The Top 10 Kitchen Photos of 2018
Dark painted islands, classic tiles and touches of brass are among the standouts in the year’s top kitchen design photos
Bryan Anthony
December 7, 2018
Houzz Editorial Staff; writer, design enthusiast, reader, avid traveler.
This Trending Now series features the most-saved photos uploaded to Houzz in 2018.
If the most popular kitchen photos uploaded to Houzz in 2018 are any indication, then brass hardware, subway tiles, marble and marble-look quartz are the materials you can expect to see more of in the coming year. The trend toward dark painted islands also seems to be gaining steam — they’re featured in more than half of the kitchens in this year’s top 10 photos. Here’s a countdown of the 10 most popular kitchen photos of the year. Which is your favorite?
If the most popular kitchen photos uploaded to Houzz in 2018 are any indication, then brass hardware, subway tiles, marble and marble-look quartz are the materials you can expect to see more of in the coming year. The trend toward dark painted islands also seems to be gaining steam — they’re featured in more than half of the kitchens in this year’s top 10 photos. Here’s a countdown of the 10 most popular kitchen photos of the year. Which is your favorite?
10. Rustic Refinement
This new kitchen in Asheville, North Carolina, is an ideal blend of rustic and refined elements. The space, designed by Laura Sullivan of IDology Interiors & Design, features leathered-granite countertops and a shiplap backsplash. The large island is painted in Peppercorn by Sherwin-Williams and hosts four molded walnut stools. Note the stylish banquette alcove in the corner of the room.
Find kitchen designers on Houzz
This new kitchen in Asheville, North Carolina, is an ideal blend of rustic and refined elements. The space, designed by Laura Sullivan of IDology Interiors & Design, features leathered-granite countertops and a shiplap backsplash. The large island is painted in Peppercorn by Sherwin-Williams and hosts four molded walnut stools. Note the stylish banquette alcove in the corner of the room.
Find kitchen designers on Houzz
9. Coastal Cool in Minnesota
Designer Kieran Liebl says her clients’ coastal New England roots influenced the look of their new kitchen in Minnesota. The space features rustic wood ceiling beams, white Shaker-style cabinets and soapstone countertops. But it’s the little accents like the copper fish on the backsplash and the “oyster” sign on the range hood that provide the authentic coastal feel, even though the space is more than 1,000 miles from the nearest ocean.
Designer Kieran Liebl says her clients’ coastal New England roots influenced the look of their new kitchen in Minnesota. The space features rustic wood ceiling beams, white Shaker-style cabinets and soapstone countertops. But it’s the little accents like the copper fish on the backsplash and the “oyster” sign on the range hood that provide the authentic coastal feel, even though the space is more than 1,000 miles from the nearest ocean.
8. London Looker
This London kitchen designed by Sustainable Kitchens fills a small punch-out addition that’s flooded with light from a glass ceiling. The abundance of light means the kitchen can handle the dark cabinets and gray hexagon-tile floors. The brass cabinet pulls and wood countertop also help warm up the room.
Shop hexagon floor tiles
This London kitchen designed by Sustainable Kitchens fills a small punch-out addition that’s flooded with light from a glass ceiling. The abundance of light means the kitchen can handle the dark cabinets and gray hexagon-tile floors. The brass cabinet pulls and wood countertop also help warm up the room.
Shop hexagon floor tiles
7. Industrial Chic
Designer Jillian Lay of Royalty Construction created an industrial look for this kitchen in Saskatchewan. The kitchen features barn door cabinets in a matte metal finish with satin etched glass. The gray quartz countertops mimic the look of concrete. And the rustic brick backsplash is painted white.
Designer Jillian Lay of Royalty Construction created an industrial look for this kitchen in Saskatchewan. The kitchen features barn door cabinets in a matte metal finish with satin etched glass. The gray quartz countertops mimic the look of concrete. And the rustic brick backsplash is painted white.
6. A Dab of Blue Will Do
The navy blue island provides a crisp contrast in this mostly white Toronto kitchen, designed by Shirley Meisels. The veins in the marble backsplash add a bit of pattern and visual movement to the kitchen, while the walnut stools and brass finishes bring warmth.
Shop for backless wood counter stools
The navy blue island provides a crisp contrast in this mostly white Toronto kitchen, designed by Shirley Meisels. The veins in the marble backsplash add a bit of pattern and visual movement to the kitchen, while the walnut stools and brass finishes bring warmth.
Shop for backless wood counter stools
5. Down on the Farm
The kitchen in this guesthouse in Washington County, Wisconsin, was designed as a place for the homeowners to can vegetables. The rustic kitchen, designed by the team at Bartelt the Remodeling Resource, features a white painted island with a reclaimed-pine countertop.
The long bay of windows provides views to the main house and gardens, and the southwest-facing orientation fills the kitchen with natural light. Note how the windows extend down to meet the countertops, making the kitchen feel more open and connected to the landscape.
The kitchen in this guesthouse in Washington County, Wisconsin, was designed as a place for the homeowners to can vegetables. The rustic kitchen, designed by the team at Bartelt the Remodeling Resource, features a white painted island with a reclaimed-pine countertop.
The long bay of windows provides views to the main house and gardens, and the southwest-facing orientation fills the kitchen with natural light. Note how the windows extend down to meet the countertops, making the kitchen feel more open and connected to the landscape.
4. X Marks the Spot
This large Los Angeles kitchen features a bevy of stylish details, including shiplap walls, brass swing-arm wall sconces, a striking custom metal range hood and an X detail on the end of the island. The glass-front cabinets also feature X details that add character to the kitchen.
Shop for brass swing-arm sconces
This large Los Angeles kitchen features a bevy of stylish details, including shiplap walls, brass swing-arm wall sconces, a striking custom metal range hood and an X detail on the end of the island. The glass-front cabinets also feature X details that add character to the kitchen.
Shop for brass swing-arm sconces
3. Go Bold With Black
Although white cabinets may be the safer choice, the Houzz community appreciated the daring black cabinets in this Toronto kitchen, designed by South Park Design Build. The cabinets and island painted in Farrow & Ball’s Off-Black are offset by natural light and doses of white on the countertops, backsplash, walls and range.
White Cabinets Remain at the Top of Kitchen Wish Lists
Although white cabinets may be the safer choice, the Houzz community appreciated the daring black cabinets in this Toronto kitchen, designed by South Park Design Build. The cabinets and island painted in Farrow & Ball’s Off-Black are offset by natural light and doses of white on the countertops, backsplash, walls and range.
White Cabinets Remain at the Top of Kitchen Wish Lists
2. Double-Decker Design
The two-tiered, 7½-by-7½-foot kitchen island in this San Antonio kitchen, designed by Haven Design and Construction, really wowed the Houzz community in 2018. Other standout features include two sinks, a large custom range hood and a pair of Glendale pendant lights in aged brass.
Read more about this kitchen
The two-tiered, 7½-by-7½-foot kitchen island in this San Antonio kitchen, designed by Haven Design and Construction, really wowed the Houzz community in 2018. Other standout features include two sinks, a large custom range hood and a pair of Glendale pendant lights in aged brass.
Read more about this kitchen
1. Gray Wins the Gold
The most popular kitchen photo of 2018 takes the gold by featuring an enviable gray color palette. This New York kitchen, designed by the team at Stonington Cabinetry & Designs, features Shaker-style cabinets covered in Sherwin-Williams’ Dovetail. The rug and the counter stools covered in Belgian linen provide more subtle touches of gray, while the wood floor, island and range hood detail give a hearty dose of charm.
Your turn: Tell us which photo you like best in the Comments.
More on Houzz
How to Refresh Your Kitchen on Any Budget
12 Designer Details for Your Kitchen Cabinets and Island
Find kitchen designers
Shop for kitchen products
The most popular kitchen photo of 2018 takes the gold by featuring an enviable gray color palette. This New York kitchen, designed by the team at Stonington Cabinetry & Designs, features Shaker-style cabinets covered in Sherwin-Williams’ Dovetail. The rug and the counter stools covered in Belgian linen provide more subtle touches of gray, while the wood floor, island and range hood detail give a hearty dose of charm.
Your turn: Tell us which photo you like best in the Comments.
More on Houzz
How to Refresh Your Kitchen on Any Budget
12 Designer Details for Your Kitchen Cabinets and Island
Find kitchen designers
Shop for kitchen products
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Coastal cool is the nicest but can't believe the others were selected as tops, except for Down on the Farm but the dark ceiling to me should be a slight whitewash as too dark in combination with the floor. Black or dark kitchens is a never for me - way too dark for a kitchen that should be cheery. But they all have that same assembly line designer look. Have seen some distinctive styled kitchens on Houzz that say I'm an individual and thus would be a better choice.
#2 is by far the best dark and light combination beautiful. Lots of natural light
#2 double decker