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The kitchen is arguably the most important space in the house. It's where you prepare your favorite meals, entertain your devoted family and share drinks with your closest friends. For these reasons, it's crucial to design a space that feels trendy, stylish and reflective of your personality, yet provides comfort, function and makes cooking a breeze. There's a lot to consider when crafting your dream kitchen: cabinet design, hardware, kitchen sinks, paint colors and backsplash tiles, to name a few. If you’re looking for kitchen design ideas, browse this photo gallery of well-crafted interiors — showcasing a mix of modern kitchens, retro design trends and charming country ideas.
Whether you're looking for a small upgrade that'll make a big impact or considering a complete kitchen renovation, you're sure to find an idea that fits your style. Plus, we've made it easy to shop similar styles as you scroll.
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1
Incorporate Simple Stripes
Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Whether with wallpaper or wood paneling, classic stripe walls are a great way to make a room feel spacious. Here, Alison Giese Interiors and Unique Kitchens and Baths teamed up to craft a soothing, country kitchen.
Not only does this rustic ladder add style to a sunny kitchen, it mosts the most of the high ceilings. Now, homeowner Laura Skudder can reach her top shelves and access infrequently used kitchen appliances.
Paint trim, walls and cabinetry a moody hue, like a rich blue. Interior designer Kelsey McGregor elevates the look with gold hardware and a boho runner rug.
To contrast the green lower cabinets, home builders Forge & Bow go for white upper cabinets. The glass doors act as extra storage while putting a gorgeous glassware collection on display.
Make a small space feel larger by ditching the upper cabinets. Instead go for large windows, just as Ellen Hatton of BarnesVanze Architects does in this neutral kitchen.
Here, interior designer Julia Chasman packs a ton of style into a narrow space with green cabinetry, gold hardware, open shelving and a statement runner.
One for food prep and one for dining, this double island setup maximizes on counter space. To keep it cohesive, interior designer Lindye Galloway adds two gold pendant above each island.
Reserve a space to craft a striking home bar, and ensure it stands out by going for a fresh cabinet color. Arterberry Cooke selects a moody green to contrast the bright white kitchen.
In this bright blue kitchen by REFORM, two shelves are added below the window sill. The open shelves offer additional space to display trendy dishware and everyday kitchen essentials.
Jared Kuzia; Design: Jennifer A. Emmer, Marina Shektman
Following the rules of Feng Shui, designer Jennifer A. Emmer incorporates raw woods, embraces natural light and maintains the kitchen triangle rule (which states the sink, refrigerator and range should form a triangle).
Bring in natural wood grains, even if you go for a bold hue for your main cabinets. Here, Arterberry Cooke pairs baby blue cabinets with a walnut butcher block island (which even has a mini fridge).
From the high-gloss green cabinets to the statement stone backsplash, this kitchen does not hide behind neutrals. Add a vibrant runner and you're set.
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16
Create Contrast
Tessa Neustadt
This modern kitchen finds the perfect balance of light and dark, from the bright white cabinets to the deep gray island that's complete with storage. The black and white patterned backsplash pulls the whole space together.
Fill a blank kitchen wall with your favorite artwork. From modern silver to antique gold finishes, mix and match frames to create visual appeal. A gallery wall is a great way to personalize a space, and you can admire it every time you do the dishes.
There's something about a brass kitchen faucet that elevates an interior. Pair it with complementary knobs and an aged brass pendant light to achieve a cohesive look.
Reinvent your kitchen just by swapping out the backsplash. This beautiful baby blue and white pattern pairs well with the crisp white cabinets and sleek open shelving.
From the lantern-style pendant to the distressed wood kitchen island, this bright kitchen has country chic written all over it. Complete your decor with wood serving boards, glass jars and vintage buckets.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.