Unique kitchen decorating ideas

75 Best Kitchen Ideas - Kitchen Decor and Design Photos

Tara Donne, Tessa Neustadt

Chances are you spend a ton of time in your kitchen, and it's where a lot of memories are made: preparing meals with your partner, entertaining your closest friends, gathering around the counter with your kids. For those reasons, it's important to craft a space that brings you joy — not only because of your great style choices, but because the setup is functional and practical. Even the smallest kitchen upgrade — think new wall decor, light fixtures or peel-and-stick backsplashes — can mean a big change.

If you’re looking to gather inspiration for your next kitchen design project, browse this roundup of well-designed interiors — showcasing a mix of modern kitchen ideas, retro design trends and charming country kitchens. We've thought of everything, whether you love to follow the latest decorating trends, prefer timeless kitchen decor that'll never go out of style or want creative ideas on a budget.

You’ll find chic paint colors that elevate interiors in an instant, bold backsplashes that create visual interest and creative kitchen cabinet organization ideas. We’ve also included a number of small kitchen decorating pointers for apartment dwellers trying to make the most of a tiny space. Plus, there are inspiring concepts for kitchen islands with seating, lighting for kitchen islands as well as trendy kitchen counter ideas.

No matter your personal design style, start scrolling through these kitchen remodel images to find the inspiration you need to craft the cooking space of your dreams.

Derek Swalwell

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Brighten Your Cooking Space

Use a sunny shade to inject personality into an otherwise simple kitchen. Fresh white cabinets are paired with bright yellow subway tiles, which have been installed vertically for added interest. To complete the look, add matching pendant lights, dishware and planters.

SHOP FRUIT BOWL

Lindsay Salazar

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Gallery Wall

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.

SHOP FRAMES

Tessa Neustadt

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Creating Contrast

This modern kitchen finds the perfect balance of light and dark, from the bright white cabinets to the deep gray island cabinets. The black and white patterned backsplash pulls the whole space together.

SHOP BACKSPLASH

Bless'er House

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Brass Kitchen Faucet

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.

SHOP FAUCET

Tara Donne

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Blue Backsplash

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.

SHOP BLUE BACKSPLASH

Annie Schlechter

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Country Kitchen

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.

SHOP PENDANT

Stoffer Photography

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Go Green

The kitchen is an ideal spot to experiment with bold color. Mix up the monochrome by adding texture and varying shades. “Our eye adjusts to the range, and it all feels right,” says interior designer Jean Stoffer of her West Michigan kitchen. “The lavish use of green is a design statement that I expect to age gracefully.”

SHOP GREEN TILES

Annie Schlechter

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Raw Wood Accents

Create a warm, rustic-inspired interior with reclaimed wood shelving. The open shelves put dishware on display, and look great doing it. To add another layer to the interior, white subway tiles are installed with black grout for contrast.

SHOP SHELVING

Amber Ulmer

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Decorate with Greenery

Bring your kitchen to life with houseplants that double as decor. You can even grow herbs like basil or cilantro to make cooking a breeze.

SHOP PLANTERS

Haylei Smith

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Let Large Appliances Shine

“The retro-inspired Smeg refrigerator creates a nostalgic feel in conjunction with the antique Blue Willow dishware and the original shiplap walls,” says designer Lance Thomas of Thomas Guy Interiors. “I love how simply placing dishware overflow on the top of the fridge makes the fridge seem right at home.”

SHOP SMEG REFRIGERATOR

Per Magnus PerssonGetty Images

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Checkerboard Flooring

These classic checkerboard floors never go out of style. Give the retro-inspired floor design a more modern look by pairing it with a a clean interior full of crisp whites.

SHOP CHECKERBOARD FLOORS

Amy Neunsinger

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Old Meets New

The weathered wood beneath the farmhouse sink is actually made from another piece of furniture. “I asked a friend to help me cut up my favorite old table to turn it into the cabinet front,” says designer Leanne Ford. “This well-loved repurposed piece added the right amount of soul to the kitchen.”

SHOP FARMHOUSE SINK

©Kylie Fitts

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Keep It Classic White

A neutral kitchen doesn’t have to feel bland. Take a cue from the home of Shelby Girard, Havenly's VP, Creative & Design, and weave in natural stone, such as marble or quartzite, along with pops of wood, brass and textured accessories like a rug or window treatments. “I like to bring in decorative elements that make the kitchen feel more than just utilitarian and like a true living space. It has a classic-meets-California-cool style,” says Girard.

SHOP BRASS PENDANTS

©Kylie Fitts

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Make a Statement with Bold Cabinets

If you’re all for thinking outside the box, have fun with the color of your cabinetry. “Modern, luxe and even boho aesthetics can benefit from a pop of color,” says Shelby Girard, VP, Creative & Design, at Havenly. “But think timeless here rather than trendy, with blues, greens and blacks being tried-and-true hues for personality-packed impact. ”

SHOP PAINT

Audrey Hall

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Add a Breakfast Nook

Even in a small kitchen, a gathering spot near a window creates a cozy indoor-outdoor feel. “The corner orientation of the banquettes produces a view inward, toward the soul of the house, and outward, toward the river and kids playing in the yard,” says designer Alan Tanksley.

SHOP DINING TABLE

Molly Culver

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Low-Maintenance Tile

Incorporating durable, affordable materials wherever possible is a no-brainer for interior designer Mary Patton: “For this Houston kitchen, we went with a user-friendly porcelain tile that looks like marble. It’s cost-friendly and cleans up easily.”

SHOP PORCELAIN TILE

John Bessler

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Experiment with High-Gloss Accents

Benjamin Moore’s Almost Black, which appears on the island and matches the tile backsplash, creates a focal point in this spacious kitchen. “The high gloss of the tile adds dimension and radiance and contrasts well with the lower sheen on the walls and ceiling to bring in another layer of contrast,” says Andrea Magno, the brand’s director of color marketing and development.

SHOP BLACK TILES

©Kylie Fitts Photography LLC

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Hang Adjustable Pendants

Quirky wicker pendants fit nicely above the compact wood island in the kitchen of Shelby Girard, Havenly's VP, Creative & Design. “They can be positioned in a number of ways or extended straight out,” says Heather Goerzen of Havenly’s Creative & Design team. “I love the unexpected bend in the poles.”

SHOP WOVEN PENDANTS

Mike Van Tassell

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Multi-Textured Backsplash

Crafting a space around neutral colors calls for texture. This kitchen by designer Beth Diana Smith has more than just white cabinets. “A textured backsplash was added and framed out the window; the back of the waterfall peninsula was made black; and adding beautiful walnut counter stools provided more texture and shape,” Smith says.

SHOP NEUTRAL TILES

Stacy Bass Photography

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Designate Cubbies for Decor

Not all cabinets have to be utilitarian. Above, designer Allison Caccoma reserved an upper area for flowers, decorative vessels and other objects of interest. “Kitchens are full of cabinetry and millwork, so a touch of accessorizing softens the room,” she says.

SHOP FRUIT BOWL

Meghan Beierle-O'Brien

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Showcase Ceramics

In this space by Kitchen Design Group’s Caren Rideau, the cabinets highlight the homeowner’s ceramics collection that complement tiles from Portugal, which are inset into the marble backsplash.

SHOP CERAMIC VASE

Dustin Peck

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Mix Wood Tones

This inviting Charlotte, NC, kitchen boasts a pecky cypress wood ceiling. “My clients, a young, modern family, wanted a kitchen that felt like a living space,” says designer Gray Walker. “The island with a Louis XVI leg makes it feel more like an antique, and the corner banquette has a clean, modern upholstered back and seat with French legs.”

SHOP KITCHEN ISLAND

Alyssa Rosenheck; Design: Mel Bean + Bailey Austin

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Banquette Seating

Top designers swear by banquette seating to create a cozy kitchen. Boost its visual interest with an assortment of throw pillows and high shelves, which can be used to display a collection.

SHOP THROW PILLOWS

Rustic White Interiors

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Pops of Blue

From the watery blue backsplash to the teal rug and floating shelves, there's so much to love about designer Erika Ward's bright kitchen.

SHOP BLUE TILES

David A. Land

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Cozy Corner

Built-in seating is a no-fail option to make the most of a kitchen nook. Add patterned throw pillows as a finishing touch.

SHOP WHITE TABLE

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Bold Seating

Instantly transform your room with chairs (or stools!) in a vibrant hue. You can match them to your favorite kitchen accessories, as seen here.

SHOP METAL STOOLS

Helen Norman

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Charming Wood Details

For a rustic look, elevate a white kitchen with wood accents in varied shades. Introduce a few brass details, like a pair of pendants, to complete the design scheme.

SHOP WOOD COUNTER STOOLS

Robin Stubbert

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Chalkboard Panel

Bring personality to your space — and delight the kids in your family — by adding a chalkboard panel to the side of your refrigerator. It's a great spot to jot down your weekly grocery list.

SHOP CHALKBOARDS

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Open Wall Display

Open shelves present the opportunity to show off your styling skills. Fill them with everything you love for organizing and preparing meals—think glass canisters, white platters, and more.

SHOP SERVING DISHES

Eric Piasecki

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Timeless Neutrals

"Add warmth to a kitchen with a versatile paint color like Benjamin Moore's Sag Harbor Gray, which takes on a different tone as lighting changes in your home throughout the day," says interior designer Kevin Dumais.

SHOP PAINT

35 Best Kitchen Decor Ideas 2023

Whenever you entertain, the party usually ends up in the kitchen at the end of the night—so why not show off your chic style with some new kitchen decor ideas? It's time to start thinking about how to surround yourself with your favorite colors, textures, fabrics, and pieces you've collected over the years to make your kitchen a space the whole family gravitates towards, as articulated in these 7 kitchen trends that will be huge in 2022.

There are endless routes you can take to get the exact look you have in mind, from a fresh coat of paint on your walls to upgrading your kitchen lighting. Whether you gravitate towards an all-white kitchen or want to incorporate splashes of bold blue, you can make an elegant kitchen design your own with a unique backsplash, kitchen rug, cabinetry, or innovative appliances and accessories.

Here, we've gathered 35 kitchens decor ideas from the world's best interior designers to inspire your own. From modern kitchens in Paris lofts to timeless lessons from the English countryside, these images are full of ideas that will get your design creativity flowing.

1

Earthy Kitchen in Napa Valley

ROGER DAVIES

In this Napa Valley ranch getaway, designer Dan Fink paired cerused-oak cabinetry with Brazilian slate-hued soapstone countertops and a backsplash of earthy brown tiles around the cooktop. The bronze hardware is by Rocky Mountain Hardware.

2

Whimsical Kitchen in Birmingham

Laurey Glenn

A channel-tufted breakfast banquette backs up to a cleverly curved kitchen island in this vibrant Birmingham cottage designed by Hundley Hilton Interiors. Banquette leather and mohair stool fabric, Kravet. Range, Wolf.

3

Light-Filled Kitchen in Los Angeles

Lisa Romerein

An expansive white oak and Calacatta marble island pairs with custom stools fitted with linen slipcovers in this French-American Los Angeles villa designed by Giannetti Home. Reproduction lanterns, South of Market. Sink fixtures, Waterworks

4

Airy, Open Kitchen in Alabama

BRIAN WOODCOCK

This open kitchen sits in the middle of a relaxed country house in Alabama, with its oak-and-marble design by an expansive salon to the front and more intimate blue-green keeping room with breakfast nook off the back. Windows on three sides of these primary rooms invite in glorious natural light and accentuate the home’s bucolic grounds. The home was designed by Melanie Pounds.

5

Sunny Kitchen in Chicago

Melanie Acevedo

The sunny second-floor kitchen of this storybook Chicago townhouse designed by Summer Thornton overlooks a walled courtyard. The cabinets are a mahogany stain by Custom Woodcraft with hardware by Katonah Architectural Hardware and shelving by Urban Archaeology. The range is by Lacanche.

6

Provencal Kitchen in California

Amy Neunsinger

In this Santa Barbara kitchen designed by Mark D. Sikes, creamy white cabinetry (White Tie, Farrow & Ball), elegant marble counters, matte white pendant lights, blue tile, and oil-rubbed bronze hardware (Rejuvenation) lend a warm, aged appearance. Sink and fixtures, Rohl

7

Bistro Kitchen in Atlanta

Mali Azima

In the renovated kitchen of this Atlanta home designed by Melanie Turner and architect Yong Pak, a series of tiled arcs puts a chic spin on the traditional barrel-vaulted ceiling. Encaustic cement tiles (Mosaic House) give the kitchen and adjacent breakfast room the air of a French bistro.

8

Lowcountry Galley Kitchen in South Carolina

Emily J Followill

Architect Peter Block designed this intimate galley kitchen on Brays Island, South Carolina, with windows that appear to soar higher than the ceiling, and then bypassed conventional upper cabinetry to avoid making the small kitchen feel “boxed in.” Range, Bertazzoni. Sink fixtures in unlacquered brass, Waterworks. Millwork, rift-cut white oak. Interior design, Beth Webb

9

Country Kitchen in England

DYLAN THOMAS

At Richard Smith's centuries-old home on the Sussex Coast, this butter yellow Aga stove is often the only source of heat. Blue and white plates hung above on a black wall and framed by wallpaper (Madeaux) add cheerful pops of color.

10

Rustic Ranch Kitchen in Healdsburg, California

DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN

Ceiling-height wall tiles in alternating dimensions (Waterworks), reclaimed brick flooring, and oak countertops anchor this California kitchen designed by Ken Fulk in beautiful rusticity. Black cabinetry grounds the space with sophistication.

11

Lakefront Lodge Kitchen in North Carolina

William Abranowicz

This Lake Toxaway, NC, kitchen designed by Platt Architecture and designer Cliff Fong features a soothing palette that reflects the mountain lake landscape. A custom-green island is fitted with Juno limestone counters, which also forms the backsplash; natural wood-hued cabinetry features detailing inspired by the work of George Nakashima.

12

Waterfront Kitchen in Naples, Florida

Douglas Friedman

Wood accents, like the dark stained beams and the interlocking white oak tile from Jamie Beckwith, add just a hint of rustic warmth to this serene white kitchen in a Naples, Florida, retreat designed by Celerie Kemble.

13

Cottage Kitchen in Mountain Brook, Alabama

AMY NEUNSINGER.

Powder-blue cabinets and a sinuous floral wallcovering by William Morris enliven the quaint kitchen in this Southern 1950s ranch. Designer Mark D. Sikes covered the pair of stools by Hickory Chair in a botanical Carolina Irving fabric. The bistro chairs are from Ballard Designs. The kitchen paint color is Farrow & Ball's Parma Gray.

14

Seaside Kitchen in Portofino

HELENIO BARBETTA / LIVING INSIDE

In his centuries-old farmhouse overlooking Portofino, Italy, landscape architect Marco Bay highlighted the home's foliage by framing local dried grasses and incorporating textural elements. For example, wild salvia dries from the ceiling-mounted rack in the kitchen, serving both a practical and stylish role. The shelving above the counter displays a mix of heirloom and Ligurian wares. The sconces were finds from the Paris Flea Market.

15

Cool Kitchen in California

David Tsay

Upon learning his client was a serious cook, designer Peter Dunham immediately began brainstorming ways to balance functionality and brilliance within this California kitchen. A steele-and-brass custom hood, inspired by 19th-century English houses, became the main focal and decor point of the space. The rush-backed counter stools (Hollywood at Home) and sage clay tiles (Mission Tile West) reinforce the hood's textural elegance.

16

Artistic Kitchen in Paris

Stephan Julliard

After revising the layout of this modern kitchen and moving it to the heart of the 19th-century Paris loft, design duo Le Berre Vevaud selected eye-catching artwork by Tom Henderson and blown-glass Lustre globes to act as the room's main focal points. The stools from Bassam Fellows surround the Zimbabwe granite counters.

17

Country Kitchen in Alabama

BRIAN WOODCOCK

Birmingham-based designer Caroline Gidiere established a sense of comfort in her combined kitchen and den by opting to paint her cabinetry a dark, glossy hue (Off-Black by Farrow & Ball). The stainless steel countertops connect seamlessly to the appliances and satin nickel hardware. The island stools (Williams-Sonoma) make a textural nod to the home's garden.

18

Dramatic Kitchen in Paris

Christoph Theurer

Smokey tones and striking sculptural elements offer a dramatic flair to this quaint cook space by Paris-based designer Jean-Louis Deniot. The upper cabinets fitted with mirrored eglomise facings "almost look like venetian blinds," notes the designer. The range is from La Cornue.

19

Aqua Kitchen on Long Island

Annie Schlechter

The aqua ceiling (Picture Perfect by Benjamin Moore) and blue-patterned wallcovering casts a soothing glow over designer Meg Braff's Long Island kitchen. The watery hues are complimented by a mix of white furnishings such as the updated cabinetry (painted white by Fine Paints of Europe), double range from BlueStar, and Danby marble countertops.

20

Olive Green Kitchen in England

Plain English

Olive green tones and mossy grays reference the English landscape outside the windows of this Shropshire kitchen renovated by design firm Plain English. The prep island at the center of the cook space helps connect the room to its origins as an 1890 farmhouse with freestanding furniture.

21

Splashy Kitchen in Palm Beach

Sargent Architectural Photography

For the kitchen in the Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach, designer Sarah Blank showcases how color can transform even the most utilitarian spaces. The punchy blue cabinetry (painted Dragon Blue by Benjamin Moore) counters the woven, neutral wallcovering (Carlisle & Co) and allows for the subtle watery hues of the bird imagery to standout. The countertop is by Dekton by Cosentino.

22

Neutral Kitchen in South Carolina

Helen Norman

In a Low Country hunting lodge designed by Andrew Howard, brushed brass-and-copper station lights and a walnut island with baluster legs offer an old-fashioned sense to the updated kitchen. The backsplash tiles add a subtle splash of color to the neutral cook space. The stools are from Serena & Lily.

23

Open Kitchen on Long Island

Tara Donne

As an avid hostess and entertainer, it was important to Today show host Jenna Bush Hager for her Long Island kitchen to have a greater sense of openness. Together with her husband Henry, the couple did an overhaul of the kitchen, replacing the cabinetry and painting it a soothing grayish-blue (Wedgewood Gray by Benjamin Moore). The fireclay apron-front sink (Rohl) and glazed tile (Waterworks) were also updates to the midcentury kitchen.

24

Marble Kitchen in Connecticut

Lesley Unruh

Clean marble walls and glossy coffered ceilings make this Connecticut kitchen by designer Shazalynn Cavin-Winfrey an airy spot to host a lively crowd. The double islands and overhead lighting (Ralph Lauren Home) add a sense of symmetry and balance to the large cook space.

25

Italian-Inspired Kitchen in Palm Beach

Björn Wallander

Inspired by the country kitchens of Umbria, Italy, architect Richard Sammons installed an elaborate hood made of hand-carved Portguese-stone in this Palm Beach kitchen. The pot rack with a light is by Ann-Morris.

26

European Kitchen in New York

Annie Schlechter

Course limestone flooring and a copper hood trimmed in brass straps and rivets lend European sensibility to this neoclassical Hudson Valley cook space. To temper the dark countertops, designer Lynne Stair painted the cabinetry a delicate white shade (Pointing by Farrow & Ball).

27

All-White Kitchen in Palm Beach

J. SAVAGE GIBSON

To counter the darker, blue space throughout this Palm Beach retreat, designer Phoebe Howard updated the kitchen with a seas of white furnishings. The Mr. Brown London barstools were covered in a Raoul Textiles fabric. The custom pendants are from Paul Ferrante.

28

Sculptural Kitchen in Florida

M. K. Sadler

Designer Shirlene Brooks crafted this minimal and cool Alys Beach kitchen with an ultra-quiet palette and sculptural elements. The custom concrete dining table subtly contrasts with the white oak, marble island, and Vibia lighting. The chairs are from R Hughes.

29

Farmhouse Kitchen in France

Alexandre Bailhache

In the spirit of traditional Provençal farmhouse style, designer Susan Bednar Long painted the kitchen cabinetry in this France home a creamy neutral color (Wimbourne White) with pops of light blue (Light Blue). The pendant lights from The Urban Electric Co. offer a slight contrast against the wooden island and farm table. All paint colors are from Farrow & Ball.

30

Collected Kitchen in Hollywood

David Tsay

In her Hollywood Hills kitchen, Ellen Pompeo used a collection of copperware (Williams-Sonoma) as decoration and to mark the delicious buffet for an intimate dinner party hosted with friend and designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard. The placement not only dresses up the walls, but also offers a clever way to store pots and pans in smaller cook spaces or apartments.

31

Natural Kitchen in the Hamptons

Thomas Loof

With a vivacious shade and graphic patterns coursing throughout, designer Katie Ridder needed to find a way to ensure the colorful mix didn't feel chaotic in this Hamptons retreat. Rattan furnishings and wood surfaces like the cerused rift white oak paneling in the kitchen, "bring in an element of calm," as Ridder explained. The Anthony Lawrence-Belfair banquette is covered in a Svenskt Tenn fabric.

32

Patterned Kitchen in Alabama

Amy Neunsinger

Dizzy patterns flood every corner of this 1950s Alabama home, even within the kitchen's original cabinetry. To complement the lining, designer Mark D. Sikes painted the space a refined powder-blue shade (Parma Gray by Farrow & Ball).

33

Airy Kitchen in Nova Scotia

Annie Schlechter

In his own Nova Scotia kitchen, designer Philip Mitchell blended youthful color with storied pieces to create a cozy morning hang out. The rustic breakfast table (Sharon O'Dowd) is paired with a snug banquette tufted in a watery-colored leather and resilient acrylic fabric (both by Ralph Lauren Home). The pendant light (The Urban Electric Co.) features an ikat shade.

34

Barn Kitchen in Vermont

Ngoc Minh Ngo

Inspired by his client's Norwegian heritage, designer and architect Gil Schafer made subtle nods to Scandinavian design like adding sliding doors made from reclaimed barn sliding within this Vermont party barn kitchen. A vintage pine wine-tasting table pairs with Pennsylvania Windsor birdcage chairs and Edison-style pendants from Scofield Lighting.

35

Historic Kitchen in Pennsylvania

Francesco Lagnese

In this 1850 Pennsylvania farmhouse kitchen and breakfast room, designer Richard Keith Langham painted the cabinetry a juicy berry shade (Raisin Torte by Benjamin Moore), adding exuberance back into the historic home. Ladder chairs from Howe surround a 19th-century elm table purchased in the Cotswolds. White backsplash tile by Ann Sacks draws attention to the polished stove from Ilve.

Sarah DiMarco Sarah DiMarco is the Assistant Editor at VERANDA, covering all things art, design, and travel, and she also manages social media for the brand. 

8 original ideas for designing your kitchen - INMYROOM