This article will help answer one of the most common questions our kitchen designers are asked: “How do I determine my kitchen style?”
Deciding what style you want your new kitchen to be is something that should be done prior to your first meeting with the kitchen designer. Understanding what type of kitchen style you desire will help your designer make the most suitable recommendations for many components of your kitchen including:
- Colors
- Countertop material
- Cabinet material and style
- Hardware
- Lighting
- Seating
- Flooring
- Wood type and finishes
- Backsplash
- Shelving
- Sink style
- Accessories
Popular Kitchen Styles
When comparing kitchen styles, think about your family’s needs and lifestyle as well as the overall design of your home. Do you want to reflect the rest of your home’s style or do you want something completely different? Take your time and explore all your options, because as JoAnn Lyles, Certified Kitchen Designer at Riverhead Building Supply says, the “kitchen is the most important space in your home.”
Here are some popular kitchen styles you may want to consider:
Modern
The modern kitchen is sleek and elegant. The cabinets have a minimalist look and simple hardware. Modern kitchens typically possess a monochromatic neutral hue but may have stainless steel lighting and appliances, wood accents or an accessory in a bold pop of color.
Rustic
The rustic kitchen evokes the feeling of being in a mountain lodge. Reclaimed wood, wrought iron, and antiques are often found in this type of kitchen. Wood cabinets, hardwood floors, and ceiling beams create a space that has a weathered, lived-in look that is warm and welcoming.
Traditional
Traditional kitchens incorporate designs that are characteristic of American or European homes from the 18th through early 20th centuries. Curved lines, decorative moldings, wainscoting, and raised panel cabinets are some of the distinctive features of this classic and sophisticated kitchen style.
Farmhouse
Homey and comfortable farmhouse kitchens often feature knotty wood floors or slate floors, hardwood cabinets in white or warm tones, open shelving, and an apron front sink. Large areas for food preparation and eating are characteristic of the farmhouse kitchen and make the space ideal for entertaining.
Cottage
Cottage kitchens unite white or bright colors with vintage-style details and decorative touches to create an inviting and cheerful space for food preparation and serving. This charming style may also feature open shelving, wood countertops and flooring, and hand-painted accents.
How to find inspiration
Home design magazines, Pinterest, YouTube, our website and the Houzz app, are excellent resources for researching kitchen styles. Or you can simply do a quick Google search for “kitchen designs” and you’ll immediately be presented with photo-rich websites that describe and detail virtually every type of kitchen style. There are also fun online quizzes you can take that can help you choose the style that best fits your preferences and lifestyle.
Riverhead Building Supply’s Kitchen Designers all recommend bringing any magazine clippings and links to photos you like to your first meeting with the designer. Many of our Designers suggest that while looking through the photos, be sure “to note what you like about each kitchen.” Be specific. Is it the colors? The lighting? The cabinets? The overall look? The more information you share with the designer, the easier it will be for them to understand your likes and dislikes and create a kitchen design targeted to your taste and aspirations.
Questions to ask yourself
If you still aren’t sure which kitchen style is right for you or are a bit overwhelmed by all your options, here are some questions to ask yourself:
- What kind of countertop material do you like? Granite, wood, quartz, marble, etc.
- Do you prefer furniture with straight lines or more curves and embellishments?
- What kind of vibe do you want your kitchen to have? Laid-back, formal, fun, cool, etc.
- Do you like colors and patterns or a monochromatic look?
- What type of light fixtures do you like? Crystal chandelier, steel pendant lights, recessed, Tiffany-style, etc.
- Do you like open shelving or cabinets?
- Do you want your kitchen to reflect the architectural style of your home?
Answering these questions can guide you toward the dream kitchen design that you will be happy with for years to come.
