Casual? Formal? Elegant and simple? Choose your style.

Just like clothing and shoes, kitchens come in many different styles. For some people, choosing a kitchen style is easy, they just like a particular style and are not interested in others. But for some it is not so simple. Choosing a kitchen style should take some considerations. Some styles are more expensive than others. Design elements of some styles are easy to find, others are not. Some styles follow the style of the house in general and others do not. For example, it just wouldn’t be right to have a very modern kitchen style in a period home like a Victorian or Craftsman. On the other hand, you wouldn’t want to have a formal, traditional-style kitchen in a very modern-style home.

Even if you don’t know what style you want, you probably prefer a more modern or more traditional type of kitchen. The best way to start is to search the web for photos of kitchens and collect a few that you like. Then look at them and see if you can see a pattern. Are most of them modern and contemporary or more formal and beautiful?

What is the main thing in all these photos? What is the first thing you notice? If cabinetry isn’t first, it certainly should be in the top two. Cabinets are the main design element. Help define your style. So when we design a kitchen, we usually start with the basics and the most basic is the cabinets.

Let’s look at some basic kitchen styles to help you choose which one is right for you.

traditional style

Traditional is more formal and elegant and has been around for a long time. It is timeless and never goes out of style. Some of the features are crown, rope or carving molding, grooving, decorative molding and corbels. Cabinets are typically cherry, walnut, or mahogany and have raised panel doors. Painted cabinets are also commonly seen: white, cream, pale yellow, pale blue, or green. Decorative glazes are visible, but they are more transparent and often pinkish. Appliances are often panel or black, but stainless steel has found its way into traditional kitchens. Granite countertops are the most popular with this style, but other types of stone are also popular. Backsplashes are usually ceramic or stone. Sinks are often front facing, but of a more formal type than the farmhouse sinks you might see in country styles. The floors are usually ceramic tile, stone or wood. The metals are brushed nickel, platinum, brass and gold.

Do you love to entertain? Are you more likely to buy timeless clothing styles instead of going with current fashions? Do you crave rich, expensive and timeless furniture styles? Do you drive a luxury car (or wish you could)? Do you love to cook? Is your kitchen your favorite room? Do you prefer to wear silk than denim? Traditional may be your style.

rustic style

Country-style kitchens are warm, casual, comfortable, and inviting. Cabinets are usually painted, but oak and pine are also popular. Distressed cabinets fit perfectly in the country kitchen, as they are glazed, but are more rustic in nature. There are many different types of countries: French, English, cottage, farm, European. Cabinets are mixed with either more than one painted color or paint and wood finish. Cabinet inserts include beadboard, glass, tin, and “chicken wire.” Open shelves are common for plates, food, glasses and mugs. Countertops include granite, solid surface, tile, soapstone, slate, and butcher block. Backsplashes can be beadboard, tile, including hand-painted tile. Apron Front Farmhouse Sinks: Copper, Artistic Hand Painted Styles, Cast Iron. The metals are copper and bronze. Floors are usually wood, but stone or ceramic tiles are also popular. Hand-painted plates, folk art, things like cookie jars, painted mugs, potted herbs, rugs, and curtains are just as much design elements as country-style cabinets.

Do you love to bake? Do you prefer to wear jeans than Kashmir sweaters? Do you love gardening? Would you rather spend time at home with your family than go out to clubs? Is comfort in your home a priority? Does entertaining mean eating fried chicken with family and a few close friends to you? Country can be your style.

cabin style

Casual, Cozy, Light, Bright, Sunny, describe the cottage style. Inspired by the English county, it’s charming and relaxed, like being on holiday all year round. The cottage style is also reminiscent of beach houses and Nantucket Shingle style homes. These kitchens are most comfortable with white cabinets or pastels like blue, pale yellow, and pale green. Cabinets are often given the appearance of being slightly worn, but not shabby. Upper cabinets with glass doors, or sometimes with mesh or even fabric inserts and beadboard. Tile, solid surface or butcher block countertops, tile backsplashes, farmhouse sinks, white or paneled appliances, hardwood or ceramic floors. While the cabinets tend to be pale, the walls are often bright and cheery, and patterned wallcoverings are common: checks, plaid, and small or floral prints. Cottage kitchens often have a beach theme. Accessories mean a lot and home kitchens, if not messy, have accessories. Decorative and collectible plates serve as design elements in these kitchens.

Do you love going to garage sales? Would you prefer a beach vacation to a fancy resort? Do you like bright and sunny rooms with bright and sunny colors? Do you prefer to invite friends to a cookout instead of a formal dinner? Is your perfect afternoon curling up with a good romance book and a cup of tea? The cabin can be your style.

arts and crafts style

Also known as craftsman or mission, this style has a lot of craftsmanship, little fuss, and is a comfortable style. This style uses natural materials, textures and colors. Cabinets have recessed panel doors, thick frames, and flush trim. While not a formal style, you may see hand-carved corbels and wooden brackets. Upper cabinets may have small glass doors. Most of these cabinets have a wood finish in keeping with the natural characteristics of the style. Countertops are granite, solid surface, tile, butcher block. Backsplashes are stone tile or ceramic tile. Tiled floors of wood or stone. Tiffany style lighting.

Do you value fine handcrafted workmanship over something mass-produced in a factory? Do you prefer leather or wool to silk or satin? Do you hate clutter? Would you rather have one exquisite piece of art than lots of pretty good art prints? Arts & Crafts could be for you.

Contemporary style

This style is quintessentially modern and features simple, elegant, clean lines with few personal touches. The materials are more handmade than natural stainless steel, glass, laminate, concrete, chrome, lacquer, although wood cabinets with a light finish are quite common. The style is largely European. Sinks are usually stainless steel; The countertops are stainless steel, glass, laminate. Splash guards are largely the same. We are looking at hardwood floors, but tile is the most common. The appliances are usually made of steel, but black also stands out in these kitchens.

Do you love going out to clubs and dancing until dawn? Do you love to wear whatever is in fashion this season? Do you hate fluff and clutter in your house? Do you drive a sports car (or yearn for one)? Do you entertain with good friends often with good food and good wine? Would you rather live in an attic than in the suburbs? Contemporary could be your style.

old world style

The Old World includes the French Country, Tuscany and the Mediterranean. Many of these influences are mixed in the Old World style, but with beautiful results. Wood is an important element of the beautiful rich wood grains of the Old World, often with beautiful glazes that give it just the right amount of patina, like a prized antique. When painted cabinets are used, they are in rich colors, greens and reds. It is common to mix wood and paint finishes. This style favors natural materials. Stone countertops and stone tile backsplashes, stone or wood floors, metals are copper and brass, deck front sinks, stone or metal, island sinks with bowl also stone or metal. Amber glass luminaires. Black or paneled appliances. The colors are deep, rich and earthy. The colors of the walls are the same: reds, golds, browns, burnt orange or rust. Copper or bronze pot hangers are almost essential. Grape and wine themes are very popular.

Do you love to cook? Do you prefer homemade pasta to sushi? Would you prefer a vacation in wine country or in the mountains? Do you love intense and dark colors? Do you like to wear an expensive silk blouse with jeans? Do you prefer a masterpiece of art to modern art? Old World may be your style.