Casual? Formal? Elegant and simple? Choose your style.
Just like clothes and shoes, kitchens come in many different styles. For some people choosing a style of cooking is easy, they just like a particular style and are not interested in others. But for some it is not so simple. The choice of a kitchen style must take some considerations. Some styles are more expensive than others. Design elements for some styles are easy to find, others are not. Some styles follow the style of the house in general and some do not. For example, it just wouldn’t be right to have a very modern kitchen style in a period home like a Victorian or Craftsman. On the other hand, you would not want to have a traditional style formal kitchen in a very modern style house.
Even if you don’t know what style you want, you’ll probably prefer a more modern or more traditional type of kitchen. The best way to start is to search the web for kitchen photos and collect a few that you like. Then look at them and see if you can see a pattern. Are most of them modern and contemporary or more formal and beautiful?
What is the main thing in all these photos? What is the first thing you notice? If cabinets don’t come first, they certainly should be in the top two. Cabinets are the main design element. Help define your style. So when we design a kitchen we usually start with the basics and the most basic is the cabinets.
Let’s look at some basic kitchen styles to help you choose which one is right for you.
Traditional Style
Traditional is more formal and elegant and has been around for a long time. It is timeless and never goes out of style. Some of the features are crown, rope or carved moulding, fluting, decorative molding and corbels. Cabinets are typically cherry, walnut, or mahogany and have raised panel doors. Painted cabinets are also commonly seen: white, cream, pale yellow, pale blue, or green. Decorative glazes are seen, but they are more transparent and often pinkish. Appliances are often paneled or black, but stainless steel has found its way into traditional kitchens. Granite countertops are the most popular with this style, but other types of stone are also popular. Backsplashes are usually ceramic or stone. Sinks are often front-facing, but of a more formal type than the farmhouse sinks you might see in country styles. The floors are usually ceramic tile, stone or wood. The metals are brushed nickel, platinum, brass, and gold.
Do you love to entertain? Are you more likely to buy timeless clothing styles rather than go with current fashions? Do you crave rich, expensive and timeless furniture styles? Do you drive a luxury car (or wish you could)? Do you love cooking? Is your kitchen your favorite room? Would you rather wear silk than denim? Traditional may be your style.
rustic style
Country-style kitchens are warm, casual, comfortable, and inviting. The cabinets are usually painted, but oak and pine are also popular. Distressed cabinets fit perfectly in the country kitchen as they are glazed, but are more rustic in nature. There are many different types of countries: French, English, Cottage, Farm, European. Cabinets are mixed with either more than one painted color or with a paint and wood finish. Cabinet inserts include beadboard, glass, tinplate, and “chicken wire.” Open shelves are common for dishes, food, glasses and mugs. Countertops include granite, solid surface, tile, soapstone, slate, and butcher block. Backsplashes can be beadboard, tile, including hand-painted tile. Farmhouse Style Apron Front Sinks: Copper, Hand Painted Artistic Styles, Cast Iron. The metals are copper and bronze. The floors are usually wooden, but stone or ceramic tiles are also popular. Hand-painted plates, folk art, things like cookie jars, painted mugs, potted herbs, rugs, and drapes are as much design elements as country-style cabinets.
Do you love to bake? Would you rather wear jeans than Kashmir sweaters? Do you love gardening? Would you rather spend time at home with your family than go out to clubs? Is comfort in your home a priority? Does entertaining mean eating fried chicken with family and a few close friends to you? Country can be your style.
cottage style
Casual, cozy, light, bright, sunny, describe the cottage style. Inspired by the English county, it’s charming and relaxed, like being on holiday all year round. The cottage style is also reminiscent of beach houses and Nantucket Shingle style houses. These kitchens feel most comfortable with white cabinets or pastels like blue, pale yellow, and pale green. Cabinets are often given the appearance of being slightly worn, but not shabby. Upper cabinets with glass doors, or sometimes with mesh or even fabric inserts and beadboard. Tile countertops, solid surface or butcher block, tile backsplashes, farmhouse sinks, white or paneled appliances, wood or ceramic flooring. While the cabinets tend to be pale, the walls are often bright and cheery, and patterned wall coverings are common: checks, checks, and small or floral prints. Cabin kitchens often have a beach theme. Accessories mean a lot and home kitchens, if they are not messy, have accessories. Decorative and collectible plates serve as design elements in these kitchens.
Do you love going to garage sales? Would you rather have a beach vacation than a fancy resort? Do you like bright and sunny rooms with bright sunny colors? Prefer to invite friends over for a cookout instead of a formal dinner? Is your perfect afternoon snuggling up with a good romance book and a cup of tea? The cabin can be your style.
arts and crafts style
Also known as craftsman or mission, this style has a lot of craftsmanship, little fuss, and is a comfortable style. This style uses natural materials, textures and colors. Cabinets have recessed panel doors, thick frames, and flush frame. While not a formal style, you may see hand-carved corbels and wooden brackets. Upper cabinets may have small glass doors. Most of these cabinets have a wood finish in keeping with the natural characteristics of the style. Counter tops are granite, solid surface, tile, butcher block. Backsplashes are stone tile or ceramic tile. Wooden or stone stoneware floors. Tiffany style lighting.
Do you value fine handmade workmanship over something mass-produced in a factory? Do you prefer leather or wool to silk or satin? Hate clutter? Would you rather have one exquisite piece of art than many pretty good art prints? Arts & Crafts could be for you.
Contemporary style
This style is essentially modern and its characteristics are simple, elegant and clean lines with few personal touches. Materials are more handmade than natural stainless steel, glass, laminate, concrete, chrome, lacquer, although wood cabinets with a light finish are quite common. The style is largely European. The sinks are usually stainless steel; The counters are stainless steel, glass, laminate. The backsplashes are largely the same. We’re looking at hardwood floors, but tile is the most common. Appliances are usually made of steel, but black also stands out in these kitchens.
Do you love going out to the clubs and dancing until dawn? Do you love wearing whatever is in style this season? Do you hate lint and mess in your house? Do you drive a sports car (or crave one)? Do you often entertain good friends with good food and good wine? Would you rather live in an attic than on the outskirts? Contemporary could be your style.
old world style
The Old World includes the French Country, Tuscany, and the Mediterranean. Many of these influences blend into the Old World style, but with beautiful results. Wood is an important element of the beautiful rich Old World wood grain, often with beautiful glazes that give it just the right amount of patina, like a prized antique. When painted cabinets are used, they are rich colors of green and red. It is common to mix wood and paint finishes. This style favors natural materials. Stone countertops and stone tile backsplashes, stone or wood floors, metals are copper and bronze, stone or metal deck front sinks, stone or metal vessel island sinks. Amber glass luminaires. Black or panel appliances. The colors are deep, rich and earthy. The colors of the walls are the same: reds, golds, browns, burnt orange or rust. Copper or bronze pot hangers are almost a must. Grape and wine themes are very popular.
Do you love cooking? Do you prefer homemade pasta than sushi? Would you prefer a holiday in the wine country or in the mountains? Do you love intense and dark colors? Do you like to wear an expensive silk blouse with jeans? Do you prefer a masterpiece of art to modern art? Old World may be your style.
