34 Beautiful, Functional Kitchens to Inspire Your Own

Scandinavian Inspired

Scandinavian kitchens are beloved for their neutral tones, bright light, and clean lines. Here, a calming color palette sets the stage while function is prioritized for maximum utility.

“The maple cabinets are truly the star of the show, and everything else was designed around showcasing their minimalist appeal,” says Octavio Estrada, senior architectural designer for Block Renovation. “To balance out the warmth from the wood and brass tones, we chose a neutral gray tile for the floors so the space wouldn’t feel too washed out.”

Bright and Airy

In this Madison, New Jersey, kitchen project by Wills Design Associates, the goal was a design that garnered the largest impact with minimal renovation. “The team added custom-striped cushions to the banquet area and balanced them with mint built-ins to add personality and create more interest for the neutral kitchen,” says founder and interior designer Lauren Wills Grover.

Further charm is added via the rattan pendant lights over the island and the vintage banquet light—a find from Chairish. The cushions were done by Sunbrella to ensure durability.

Rustic Sophistication

This Colorado kitchen by Rumor Designs is the epitome of rustic sophistication. Lead designer Katie Burnet says she wanted to create an updated look that still felt homey, which was accomplished by incorporating rustic elements such as reclaimed wood and shiplap.

“The client knew she wanted a dramatic hood that she could mount her skull to in the kitchen, and this larger-than-life look was achieved by adding six inches to both sides of the hood to be the perfect space for the interesting feature,” Burnet says.

Chic Historic Renovation

This beautiful kitchen design by Ali Vivoda is the culmination of two years of work—the grand finale—of a first-floor renovation of a historical home. “We had to make sure that it was durable but also in the aesthetic of the Wychwood Manor [New Jersey] residence where we maintained the original moldings, hardwood floors, and architectural details,” Vivoda says. “We wanted to bring in some added interest with a china cabinet that was thoroughly thought out, as well as multiple areas of storage that wouldn’t feel super cumbersome.”

A highly coveted “Henry” faucet from Waterworks is featured here alongside a seamless, quartzite marble sink.

Traditional White—With a Twist

If you fancy yourself a traditionalist, it makes sense to lean into a classic white kitchen. To prevent things from going too sterile, though, add some character via details and finishes.

“Form truly meets function in this Westchester County, New York kitchen. Our homeowner loved the look of traditional, all-white kitchens but had concerns around upkeep,” Estrada says. “We devised a plan to design around their preferred cabinetry style and offset the amount of white with black countertops. By leaning into such a sharp contrast, we removed the hassle of maintaining a pristine white countertop without losing the luxe aesthetic that often accompanies traditional design.”

A Touch of Art Deco

This Southold, New York kitchen designed by Wills Design Associates is light, bright, and perfect for entertaining. The windows open to the pool area for easy serving, and the large island invites guests to gather around. “To make the white kitchen interesting, we added reclaimed wood beams, a custom brass hood, and art deco decorative lighting for small touches of pizzaz,” Wills Grover says.

Academic Energy

In a world of white and light kitchens, there’s still room for a space with deeper tones. This beautiful design by Forge & Bow embodies an academic quality with dark forest green lower cabinetry, glass-fronted shelves, worn leather seating, and soft gray accents against white.

Contemporary Aesthetic

For this contemporary kitchen design by Block Renovation, the end goal was to honor both minimalist and hyper-contemporary design norms without losing any excitement.

“To achieve that goal, we anchored the darker cabinets to the bottom of the room and chose white cabinets above,” Estrada says. “This strategy brings a pleasant levity at eye level and a moody mystique below the countertops by playing with the shadowing effects of darker blue hues. To soften the sharp lines of the cabinetry design, we selected a more organic texture for the backsplash and floor tiles.”

Mid-Century Quiety Luxury

“The goal of this kitchen was quiet luxury, combining warmth and sophistication in the hub of a busy home,” says interior designer Erin Brown. “From the leathered quartzite island to the intricately knurled brass handles on the Brizo faucets, each material choice has been carefully tailored for my client’s love of entertaining.” Oversized island seating with rounded details, domed pendant lights, and pale wood tones lend a mid-century feel.

Kitchen Island Focus

The kitchen’s island, where the busiest handiwork occurs, should be sturdy, stationary, and at least four feet long. Ideally, there’s also extra room for prep tables that can be moved as needed, such as when guests are served a traditional buffet, for example. Islands often play host to displays as well, from fresh fruit to decorative ceramics.

Moody Blues

With the demand for dark blue cabinets on the rise, the homeowner’s goal for this kitchen was to jump on the trend while maintaining a sense of individuality. This was done through the selection of floor tiling, backsplash, and hardware. “We opted to steer clear of matte black hardware since it was a very popular pairing at the time and added in some whimsy with a daring floor tile pattern,” Estrada says. A low cabinet under the window provides extra storage as well as seating.

Funky and Fun

A confluence of texture, color, and prints come together in this fresh kitchen design by Wills Design Associates. “The design of this project was all about happiness and fun that is colorful and unique,” says Wills Grover. “We used a custom-made Moroccan backsplash and a custom copper hood that was patinaed to match the green accents.” A gold pan rack provides convenience and pizzazz, while made-to-order patterned floor tiles add even more charisma.

Colorful Geometric Kitchen

For another take on a playful kitchen design, take your cue from this concept by J. Banks Design. An eye-catching mosaic backsplash pairs with taupe cabinets, a geometric light fixture, a yellow-toned stovetop hood, and plush bar seats that are easily tucked beneath the counter.

Fresh Beach House

Take your design cue from Danielle Perdue of DK Home and breathe some beachside sophistication into your kitchen. The charming window seat outfitted in shades of blue invites you to sit down and enjoy your meals, while details like a bamboo framed mirror, globular pendants, palm fronds, and beach imagery bring it home.

Classic With Some Flair

“The look we were going for was a classic white kitchen with a casual flair,” says Betsy Vohs, interior designer and founder of Studio BV. The denim blue island sits at the center of it all and is complemented by a matte marble tile backsplash, a sophisticated cooking station, floating wood shelves, warm white oak floors, and woven stools. Dual refrigerators and the expansive island make it a dream to cook in.

Ultra Minimalism

If you aspire to crisp, clean lines and easygoing design, a minimalist kitchen might be for you. “When designing a minimalist space, it is our design philosophy that hierarchy must be strategized and preserved at all costs,” Estrada says. “For this kitchen, we knew that the homeowner wanted simple white slab cabinets and suggested adding a slight contrast through gray countertops to give the overall scheme a more intentional point of view.”

Spacious Urban Design

This wide-open kitchen design by Manny Angelo Varas of MV Group USA feels like it goes on for miles. This is accomplished via high ceilings and slim metal light fixtures, a trio of large windows, and an oversized island. Though it embraces urban-industrial vibes, warmth is added through the arched windows, wood tones, and textured backsplash at the cooking center.

Open Concept Kitchen

Creating a cozy sense of community was the primary goal for this open-concept kitchen design, which serves a family of five. “The banquet area under a large bay window has added storage to double as a breakfast and gaming-homework area for the kids,” Wills Grover says.

A Hint of Color

This home incorporates a light teal hue via pendant lights above the island and in the adjacent room but otherwise doesn’t stray too far from a muted color palette. The design philosophy was simple: to add color in smaller concentrated areas as a way of adding dimension to the room.

Coffee Corner

Coffee stations are popping up in kitchens everywhere. “A growing trend is the incorporation of dedicated coffee corners in breakfast areas,” says Malka Helft of Think Chic Interiors. “Homeowners are requesting coffee bars that can store coffee, tea, breakfast foods, fruit, cups, bowls, and other essentials. This dedicated space allows for a convenient and stylish way to start the day.”

Tropical Paradise

Leaning into a tropical paradise theme is a quick way to add some real character to any kitchen. In this project by interior designer Amber Guyton of Blessed Little Bungalow, a splashy mural sets the mood, while pink velvet bar chairs, a textured rug, white globe pendant lights, and green cabinetry help bring the design together.

Sleek Black

If you like the idea of minimalism but white tones aren’t your preferred look, opt for a sleek black kitchen instead. This design by Taniya Nayak incorporates all-black cabinetry with gold hardware that is balanced with a quartz countertop with gilded veining, glass bar stools, and a glossy white backsplash.

Main Attraction Stovetop

The kitchen is obviously a place for cooking meals, but if you’re an especially avid home chef, then go big with a cooking station that serves as the main attraction. This elegant stovetop, incorporated in a beautiful kitchen design by L’Atelier Paris, is a real showstopper. The matching hood elevates the space even further.

Cozy Corner Nook

You don’t need an existing built-in seating nook, nor do you need to spend a lot on a big renovation. Instead, create a custom corner seating space via furniture and a round table, as done here by Elana Cline Carta Creatives. A light fixture above the table and some artwork help the space feel intentional.

Modern Elegance

This modern new build in Austin, Texas, came equipped with some great bones, including vaulted ceilings, expansive arched openings, and a moderately open floor plan. The Britt Design Group infused even more character and luxury detailing via glass pendants and a Cambria countertop that effortlessly complements the custom-color soft sage cabinetry in French oak.

Maximized Storage

In designer Jenni Kayne’s kitchen, her passion for organizing and her keen eye are on full display. Glass-front cabinets and open shelving make prepping and cooking easier and also help her cut down on clutter.

Double Island

If you’ve got a large space, capitalize on counter space via a double island. This Lake Austin resort-style home by Ashby Collective features double islands in Phyton Blue-honed marble with a waterfall effect on each. They pull together a sleek, modern design that’s accented with cozy rustic details.

Gathering Place

In this Brooklyn brownstone, what’s now the kitchen used to be a formal parlor. The homeowners retrofitted the space by turning former closets into cabinets for appliances and dishes and adding a custom marble-top island. The room has become the family’s go-to hang-out spot.

California Bungalow

From the reclaimed wood dining table and oak kitchen shelves to the jute rugs and bamboo blinds, there are a myriad of natural woods and woven textiles throughout this house.

Barn Kitchen

A rustic and refined barn home features pendant light fixtures in the kitchen that are crafted from old metal shades and gas-pipe fittings. The island counter is a three-inch-thick piece of maple; it is so heavy that it had to be brought into the house in two pieces and then glued together.

Retro Townhouse Kitchen

The kitchen in this relaxed, elegant townhouse boasts matching limed-oak cabinets, which warm the palette in the garden-floor space. The gently reflective stainless-steel countertop and backsplash also brighten the room. The painting propped up behind the clock is a Paris flea market find. Black stools are covered in a green vinyl that’s tough enough for the after-school crowd.

Loft Kitchen

In this downtown loft space, a rolling ladder, which slides between the open kitchen and the living area, allows access to shelves holding serving pieces and books.

Clever-Storage

For a city apartment kitchen that gets a lot of use, color and function are both on display. Aside from many clever storage spaces, a collection of cafe au lait bowls adds a bright and whimsical focal point.

Organized Modern

This kitchen features an open pantry so everyone in the family can have easy access. With such a clear view of the space, it was also important to make sure that everyday wares didn’t look messy. Storage baskets help keep produce and dry goods out of sight.