The kitchen is above all a functional room. This is where we prepare our meals for the day and nourish ourselves, our families, and anyone who stops by our home. But of course, given the bonding power of food, the kitchen is also a gathering place. It's a place where guests are eager to linger with a glass of wine, add finishing touches before food enters the dining room, or help clean up once the party is over. And given its importance, many of us aspire to beautiful kitchens where form and function collide.
Design trends come and go, but kitchens that prioritize timeless style and communicate your personal aesthetic are timeless. That's why when we collected our favorite beautiful kitchens, we immediately noticed the ones that clearly expressed the homeowner's design values. Yes, the light splashes through the wide open windows, the backsplash allows for all kinds of creativity, and the countertop is the perfect base for an Instagram-worthy post. But after all, a beautiful kitchen has certain characteristics. Je ne sais qui It's difficult to say in words. But you know it when you see it.
Check out some of our favorite beautiful kitchens we've photographed over the years. From small studios to family-friendly eat-in kitchens, the kitchens below are sure to inspire. Now, who wants renovation?
Featured image of Emma Lane's Kitchen by Jen Rose Smith
Image by Suruchi Avasthi
Kate Ahrens' whimsical and joyful kitchen
Kate Arends, author of the widely-loved design blog Wit & Delight, is a master of interiors. A multi-hyphenate blogger, she covers everything from home to fashion to travel to food. And of course, we look to her expertise in all of it. Kate has a knack for matching colors and patterns, as evidenced by her quirky, design-forward kitchens. She adds dimension to the space by playing with textures that appear to collide almost simultaneously, yet remain consistent.
Our favorite part: Modern wood wall panels add retro charm to the deep blush-colored cabinetry (which she painted in Farrow & Ball's Salking Room Pink and Hague Blue). And of course, the Calcutta marble countertops.
Her style: A classic with a quirky twist.
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Image by Virtually Here Studios
Eclectic, Mid-Century and Spanish Oasis by Greg and Christy Birox
This 1930s three-bedroom home in Los Angeles, designed by Kirsten Blazek, is a study in creating a calm and serene space while flooding the interior with natural light. It has an old LA vibe that newer buildings can't evoke, with an eclectic, bohemian vibe that still feels comfortable for a family of four.
Our favorite part: Heath Ceramics backsplash. Known for their handcrafted ceramic tableware and architectural tiles, the brand was a natural choice to add visual interest to minimalist spaces. A gorgeous, grounding choice that complements open shelves, greenery, and ceramics.
Kirsten's style: Color is very important to me when designing a space. I always try to create a consistent color story from room to room. The nuances of color also appealed to me, and I focused on finding exactly the right hue and saturation for each color I chose.
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Image by Michelle Nash
Brian and Jesse De Rowe's sunny California farmhouse
Brian and Jesse de Rowe's Montecito ranch home exudes a sunny Cali vibe. Brian and Jesse, who love entertaining and gathering together as a family, prioritized a refreshing, welcoming aesthetic that primarily communicated through the open kitchen (and, of course, the outdoor bar). The formal dining table is often used for guests, but the family eats at the kitchen island or in the blue-walled breakfast nook). These are all examples of how a love of color can go hand in hand with higher aesthetics. You don't have to sacrifice comfort for style.
Our favorite part: The open and inviting kitchen has sliding glass doors that allow for seamless transition from indoors to the outdoor patio (and beyond, a backyard filled with lemon trees). Dreamy feeling? absolutely.
Their style: Open, calm and happy.
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Image by Michelle Nash
Camille's light-filled studio kitchen
What started casually Isn't that amazing? That proposal turned into a full-fledged and budget-friendly renovation. Camille loved the light shining into the guest room, so she went all out to transform the space into a studio kitchen. She had several priorities regarding the project.
- It will serve as a prep space for the team to shoot recipe photos, videos, and content for Casa Zuma.
- The layout needed to maximize natural light.
- Provide a central workspace for collaboration.
- Everything is done within budget.
With all this in mind, Camille prepared for the job. By finding items that not only bridge the gap between affordability and high quality, but also maintain the space's minimalist, organic feel, Camille was able to complete his renovation for just over $2,800. Ta. (Proof that dreams can come true!) The space is a triple treat, with reclaimed wood and woven materials sprinkled throughout for a rustic, vintage, and timeless aesthetic.
Our favorite part: A central island/workbench is the perfect multifunctional item that establishes the space in both form and function. Sourced from her Etsy shop called Whatman Barn Furniture, Camille was able to customize the assembly so that it could be easily moved throughout the kitchen while still allowing the team enough room to spread out on the countertop.
Her style: For the Casa Zuma and Camille Styles shoot, we prioritized neutral backgrounds that are both rustic and modern.
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Image by Lenny Solis
Sara Solis' Wabi Sabi Kitchen
One of the most sought-after designers, Sara Solis' work is widely known for projects that span eclectic, traditional, and farmhouse aesthetics. In her own home, Sarah balances her understated opposites by playing up her warm and cool tones once again with rich fabrics and moody designs. Her kitchen itself combines dark accents with rustic features, while also allowing a cloud-like theme to extend throughout the design.
Our favorite part: The eat-in kitchen corner is equipped with a banquette to maximize seating. Sleek and stylish, the aesthetics are fused (his mid-century tulip table blends seamlessly with classic Colonial cabinetry), yet feels cohesive within the range.
Her style: Neutral colors and natural wood variations are the basis of my design work. This palette is very calming for me. It's stillness.
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Image by Madeline Harper
Anastasia Casey's nature-inspired kitchen
When Anastasia Casey invited us to tour her Nancy Meyers-inspired kitchen, we were blown away. It's gorgeous without feeling over-the-top (and Meryl Streep happily inhabits it as the film's protagonist with gorgeous taste). Her East Texas home is full of character and charm, while also appealing to many tastes. A true jewel, customized with the touch of Casey's expert designers.
We visited Casey's home during the holidays last year and loved her timeless, nature-inspired approach to design. Organic touches are sprinkled throughout the kitchen, with garlands of leaves and pine needles serving as minimalist yet festive accents. But the year-round pieces are decidedly classic, creating a monochromatic color story by favoring warm whites and grays, while a gorgeous Italian lineup grounds the space.
Our favorite part: Custom floating shelves keep the look light and bright, allowing Casey to explore further curation opportunities by displaying her gorgeous collection of tableware and tableware.
Her style: Easy-going, natural, and a little quirky. I like the unusual, the unexpected and always inspired by nature.
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Image by Daniel Sabol
Ashley Robertson's modern and elegant kitchen
Ashley Robertson epitomizes classic design updated. The author of her fashion blog, The Teacher Diva, built her five-bedroom home in Dallas completely from scratch in 2018. She collaborated with her award-winning interior designer, Ginger Curtis of Urbanology Designs. The result is a home that is an extension of her personal style, adding modern, elegant, and classy charm.
With this in mind, the design duo managed to create a kitchen that not only works as a work of art (those pendants!), but also stands up to the busy lives of a family of four. Additionally, as a content creator, Curtis had in mind that Robertson would use the space for blogging and social media shoots. To that end, they prioritized clean lines, light textures, and a layout that makes the most of natural light.
Our favorite part: Waterfall Island is everything right now, and we're obsessed with this elegant, contemporary take on the trend. Expand your eyes laterally and increase the scale of space.
Her style: Traditional modern. It has recognizable architectural features but with a fresh contemporary interpretation.
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