There are so many ideas to bookmark.
Once upon a time, white refrigerators were modern, and honey oak cabinetry was chic. Now, both of those things make a kitchen look tacky. It's hard to say if there's such a thing as an actual "timeless" kitchen since every design decision made can be considered a sign of the times, but interior experts know how to get pretty close. These gorgeous designer kitchens prove that.
While we understand the appeal of a simple, all-white kitchen, today's most noteworthy kitchen design ideas are packed with personality, including bold colors, interesting cabinetry profiles, and jewelry-like hardware. There are plenty of ways to make the most of your cook space, whether you boast a petite-but-powerful galley kitchen or an expansive chef-style space built for entertaining (which calls for a double island, we think!).
No matter the aesthetic you're going for—or the budget you have in mind—these 109 beautiful kitchen ideas are sure to inspire you. Every detail has been considered, from the gleam of the backsplash to eye-catching lighting. Read on for the best designer kitchens, straight from our favorite experts to your screen.
Additional copy by Kate McGregor.
It's your kitchen, you can do what you want with it. Designer Betsy Wentz transformed this butler's pantry into a luxurious home bar, swathed in blue-violet paint and decorated with mirrored tile and gold accents.
Put your heirloom-worthy cookware on display. Patinaed pots and pans can serve as decor when they're not in use—just look at this elegant kitchen designed by Sarah Stacey. The pieces hanging above the stove add another aged element and break up the neutral tone of the backsplash.
While this entire home by Sawyers Design is vibrant and unique, the color-blocked kitchen is perfectly funky. The hues in here are found throughout the rest of the home, so everything comes together in one central gathering space.
Ali Budd's clients had purchased this bubblegum pink range before they started working with her, but they knew it was a must-have in their new kitchen. “The room’s scale paired with the bold range was a challenge,” Budd admits. “If we went in the wrong direction, it could quickly turn into a Barbie Dreamhouse.” She managed to balance out the vibrancy of the appliance with a complementary combination of finishes, including antique brass, limewash, wood, marble, and emerald quartzite.
As if a 13-foot green quartzite island isn't stunning enough, Budd chose to attach a custom banquette to the side of it. It makes the island and the seating area a wholly unique piece that wouldn't be easily replicable by others, and it feels so stunning and luxurious.
Allison Willson's clients wanted a house that was prime for entertaining, so to accommodate their family and their houseguests, she put seven barstools around the kitchen island. This intentional design choice gives the room an abundant—not crowded—feel.
Give your kitchen a bespoke look by opting for a baker's table instead of a traditional kitchen island. Krysta Gibbons of Kipling House Interiors designed this one to look antique, complete with a marble slab on top as the perfect baking prep surface.
To mimic the look of glass cabinet doors, try adding mirrored panels instead—just like Gibbons did in her butler's pantry. The mirrors here not only elevate the design but also reflect light from the single window, making the entire space feel brighter and more open.
The O’Brien Harris design team was tasked with creating a completely bespoke kitchen with rich, custom cabinetry and warm, grounded details, such as the brass hardware and sculptural hood. Partnering with Goesling Group, they created this inviting cook space that's perfect for parties and daily life.
In this beach-inspired kitchen by designer Lindsay Rhodes, a custom pink-and-white cabana-striped range hood steals the show. It brings a bold touch of Palm Beach flair to the hotel-inspired space, while the pendant lights and half-moon island enhance the resort-like feel.
In this two-story entertaining barn on a ranch in California, designer Adam Ben Wagner opted for integrated storage in the kitchen, which flows directly into the lounge. “I wanted the kitchen to feel incorporated into [the] space but without sticking out like a typical kitchen,” he says. “I conceived of the cabinetry as full-height bookshelves and storage, reading more like an intimate library space.”
Designer Kristen Peña chose the green backsplash as an alternative to the blues dominating the kitchen design industry. Inspired by the cypress trees in Pebble Beach, the Ann Sacks tiles each have a unique green hue and texture, so when paired together, they create an eye-catching visual.
Because the kitchen is one of the first spaces you encounter in this NYC home, designer Francis Nicado focused on easy cleaning. Durable counters and Ann Sacks backsplash tile can be quickly wiped down, while performance fabric on the stools handles spills and crumbs expertly. “The blue island and barstools tie this space together with the adjacent breakfast room to create a cohesive experience,” Nicdao says.
In a blank box home in Nashville, designer Stephanie Sabbe set out to create architecture from scratch. The kitchen features largely neutral tones, which allow the impressive millwork to shine. An antique dining table takes center stage in the open floor plan, and brass hardware was chosen for its unique patina, which develops over time.
Designer Caitlin Jones Ghajar designed a fully functional kitchen in this San Francisco apartment, but knew her client would rarely use it to cook meals. “It’s a fully functioning kitchen with a cooktop and all of that,” Jones Ghajar says, “but it really was about having tea in the afternoon and a cocktail before you go out for dinner.” Instead, the vibrant space keeps the homeowner’s daily essentials within easy reach, with no excess storage or counter space wasted.
In designer Heather French's beautiful kitchen, she didn't hold back when it came to layering patterns. From the matching cafe curtains and skirt around the island and the rug to the marble backsplash, patterns rule the space, with inky navy cabinets to anchor it all.
Designer Amber Lewis steered her clients away from a bright yellow kitchen and toward a demure color palette that meshes old-world elements with New England charm. The patinaed copper and Calacatta marble lean more vintage, while the painted cabinetry and linen seating reflect a casual coastal style.
Designer Breegan Jane admits that she is not a cook, so she designed her kitchen with one thing in mind: entertaining. Take this as your sign to design the kitchen you need, not the one that's expected of you.
Kitchen islands are a substantial kitchen feature that you'll never regret adding. If your current kitchen isn’t large enough to fit one in, you might want to consider taking down some walls to do so. Chandler and Jeremy Quarles from Peach & Pine Interiors did just that for their own kitchen design idea, placing a 10-foot, solid walnut island in the center of the room. It’s elegant and timeless, and really brings the entire space together.
Not only will an alcove bring more dimension to your space, but adding one in will help craft more pronounced sections of your kitchen. In this one by Peach & Pine Interiors, you can tell just by looking at it that this one is specifically for cooking with the range, a pot filler, and counter space on either side of the stove in the darkened space. The design duo added a dark soapstone backsplash and walnut shelving to match the new island to better visually differentiate the cooking zone.
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