If you're in the mood for a little kitchen decorating, there are tons of great interior design ideas and schemes to choose from. The kitchen is the heart of the home, and typically gets a lot of attention. If your kitchen needs a facelift, these design ideas will help get you on your way.
Getting Started - What You Need to Consider
Style is always important in design; when you're decorating and designing your dream kitchen, you want the finished product to be in a style you love and that fits in seamlessly with the rest of your home. But kitchens require a different approach to interior design than you would take with your living room or your dining room, because they need to be functional as well as beautiful. Kitchens are the center of a lot of activity in your home. In addition to cooking, kitchens offer a gathering place for casual family meals and catch-up cups of coffee with friends and neighbors. They need to be designed in such a way that facilitates the activities that happen in the room, while they meld seamlessly into the rest of your home's design.
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Design and Style
The design and style of your kitchen depends on your personal taste and how it will blend in with the rest of the décor of your home. For example, if your overall home design is Asian, then a Tuscany style kitchen isn't going to be a good choice. You can certainly deviate from the Asian style, but you don't mix such opposite styles to achieve a truly cohesive home décor.
Some of the most popular kitchen designs include a large open kitchen floorplan that typically flows into a family room. This is a design change from the formerly traditional separate kitchen and reflects the modern family's lifestyle. Such a kitchen layout demonstrates the integrity of style serving function.
Country
This design style has a broad range that can reach to Primitive Country or Colonial period styles. Americana is another branch of this style that can also include elements of Primitive Country and even Federal period style design. The choices are many and varied; let your personal tastes and likes guide you in creating your ideal Country kitchen.
French Country
Another classic, French Country is always in style. You can adapt your home interior to this design and make your kitchen totally French Country or simply add a few touches that hint at this inviting style. You can add color and texture, especially on the walls, and terra cotta or flagstone tile flooring. Floral patterns for fabrics and even wallpapers reflect the style. Lace curtains and fresh flowers on the table bring the outdoors in. Add various motifs such as grapevines and olive trees in a wall mural, border wallpaper or backsplash tile. Don't forget the rooster icon. Rough-hewed ceiling beams stained a dark color will lend authenticity to your design. Hang a few dried herbs and copper pots, and your look is complete.
Modern
Go for a cool modern design with sleek glossy cabinets in bright red, yellow, lime green or rich blue. Create contrast with stark white walls, art deco framed arts, Modern-styled breakfast table and chair, hand-blown colorful glass pendant lights, and shiny recycled glass countertops. Finish the floors with industrial tiles and use one wall for accent by painting it a matching color to your cabinets. This sleek, crisp and bright design makes a statement with style!
Retro
This kitchen style is one you may find fun and exciting. You can carry this style back to the 1960s with psychedelic, oversized, brightly-colored flowers or keep retrograding to the 1950s style of soda shop designs. Still, you may prefer the 1940s style. Whichever retro kitchen look you choose, give it a personal look.
Tuscan
Many designers claim that this style has passed it's appeal, but homeowners keep returning to it with new homes and renovations. Why such a contradiction? While design trends take time to filter down from designers to homeowners, the Tuscan style will remain an all-time favorite as a classic design simply because it has such comfy appeal to families. The colors are earth-based and reflect the outside environment. The old world appeal is rich in wood finishes, cabinets and dining furniture. If this design resonates with you and reflects your home décor and family's taste, then go for a Tuscan kitchen design.
Other Design Ideas for Your Kitchen
- Arts and Crafts
- Art Deco
- Asian
- Commercial Chef-Styled
- Contemporary
- English Country
- Victorian
Elements of Kitchen Design
Kitchen design or decorating can be done at many levels. Surface changes can be made to the design of the existing kitchen by changing wall color, counters or counter color, adding a backsplash or some wall art. More extensive decorating choices can be made at every level from the selection of flooring to the shape, style and color of the cabinets.
When decorating your kitchen, take a look at several areas to determine how far you want to go to get the results you want. Things to consider include:
Floor Plan
Good kitchen layouts include a work station. This area forms a triangle of your refrigerator, sink and cooking area. Placing these three major areas close to one another will help make the kitchen as functional as possible, by ensuring you never have to take too many steps.
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Cabinets
If your cabinets are in good shape, keep them and either paint or stain them in a different color. If the cabinet box is in good shape, but the door design doesn't fit in with the rest of your vision, consider refacing the cabinets. You can always have extra cabinets built to match, including pantries or tall cabinets for storage. If, on the other hand, the cabinet boxes are in poor shape, or the layout of your kitchen is unfavorable, consider a full kitchen remodel.
Countertop
Your countertop drives the rest of the kitchen design. It should be the first decision made when beginning a total kitchen remodel, as well as your starting point for all color and design decisions.
If you plan on keeping your existing countertop, ask yourself if the color will fit in with your ultimate design goal. If not, consider replacing the counter or painting it to become the jumping off point of the rest of the decoration process.
Flooring
Most kitchen flooring extends beneath the kitchen cabinets, but it doesn't have to. If you are keeping your current cabinets, consider updating your flooring to tie in with the rest of the design. Select a flooring material that is easy to clean, picks up a color from within the countertop and has a style that matches the rest of the room.
Backsplash
The kitchen backsplash is the easiest item in the room to replace. It should be the last design element added to the room, but it can really cement a design into place. If your kitchen is nearly where you want it to be, but seems to be lacking something, add or replace the backsplash to give it an instant design lift.
Additional Considerations
- New appliances. If your budget will allow, putting some new appliances in your kitchen can make all the difference. Ditch the old avocado colored stovetop and replace things with newer styles, like stainless steel.
- Install new lighting. Go for lights that give a warm glow in the room overall, with more intense lighting directly over your work areas.
- If you have a small kitchen, invest in plenty of stacked storage units and consider the new, space saving appliances, like mini dishwashers that double as sinks.
- Accessorize. A few new accessories can feel like a breath of fresh air in your kitchen, and they can also help you pull your look together.
Finishing the Design
Cement your kitchen design with some well placed wall art that reflects the period or style you are capturing. Add in some decorative items such as pottery, or chair cushions at the table, and your new kitchen will become even more frequently used than ever before.
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FAQs
What are the six most popular kitchen layout? ›
The six most common modular kitchen layouts are the L-Shaped, Straight Line, U-Shaped, Parallel or Galley, Island and Peninsula – each of these has it's own advantages and makes use of the work triangle differently.
How can I make my kitchen beautiful? ›- Update hardware. ...
- Use lighter colors. ...
- Replace cabinet doors. ...
- Change lighting. ...
- Use artwork. ...
- Paint your appliances stainless steel. ...
- Add window treatments. ...
- Style your breakfast nook.
The Transitional kitchen is the most popular kitchen style, according to research by the National Kitchen and Bath Association. A transitional kitchen borrows features from both traditional and contemporary design. It combines cozy vibes with clean lines and neutral colors.
What makes a kitchen perfect? ›The key aspects for efficient kitchen design are well known within the design community and include creating a 'work triangle' (between your refrigerator, sink, and cook top), providing adequate storage, and ensuring (when possible) a sizeable clear surface for food preparation.
What color looks good in a kitchen? ›When it comes to kitchens, white, gray, blue, red, yellow, and green really shine. Each of these shades can do something different for the room, but they all help create a warm and welcoming space. Warmer colors such as red are believed to stimulate the appetite and are an excellent option for kitchens.
What is the most popular color for a kitchen? ›According to kitchen design and painting experts, the most popular color for a kitchen is tied between navy blue and white. Home stagers and listing agents often suggest painting the kitchen a fresh white color to make the space look larger, cleaner and inviting.
What makes a kitchen look modern? ›Consider colors and textures like beiges, creams, high-gloss, distressed, and matte finishes. Greys and blacks also work great as they can make the kitchen look both modern and extravagant. Go with white if you want a paint color that can make the space look bigger.
How do you make your kitchen look like it's brand new? ›- Update your lighting. Lighting is as important for the look it creates as it is for functionality in your kitchen. ...
- Replace window coverings. ...
- Open shelving. ...
- Replace cabinetry. ...
- New stools. ...
- Chalk board wall. ...
- Splashback makeover. ...
- Paint everything.
Black accents and appliances
Brass and copper cabinet handles and hardware have been all the rage, but now sophisticated black accents are leading the way in stylish kitchens. “While natural, subtle colors and warm tones in the kitchen will continue to trend in 2022, black accents will be the exception,” says Vernazza.
White is still the most popular kitchen cabinet color in 2022 and beyond. However, we are seeing a shift towards warmer and more natural tones. We cover the best colors for cabinets from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams like Simply White, Dove White, and Chantilly Lace.
Do and don'ts in kitchen design? ›
- Do: Think about what you dislike about your current kitchen.
- Don't: Be closed minded to upgrades rather than changes.
- Do: Think about the uses and workflow of your kitchen.
- Don't: Adopt a design that doesn't suit your space.
- Do: Take everyone into account.
- Don't: Design for one person.
There are six basic types of kitchen layouts: Island, Parallel, Straight, L-Shape, U-Shape, Open, and Galley.
What is the most important rule in the kitchen? ›Thoroughly cook foods
One of the most important food hygiene rules is to ensure food is cooked properly. If undercooked, harmful bacteria could lead to food poisoning. These rules will help you avoid that: Cut into the food to check that it is cooked through.
Go with Light Colors
Light colors are more reflective than dark colors and they will make your kitchen appear bigger as well as more open and airy. Light blues, greens, or pale yellows are other great colors to make your space look larger than life.
'Colors to absolutely be avoided are darker colors and shades of green, blue, red, and purple, which will cast a shadow on food and darken the space. Green and orange, in particular, should be avoided in kitchens,' she warns.
Which colour is not good for kitchen? ›According to Vastu colours for kitchen, orange, yellow and green colours work well for the kitchen's countertops. Kitchen colour as per Vastu should not be too dark. Avoid dark grey colour as per vastu, brown and black as Vastu colours for kitchen.
What is the most popular appliance color for 2022? ›- Stainless Steel. Stainless steel is never out of fashion because this color can fit into all kinds of decorations. ...
- White appliances are clean-looking, bright, and crisp, which makes it easy to fit into any wall color theme in your home. ...
- Black kitchen appliances.
Red and yellow are the chief food colors, evoking the tastebuds and stimulating the appetite. Both red and yellow are also effective at grabbing attention.
What is a modern colour for a kitchen? ›According to the NKBA, grays, beiges, whites, blues, blacks, and sepia tones top the list of modern kitchen color ideas. But the flexibility of modern kitchen design means any color is on the table.
Is Granite Still in Style 2022? ›However, thanks to its natural beauty and properties that make every piece unique, granite consistently found its way into American kitchens over the course of the twentieth century and is still a top choice in 2022.
What is a timeless kitchen design? ›
What is Timeless Kitchen Design? A timeless kitchen is one that will meet your standards and last for years to come while maintaining function and design. The main timeless features in a kitchen to look at are flooring, countertops, cabinets, hardware, backsplash, and layout.
What color kitchen has best resale value? ›Light neutrals are the most popular choice, with 27% of survey respondents reporting that having a white kitchen would make them more likely to buy a property, followed by 22% who would be swayed by a light grey kitchen. More surprisingly, bold colourways like black and dark blue also made the list.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen? ›Cabinets are also one of the fundamental aspects of your kitchen; one that is obviously essential and required. This is a big reason why they are also the most expensive part of your kitchen's remodel.
When updating a kitchen What comes first? ›The first step of any kitchen remodel is tear out and demolition. Before you are ready to create a beautiful new space, it is important to demolish and get rid of what's outdated or worn out. This is the time when you rip out anything you don't want to keep including walls, cabinetry, flooring, fixtures, or more.
What should you not forget in a new kitchen? ›- Workflow. Try to remember where you find yourself busiest in the kitchen. ...
- The Backsplash. ...
- Light Fixture Installation. ...
- The Floor. ...
- Electrical outlets. ...
- Storage Details. ...
- Surrounding Spaces. ...
- Budget.
- Spray paint hardware on kitchen cabinets.
- Install vinyl flooring.
- Consider adding a kitchen rug.
- Swap cabinets for open shelving.
- Upcycle an old window frame.
- Label your containers.
- Mount baskets on the wall.
- Add a wooden splashback.
- Aim for a mix of materials and textures in a kitchen. ...
- Create a countertop vignette. ...
- Consider the backsplash as a kitchen styling element. ...
- Keep accessories simple. ...
- Display art as part of your kitchen styling.
- 01 of 07. Introduce Open Shelving. ...
- 02 of 07. Paint the Cabinets. ...
- 03 of 07. Swap Out the Hardware. ...
- 04 of 07. Add Under-Cabinet Lighting. ...
- 05 of 07. Paint the Walls. ...
- 06 of 07. Rethink Your Cabinet Space. ...
- 07 of 07. Cover Your Countertops.
- The One Wall Kitchen. Usually found in smaller kitchens, this simple layout is space efficient without giving up on functionality. ...
- The Galley Kitchen. ...
- The L-Shaped Kitchen. ...
- The U-Shaped Kitchen. ...
- The Island Kitchen. ...
- The Peninsula Kitchen.
The L-shaped kitchen is one of the most popular layouts because it's super functional and can be adapted for almost any sized space. As the name implies, an L-shaped layout features cabinetry and appliances along two adjacent walls, creating an obvious triangle path between work zones.
What are the 5 basic kitchen layouts? ›
There are five basic kitchen layouts: L-Shape, G-Shape, U-Shape, One-Wall and Galley. The size and shape of the room will typically determine your layout.
What are the 4 essential zones for your kitchen? ›- #1: Work space and prep zone. Allocate ample counter space for this zone. ...
- #2: Cook zone. Make sure you ventilate this zone well. ...
- #3: Wash and clean zone. Regular cleaning of this zone is essential. ...
- #4: Storage zone. Access your requirement and create adequate storage space. ...
- #5: Additional zone (Serve)
The primary tasks in a home kitchen are carried out between the cook top, the sink and the refrigerator. These three points and the imaginary lines between them make up what kitchen experts call the work triangle.
What does ghost kitchen mean? ›Ghost kitchens, also known as dark kitchens, are commercial kitchens optimized for food delivery service. Each delivery kitchen is located in areas with a high concentration of delivery demand.
What is the general rule in kitchen layout? ›Rule 1: The Work Triangle
The “Work Triangle” - the triangle made by the stove, the sink and the refrigerator - should be compact enough that it allows convenient and effective circulation for the chef, but generous enough that two people working in the kitchen aren't bumping into one another.
There are six basic types of kitchen layouts: Island, Parallel, Straight, L-Shape, U-Shape, Open, and Galley. The L-Shaped kitchen is most suited to homes that do not need too much worktop spaces while the galley shaped kitchen is suitable for small homes.
Why is the kitchen sink always under a window? ›The simple reason why kitchen sinks have traditionally been placed under the window is that the window is, obviously, on an outside wall. In terms of plumbing, using as short a waste pipe as possible from the sink to the drains is not only the most effective but also the cheapest, solution.
What should you not forget when designing a kitchen? ›- Don't go open-plan – necessarily. ...
- Don't design too small a kitchen – if you can help it. ...
- Don't plan for too little countertop space. ...
- Don't forget storage, storage, storage. ...
- Don't overlook kitchen lighting. ...
- Don't pick cabinetry that will date. ...
- Don't miss the chance to open out to the garden. ...
- Don't forget about ventilation.
A U-shaped kitchen contains an arrangement of different kitchen units positioned on three adjacent walls that makes it appear to form the shape of the letter u. Known for its versatility, U-shaped kitchens can be enhanced by adding up a kitchen table or an island.
Where should pots and pans go in the kitchen? ›- Organize pots and pans above the stove. ...
- Store sheet pans on end. ...
- Hang pots and pans on a pegboard. ...
- Mount a ceiling pot rack. ...
- Store pans in a toe-kick drawer. ...
- Display copper cookware with a hanging pot rack. ...
- Store lids for pots and pans in a drawer. ...
- Use the island for pots and pans storage.