35+ Kitchen Design Ideas From Top Designers

Between Zoom meetings, virtual classes and cooking, our kitchens are getting more use than ever. Limited shopping trips are also prompting us to stock up on more items than usual, says Ili Hidalgo-Nilsson of Atlanta's Terracotta Design Build. Not to worry. We've rounded up ideas from top designers to help you create a stylish, multi-use kitchen, whether you need it for business, schoolwork, storage or meal prep. In this image, a hidden pantry designed by Matthew Quinn, of Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio, provides versatile extra space.

If you're designing or updating a kitchen, your cabinets will probably have to be custom-made, says Kate Lester of LA-based Kate Lester Interiors, so why not install them all the way up to the ceiling? The upper shelves will be great for items you use only occasionally or seasonally. Tall cabinets with glass panels, like these, can show off collectibles or let your best crystal sparkle in the light.

Designer Mary Kathryn Timoney of Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio — which has offices in Atlanta and Nashville — expects kitchen colors to range from warmer cream tones to soft bursts of color. “Warm tones complement the popularity of gold-toned plumbing fixtures and decorative hardware, while a splash of color adds a light, airy palette and a bit of fun." Her colleague at the design firm, David Cook, adds, "We are seeing warmer tones in spaces where clients want something different."

Although David Cook is still seeing neutrals used for the main space or perimeter of the kitchen, that doesn't mean other colors are out. "Instead of committing to an entire space in a bold, darker color, we may see it more isolated in the design: in an island, a built-in piece or a pantry." Matthew Quinn, also of Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio, expects more interest in black chrome, burnt stainless metal finishes and gunmetal finishes, like the one on this range hood.

Tiffany Leigh Piotrowski, of Tiffany Leigh Design in Toronto, says you don't have to limit yourself to just one or two types of metal in the same space. "Lately, we've been enjoying a mix of brass, nickels and black metals for a layered, pieced-together look. In this kitchen, a black faucet and polished nickel knobs are paired with a custom vent hood." Kate Lester, owner of Kate Lester Interiors in Hermosa Beach, California, agrees. "Your faucet does not have to match your lights and cabinet hardware. If you're going with a stainless or satin nickel faucet and appliances, mix it up with black or brass hardware and lights. The repetition will balance out the mix and add a layer of depth and interest."

Most of us make a mad dash to the kitchen each morning for a cup of wake-up joe. The experts at Anne Carr Design, a firm based in Los Angeles, report that clients are showing a lot of interest in built-in stations for coffee and espresso machines. Blenders, mixers and other plug-in accessories are being tucked out of sight, too. Anne Carr says, "People are adding appliance garages or pantries complete with electrical outlets so ugly appliances don't have to sit on your countertops."

Kitchen designers are also noticing a shift away from traditional porcelain sinks, according to Anne Carr. "People are experimenting with concrete or engineered materials. Blanco, for example, makes a sink with a material called Siligranit. It comes in a variety of colors and offers a concrete look without the maintenance." The manufacturer says Siligranit is non-porous, food-safe and stronger and more durable than other sink surfaces.

Customers who crave marble countertops often tell Anne Carr they're afraid to install them because they might scratch them. "We are huge fans of natural materials, so we always encourage our clients not to be afraid to add character to the countertop," she says. "(In this image), we added a manmade material in the perimeter, closer to the workspace and used marble on the island, where you can keep placemats."

Skip the stainless range hood, advises Kate Lester of Kate Lester Interiors. For an on-trend kitchen, "We like to use a range hood insert and then design a custom hood around it. You can use plaster, shiplap or other wood trim detailing to create a focal point that is an additional design element in the kitchen." White shiplap can add interest to a modern or farmhouse-style kitchen.

"We do love a classic white kitchen," says Ili Hidalgo-Nilsson of Terracotta Design Build. "White kitchens are fresh, bright, modern and timeless, while offering a safe commitment for costly selections. Having said that, be brave with a splash or dash of something rich, fun and full of life." Here, an eye-catching shade of green is "strategically positioned below counter height to create a focal point that doesn't seem heavy or overwhelming. The contrast implies confidence in a very chic way."

At Tiffany Leigh Design, Tiffany Leigh Piotrowski reports a trend toward kitchens that look "less utilitarian and more like extensions of casual and comfortable living spaces. As a result, items often reserved for living rooms, like small oil paintings, mirrors and even table lamps are making their way into the kitchen in new ways. Paintings are being hung just above countertops or leaned against backsplashes, and lamps are lighting up islands and other surfaces."

Ili Hidalgo-Nilsson, from Terracotta Design Build, says this Scandinavian-influenced kitchen was designed to be both modern and minimalistic. "Fashion meets function with this island. Designed as a workhorse, it provides oodles of counter space for prepping, cooking and eating. Equally important, it houses all of those 'task rabbits,' like a recycling center, a paneled front dishwasher and small electrics, all with room to spare."

This storage area is actually a built-in pantry hidden behind a set of elegant cabinet doors. The built-in doors are often chosen to match the kitchen's existing cabinetry for a seamless, harmonious look. This "secret" pantry, says Ili Hidalgo-Nilsson of Terracotta Design Build, offers a "treasure trove of storage shelves" and "allows both everyday and bulk items to be stored together for easy access to the kitchen."

David Cook, with Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio, notes another trend: large appliances like refrigerators that are hidden behind wall panels. The panels let the fridge blend into the rest of the cabinetry, so the space has an open, streamlined look and feel. Paneling can also hide storage shelves and other appliances, such as stovetops and range hoods.

Pets continue to play a significant role in our lives and designers have begun to embrace their centrality in new ways. Pet owners are turning to designers to create comfy places in the kitchen for their furry friends. Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio's Matthew Quinn says more clients are asking for dog beds integrated into kitchen islands. Spaces for pets and even small children can also be designed into cabinetry.

Stacking appliances makes sense in a small kitchen and saves steps walking around when you're preparing a meal. But the designers at Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio suggest clients think about installing their appliances so they are not stacked on top of each other. This makes it easier to access control panels, doors and interiors, they say. "The ovens, when placed in a linear arrangement, as opposed to stacked, are at a much more comfortable and ergonomic height," David Cook adds.

Everything in the kitchen seems to be doubling, according to David Cook. "When designing kitchens, we focus on zones: a cooking zone, a cleaning zone and prep zones." Now his clients are showing interest in having two of everything: two sinks, two trash bins or recycling centers, two cooking surfaces, dual icemakers with large and pellet ice cubes and even two paper towel pull-outs. He believes this trend is coming from the way spaces are set up now with various zones where the homeowner will cook, clean or do other tasks.

Mary Kathryn Timoney of Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio says charging stations and well thought-out storage will be big as we come out of the pandemic with a "renewed sense of urgency to be sufficient and efficient in our home environments." David Cook agrees. "Charging stations are being placed in drawers and cabinetry to host and hide devices such as cell phones, tablets, computers and gaming devices." Here, a door to a cleverly camouflaged charging station opens in the back cushion of a banquette, to the left of the pillow.

Mary Kathryn Timoney also predicts more interest in brightening kitchens with a metallic gleam. She’s using decorative hardware and touches of metal on cabinets to complement hoods and other kitchen components. These integrated metals sparkle in the light, drawing the eye to design details and adding a finishing touch to the space.

Designers have long used appliance garages to conceal food processors, blenders and other small electrics that make countertops look cluttered and take up valuable space for preparing meals. While storage garages continue to be popular, the experts at Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio say they're also seeing a move toward kitchens with drawers and cabinets that can hide almost any small appliance. The result is a bright, open and airy look with clean lines.

Matthew Quinn of Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio foresees more “signature kitchen suite ranges that offer multiple cooking methods, such as sous-vide, induction, gas, steam and convection.” (Sous-vide is the technique of cooking vacuum-sealed bags of food in a water bath. Induction cooktops heat pots and pans directly, rather than on gas or electrically heated elements. Both allow precise heat control.) Designer David Cook adds that he is seeing a lot of interest in having both gas and induction cooking options in current and future kitchens.

Traditional pantries are used to store dry goods. In years past, butler's pantries housed fine china, the family silver, wine glasses, candles and large serving pieces. Today, they've become more functional spaces, according to the Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio team. A butler's pantry might be equipped with an extra sink, workspace for food prep, a microwave or a coffee machine, and it can be used to stage foods before serving them. A butler's pantry can also serve to connect a kitchen to a dining room.

Convection ovens can roast, bake, slow cook and dehydrate. A convection steam oven adds water and turns it into steam to help keep foods moist. While convection ovens have been popular in Europe for years, designers say steam appliances are now being installed in more and more American kitchens. Mary Kathryn Timoney recommends installing split, single ovens instead of double ovens to clients who decide to introduce a convection steam oven to their appliance mix. Split ovens, she says, keep the kitchen looking symmetrical.

Instead of installing cabinets beside your kitchen hood, Mary Kathryn Timoney suggests using sconces on one or both sides so the space will look less crowded. Flanking the hood with sconces versus wall cabinets also provides "a more artful approach to a hood," and provides a touch of soft light, she says. Consider wall-mounted sconces or fixtures with swing arms that can be adjusted for a better view of countertops and cooking surfaces.

The Samsung Bespoke line of glam refrigerators offers unique customization options and fashion forward colors like matte black, white gloss, navy and champagne rose steel with rose-pink glass, sky blue glass, white glass and grey glass panels. Changeable color flat panels offer customization without long-term commitment.

Brown Jordan creative director Daniel Germani says bright colors, especially red, is trending in outdoor kitchens. According to Germani, "82% of American homeowners interested in updating their outdoor space."

Affordable and stylish when a full-kitchen remodel is not in the picture, cabinet refacing is an option for old or beat-up cabinets. These Nieu Cabinet doors from design influencer Angela Rose allow you to add instant farmhouse style. Available in 16 door styles and 14 colors, these cabinets give a designer look with less money and without necessitating a whole kitchen overhaul.

With its chic concrete look, the Silestone Loft Camden countertop series is inspired by younger, urban dwellers' love of industrial spaces and colors.

The Kohler Ironside sink celebrates farmhouse design while offering a cleaner, more modern take adaptable to different styles of kitchens.

Marble-topped counters are well lit by under-cabinet lighting in this high-end kitchen. "One of the most important ways to brighten up a space and add some ambiance is in the lighting," advised Sabine Schoenberg. "Super functional LED under-the-cabinet lighting provides excellent illumination to food prep surfaces and the actual fixtures are hidden to the eye. Adding an accent LED lighting fixture above the center island adds warmth to that social spot," she says.

“A big request I’ve been getting from clients is for zero-maintenance surfacing, especially from people who’ve had marble countertops previously,” says designer Young Huh. “They’ve found that the upkeep of sealing can be exhausting and it doesn’t retain its appearance when installed as long as they’d hoped. For a marble look without the hassle, I often recommend (and use!) Et Calacatta Gold from Silestone or Dekton Aura 15.”

Pro Tip: Be honest about the elbow grease and time you’re willing to invest in maintenance. If you love red wine, coffee, and cook frequently with olive oil, all three can wreak havoc on natural stone if not regularly sealed. If the maintenance seems cumbersome, move on from marble and go with a more durable, man-made alternative, says Young Huh.

A rectangular LED light fixture hovers just below the wood ceiling providing both ambient uplighting as well as illuminating the island. Beneath the island countertop, more lighting gives the barstools a special glow.