Which Kitchen Design Style Are You?

The best way to start designing the kitchen of your dreams is to pinpoint the overall design style that you're most drawn to. Once you have an idea of the overall look you like best, it's a lot easier to begin gathering inspiration, create a list of must-have details, and eliminate elements that won't work Wondering what style suits you best? We've put together a list of the five most commonly asked-for kitchen design styles, along with characteristics of each, and photos from our recent projects to help you narrow it down.

1. Modern. A modern kitchen is sleek and sophisticated. Common characteristics include flat front, hardware-free cabinetry; high-gloss or lacquered finishes; minimalist faucets and fixtures; smooth engineered countertops; and European appliances. The overall design lacks ornament or flourishes, in exchange for a clean, streamlined appearance.

2. Traditional. If modern kitchens take a "less is more" approach, traditional ones typically go the opposite route. They're all about creating a sense of warmth through the use of natural wood tones, organic materials, and decorative details like raised-panel cabinetry or ornate hardware and finishes. Countertop surfaces are often natural stone like granite or marble, and fixtures are chosen in oil-rubbed bronze or antique brass.

3. Contemporary. Contemporary kitchens meet somewhere between modern and traditional, sampling elements from each style. Recessed-front cabinetry panels may be paired with sleek chrome hardware and flawless engineered stone counters, for example. Contemporary spaces also tend to incorporate one or more design trends, like a subway tile backsplash, or all-white or two-tone cabinetry.

4. Industrial. A style that's exploded in recent years, industrial kitchens take cues from commercial spaces, incorporating hardworking materials like stainless steel, reclaimed wood, and polished concrete, and foregoing more traditional residential materials. The look is unfinished and raw, but possesses an undeniable cool factor that makes it perfect for chic urban homes.

5. Country. At their core, country kitchens are a traditional style, but with quaint, bucolic additions that seem plucked from the farm. Farmhouse-style sinks, painted wood cabinetry, beadboard backslashes, and butcher-block countertops are common choices.

Remember: Choosing the style of your kitchen is also one of the most important elements of your overall design of your home, too, since it will dictate how the rest of your space is decorated. If you create a modern kitchen  space, outfitting the living room in country style is probably out of the question, so think about the styles of furniture and decor you like best, too, as this will have an impact on the direction you move in with the style of your kitchen.

For more kitchen design style inspiration, visit us on Houzz.