Kitchen Design
The 5 Most Popular Kitchens of the Week of 2019
Two-tone cabinetry, custom range hoods and clever storage were among the standout features in these much-loved kitchens
The five most popular kitchens from our Kitchen of the Week series in 2019, featured here in a countdown, include a bevy of different design styles. There’s a traditional kitchen with pale green cabinets and wrought iron hardware and a coastal-inspired kitchen with breathtaking water views and a glamorous tufted breakfast banquette, plus lots more. See if any ideas might spark your next kitchen renovation.
The custom range wall is another standout feature of the kitchen. Elongated white subway tile laid vertically draws the eye up to the custom tiger-wood detail on the vent hood. The vent hood itself is covered in decorative white trim that adds a farmhouse touch to the kitchen.
Plentiful countertop space close to the range makes it a great spot for preparing meals. The cabinets around the range are specially outfitted for herbs and spices on the left and cooking utensils on the right.
Learn more about this white-and-blue kitchen
Plentiful countertop space close to the range makes it a great spot for preparing meals. The cabinets around the range are specially outfitted for herbs and spices on the left and cooking utensils on the right.
Learn more about this white-and-blue kitchen
4. Terrific Two-Tone Cabinetry
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Young newlyweds
Location: Boston
Size: 159 square feet (15 square meters); 9 feet 10 inches by 16 feet 2 inches
Designer: Jodi Swartz of KitchenVisions
Shortly after moving into their new home in Boston, this young newlywed couple hired designer Jodi Swartz to create a stunning navy-and-white kitchen with lots of storage and plenty of room for entertaining.
Swartz maximized storage and highlighted the height of the room by taking the cabinets almost to the ceiling and capping them with large cove molding. The homeowners use the top cabinets to store infrequently used items.
In the center of the kitchen, a stained wood counter-height table provides prep space and a place to host meals. The table is surrounded by three counter stools topped with tan leather.
Shop for counter stools on Houzz
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Young newlyweds
Location: Boston
Size: 159 square feet (15 square meters); 9 feet 10 inches by 16 feet 2 inches
Designer: Jodi Swartz of KitchenVisions
Shortly after moving into their new home in Boston, this young newlywed couple hired designer Jodi Swartz to create a stunning navy-and-white kitchen with lots of storage and plenty of room for entertaining.
Swartz maximized storage and highlighted the height of the room by taking the cabinets almost to the ceiling and capping them with large cove molding. The homeowners use the top cabinets to store infrequently used items.
In the center of the kitchen, a stained wood counter-height table provides prep space and a place to host meals. The table is surrounded by three counter stools topped with tan leather.
Shop for counter stools on Houzz
A trio of shelves made out of alder above the large farm-style sink add some airiness to the kitchen. The dark blue lower cabinets ground the space and add a sophisticated touch.
Swartz decided to panel the dishwasher to the left of the sink so the stainless steel didn’t take away from the sink and shelves. “The fridge, induction oven and wine fridge were enough steel,” she says.
Base cabinet paint: Naval, Sherwin-Williams
Swartz decided to panel the dishwasher to the left of the sink so the stainless steel didn’t take away from the sink and shelves. “The fridge, induction oven and wine fridge were enough steel,” she says.
Base cabinet paint: Naval, Sherwin-Williams
3. Green With Envy
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Minneapolis
Size: 336 square feet (31 square meters); 14 by 24 feet
Architect: Mark Nelson of David Heide Design Studio
After a fire did extensive damage to this historic 1928 Mediterranean-style house in Minneapolis, the homeowners brought in Mark Nelson of David Heide Design Studio to undertake a thoughtful reconstruction that kept the home’s original feeling while creating a bigger and more functional kitchen.
One of the first decisions made was to bring color and life into the kitchen by adding pale green cabinets. “Green was a favorite color of the homeowners, and this pale green is a 1920s period color,” Nelson says.
A large custom mahogany island with turned legs provides another standout feature that pairs well with new mahogany casement windows placed to provide a lovely view from the sink.
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Minneapolis
Size: 336 square feet (31 square meters); 14 by 24 feet
Architect: Mark Nelson of David Heide Design Studio
After a fire did extensive damage to this historic 1928 Mediterranean-style house in Minneapolis, the homeowners brought in Mark Nelson of David Heide Design Studio to undertake a thoughtful reconstruction that kept the home’s original feeling while creating a bigger and more functional kitchen.
One of the first decisions made was to bring color and life into the kitchen by adding pale green cabinets. “Green was a favorite color of the homeowners, and this pale green is a 1920s period color,” Nelson says.
A large custom mahogany island with turned legs provides another standout feature that pairs well with new mahogany casement windows placed to provide a lovely view from the sink.
The custom white plaster range hood features a perimeter of colorful mosaic tiles and wrought iron columns in a twisted-rope motif. The wrought iron cabinet hardware features flame-shaped backplates that provide a tongue-in-cheek reference to the recent fire. “These homeowners somehow managed to keep their senses of humor through a tough time,” says Doug Tanner of Dovetail Renovation, which carefully repaired and restored the home.
2. Coastal Charmer
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Bobby and April Kaynor and their three kids
Location: Quogue, New York
Size: 600 square feet (56 square meters), including mudroom area, butler’s pantry and bar area
Designers: Gianna Santoro of Deane (interior design) and Oscar Giraldo (layout)
After a large storm brought water to their kitchen door, these homeowners decided it was time to shore up their bungalow-style beach house on the south shore of Long Island, New York. In order to exceed new Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements, they had their old kitchen demolished and started fresh. The new enlarged kitchen features a large wall of windows that provides spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Designer Gianna Santoro created a neutral palette that features light gray cabinets, an engineered oak floor and a stunning custom tufted banquette on the back of the island that frees up space. “By making the banquette attached to the island, you save space by not having additional walkways,” Santoro says.
Cabinet color: Stonington Gray, Benjamin Moore
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Bobby and April Kaynor and their three kids
Location: Quogue, New York
Size: 600 square feet (56 square meters), including mudroom area, butler’s pantry and bar area
Designers: Gianna Santoro of Deane (interior design) and Oscar Giraldo (layout)
After a large storm brought water to their kitchen door, these homeowners decided it was time to shore up their bungalow-style beach house on the south shore of Long Island, New York. In order to exceed new Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements, they had their old kitchen demolished and started fresh. The new enlarged kitchen features a large wall of windows that provides spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Designer Gianna Santoro created a neutral palette that features light gray cabinets, an engineered oak floor and a stunning custom tufted banquette on the back of the island that frees up space. “By making the banquette attached to the island, you save space by not having additional walkways,” Santoro says.
Cabinet color: Stonington Gray, Benjamin Moore
A custom stainless steel range hood hangs over a pro-style four-burner gas range with griddle. A paneled refrigerator-freezer stands to the right of the range; a food pantry cabinet with spice racks and drawers is to the left. The backsplash includes ceramic subway tiles and a niche with mosaic herringbone marble for keeping salt and pepper handy.
1. Streamlined Style
Kitchen at a Glance
Who uses it: A retired caterer, his wife and their two cats
Location: San Jose, California
Size: 125 square feet (12 square meters)
Designer: Samantha Hillstrom of Case Design/Remodeling of San Jose
At a modest 125 square feet, the most popular Kitchen of the Week in 2019 made an oversize impact with Houzz readers. This San Jose, California, kitchen was a down-to-the-studs renovation that stayed within the original footprint. “We had to be really smart about maximizing storage and prep areas,” says designer Samantha Hillstrom. “This included minimizing countertop clutter and having a place for everything.”
The kitchen has a clean transitional look that combines modern minimalist design moves, such as extending the marble-look quartz from the countertops onto the backsplash, and more traditional features like Shaker-style cabinetry.
Kitchen at a Glance
Who uses it: A retired caterer, his wife and their two cats
Location: San Jose, California
Size: 125 square feet (12 square meters)
Designer: Samantha Hillstrom of Case Design/Remodeling of San Jose
At a modest 125 square feet, the most popular Kitchen of the Week in 2019 made an oversize impact with Houzz readers. This San Jose, California, kitchen was a down-to-the-studs renovation that stayed within the original footprint. “We had to be really smart about maximizing storage and prep areas,” says designer Samantha Hillstrom. “This included minimizing countertop clutter and having a place for everything.”
The kitchen has a clean transitional look that combines modern minimalist design moves, such as extending the marble-look quartz from the countertops onto the backsplash, and more traditional features like Shaker-style cabinetry.
Hillstrom worked with the homeowners to figure out the best storage strategies for cooking needs near the range and made sure there was ample prep space around it. An appliance garage to the right of the range helps to free up counter space.
To modernize the space and make it brighter, Hillstrom suggested a light color palette of white and gray. She also added glass cabinet doors on both sides of the existing window, making the kitchen feel lighter and more open.
Cabinet color: Pussywillow, Sherwin-Williams
More on Houzz
Top Kitchen and Cabinet Styles in Kitchen Remodels
Pros and Cons: Painted vs. Stained Kitchen Cabinets
Look for a kitchen designer near you
Browse cabinets pulls and knobs
To modernize the space and make it brighter, Hillstrom suggested a light color palette of white and gray. She also added glass cabinet doors on both sides of the existing window, making the kitchen feel lighter and more open.
Cabinet color: Pussywillow, Sherwin-Williams
More on Houzz
Top Kitchen and Cabinet Styles in Kitchen Remodels
Pros and Cons: Painted vs. Stained Kitchen Cabinets
Look for a kitchen designer near you
Browse cabinets pulls and knobs
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Seattle
Size: 290 square feet (27 square meters)
Designers: Harmony Weihs of Design Harmony (interior design) and Lauren Crocco (architecture)
The team at Design Harmony and architect Lauren Crocco worked together to create a kitchen addition for this Seattle home that would bring in tons of natural light and provide enough space for homeowners who like to host. “This couple loves to entertain and have lots of extended family nearby,” says interior designer Harmony Weihs. “They have 20-plus guests over on a regular basis, not just once or twice a year.”
A 6¼-by-6¼-foot island with a bright blue base is the heart of the kitchen. “I really wanted them to have a square island because it’s modern and different from most islands you see today,” Weihs says. The brass ring chandelier overhead is ideally scaled to the island and also brings a circle into a room full of squared-off edges.
Island paint: Down Pour, Sherwin-Williams