The long skinny island countertop directs the eye towards the glass windows and ocean view. Pendants with slim cords are a delicate way to add lighting without distracting from the views.

Large windows and a light palette let this condo kitchen feel bright and spacious. A center island maximizes countertop space.

The simple, light-colored design of this kitchen focuses attention on the sweeping ocean view. Details like the vaulted ceiling and glass doors make the narrow space feel bigger and more airy.

Kitchen trends come and go, but stainless steel has proven its staying power. “Stainless steel is perceived as a luxury material in almost any environment,” says designer Tatiana Machado-Rosas of Jackson Design and Remodeling. “Its tone is neutral, so it works with many different types of woods, materials and finishes.”

Because this kitchen is narrow and long, the designers chose pale colors for the walls, cabinets and floor to reflect the light and make the room feel more spacious.

This condo's kitchen flows easily into a petite dining area, friendly and casual with a banquette and a round table. The table's marble top is a subtle touch of luxury.

In a smaller room, choosing a few pieces of furniture and one or two items for visual interest can help keep the space from feeling cluttered. Here, the simple banquette, table and chairs let the gorgeous ocean view take center stage.

The shining star of this beach home is its stunning location. So to make the most of it, windows wrap around the dining area and translucent blue dining chairs echo the blue ocean water.

A gleaming chef-grade stove gets friendlier with robin's egg blue accessories. Subway tile is a crisp backsplash companion.

White walls are a blank canvas of sorts, the perfect muted backdrop for this kitchen's bold floral artwork and even the sunny-colored tulips on the nearby island.

A cabinet interior in a cheery color makes putting away groceries so much more fun!

A wall-mounted flat-screen TV maximizes entertainment potential in this bar area that also includes a wine refrigerator and clever glass storage.

This fully stocked beach house comes with a bar, of course. Shelves that hang wine glasses are space saving and visually fun!

In this lovely living room, pale blue walls are the ideal backdrop for the furniture's strong shapes and lines. Sliding glass doors all along the back wall let the home's beautiful setting be an easy part of the scene.

An Arco floor lamp swoops up and over the main seating area in this midcentury modern living room, echoing the rounded curves of the coffee table. The pale colors of the room are punched up by graphic pillows and pops of fiery red and orange.

This powder room exhibits the exotic lushness of a rainforest! Green, palm-covered wallpaper does the trick here; that it's only on the upper half of the wall keeps the space from being overwhelmed by jungle fever.

Look to small details to add welcome texture and dimension to a neutral space. A basketweave pendant, mosaic tile floor and countertop do the job in this chic bathroom.

This laundry room neatly covers the basics: cabinets and baskets for storage and an ironing board with a playful graphic print.

Lavender is a whimsical choice for this small bathroom, accented by pops of brown and melon orange. A walk-in shower with a sliding glass door both saves space and adds a welcome luxe touch.

Instead of the usual white, this bathroom goes with a black subway tile backsplash for dramatic punch. The mirror and vanity countertop continue the black-and-white theme.