These common kitchen styles range from traditional to contemporary, spark gorgeous and creative kitchen ideas.
In this day and age, kitchens aren’t just spaces for cooking. But they’re also venues to create and share, gather with loved ones, and experience life. So, they should be practical, functional, and highly personal spaces.
If you’re planning a kitchen renovation, you might be wondering which style to go with. Keep in mind that your personal taste, the available space and the kind of home you have, how old it is, as well as other factors, may influence your decision. After you’ve evaluated these factors, you can pick from a wide selection of beautiful kitchen styles.
It can be a simple decision in certain cases — particularly if you have a general style in mind. But sometimes, making a decision is stressful. I’m here to help you find the best kitchen styles that work for you. From traditional to contemporary to signature Mediterranean, there’s a kitchen style for everyone.
Draw Inspirations From These Common Kitchen Styles
Pick from designs you love, then give your kitchen a charming expression of your unique taste. Regardless of whether you’re designing it to complement the décor of other areas of your home or creating the aesthetic of your entire house from it, here are beautiful kitchen styles to spark your creativity.
Classic Kitchen Style
The distinguishing elements of classic kitchen style are white or cream cabinetry, subtle architectural elements, and dark accents. White or cream cabinets give your kitchen a classic appearance that lives up to its name. It’s really just a basic and clean aesthetic. And it will give you a blank canvas to display your individuality or personal style.
You can incorporate it with intricate features. Things like lighting fixtures, furnishings, and classic and eclectic accents. Anything you deem suitable. It’s an easy-going style that’s simple to achieve.
Coastal or Beach- Style Kitchens
Coastal kitchen styles are mostly influenced by vacation beach cottages. If you go for coastal kitchen style, you’ll want to consider beach-themed motifs and cool shades such as white or blue interiors. As well as open areas. Consider the abundance of natural light and white with pastel tints. And don’t forget to add some light wood elements.
To lend the storage area an unrestricted, breezy aspect, you can add open shelves. Another great addition is glass-fronted worktops. I suggest employing open shelving units instead of boxy, fully covered upper cabinets. This is because open shelves give you the option to display whatever decorative elements you want.
You can display freshly potted greenery. Or, you can showcase your treasure trove of ocean blue plates and bowls. You can even display seashells to enhance the beach vibe.
Cottage Kitchen
Cottage kitchens are meant to be comfortable and unassuming. And are influenced by tiny kitchens from the old days. You can inject cottage coziness into your kitchen with shiplap, softer hues, vintage fixtures, and wood floors. As well as other rustic elements, and window curtains.
Cottage kitchens enable a variety of rarities and antiques to be used as ornamentation. You can place appliances that come in a variety of hues, including white and vintage.
Keeping your cottage kitchen light and open is also vital. If you have a smaller kitchen, a mix of closed cabinets and floating shelves can assist in maximizing kitchen space. All while keeping the look fresh. For more prep space, find ways to incorporate a moveable butcher-block kitchen island.
Cottage kitchens benefit from butcher block worktops, too. And they lend a timeless look. The natural charm of the grains and the warmth of the woods are a lovely opportunity to bolster dimension to your cooking space. Also, don’t forget to add some freshly-picked flowers as a dainty element.
Contemporary Kitchen
Contemporary kitchen styles often confuse many with modern styles. But the thing is that contemporary kitchens have evolved to showcase a fusion of modern and classic, convivial and professional.
It boasts modern culinary equipment incorporated into the cabinets. This way, they don’t stand out from the rest of the kitchen. Your guests can connect with you when hosting — thanks to comfy seats and open space!
You may also want to consider frameless cabinetry if you want to go with this look. These cabinets feature flat panel doors. This means the center panel isn’t elevated and is flat. There shouldn’t be any creases or other embellishments, and the doors generally wrap the whole frame. Resulting in a neat, beautiful appearance.
Stylish and practical hardware, strong horizontal lines, as well as whimsical finishes and ornaments also make great additions.
Craftsman’s Kitchen
If you like you like nature-inspired style that’s so ornate, then a craftsman kitchen style is for you. With refined wooden treatments, paneling, and integrated storage, craftsman kitchens are among the most renowned kitchen styles.
They often feature an organic motif. With natural materials and a soothing, earthy-tone palette. Consider warm stained wood surfaces. You can also go for natural-hued paints if you opt for this kitchen style. The cozy feeling that this kitchen style appeals to many home buyers.
Craftsman kitchens honor exquisite artistry for natural elements. Vintage faucets, solid dimensions, as well as durable materials with classic elegance are also essentials. They are what makes a great craftsman’s kitchen stand out. Adopting those elements exemplify the skillful use of hands. It’s essential in building a true craftsman kitchen.
Eclectic Beauty
Eclectic kitchen style is considered as a set of themes and pieces drawn from a wide variety of origins. It’s one of the most difficult styles to achieve. Yet, it’s among the most enjoyable and satisfying. It certainly involves a great deal of imagination. But you can understand so much about space and how to design it through experimentation.
You can artfully combine pieces of various design styles into your own kitchen. This can include an eclectic collection of furnishings. As well as ornaments that draw on a range of influences. The use of rich colors and prints, as well as dramatic accents, screams eclecticism.
The eclectic kitchen style is an ideal design if you’re eclectic yourself. It is an aesthetic that reflects yourself in an unapologetically collected approach.
Country Farmhouse
Functionality, modesty, and rustic appeal are the hallmarks of a country farmhouse kitchen. Not only does farmhouse style reflect the beauty of country homes. But it also incorporates modern conveniences.
Vintage apron-front sinks, painted cupboards, open shelves, and shiplap — these are design elements inspired by the past. These bring in an aesthetic that is both warm and beautiful.
If you opt for this kitchen style, make sure to use natural materials like salvaged woods. The use of natural elements creates that soothing coziness that farmhouse kitchens have. A cooking area that can handle large meals is also a common feature of farmhouse-style kitchens.
French Country
French country kitchens are tastefully furnished cooking spaces. They are often warm and sophisticated. Going the French country route, you may want to consider traditional-style kitchen cabinets. As well as upscale range hoods with either crown molding or scalloped edges.
You can also add attractive rustic touches that are a little more Parisian shabby chic than country. Many French country kitchens have switched out merely ornamental things for modern elements equipped with lots of functional relevance. Like vintage task lighting.
You may also consider hand-painted wooden floors, which can lend your kitchen an antique feel. And a bistro rattan stool can simply give a touch of Parisian flair. You can add a fantastic design feature is above iron scroll lighting, as well. It gives the impression of a vintage look. Also, adding brass cabinet pulls, with their antique appeal, may accentuate your kitchen’s French country style.
So, gone are the days of ceramic chooks, antique plates, and toile drapes. But that’s the beauty of exploring the most current French country kitchen designs. It keeps you up to date on the latest design elements possible.
Industrial Style Kitchen
An industrial kitchen is a style that has adapted to be featured in even modern lofts and condominiums. With its origins centered in functionality and affordability.
With industrial kitchens, metals are a good choice. But you may use concrete for the floor space, walls, as well as counters. You can also use wood as a natural texturizing element. Exposed steel surfaces are acceptable, brick walls are also a trend. Large pieces will go well with a little touch of worn or heft in the furnishing.
It’s worth noting that industrial kitchens aren’t completely devoid of beauty. Since the adoption of stainless steel finishes can be rather stunning. In an industrial kitchen, whatever material is easy to maintain and can withstand beating would work well.
As a matter of fact, keeping construction materials visible and fostering their raw, unpolished nature may give your industrial kitchen a simplistic, functional feel. The design makes it easy to achieve a fashionable look by combining the unpolished with the elegant.
Mediterranean-Inspired
The vibrant colors of nature, such as the greens, blues, and yellows of the sun and ocean, inspire Mediterranean \-style kitchens. They are defined as bright and lush. This particular kitchen style favors elements of nature in regards to hardware.
If you want to opt for this kitchen style, using hardwood flooring is a great place to start. They should be in lighter tones to keep the space feeling airy, fresh, and welcoming.
The inviting, timeless design of Mediterranean kitchens is defined by earthy terracotta tiled floors and hand-painted tile backsplashes. As well as rustic, textural walls, and natural stones. Dark wood elements are also a trend. It’s no surprise that Mediterranean kitchens have always been admired due to their classic style and beauty.
Modern Taste
Around the time of the first world war, modern kitchen design began to emerge. With smooth surfaces, geometric shapes, and hardly any embellishment or decorative visual elements. Most modern kitchens are elegant, alluring, and refined.
You may incorporate frameless cabinets, stylish and practical hardware, and bold horizontal lines. And don’t forget to minimize your decorations. Since that’s what a modern kitchen is designed for: to keep the space free of clutter. With displaying the inherent beauty of the elements.
Consider adding exotic woods. This is to provide a sense of grandeur without embellishments. Mirrored surfaces and modern materials are fundamental to this particular kitchen style. Chairs made of glossy finished wood are a go-to for an even more modern reflection of the style.
Rustic Charm
Rustic kitchens are cozy and charming. To get this warm vibe in your kitchen, you can draw design elements from weathered woods and lacquered cabinets. To rough stone flooring and farm tables. Reclaimed woods with distressed finishes, as well as cabinetry that seem to have worn gracefully over time, are all excellent accents.
If you’re going for a rustic kitchen style, wood is your best friend. And I cannot stress this enough. It’s a key element of the concept, and it adds character to the room. Deeper and redder hues of wood with a visibly heavy appeal are common in rustic kitchens.
Another savvy alternative for the rustic kitchen is a mashup of industrial and rustic designs which is an authentic and striking fusion. Textured walls, antique accents, and preowned ornaments are just a few of the small, subtleties that elevate your kitchen.
Rustic kitchens make unique styles incredibly beautiful when everything else is designed with synthetic elements. As well as man-made surfaces that may be sleek, but are inauthentic and lack individuality.
Traditional Kitchen
Traditional kitchens are regarded for their fascinating features and decorations. Which offers charm while offering efficiency, storage, and lots of elegance. Painted cabinetry either with or without glass front doors is a key aspect in designing a traditional kitchen.
Simple granite or laminate counters, and hardwood flooring are also the hallmarks. Cabinets, countertops, and backsplashes are ideal places to include unique styled accents.
Traditional kitchens focus on classic motifs while leaving enough space for your family or guests. White tiles are also a great element. They provide a pristine beauty while reflecting light. Artisanal or vintage lighting fixtures can give your kitchen a personal touch.
This particular kitchen style is also keen on symmetry and harmony. Nothing too harsh nor too trendy. Each aspect must work in tandem with the one before it. They have key aspects similar to Classi American, Old-world, or Mediterranean style.
Transitional Kitchen
Image source: Dura Supreme Cabinetry
Transitional kitchens are airy, comfortable, and offer plenty of storage units. They typically feature both natural and artificial elements. This style tries to strike a balance between the coziness of a classic design and the crisp elegance of a contemporary kitchen. Which means you are getting the best of both worlds without even the offputting conflict of styles.
White transitional kitchens are the most popular, second is the neutral colors like shades of grays and beiges. Wood tones are also a popular choice. However, it’s essential to keep the colors neutral and classy.
But that doesn’t suggest you can’t incorporate a pop of color, whether it be through decorative items or your counters. It can provide a few tonal variations to interrupt the monotony in your space.
You can choose between white cabinets with a darker quartz counter and gray cabinetry with a lighter granite countertop. Whichever you pick, the outcomes are striking. You may add a unique style and individuality with a natural stone countertop. Or, by integrating some classic cabinets.
Adding texture is also a great approach to bringing character and awe to your cooking space. Try to explore different materials. You may consider using smooth marble or unpolished stone for your backsplash. There is also the option of elegant quartz or polished granite for your countertops.
And it’s all up to you when it comes to textured tile flooring. When combined properly, these materials will not only pull the space together and still provide personality to your space.
Asian Kitchen Style
Clean and simple lines, floral patterns, and wall art — these are some of the hallmarks of an Asian-style kitchen. The majority of Asian-inspired kitchens have light stone tiles, wood accents, and sometimes rocks or pebbles. Due to the great emphasis on finishing and details, they are genuinely lovely and naturally harmonious.
In this particular kitchen, Asian stools complement the unique paintings and metal hardware. Although the undertones of wood in a kitchen might also represent an Asian style.
An Asian kitchen is also a minimalist’s dream. It features organic materials and an abundance of natural light. A minimalist’s dream is an Asian kitchen. It is made of natural materials and has a lot of natural light.
If you want to convert your kitchen into this particular style, your space should be spacious, free of clutter, and well-balanced. Natural materials are also common in Asian-influenced houses. The objective of the design is to bring you closer to nature. Perhaps it’s why many Asian kitchens feature orchids, which have great relevance in Asian nations.
Scandinavian
Scandinavian kitchens are focused on a seamless combination of shape and practicality cloaked in a welcoming atmosphere. Such kitchens are mindfully planned with both style and functionality in mind. They exemplify the phrase “less is more.”
Designing a Scandi kitchen usually entails layering on warm wood elements like cabinets and flooring. As well as pastel paint hues, and a simple and textural backsplash.
Stone is also an excellent material for floors and countertops. Its durability is suitable for the productivity and practicality inherent in the Scandi aesthetic. To preserve a calm atmosphere, use options that appear natural.
As for color palettes, Scandi kitchens frequently use a light color scheme. To get the utmost minimalistic vibe, use bright whites and subtle grays. Stone shades are also preferable. You may also want to give it some depth and intrigue with shades that contrast nicely with deep charcoal colors. You can still inject some vibrant accent colors into your kitchen. Just make sure you use them carefully.
Shabby Chic
You can easily tell a shabby chic kitchen by its antique finds, reclaimed and bleached wood, and splashes of pastel. As well as weathered reminders of nostalgia. Also, Victorian chandeliers and crockery, and farmhouse seats are some of the must-haves in a shabby chic kitchen.
This particular style has the whimsical elements of both farmhouse and cottage-style kitchens. These design features create a fusion that is both dreamy and elegant.
The colors might be quite modest and focused on whites and neutral tones. Although by concentrating on the nuances, you can always achieve a really colorful decoration. With lots of intriguing tiny details.
A shabby chic design suits many kitchens. No matter the square footage. So don’t hesitate to visualize your ideal lovely interpretation. One that’s filled with subtle touches that make you happy.
Cozy Country
Country kitchens are a trendy style because of their rustic overtones and cozy nature-inspired elements. This design has garnered recognition due to its minimalistic elements. Which include subdued hues and natural wood. As well as country-inspired furnishings.
Color palettes that are warm and inviting are typical of country kitchens. While muted colors are much more typical of them, all-white kitchens are quite fashionable. If you like, you can use vibrant colors to accentuate the style. Pastels add a delicate burst of color as well. You may also use design elements like stenciling or vintage signs.
Cottage Charm
Cottage kitchens combine Farmhouse and Craftsman-style kitchens’ features with country influences. They are warm and welcoming, compact yet substantial, and filled with quirks.
You can exemplify a cottage kitchen by open shelves and dish racks. The brackets, as well as corbels that support the shelvings, are essential for achieving an authentic cottage design. Leave them basic yet formal. Instead of purchasing new shelves, take the old cabinet doors to improvise upper shelving.
If privacy isn’t an issue, go with a lot of pane windows. You may also upgrade standard top cabinets with glass-fronted versions. Consider dainty, decorative curtains inside of the doors to keep items concealed.
In a cottage kitchen, go ahead and use beadboard extensively. I promise you, it works fantastic on the walls and ceilings. As well as kitchen island, and cupboards. And pretty much everywhere else you could think of. Placing beadboard horizontally adds an interesting dimension. You may complete the look with a nice coating of pristine white paint.
Old World
Using traditional architectural features or design, and vivid colors are among the hallmarks of Old World kitchens. Distressed surfaces to create a pleasant family meeting space is also what Old World style is focused on. But, one of the most striking aspects of this kitchen style is the fine craftsmanship involved in it.
This timeless kitchen style is reminiscent of earlier kitchens. And it includes elements such as standalone chairs. Old World kitchen designs may also include ambers, shades of red, and blues in varying hues — hey, that rhymes! On a serious note, the goal is for you to feel as if you’re somewhere else ancient. All while being present in the space.
Some flooring options for an Old World kitchen include natural stone, tiles, and hardwood. Adding planks like mahogany, walnut, and dark cherry can also enhance the beauty. Dark cabinets and furniture are fine, though you may consider brightening up the area. Perhaps with a daylight motif on the ceilings, interior walls, and flooring.
Decorative cabinets and heavy-duty crown moldings will also provide a classic touch to your kitchen. Freestanding built-ins and china cupboards are excellent choices.
You can also store large glass bowls, ceramics, and photographs on sturdy wooden shelves. This is to give your kitchen a rather more interesting touch.
I hope you gained a better understanding of the common kitchen styles that inspire kitchen designs worldwide. Explore the options and play with design elements that suit your style. With careful planning, you’ll soon achieve your dream cooking space. Good luck!