Pick the Design Style for Your Kitchen Renovation

The kitchen, for many, is the heart of the home, and the right design style isn't always an easy decision. Things like budget for appliances, creating functional space, and of course, finding a style that everyone in your household can agree on are all important factors to consider when making a design commitment. At the end of the day, your kitchen should reflect warmth, family, and a love for food and cooking. No matter what style you choose, just remember to have fun with the design.

We’ve compiled a list of 9 popular kitchen designs; take a look and see which one works best with your taste and style.

French Country

Elegant and warm with decorative features, this design style is known for soft coloring and elaborate touches. This style is appealing to many looking for a classic, beautiful style that never grows old. If you are a fan of deep earthy tones from the french countryside, and elaborate accents (think carved woodwork, tile inlays, decorative hardware, and aged finishes), then this kitchen style may be what you are looking for.

Design elements to consider:

• Color Palette: Off-white,, soft golds, ivory, robin’s egg blue, warm reds, mustard yellow, earthy tones, olive
• Walls: Crown moulding, brick, wood ceiling beams
• Flooring: Stone tiles, hardwood
• Accents: Floral-skirted cabinetry, toile fabrics, rooster artwork
• Backsplash: stone and decorative tiles
• Countertops: Granite
• Lighting Fixtures: Pendant lights, iron scroll lighting

Contemporary Farmhouse

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This fresh take on country living incorporates both elements of rural charm and modern efficiency. Natural elements like stone, exposed brick, galvanized steel, and natural wood beams add texture and variation. Accent your Edison lights with some mason jars, and decorative tin additions and you will have the charm of the farm in your home in no time.

Design elements to consider:

• Color Palette: Cool or warm neutrals, white, black, wood tones
• Appliance Style: Stainless steel
• Walls: Stone, exposed brick, natural wood beams, galvanized steel
• Flooring: Distressed wood
• Accents: Mason jars, apron sink
• Backsplash: Subway tile, neutral brick
• Countertops: Concrete, Quartz
• Lighting Fixtures: Edison lights/antique lightbulbs

Cottage Charm

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Charm is in the name and that is exactly what you are going to get. Often compared to the Contemporary Farmhouse kitchen design (listed above), this particular style is generally reserved for kitchens of a smaller scale (hence 'cottage') and really epitomize the word 'quaint'. This style is brought out through vintage accents and furniture and by incorporating eclectically whimsical additions and oddities (think cuckoo clocks, old school signage, and more). No matter how you approach this quaint design style, it packs a lot of warmth into a small space.

Design elements to consider:

• Color Palette: Popping colors
• Walls: White finished walls, Exposed structural beams (natural, painted, stained, distressed depending on preference), wood trim
• Flooring: Stone tiles
• Accents: Patterned valance curtains that bring out the earthy hues of natural elements like wood and stone, whimsical pieces, glass cabinet doors
• Lighting Fixtures: Geometric pendant lights

Modern/ Contemporary

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Sleek, simple, and functional, this design style is all about modern efficiency. If you are interested in incorporating high-tech appliances and keeping the decor to a minimum, this may be the approach for you. This kitchen style focuses on the present and generally gives off a bold and stark appeal. To align with this style, you should choose materials that have only recently become available, rather than incorporating vintage accents. If you are looking for a minimalistic style, this ones for you -- chic simplicity and new technology.

Design elements to consider:

• Color Palette: monochromatic, white, grey, black, neutrals, browns
• Appliance Style: High tech, modern, stainless steel
• Cabinets: White, grey
• Walls: White
• Flooring: Subtle, slate grey tiles, simple white stone or marble
• Accents: White, metallic
• Backsplash: White Subway tiles
• Countertops: Granite
• Lighting Fixtures: Hanging Silver Pendant Lights

Vintage/Retro

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This kitchen style is a nod to the classic look and homey feel of times long past. While many opt for modern appliances to replace the authentic, vintage versions, there are collector types who don't mind old-school tech if the aesthetic is authentic. Think painted cabinets in sunny colors, with vintage art and patterns. 

Design elements to consider:

• Color Palette: bold and popping
• Appliance Style: Vintage/Retro
• Walls: Wallpaper with bold, busy prints and beadboard
• Flooring: Checkerboard
• Accents: Milk glass, chrome applinaces
• Backsplash: Colored glass, wallpaper, beadboard
• Lighting Fixtures: Astro shaped or diner style lights

Rustic

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There is something beautiful about a well-used kitchen, and this idea is prominent in the rustic style. Through the use of weathered and distressed-looking design elements including beams, cabinetry, flooring, and accessories, rustic kitchens offer an authentic, rugged, and antique feel to your kitchen space. As a popular design element, many people like to incorporate real antiques into the room to add an air of authenticity. The real beauty of the rustic style is that it often reflects the local history, culture, and geographical features of the surrounding area.

Design elements to consider:

• Color Palette: Neutrals, earth tones
• Walls: Wood ceiling beams
• Flooring: Wide-plank wood flooring
• Accents: Antique Brass and hammered-copper hardware, tin and vintage accessories, primitive linens
• Backsplash: Wood
• Countertops: Raw wood, reclaimed wood, butcher block
• Lighting Fixtures: Regional: ex: coal-mining lanterns
• Furniture: Reclaimed wood, antique metals

Mediterranean

Not Tilghman Builders Design

If you are looking for a kitchen that radiates a sunny and relaxing, well-used, and well-loved vibe, then a mediterranean-inspired kitchen design may be for you. Many iterations of this design style use pots, pans, and kitchen implements as decoration, showcasing a love of cooking. The warm hues and homey feel of textured walls and a stone oven make this an inviting place to cook, laugh, and enjoy your company.

Design elements to consider:

• Color Palette: ocher, burnt orange, terra cotta, soothing yellows, sea blues, beige, tan
• Appliances: Stone oven
• Walls: Brick
• Flooring: Light hardwood
• Accents: bronze cooking implements
• Backsplash: Artistic tile work, mosaic, terra cotta tile
• Countertops: Granite (warm tones)
• Lighting Fixtures: Linear pendant lights, oil-rubbed bronze chandelier
• Furniture Finish: Quality hardwood, unfinished wood, distressed wood

Traditional

If you are looking for a functional, clean, and decorative look in your kitchen space, consider a traditional design. This style incorporates many different elements that add charm, functionality, and personality. The elegance is in the details with this design. From elaborate and stylish backsplashes, to crown moulding and wainscoted islands, the decorative embellishments offset the simplicity of the neutral color pallet.

Design elements to consider:

• Color Palette: whites and neutrals, cream, light grays and greens
• Walls: White tiles or smooth neutral paints, crown moulding,
• Flooring: Neutral flooring
• Accents: Glass cupboard doors, decorative embellishments
• Backsplash: Marble, brick, stone, wood
• Countertops: Quartz, granite
• Lighting Fixtures: Pendant, island lights

Now that you’ve seen a few popular kitchen styles, it’s up to you to choose a kitchen design that fits your home. Don't be afraid to mix and match and make your own style either!

Looking for more inspiration? Take a look at our Kitchen Remodel Portfolio for some ideas.

Let Us Help

No matter what kitchen design you choose, we can help you bring your vision to life. Tilghman Builders is a premier home remodeling contractor and renovation company serving homes like yours in Bucks County and Montgomery County. We look forward to bringing your kitchen to life!

Excited to get started on your dream kitchen? Check off your kitchen must haves with our free wish list below!