The kitchen is arguably the most important space in the house. It’s where you prepare your favorite meals, entertain family, and share drinks with friends. Therefore, it’s crucial to design a space that feels trendy, stylish, and reflective of your personality while providing comfort and functionality, making cooking a breeze.
There’s a lot to consider when crafting your dream kitchen: cabinet design, hardware, sinks, paint colors, and backsplash tiles, to name a few. If you’re looking for inspiration, browse this photo gallery of well-crafted interiors, showcasing a mix of modern kitchens, retro design trends, and charming country ideas.
You’ll find beautiful arrangements inspired by 2023 kitchen design trends, such as double islands, stone slabs, and high-contrast elements, alongside budget-friendly upgrades like genius storage solutions and fresh wall decor. Other simple improvements to consider include refreshing cabinets or walls with chic paint colors, creating visual interest with bold backsplashes, or hanging modern light fixtures above the kitchen island. For those working with limited square footage, we’ve included designer-approved inspiration for small spaces, from functional open layouts to gorgeous galley kitchens.
Whether you’re looking for a small upgrade that makes a big impact or considering a complete kitchen renovation, you’re sure to find an idea that fits your style. Plus, we’ve made it easy to shop similar styles as you scroll.
Add Simple Stripes
Classic stripe walls, whether achieved with wallpaper or wood paneling, can make a room feel more spacious. In this example, Alison Giese Interiors and Unique Kitchens and Baths collaborated to create a soothing country kitchen.
Add a Built-in Ladder
This rustic ladder not only adds style to a sunny kitchen but also maximizes the use of high ceilings. Now, homeowner Laura Skudder can easily reach her top shelves and access infrequently used kitchen appliances.
Opt for Deep Blue Paint
Choose a rich blue to paint the trim, walls, and cabinetry for a moody ambiance. Interior designer Kelsey McGregor enhances this look with gold hardware and a boho runner rug.
Install Glass Cabinet Doors
To complement the green lower cabinets, home builders Forge & Bow opt for white upper cabinets. The glass doors provide additional storage while showcasing a beautiful glassware collection.
Experiment with Sea Green Cabinetry
For 2023, interior designer Emily Henderson expresses her fondness for blue and green kitchens, particularly when combined with natural woods and hardware.
Opt for Open Space Instead of Upper Cabinets
Create a sense of spaciousness in a small area by forgoing upper cabinets. Follow the example of Ellen Hatton from BarnesVanze Architects, who opt for large windows in this neutral kitchen design.
Optimize a Galley Kitchen Interior designer
Julia Chasman demonstrates how to infuse a narrow space with plenty of styles using green cabinetry, gold hardware, open shelving, and a striking statement runner.
Arrange Double Islands
Creating one island for food prep and another for dining, this double island setup maximizes counter space. Interior designer Lindye Galloway maintains cohesion by adding two gold pendants above each island.
Craft a Wine Nook
Enhance your design by utilizing vertical space with either a built-in wine rack or a freestanding bar cabinet, showcasing your wine collection in style.
Embrace a Vintage Aesthetic
Add character and charm to a modern kitchen by incorporating a vintage farm table as an island, as demonstrated by Amy Sklar of Sklar Design.
Establish a Bar Area
Designate a space for crafting a stylish home bar, ensuring it stands out by choosing a fresh cabinet color. Arterberry Cooke opts for a moody green to contrast with the bright white kitchen.
Create Window Sill Storage
In this vibrant blue kitchen by REFORM, two shelves are cleverly added below the window sill. These open shelves provide extra space to showcase trendy dishware and everyday kitchen essentials.
Strive for Harmony and Continuity Adhering to the principles of Feng Shui, designer Jennifer A. Emmer integrates raw wood, embraces natural light, and upholds the kitchen triangle rule, ensuring that the sink, refrigerator, and range form a harmonious triangle.
Strive for Harmony and Continuity
Adhering to the principles of Feng Shui, designer Jennifer A. Emmer integrates raw wood, embraces natural light, and upholds the kitchen triangle rule, ensuring that the sink, refrigerator, and range form a harmonious triangle.
Incorporate Butcher-Block Islands
Introduce natural wood textures, even when opting for bold hues for the main cabinets. In this instance, Arterberry Cooke combines baby blue cabinets with a walnut butcher block island, complete with a mini fridge.
Display a Stone Slab
From the high-gloss green cabinets to the striking stone backsplash, this kitchen confidently embraces bold choices over neutrals. Enhance the space with a vibrant runner, and your kitchen is complete.
Achieve Contrast
In this modern kitchen, a harmonious balance of light and dark tones is struck, with bright white cabinets complemented by a deep gray island featuring ample storage. The black and white patterned backsplash ties the entire space together seamlessly.
Create a Gallery Wall
Transform a blank kitchen wall into a showcase for your favorite artwork. Mix and match frames, ranging from modern silver to antique gold finishes, to create visual interest. A gallery wall adds a personal touch to the space, providing something delightful to admire while doing everyday tasks like washing dishes.
Invest in a Brass Faucet
A brass kitchen faucet adds an air of sophistication to any interior. Pair it with matching knobs and an aged brass pendant light to create a cohesive and stylish look.
Elevate with a Blue Backsplash
Revitalize your kitchen with a simple backsplash swap. This stunning baby blue and white pattern perfectly complements the crisp white cabinets and sleek open shelving, instantly refreshing the space.
Craft a Country Kitchen
Exuding rustic charm, this bright kitchen is a perfect embodiment of country chic. Featuring a lantern-style pendant and a distressed wood kitchen island, it exudes warmth and character. Complete the decor with wooden serving boards, glass jars, and vintage buckets to enhance the cozy, countryside atmosphere.
Embrace Green Hues
The kitchen presents an ideal canvas for bold color experimentation. Introduce depth and texture by incorporating various shades of green amidst the monochrome backdrop. Interior designer Jean Stoffer, discussing her West Michigan kitchen, notes, “Our eye adjusts to the range, and it all feels right. The lavish use of green is a design statement that I expect to age gracefully.”
Experiment with Vibrant Colors
Inject personality into a minimalist kitchen by incorporating a sunny shade. Pair fresh white cabinets with vibrant yellow subway tiles, installed vertically for added visual intrigue. Complete the look with coordinating pendant lights, dishware, and planters to create a cohesive and lively atmosphere.
Incorporate Raw Wood Accents
Infuse your interior with warmth and rustic charm by incorporating reclaimed wood shelving. These open shelves not only display dishware but also add visual interest to the space. To further enhance the interior, contrast is introduced with white subway tiles installed with black grout, adding another layer of texture and depth.
Integrate Greenery Accents
Infuse vitality into your kitchen by incorporating houseplants that serve as both decor and functional elements. Consider growing herbs like basil or cilantro, not only adding freshness to your dishes but also enhancing the ambiance of your cooking space.
Highlight Large Appliances
“The retro-inspired Smeg refrigerator evokes a nostalgic ambiance, especially when paired with antique Blue Willow dishware and original shiplap walls,” explains designer Lance Thomas of Thomas Guy Interiors. “I appreciate how simply placing dishware overflow on top of the fridge integrates it seamlessly into the kitchen space.”
Opt for Checkerboard Flooring
Classic checkerboard flooring remains timeless and stylish. To give this retro-inspired design a modern twist, pair it with a clean interior featuring crisp whites for a fresh and contemporary look.
Repurpose an Old Table
The weathered wood beneath the farmhouse sink is repurposed from another piece of furniture. Designer Leanne Ford shares, “I asked a friend to help me cut up my favorite old table to turn it into the cabinet front. This well-loved repurposed piece adds just the right amount of character to the kitchen.”
Stick to Timeless White
A neutral kitchen can exude sophistication without feeling bland. Drawing inspiration from the home of Shelby Girard, Havenly’s VP of Creative & Design, incorporate natural stone elements like marble or quartzite, along with accents of wood, brass, and textured accessories such as rugs or window treatments. Girard emphasizes, “I like to introduce decorative elements that elevate the kitchen beyond mere utility, creating a true living space. It embodies a classic-meets-California-cool style.”
Make a Statement with Vibrant Cabinets
For those who love to push boundaries, embrace the opportunity to experiment with the color of your cabinetry. Shelby Girard, VP of Creative & Design at Havenly, suggests, “Modern, luxurious, and even bohemian aesthetics can all benefit from a splash of color. However, aim for timelessness over trendiness, opting for tried-and-true hues like blues, greens, and blacks to achieve a personality-packed impact.”
Incorporate a Breakfast Nook
Even in a compact kitchen, establishing a gathering spot near a window can foster a cozy indoor-outdoor ambiance. Designer Alan Tanksley notes, “The corner placement of the banquettes offers views inward, towards the heart of the house, and outward, towards the river and children playing in the yard.”
Choose Low-Maintenance Tile
Interior designer Mary Patton emphasizes the importance of using durable and affordable materials whenever possible. She explains, “For this Houston kitchen, we opted for a user-friendly porcelain tile that mimics the look of marble. It’s budget-friendly and easy to clean.”
