Home Home Decor Ideas 88 Beautiful Kitchens to Plan Your Dream Space By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on June 16, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Whether you're planning a complete kitchen overhaul or you're just looking for a few quick and easy updates, these creative kitchens are sure to inspire you. In the South, the kitchen is almost always the center of one's home and serves as the heart and soul of the house. Here, we are going to share our favorite kitchen inspiration for those looking for a refresh or starting new. There are many different types of kitchens that grace our pages each month. Some are white kitchens with subway tiles, brass accents, and Carrera marble countertops. Some kitchens are colorful and bold with wooden counter tops, bright blue cabinetry, and polished nickel accents. Others are more modern kitchens with polished chrome and funky light fixtures. Regardless, all of the different kitchens in this curated gallery will inspire you to take a leap and create a stunning kitchen in your own home. It's where we cook, eat, entertain, and even do homework. Get inspired by these spaces. 01 of 88 Welcoming Coastal Kitchen Laurey W. Glenn The designer wanted guests to feel like they could just walk in and hang out in this space. All of the living areas connect, so to avoid cluttering the open floor plan with too many cabinets, almost everything—from flatware to everyday dishes—is well organized and stowed away in drawers. This also makes it easy for guests of all agest to access kitchen essentials. Glass pendant lights over the bar mimic candles resting in huricane holders, an element typically found on outdoor dining tables. The woven plastic seats and backs on the barstools by Serena & Lily hold up well against wet bathing suits. 02 of 88 Fresh, Open Kitchen Redo Alexandra Rowley To avoid the expense of relocating the plumbing, the homeowner kept the room's original footprint but updated the cabinetry, appliances, and fixtures. He replaced the dated wood cabinets, which hung near the ceiling and were difficult to reach, with easy-to-access open shelving and Shaker-style lower cabinets—all painted crisp white. A ceramic subway-tile backsplash and sleek marble countertops complete the monochromatic look. Open shelving holds everyday basics; lower cabinets store pots and pans. 03 of 88 Colorful Kitchen Redo Photo: Hector Sanchez The homeowner replaced the lower cabinets and gave the uppers new life with glass doors and brass hardware. Tired of white kitchens, she drenched the entire space in a custom deep, dark green in a glossy lacquered finish. Her collection of white dishes and serving pieces, an impressive La Cornue range, and a white subway-tile backsplash add interest and break up the swaths of green. See more of this Before and After: Redo with Color! 04 of 88 A Modern Upgrade Photo: Laurey W. Glenn We called our kitchen 'the time warp' because it looked like it hadn't been touched since the 1960s," says homeowner Jessica Thuston. "The matching yellow laminate floors, cabinets, and countertops—I have a feeling it was pretty great back in its day." However, fast-forward 50 years and this space was in major need of an update. "We loved the size and basic layout, but everything else had to go," Jessica says. 05 of 88 Stylish Functionality Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Feeling a bit confined in their dated Hannibal, Missouri, kitchen, Lynn and Bobby Boland wanted a complete overhaul. Without adding an inch of square footage, designer Amie Corley gave them the stylish, family-friendly kitchen they were hoping for. 06 of 88 Modern Dogtrot Kitchen Photo: Helen Norman, Styling: Rebecca Omweg Windows in the kitchen open to the central hallway and reflect original dogtrot architecture. See more of this Modern Dogtrot Home 07 of 88 Vintage Style Kitchen Photo: Laurey W. Glenn A small but efficient island holds refrigerator drawers and a bookcase for cookbooks. Painted deep gray to contrast with the lighter color of the cabinets and topped with marble, it feels vintage and perhaps even original to the house. At the end sits an antique tea table where the couple eats breakfast. See more of this Cape Cod-Style Cottage Makeover 08 of 88 Galley Kitchen Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason The sage green kitchen cabinetry has generous space for dinnerware and pantry items, and a fossilized countertop surface adds a sense of history to the space. 09 of 88 Naturally Rustic Kitchen Photo: Chris Luker Combined with a classic farmhouse table and chairs, the clean-lined bench—attached to the island and painted the same color as the cabinets—saves valuable floorspace. 10 of 88 L-Shaped Love Laurey W. Glenn A little white paint and textured elements like shiplap walls and a Dutch door opened this narrow, L-shaped kitchen right up. If you like the kitchen, be sure to check out this entire Sarah Bartholomew-designed Nashville home is a masterclass in Georgian style here. See More of This Classic Home 11 of 88 Holiday Ready Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Designer James Farmer has an entertaining-friendly approach to holiday decorations in the kitchen. Create holiday vignettes in your windows to keep counters clear for party prep. "I love how my aunt's antique silver Champagne buckets herald the season with farm-fresh greenery, amaryllis, and bright nandina berries," Farmer says. See More of This Cottage That's 2000 Square Feet of Holiday Cheer 12 of 88 Flooring Surprises Marta Xochilt Perez; Styling: Page Mullins Our 2021 Idea House in Louisville, Kentucky, is full of creative painting techniques, including on the kitchen floors. Inspired by Bunny Mellon's signature painted wood floors, designer Sarah Bartholomew perked up the cabinetry (in Sherwin-Williams' Emerald Designer Edition Snowbound, SW 7004) with a blue-and-white geometric pattern underfoot. See More of Our Dream Kentucky Home 13 of 88 Family-Friendly Kitchen David Tsay; Styling: Page Mullins "I enjoy cooking, but I am not a five-star chef," homeowner and designer Alexis Simpson admits. "I don't need all the gadgets. I just wanted something that we could really use." For her family, that meant updating a 1923 home (without sacrificing its charm) to include details like a banquette in the kitchen to share meals, do homework, and more. See More of This Historic Atlanta Home 14 of 88 Lifestyle-Led Kitchen Chris Edwards; Styling: Kendra Surface For designer Liz Carroll, each portion of her once-abandoned Wilmington ranch needed to suit her family's needs. "After we opened up the kitchen, we had room to add a bar long enough to seat our family. We can now see the backyard from the kitchen sink, which is a must for a mom of three," says Carroll. Floating wood shelves, quartz countertops, glass sconces (from Visual Comfort), shiplap walls, and lower cabinets painted Benjamin Moore's Iron Mountain (2134-30) contribute to a light and airy feel. See More of This Family's North Carolina Dream Home 15 of 88 Vibrant Cottage Kitchen Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Kathleen Varner Designers Janie Jones and Elizabeth Miles gave Chelsey and Kyle Heslop's 1940s cottage a bright and bold facelift. The island is painted Farrow & Ball's Green Blue, No. 84, but the room's details, like an Italian Murano bubble glass chandelier and a custom lacquered table create a canvas for entertaining. See More of This Birmingham Cottage Full of Personality 16 of 88 A Fresh and Coastal Kitchen Carmel Brantley; Styling: Matthew Gleason Designer Ellen Kavanaugh's Wellington, Florida home is full of Old Florida staples like rattan furniture and bright patterns, but the kitchen keeps it open and clean. Two sets of open mahogany shelves deliver custom furniture-like details among crisp white lines. See More of This Pink Ranch House 17 of 88 Calming Neutral Kitchen Our 2019 Ide House in Crane Island, Florida, is an advanced study in the art of neutral paint colors. The kitchen keeps a cool and calm vibe thanks to a sepia-toned Gracie wallpaper over the range and cabinets painted with Sherwin-Williams' Tinsmith (SW 7657). See More of The Ultimate Southern Dream House 18 of 88 A Kitchen with Camouflaged Budget Buys Alison Gootee; Styling: Matthew Gleason Designer Meg Kelly's East Nashville home hadn't been redone since the '60s, so it was in need of some love. Since the kitchen needed a total gut, she hid some budget-friendly elements, like big-box store cabinetry, in its design. She painted the original wood-paneled walls bright white (PPG's Delicate White, PPG1001-1). "You can use art to make a kitchen feel a bit more lived-in," she says. See More of This Colorful Ranch House 19 of 88 Open-Concept Kitchen Laurey W. Glenn Designer Anna Braund maximized every square inch of her charming cottage with elements like multiple porches and an open-concept living area for entertaining. "We wanted to create harmonious movement throughout the space so the whole home can be used, not just parts of it," Braund says. See More of This 2,500-Square-Foot Cottage 20 of 88 Entertaining-Friendly Kitchen Marta Xochilt Perez; Styling: Jenny O’Connor Caroline Harper Knapp transformed a well-loved ranch home in Houston into a modern, festive family retreat. One of the biggest game changers in the remodel was opening the kitchen to the family room to create a more entertaining-friendly layout. Cabinets painted Benjamin Moore's Alabaster, OC-129, unlacquered brass hardware, and Circa Lighting jar pendants set the scene. See More of This Texas Home Filled with Classic Holiday Charm 21 of 88 Sunny New Kitchen Laurey W. Glenn Architect Ron Farris and designer Rachel Halvorson helped homeowners Michelle and Nick Spiva make their empty-nest dreams a reality with a new-old Nashville home that felt like it had been on its street forever. To bring the most possible light into the kitchen, they skipped upper cabinets to opt for an 11- by 6-foot steel-framed window. See More of This Nashville Home 22 of 88 A Kitchen That's About The Details Laurey W. Glenn New Orleans designer Shaun Smith gave a 1950s ranch a charming, functional makeover. In the kitchen, a Monogram Integrated Glass-Door Refrigerator by GE (monogram.com), clean white lower cabinets, graphic tile, and an antique copper lantern provide a mix of mod, retro, and farmhouse chic. See More of This Ranch's Classic Country Makeover 23 of 88 A Kitchen Brightened with Blue and White Carmel Brantley Leave it to designer Kara Miller to bring a stuck-in-the-seventies Tequesta, Florida, home back to life with bold and coastal details. Miller transformed a dark and cramped kitchen with an open floor plan and plenty of natural light. The cabinets and walls are painted Benjamin Moore's White Dove (OC-17), but a light blue backsplash from TileBar and navy-and-gold pendants by Mark D. Sikes for Hudson Valley Lighting bring in the color. See More of This 1970s Florida Ranch 24 of 88 The Kitchen with a Twist on Tradition Brie Williams; Styling: Page Mullins North Carolina residents Megan and Matt Lineberger hired general contractor Tom Martin and Son, architect Mark Maresca, and designer Cortney Bishop to craft a Charleston-style beach home on Kiawah Island. "The kitchen was created to read as an old cookhouse that was adjoined to the main home over time," says Maresca. "The lines and millwork are simpler, but the playful palette enlivens those 'old' bones." See More of This Stylish Kiawah Island Beach Home 25 of 88 A Charming White Kitchen Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper Designer Allison Allen revived a neglected home her husband Beau inherited in a matter of just two months. The couple brought the kitchen into the modern era by removing soffits, upper cabinets, and asbestos-contaminated linoleum floors. Allison kept the decor simple and white to stick to the strict timetable of the renovation. What was her best time-saving move? Ordering a readymade island from Wayfair that looked similar to her cabinets and topping it with Carrara marble. Overhead, she added interest to the ceiling with beaded board. See More of This Gorgeous Atlanta Home 26 of 88 Laidback Natural Kitchen Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Kendra Surface Designer Lauren Liess was inspired by the gorgeous mountain surroundings of our 2020 Idea House in Asheville, North Carolina, when taking on the interiors. In the kitchen, terra-cotta tiles (Folk Bouquet from her line by Architectural Ceramics) add a patterned background for elements like natural wood beams and a chimney-style range hood, which adds a historical element. See More of This Dreamy Blue Ridge Mountain Hideaway 27 of 88 The Kitchen That Breaks with Trends Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason Designer Mary Lauren McBride helped her hometown friends with a thoughtful renovation to a former rental on Mobile Bay in Fairhope, Alabama. The entire home has as a calming, laid-back feel, which carries over to the kitchen. "We wanted to do something other than painted cabinets," says McBride, who took inspiration from the cottage's light hardwood floors when she settled on the revamped kitchen's slightly more contemporary white oak cabinets. A local craftsperson built and stained them a honey-blond hue that complements the floors. See More of This Charming Mobile Bay Retreat 28 of 88 The Contemporary Farmhouse Kitchen Alison Gootee; Styling: Matthew Gleason Homeowners Jamie and Russell Braden stumbled upon their dream home (in need of some TLC) in a 1907 farmhouse in tiny Brenham, Texas. Designer Marie Flanigan helped blend classic farmhouse style with a contemporary touch. To keep things interesting in the mostly white house, Flanigan used bold colors and materials like dark beams, shiny metallics, and pops of rich navy in the kitchen. See More of This Family's Brenham, Texas, Farmhouse 29 of 88 The Kitchen with High Contrast Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason Designer Virginia Mary Brown built Southern Living House Plan (Turnball Park, plan 1124, by Moser Design Group, Inc.) in Oxford, Mississippi, in order to blend in with the older homes on the block. Opposites attract in the kitchen where black cabinetry is topped with marble counters and white subway tile is set in charcoal grout. See More of This New Home with Old Soul 30 of 88 The Kitchen Where Old Meets New Julia Lynn; Styling: Dakota Willimon In an 1894 home that was former officer's quarters, the renovation had to be thoughtful and careful to preserve its history. Designer Allison Elebash was trusted with bridging new and old within the home's interiors. In the kitchen, the addition (including the main bedroom suite and the great room) joins the original structure. She eased the transition by applying marble, an of-the-era material, in fresh ways, like as the waterfall island and slab backsplash. "We knew that whole back wall would become a focal point, so it had to be an interesting design element," Elebash says of the range wall. It's framed by two doorways topped with historically appropriate transom windows that boost the exchange of light and add to the room's character. See More of This Charming Sullivan's Island Home 31 of 88 The Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Molly Culver Designer Shannon Eddings' entire renovation began with a desire to replace the backsplash in her 1950s kitchen, but her husband convinced her to go all in on a transformation. The final product is light and modern with a touch of retro whimsy. In the kitchen, gray-green cabinets (in Benjamin Moore's Silver Sage, 506) and quartz countertops are accented by brass hardware from Schoolhouse, a modern Brizo faucet, and custom brass edging on the marble-wrapped hood. She painted all the doors Benjamin Moore's Odessa Pink (HC-59) as a nod to her husband's West Texas roots. See More of This Mid-Century Home 32 of 88 The Kitchen That Repeats History Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Shannon Gini Atlanta designer Amy Morris helped remodel this 1940s Athens, Georgia, split-level while still retaining its character. The homeowners wanted to open up the kitchen for ample entertaining space and a large island, but that didn't mean taking away the entire history of the space. An archway that separates the space from the neighboring living room was directly inspired by a 1940s feature that framed the original foyer. "It was one of my favorite details in the entire home, so we knew we had to replicate it," says homeowner Bethany Taylor. See More of This Georgia Split-Level 33 of 88 The Kitchen with Built-In Character Ngoc Minh Ngo; Styling: Ed Gallagher A North Carolina couple returning home from Brooklyn, New York, started fresh in an old Chapel Hill house. Designer Jessica Stambaugh managed to balance classic taste with modern colors and touches. In the kitchen, hand-hewed carpentry touches like the wood floors, detailed cabinetry moldings, a paneled vent hood, and the built-in sideboard help the room feel rooted in the past. See More of This 1930s Colonial 34 of 88 The Family Hangout Kitchen David Tsay Designer Tori Rubinson helped a circa-1935 Fort Worth Colonial get back to its roots. In the kitchen, Rubinson layered in texture amid the white walls and cabinets (both painted Sherwin-Williams' Alabaster, SW 7008, at 80%) with an island in white oak with a limewash finish and white oak floors. See More of This Home Filled with Family Heirlooms and Modern Charm 35 of 88 The New-Old Kitchen Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Barbara Schmidt Architect William Leuthold, interior designer Stephanie Jarvis, landscape designer Jamie Ross, and builder Matt Carlton worked together to bring a Florida couple's forever home to life in Jacksonville. In the kitchen, a wall of glass-front cabinetry was incorporated into the kitchen for storage, like a larder in a historic home. tongue-and-groove paneling on the walls and ceiling is another old beach house detail since it handles humidity better than plaster. See More of This New Home with Old Florida Soul 36 of 88 The Clean Slate Kitchen Alison Gootee; Styling: Jenny O'Connor Kerri Goldfarb and Mia Brous (the designers behind the hit home boutique Madre in Dallas) created their personal friend's dream home with cheery hues and timeless style. The kitchen is a soothing counterpoint to some of the brighter rooms, with white walls and cabinets are a breath of fresh air. "A kitchen creates its own clutter, so it's nice to keep the look clean," Brous says. See More of This Traditional and Bright Dallas Home 37 of 88 The Natural Kitchen Laurey W. Glenn Designer Phoebe Howard took charge of our 2013 Nashville Idea House at Fontanel. In the kitchen, nature-inspired green hues and shiplap walls make for a cozy encounter. See More of Our Nashville Idea House 38 of 88 The Green Galley Kitchen Alison Gootee; Styling: Elizabeth Demos Monica Lavin, founder of the blog Lavin Label, knows how to decorate for Christmas, y'all. Every inch of her home gets a festive touch during the holidays, including a creative way to display her Christmas cards, like draped greenery above the sink. See More of This Historic Savannah Home 39 of 88 The Chic Black Kitchen Dark paint is all the rage in interiors and exteriors right now, and EJ and Whit Brown were a step ahead of the curve on that trend. Their 1,400-square foot Alabama lake cabin is painted black from the outside in. "Opting out of upper cabinets allowed space for putting art on the walls," says EJ, who envisioned the kitchen as equal parts cooking area and hangout space. See More of This Alabama Lake Cabin 40 of 88 The Updated Kitchen That Borrows from The Past Hector Manuel Sanchez Designer Jeremy Clark wanted to pay homage to the legendary original designer of this Nashville condo, Albert Hadley. In the kitchen, this meant that local contractor Pamela Leonard of Redmont Enterprises refreshed the kitchen's black-and-white palette by installing new cabinetry, a honed black marble backsplash, and checkerboard tile flooring. Clark covered the banquette cushion in a splatterwork fabric as a nod to Hadley. See More of This Nashville Condo's Charming Second Act 41 of 88 The Crisp and Clean Kitchen Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Texas designer Nicola McLaughlin filled her once drab, 1949 home with pretty fabrics and airy design ideas to lighten it up. The white kitchen feels fresh and modern. To contrast with the gridlike effect of the tiled walls, McLaughlin dreamed up a curved vent hood. See More of This Dreamy San Antonio Before & After 42 of 88 The Collected Kitchen Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lizzie Cullen Cox Montgomery, Alabama-based designer Ashley Gilbreath transformed a 1940s one-story brick house into a two-story forever home for her family. "Because I design homes every day, I did not want the typical marble," says Gilbreath, who loves how her soapstone slab countertops and backsplash grow even more interesting with age. Additional intrigue is provided by dramatic Visual Comfort pendants. See More of This Alabama Family's Dream Home 43 of 88 The Forever Family Kitchen Ball & Albanese; Styling: Matthew Gleason Designers Erika Powell and Meagan Burks of Urban Grace Interiors lent their twist on Southern traditional to this couple's forever home in Orlando, Florida. The kitchen is all about accommodating the large family, with ample room for homework on the slipcovered counter benches and a sunny spot for meals in the breakfast nook. The window seat fabric and window shades bring both color and pattern. See More of This Couple's First and Forever Home 44 of 88 The Cozy Colonial Kitchen Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Wilmington, North Carolina, couple Lindsey and Grayson Cheek took on a 1928 Colonial with a mission to keep the bones but make it more their style. In the kitchen, Lindsey, an interior designer, chopped off the overhang of the island a year after moving in, replacing barstools with a banquette covered in Sunbrella fabric. "We were always standing up at the island to eat dinner," she says. Now, they have the best of both worlds: a cozy dining area and a perch for the kids when necessary. See More of This Colonial Home's Modern Makeover 45 of 88 The Timeless Blue Kitchen Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Our 2018 Idea House in Austin, Texas, was a total home makeover (rather than a new-build). Designer Meredith Ellis wanted a blue kitchen, "but needed something that would look just as good in 20 years." She installed a blue-gray tiled wall for texture and statement lanterns over the island. See More of Our Biggest Before and After of All Time 46 of 88 The Rustic Cottage Kitchen Hector Manuel Sanchez Designer Fran Keenan's former home is full of attitude in the form of moody paint colors and bold patterns. Because she prioritized a cozy breakfast nook in the kitchen, she wasn't able to configure the island so it was perfectly symmetrical in the space. She tried to make everything look balanced by aligning the island's sink with the range and hood and was strategic about lighting. "Rather than having a pair of large pendants centered on the island, I hung an overall grid of small ones from The Home Depot to light the kitchen evenly," she says. See More of This 2,500-Square-Foot Cottage 47 of 88 The Old Kitchen In The New House Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller In this Nashville Southern Living showcase home, multiple designers came together to blend new amenities with historic charm. In no room is that more apparent than the kitchen, where Nasdhville designer Stephanie Sabbe drew on research to create the exaggerated hood over the range to mimic old-fashioned fireplaces used for cooking. See More of This New Tennessee Home with Old Southern Charm 48 of 88 The Casual Charlottesville Kitchen Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Famed decorator Bunny Williams returned to her hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia, to design our 2015 Idea House with an expert mix of antiques and contemporary pieces. Of the kitchen, she says: "When creating a classic white kitchen, be careful with the shade. It can't seem stark—it needs to be a nice warm white." See More of Our 2015 Charlottesville Idea House 49 of 88 The Cozy Minimalist Kitchen Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Paige Mullins Billy Jack and Sarah Brawner's mid-century modern home mixes minimalism and cool vintage finds. They say kitchen is where they spend most of their time, congregating around the large island for art projects, marathon baking sessions, and late-night chats. See More of This Waco, Texas, Home at Christmas 50 of 88 Retro-Style Cottage Kitchen Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Lizzie Cox Whitney McGregor's former Greenville, South Carolina, cottage might be painted white with black shutters on the outside, but it's full of color and personality on the inside. And in case you haven't heard, skirted sinks are back in a big way. See More of This South Carolina Cottage 51 of 88 The Neutral Beach Kitchen Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller The homeowner of a Watercolor, Florida, home tasked interior designers Allison Smith and Anne Scott Shelley of Maison Studios with bringing the outdoors in. "My favorite colors are blue-green tones and the shades of old wicker and worn rugs—mostly hues you'd see outdoors here," she says. They certainly achieved that goal in this soothing kitchen with wall paneling painted Sherwin-Williams' Creamy, SW 7012 and cabinet-front appliances painted Sherwin-Williams' Austere Gray, SW 6184. See More of This Cozy Watercolor, Florida, Home 52 of 88 The Not-So-Country Kitchen Singer-songwriter and Nashville shop owner Holly Williams brought a Colonial revival home to life in Oak Hill, Tennessee. From the kitchen cabinetry to the playroom decor, the timeless color combo of black and white makes more than a dozen appearances in this home. "I love that this scheme is simultaneously casual and glam, classic and fresh," she says. See More of This Tennessee Colonial Revival 53 of 88 Rustic Cabin Kitchen Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Frances Bailey A couple renovating a 1,400-square-foot 1950s Cabin in the Spectacular Shenandoah Valley turned to Julie Dixon and Keith Scott of Charlottesville-based Rosney Co. Architects. Creating a home that felt "Western style" was an important part of the project. The countertops and backsplash are made of Alberene Soapstone quarried in Schuyler, Virginia. "It fits in with the rustic aesthetics of the cabin," notes Scott, who used wood (kiln-dried to kill bugs) from an old barn on the property to construct the cabinets and the window surrounds. See More of This 1950s Cabin 54 of 88 Coastal Blues Kitchen Blogger Julia Berolzheimer's Lowcountry cottage is as breezy as its coastal location. The focal point of the kitchen is a La Cornue range with a tall patterned backsplash of Tabarka Studio tile that matches the pale blue cabinets (Farrow & Ball's Parma Gray No. 27). Woven rattan pendants and stools bring in a little bit of the beach. See More of Julia Berolzheimer's Charming Charleston Home 55 of 88 The Open and Airy Kitchen Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling; Buffy Hargett Miller Designer Lindsey Coral Harper's vision for our 2017 Idea House in Bald Head Island, North Carolina? "The interiors should nod to the locale and be light and comfortable—with a bit of beachy cheekiness." The free-flowing kitchen is a beautiful example of that ethos. See More of Our Dream Beach House 56 of 88 The Grandkid-Focused Kitchen Marili Forastieri; Styling: Barbara Schmidt Designer Jenny Keenan blended old antiques with modern fixtures in the Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, home she designed for her parents. Their main must-have in the kitchen was a large island where grandkids could gather. To keep things interesting, Jenny skipped barstools in favor of a bench to limit leggy furniture, as that piece backs up to the breakfast table and chairs. See More of This Forever Home in South Carolina 57 of 88 The Kitchen That Lives Beyond The Walls Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elizabeth Demos At this family's dream house on Georgia's Vernon River, the lush surroundings blend with the home's interior. Windows and doors stay open all the time, particularly in the kitchen. "We wanted it to be easily accessible to the porch for serving food and drinks," says homeowner and accessories designer Winslett Watson. See More of This Family's Dream Farmhouse on Georgia's Vernon River 58 of 88 The Mountain Cabin Revival Kitchen Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Lizzie Cullen Cox A run-down cabin in made a comeback as a relaxing retreat in Highlands, North Carolina, thanks to designer Whitney McGregor, who's drawn to fixer-uppers. "For investment properties, I look for things that I can keep and use, because I like to save in one place so I can spend in another," McGregor explains. Holding onto the existing cabinetry and hardware meant she could splurge on new flooring after finding water damage behind the dishwasher. She reimagined the original black-and-white checkerboard pattern using marble and pulled inspiration from European-style freestanding kitchens: replacing the upper cabinets with open shelving, rolling in a stainless steel island (topped with salvaged butcher block) for extra prep space, and hanging a pair of rise-and-fall pendants. See More of This Dreamy North Carolina Mountain Home 59 of 88 The DIY Kitchen Annie and Connor Carroll documented every step of their DIY journey of renovating their first home, a 1950s ranch-style house in a trendy, walkable neighborhood in East Nashville. In the kitchen, Connor built open shelving with iron pipes from The Home Depot and installed the lower cabinets. He and Annie painted the home's interior and, with help from friends and family, did most of the demolition themselves in the kitchen, bath, and exterior. See More of This Nashville Couple's First Home Remodel 60 of 88 The Surf Shack Kitchen Chelsea Meissner's run-down split-level rental became a relaxed Lowcountry surf shack with help from her friend and designer Kim Wolfe. "The inspiration for the kitchen came from Huriyali, a local juice bar. The Clay Imports tile reminds me of the Caribbean; the glossy finish looks like water in certain lighting. It's one of my favorite moments in my home," Meissner says. "Black appliances add masculinity and keep the room from feeling like a juice bar…I kept the layout of the space, which saved on electrical expenses, and used the original bottom cabinets, painting them Benjamin Moore's Seapearl (OC-19)." See More of This James Island, South Carolina, Home 61 of 88 The Gorgeous Green Kitchen For our 50th anniversary Idea House in 2016, one designer simply wouldn't do. We brought together a team of five designing minds to make a one-of-a-kind home. The kitchen was designed by architect Bill Ingram, who chose a "soothing and cooling" green, Sherwin-Williams Evergreens (SW 6447), that's modern and not reminiscent of the avocado green of yesteryear. See More of the 2016 Idea House 62 of 88 The Cozy Farmhouse Kitchen Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper Homeowner and Gadabout Creative owner Hanna Seabrook's first home in Louisville, Kentucky, showcased her love of antiques. Designer Olivia Brock helped her with this cozy kitchen, where the pair agreed that a farmhouse-inspired look best suited the 1940s home. Out went the faux stained glass window, black granite, and tile floor for timeless and surprisingly budget-friendly selections like beaded-board walls (run vertically for height), mahogany countertops, and hardwood floors painted a deep green gray (Benjamin Moore's Randolph Gray in an exterior Arborcoat finish for durability). The pièce de résistance is the Country French drop-leaf table, found at a local antiques store. See More of This Antiques-Loving Designer's First Home in Kentucky 63 of 88 The Spacious Kitchen Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Homeowners of a classic Georgian home in Atlanta enlisted designer Margaret Kirkland to infuse warmth and youthfulness into the traditional design. In the kitchen, that meant breaking the all-white mold with light blue subway tile and a weathered copper vent hood. See More of This Traditional Georgian Home's Colorful Makeover 64 of 88 Natural Lake House Kitchen Photo: Helen Norman, Styling: Rebecca Omweg Dark, woodsy hues, such as the bark brown stain on interior walls and trim and driftwood gray on the cabinetry, set the mood. Well-chosen accents of red, chartreuse, and turquoise stand out from the subdued backdrop without interrupting the calm. See more of this Natural Georgia Lake House 65 of 88 Classic White Cottage Kitchen Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Decorative touches—like green soapstone counters and tole fronts on the upper cabinets—add color and style to the white kitchen without taking up space. The marble-and-iron table also doubles as an island work surface. 66 of 88 Burst of Citrus Photo: Laurey W. Glenn A burst of citrus is a surefire way to add energy. A simple design with pops of green brings out the brighter side of this Arkansas kitchen. 67 of 88 Loft-Like Feel Photo courtesy Roger Davies/Random House Situating the kitchen along a 30-foot wall takes up less space and creates ample room for dining. To accommodate the wall of windows, the homeowner fit all the appliances under the countertops. When an entire home is one open space, it's important to limit materials for a cohesive look. All the walls are plaster, and new birch plywood was laid on the floors and living room ceiling. 68 of 88 Glamorized White Kitchen Laurey W. Glenn This sleek, all-white space is spiced up with brass accents and vintage pieces. 69 of 88 Charming Farmhouse Kitchen Photo: Helen Norman Typically used for barn roofing, the kitchen's corrugated material adds authentic farmhouse charm for only about $15 per sheet. See more of this Cottage Style Home 70 of 88 Nature-Inspired Lake House Kitchen Photo: Nancy Nolan Hand-poured concrete countertops pick up the floor's gray tones in this kitchen designed by Heather Chadduck Hillegas. 71 of 88 Farmhouse Restoration Kitchen Photo: Laurey W. Glenn The main working part of the kitchen lines up front to back with twin cabinets capping both island ends and flanking the range. See more design ideas from the 2012 Idea House 72 of 88 Family-Friendly Kitchen Update Photo: Laurey W. Glenn The entire stove niche is tiled with white ceramic subway tile for a clean look that blends seamlessly with the creamy walls (painted Intense White by Benjamin Moore). A single long, white shelf replaces open cabinetry and keeps dishes right at hand. See more of this Family-Friendly Remodel 73 of 88 Family-Friendly Kitchen Photo: Laurey W. Glenn When Caroline and Andy Roeser purchased their Houston home, it was done with a love of the neighborhood and a lot of vision. Its windowless galley kitchen felt cold and dated, so the couple wasted no time renovating it to become a sunny, open space. 74 of 88 Wrapped In Wood Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Layered in wood from floor to ceiling, this kitchen would convert even the most ardent city slicker into a lover of all things handmade and hewn. Most of the wood for the kitchen cabinetry, as well as other built-ins in the house, was fashioned from salvaged, old-growth heart pine. The source for this sought-after material came about when the homeowner dismantled a nearby collapsing farmhouse. In the process, he also milled the lumber and then handed it over to his cabinetmaker to use during construction. 75 of 88 Elegant White Kitchen Photo: Laurey W. Glenn To update this kitchen, the homeowner and decorator Phoebe Howard installed hardwoods to match the rest of the house, swapped the dark black granite and tile for Carrara marble counters and backsplash tiles, changed the cabinet hardware, put in a movable island, and painted just about everything. See more of this classic Birmingham home. 76 of 88 Cottage Kitchen Nothing adds vintage, cottage appeal to a space like beaded board. Pair with warm wood, dusty green, and crisp white to complete the look. 77 of 88 Blue and White Beach House Kitchen Photo: Christopher Shane Built around a centuries-old oak tree, this Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, kitchen offers a smart and sleek design created by architect Heather Wilson and designer Luann McCants. 78 of 88 Modern Rancher Kitchen Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Plenty of wood and old pottery keep this sleek kitchen's vibe down-to-earth. 79 of 88 Nautical White Kitchen Barnes Vanze Architects Clean white floors complement the cabinetry and island in this kitchen. A minimal number of upper cabinets keeps the space open. In their place, cantilevered antique chestnut shelves, reminiscent of a ship's deck, add an organic touch. The shelves display plain white dishware against a wall of deep royal blue tile. The stainless steel appliances and large hanging light fixtures over the island call to mind metal boat fittings. 80 of 88 Create an Illusion of Space Photo: Annie Schlechter This homeowner cleared the back wall of the kitchen and created an opening into the dining room. All white walls, cabinets, and countertops also make the space seem bigger. To keep the room from feeling too flat, she added color and texture with accessories such as curtains and a jute rug. She reinforced the vintage look of the house with a new tongue-and-groove wood-plank ceiling and a trio of oversize globe lights, a splurge item. 81 of 88 Elegant Neutral Kitchen Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Birmingham interior designer Lindsey Bond Meadows simplified the space by hanging two large glass globes that don't block kitchen views. 82 of 88 Rustic Lake House Kitchen Photo: Helen Norman To complement the rustic wood wall, Designer Richard Tubb chose freestanding restaurant-grade stainless steel cabinetry and enlisted blacksmith Darren Hardman to craft a custom steel island. Open shelving confines dishware to the essentials, while a row of bare Edison lightbulbs provides general and task lighting. See more of this Rustic Lakehouse in the Trees 83 of 88 Classic Farmhouse Kitchen Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Southern meets Swedish in the kitchen with blue gingham fabric and whimsical carved-wood pulls. 84 of 88 Cottage Kitchen Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Architect Ken Pursley repeated elements from the exterior of this rural cottage inside for a seamless and cohesive design. 85 of 88 Neutral Kitchen Photo: Tria Giovan, Styling: Olga Naiman To balance out the traditional feel of the rest of the home, the kitchen's countertops, appliances, and cabinets are all clean and contemporary. A quartz material protects not only the top of the kitchen island but also the sides from daily bumps and dings. 86 of 88 Reflective Nature-Inspired Kitchen Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Benjamin Moore's Galapagos Green in high-gloss oil coats the kitchen ceiling. The beautiful surrounding lake views are mimicked by the color palette in this nature-inspired kitchen. See more of architect Bill Ingram's Lake House 87 of 88 Lighten Up Kitchen Update Photo: Erica George Dines The walls, trim, cabinetry, and ceiling are all painted Benjamin Moore's Linen White in the same eggshell finish. Hammered metal pendant lights and newly refinished wood floors are a nice counterpoint to the mainly white space. See more of the Lighten Up Kitchen Update 88 of 88 Family Friendly Design Photo: William Waldron In the kitchen, these homeowners chose Virginia slate countertops and then had a sink custom made out of the same dark slate. The color hides stains that would show on a white sink Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit