12 Kitchen Styles: Which One Is For You?
Sometimes you can be surprised by the kitchen style that really calls to you. The proof is in the pictures
Sheila Schmitz
26 January 2018
Houzz founding editor (2010-2018), now using Houzz to remodel my kitchen.
Style is easier to recognise with your eyes than with words: You know it when you see it, and the photo that inspires you most can often surprise you. Think you know your kitchen style? Check out these guides to a dozen favourite kitchen design themes, then tell us which one takes the cake.
Farmhouse kitchens
Warm and homey farmhouses anchored a life on the land, and they still offer great functionality and comfort. Their open shelving, wide sinks, classic flooring and big kitchen table make them easy to work in and easy to love.
Warm and homey farmhouses anchored a life on the land, and they still offer great functionality and comfort. Their open shelving, wide sinks, classic flooring and big kitchen table make them easy to work in and easy to love.
Rustic kitchens
“Worn,” “distressed” and “rough hewn” may not be the first words that come to mind when we think of kitchens. But today rustic kitchens rival the classic white kitchen in popularity – thanks to their timber, stone, brick and vintage appliances.
“Worn,” “distressed” and “rough hewn” may not be the first words that come to mind when we think of kitchens. But today rustic kitchens rival the classic white kitchen in popularity – thanks to their timber, stone, brick and vintage appliances.
Modern kitchens
Definitions of “modern” vary widely, but when we think of modern kitchen designs, we often think of frameless cabinets, sleek and simple hardware, strong horizontal lines and a lack of ornamentation, with the natural beauty of the materials shining through.
Take a look at 20 urban Indian kitchens
Definitions of “modern” vary widely, but when we think of modern kitchen designs, we often think of frameless cabinets, sleek and simple hardware, strong horizontal lines and a lack of ornamentation, with the natural beauty of the materials shining through.
Take a look at 20 urban Indian kitchens
Traditional kitchens
Traditional kitchens are defined by their details, which can include arches, decorative mouldings and corbels, raised-panel cabinets, a mix of antique finishes and furniture-like turned legs – even a chandelier. Whether they have a classic or old-world flavour, they still carry the stamp of their owners’ personal style.
Traditional kitchens are defined by their details, which can include arches, decorative mouldings and corbels, raised-panel cabinets, a mix of antique finishes and furniture-like turned legs – even a chandelier. Whether they have a classic or old-world flavour, they still carry the stamp of their owners’ personal style.
Contemporary kitchens
Contemporary kitchens can be very sleek, but while a purely modern kitchen often celebrates structure and grid, a contemporary kitchen is often more playful in form and finishes, including elements of other styles and creating its own reflection of the times.
Here’s how to design a warm, contemporary kitchen
Contemporary kitchens can be very sleek, but while a purely modern kitchen often celebrates structure and grid, a contemporary kitchen is often more playful in form and finishes, including elements of other styles and creating its own reflection of the times.
Here’s how to design a warm, contemporary kitchen
Transitional kitchens
Think of a transitional kitchen as the great moderator. With the warmth and welcome of traditional design and the clean, simple lines of contemporary style, transitional spaces project balance and harmony. Because they offer a great deal of flexibility, they’re a great choice for homeowners whose taste spans the two.
Think of a transitional kitchen as the great moderator. With the warmth and welcome of traditional design and the clean, simple lines of contemporary style, transitional spaces project balance and harmony. Because they offer a great deal of flexibility, they’re a great choice for homeowners whose taste spans the two.
Craftsman kitchens
Craftsman style arose in the early 20th century. Its rich woods, built-ins, handcrafted tiles and well-made simplicity continue to charm us.
These 5 kitchen tiles rule the roost
Craftsman style arose in the early 20th century. Its rich woods, built-ins, handcrafted tiles and well-made simplicity continue to charm us.
These 5 kitchen tiles rule the roost
Cottage kitchens
Cosy, happy and unpretentious, a cottage kitchen harks back to simpler times and evokes a sense of easy, carefree living. Beadboard, soft colours, vintage hardware, wood floors and colourful accents and curtains will infuse your kitchen with cottage comfort.
Cosy, happy and unpretentious, a cottage kitchen harks back to simpler times and evokes a sense of easy, carefree living. Beadboard, soft colours, vintage hardware, wood floors and colourful accents and curtains will infuse your kitchen with cottage comfort.
Paris bistro kitchens
If you long for a sugar-laced café au lait on Rue Monmartre, why not bring a little Parisian style into your house? Intimate kitchen lighting, pretty cookware on display, tile floors and a striped awning ought to do it.
If you long for a sugar-laced café au lait on Rue Monmartre, why not bring a little Parisian style into your house? Intimate kitchen lighting, pretty cookware on display, tile floors and a striped awning ought to do it.
Classic kitchens
What is classic? The answer is as varied as cooks are. Still, white or cream kitchen cabinets, simple architectural details and black accents offer a blank slate that homeowners can personalise with contemporary, traditional and eclectic touches as they see fit.
See how these 7 white kitchens mix it up with accents
What is classic? The answer is as varied as cooks are. Still, white or cream kitchen cabinets, simple architectural details and black accents offer a blank slate that homeowners can personalise with contemporary, traditional and eclectic touches as they see fit.
See how these 7 white kitchens mix it up with accents
Mediterranean-style kitchens
Flared hoods, hand-painted tile, warm wood cabinets, beamed ceilings and arched cooking alcoves are just some of the features that put Spanish revival kitchens on the most-wanted list.
Flared hoods, hand-painted tile, warm wood cabinets, beamed ceilings and arched cooking alcoves are just some of the features that put Spanish revival kitchens on the most-wanted list.
Eclectic kitchens
Do you rebel against styles and refuse pigeonholes? It’s your house; you can mix and match for your own distinct kitchen style however you please. The trick: Be a rebel with a cause. Get ideas for a very personal kitchen, with touches of modern and rustic styles, well-traveled flair, humour and irreverence.
Read more:
Houzz Quiz: What Style of Kitchen Should You Have?
Tell us:
What is your kitchen style? Why did you choose it? Tell us in the Comments below.
Do you rebel against styles and refuse pigeonholes? It’s your house; you can mix and match for your own distinct kitchen style however you please. The trick: Be a rebel with a cause. Get ideas for a very personal kitchen, with touches of modern and rustic styles, well-traveled flair, humour and irreverence.
Read more:
Houzz Quiz: What Style of Kitchen Should You Have?
Tell us:
What is your kitchen style? Why did you choose it? Tell us in the Comments below.
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I think open shelves look nice and cute but I would never want that in my house. I would feel I needed to wash my dish before using it.
Who would have guessed... I am a farmhouse girl!!
Luv #1
Transitional is where I lean, though I can appreciate the other design styles. Much depends on the location, cultural influences and build materials in the home as a whole. Big plus for me is when a design reflects the personality of the occupants.