Kitchen Styles – Which is Right for You When Remodeling?

Choosing a style for your kitchen remodel takes some consideration. You need to think about of course your personal preference, but also the rest of the house as well. You don’t want your new kitchen to stick out from the rest of the house like a sore thumb. You want your home to have a flow and cohesiveness to it. Beyond that, some kitchen styles are more expensive than others; some are more readily available than others as well. Just like shoes or clothing, there are different styles and varieties to choose from. Here are a few of the most popular ones for you to consider.

Traditional

Traditional kitchens are timeless. They are refined and include luxury finishes, beautiful architecture, and classic details. They don’t shy away from a bit of ornate millwork to create a well-curated collection.

Design Elements:

• Raised-panel cabinets
• Furniture inspired details
• Apron front sinks
• Marble, quartz or other luxury stones
• Architectural details – custom hood surrounds, decorative molding, corbels
• Rich, timeless colors including white but you could also consider soft shades of blue, green, beige or natural wood

Contemporary

Contemporary kitchens dive right into today’s trends, technological features, and materials. They are typically pretty minimal and clean.

Design Elements:

• Flat-panel cabinetry
• Waterfall countertops
• Smart technology and innovative appliances
• Creative backsplashes
• Dramatic lighting, under-mount sinks, and minimalist fixtures
• Bright, bold colors or soft and subtle with white being a popular option as a base with colorful cabinets or backsplash as a focal point

Transitional

Transitional kitchens beautifully bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary design, with just enough detail to appeal to fans of both styles. Pulling things from both sides, transitional kitchens don’t lean too far in either direction and is perfectly its own style.

Design Elements:

• Shaker-style cabinetry
• Farmhouse sinks
• Marble or quartz waterfall countertops
• Subway tile backsplash
• Pendant lighting
• Mostly neutral colors with soft and subtle hues when color is present

Farmhouse

Farmhouse kitchens are simple, honest, and homespun. They incorporate modern elements, but for the most part, stick to the rustic appeals of rural heritage. Although they can be very modern, they also look as if they have been in the home for years.

Design Elements:

• Shaker-style cabinetry
• Shiplap & beadboard
• Natural wood floors, butcher block countertops, antique farmhouse tables, exposed beams
• Large pantry areas
• Apron front farmhouse sinks
• Simple, natural colors inspired by nature, historic homes, and farm hues including barn red, mustard, buttermilk, sage, and robin’s egg blue

Beach

Beach or cottage kitchens are bright and open and have a casual, easygoing style. The spaces make you feel like you are on vacation and the relaxed mood the room gives you is sometime more important than the design itself.

Design Elements:

• Colorful appliances
• Light counters including recycled glass with cement or engineered quartz
• Patterned tile
• Natural textures like rattan, jute or seagrass
• Fun, nautical lighting
• A smooth connection between indoor and outdoor spaces
• Beach colors—think sand, sea, and sky. White is popular with vibrant colors like green and corals

Modern

Modern kitchens are all about form and structure so you won’t see much ornamentation. They often contain smooth surfaces like concrete and steel and have strong lines and lots of open space while the emphasis is on the minimal aesthetic.

Design Elements:

• Frameless cabinets with flat panel doors
• Continuous backsplash made of glass or stone slabs
• Fixtures of polished nickel, chrome or matte black
• Recessed and integrated lighting and simple, clean pendant lights
• Concreate as countertops, flooring, or even on walls
• Colors are usually clean and crisp with high contrast so a lot of black and whites and subtle neutrals

These are 6 of some of the more popular styles, but there are others such as rustic, industrial, Mediterranean, or craftsman. Spend some time looking at inspiration photos to figure out what style fits you and your home best. If you’re not sure or you’re stuck between a couple of different styles, we can help you decide which one fits best or give you some examples of kitchens we have done in that style. We’re happy to help you talk through each of these styles and what trends we are seeing with each one as well. Give us a call today to set up your free design consultation to get started on making your dream kitchen a reality.