and profiled counter edges, to bring elegance to the space. But they tend to stick to lighter, neutral tones that make your kitchen feel more modern. Counters are often stone, cabinets are usually white, and backsplashes tend to be light and neutral.
Transitional kitchens are perfect for families looking for a way to bridge the gap between older homes and newer styles.
Like traditional kitchens, transitional styles pull from both classic and modern design elements. But these kitchens see a bigger focus on minimalism and versatility than their traditional counterparts.
Transitional kitchens start from a modern design aesthetic – simple stone counters, neutral cabinets, and light walls. But they add in some more ornate designs with light fixtures, subtle cabinet design details, and décor. The result is a fresh look that could fit into an older home without ignoring its history.
Eclectic design is not for the faint of heart, especially when it comes to designing your kitchen. As you might guess from the name, this style is all about your style, and it makes no compromises or apologies. These kitchens make a bold statement, which can be the pop of personality you want in your home.
Eclectic kitchens use bold colors and finishes, as well as a variety of unusual design elements. You may have a bean-shaped island and rounded drop-downs in your ceiling that mirror the island shape. Mirrors are also a popular part of the eclectic style since they magnify the impact of any element you choose for your kitchen.
If the solidity of the Old World kitchen appeals to you, but you want something a little less dated, consider the craftsman style. Craftsman kitchens are designed to show the quality of your kitchen and materials. Finishes tend to be more natural, and many of these kitchens have a rustic, cabin-like appeal.
You won’t be surprised to learn that craftsman kitchens include a fair amount of detail, especially on cabinets. Cabinets are almost always made of natural wood that is selected to show off the grain pattern. Floors and counters serve to highlight this craftsmanship and create a kitchen that’s built to last.
Asian décor has been popular in American culture for decades, so it’s no surprise it’s found its way into our kitchens. This style tends to be understated, trending towards the modern minimalistic end of the design spectrum. But these kitchens use more natural materials and some unique design elements to call back to traditional Asian décor.
Asian kitchens will often use natural stone for counters, backsplashes, and floors. They’ll pair these natural finishes against light, neutral walls and incorporate curves and asymmetry to create that traditional Asian style. Efficient use of space is also a critical component of this kitchen style, so don’t be afraid to think out of the box with your kitchen design.
Industrial kitchens are a branch of the modern design style that is meant to emulate urban environments. These kitchens pay homage to loft-style apartments with open floor plans and urban building materials. The style is more of a statement than modern minimalism and offers a grounded take on sophistication and elegance.
Brick and metal are common finishes in industrial kitchens, although you will find wood accents too. Lighting in these kitchens tends to be darker with an emphasis on natural light. You also want to aim to keep as much open as possible, including using an open island and floating shelves in place of upper cabinets.
Cottagecore kitchens are almost the complete opposite of modern kitchens, with a focus on cozy, natural finishes. Cottagecore kitchens tend to be a little busier, filled with plants and décor and kitchen tools. The atmosphere is meant to feel homey, lived-in, and natural – a return to a simpler life.
Natural light and floral patterns are huge elements of cottagecore design. Counters tend to be made of wood whenever possible, and cabinets are often white, green, or natural wood. Many people enjoy adding open shelving to their cottagecore kitchens, along with vintage appliances that call back to pre-industrial eras.
Scandinavian décor has hit a boom in American culture in recent years as we search for the simple satisfaction citizens of those countries have. This style is very minimalistic, with clean lines and little decoration or clutter. But unlike modern minimalism, Scandinavian kitchens use natural finishes to warm up the space.
Wood is a must in Scandinavian kitchens, as well as natural light and open space. Lines are straight and spaces are uncluttered, with fixtures remaining simple. Cabinets in Scandinavian kitchens are incredibly minimalistic and usually a light, neutral color, such as white or cream.
Mid-century modern kitchens trace back to the nostalgia of the 1950s in America. This design era was incredibly modern, focusing on clean lines and simple, bold pops of color. However, the economic prosperity of those years brought a bit of glam to the style that characterizes it today.
Mid-century modern kitchens are mostly white with simple, clean finishes and minimalistic lines. But there will be bold pops of color, including cherry red, turquoise blue, or even a sunny yellow or orange. You’ll also see touches of chrome in the finishes, bringing in that sense of glitz that makes a kitchen feel truly mid-century.
Southwestern kitchens developed in the Southwestern regions of the United States, where homes were built from adobe clay. These kitchens are similar to the Mediterranean style in that they both use natural finishes and some light embellishment. But some particular design elements set this style aside from the French country look.
Southwestern kitchens use a lot of tiles, including on the floors, backsplash, and perhaps even counters. There are also painted brick or adobe works and light, earthy color schemes. Reds, rust oranges, and whites make up the core of the style, with bright jewel tones serving as accent colors.
If you have fond memories of your grandmother’s kitchen, a rustic style may be the perfect choice for you. This design style is meant to feel comfortable and homey, but without the same floral elements as cottagecore.
There are mostly natural materials in rustic kitchens, but they tend more towards the eclectic style of decorating.
Rustic kitchens may use a variety of vintage elements, such as older appliances and antique kitchen tools. These are mixed with wood counters, weathered cabinets, and old wooden furniture. Add a touch of elegance with a chandelier or vintage china, as well as some stone or brick for a nice natural touch.
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and your kitchen deserves to reflect your innermost heart. From modern and Scandinavian to cottagecore and Old World, there’s a kitchen style out there for everyone. Figure out which elements speak to you most and work on consolidating your kitchen around that design aesthetic.
If you’d like to find more kitchen styles, check out the rest of our site at Michael James Remodeling. We are here to bring the vision of your dream home to life in your kitchen, bathroom, basement, and more.
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