Visit 10 countries, including Spain and India, and peek into the most-saved kitchen photos this year
See how dramatic colour palettes, hardworking storage and an elegant mix of finishes and materials can create a stylish, high-functioning space that defies boundaries.
1. Australia
This kitchen in Melbourne, Victoria by First Avenue Homes, is a study in contrasts that integrates key material and decorating trends in a classic, timeless way.
The veining in the smooth Portsea Grey marble and the rounded end of the four-metre-long island bench contrasts against the dark, textural linear cladding on the range hood and island-bench kick boards. Repeated straight lines in the pendant light and open shelving play off against – and highlight – the arched window into the wine cabinet and oversized round pantry handles.
We’ve been seeing an increase in dark palettes used in Australian kitchens, and this spaces shows how to successfully balance those colours with light features to create a lasting style.
2. France
This kitchen illustrates an approach to laying out a kitchen that’s popular in France right now. Relocating a kitchen to a hallway can sometimes better optimise available square meters.
During the renovation of this flat in Paris, interior architect Amélie Colombet of Inhale removed a wall between the living room and a hallway. She then created a new open and bright kitchen in the former hallway. The former kitchen became a comfortable new bathroom.
The light wood cabinets, pastel colour palette and hexagonal tile floor create a natural style that’s also trending in France right now.
3. Germany
Matte green cupboards set a soothing and inviting tone in this German kitchen, which was designed by the Deml joinery firm in Aschau, Bavaria. Oak flooring, raised bar area and bench bring warmth to the space, while a natural-stone worktop adds a spot of cool grey.
4. India
The homeowners wanted a crisply designed, spacious kitchen, but a shaft between the former kitchen and utility room had left them with only a tiny kitchen to work with. Delhi designer Rohit Chaudhary of Amusing Interiors kept the column as a partition wall but combined the two spaces to create a more expansive kitchen.
Open shelves and glass cabinets help the space feel light and bright. The cabinets and shutters are made of HDHMR (high-density, high moisture resistance) boards, while the worktops are Kalinga Stone, a locally manufactured engineered marble. The hardware throughout is from Hettich.
5. Italy
This kitchen by Liadesign was part of the renovation of a 60-square-metre flat. The aim was to make the most of the available space, incorporating a gym space and a movie area. The kitchen was designed to contribute warmth and a jolt of energy to the decor.
The space juxtaposes the flat’s gorgeous antique wooden flooring against industrial flair and black cabinets. A fiery red fridge spices things up. Judging from the most saved photos on Houzz Italy, many Italian homeowners are loving black kitchens, especially when mixed with warm wood details, as shown here.
6. Japan
The stylish pairing of grey and black has become popular in Japanese kitchens, as exemplified in this kitchen by R-Studio. A matte finish for the colour palette keeps the chic kitchen-diner from feeling too cold. The light cream colour of the dining table also adds a warm touch and a bit of softness. Ceramic subway tiles from Hirata Tile and brass pendant lights from Futagami add character.
7. Russia
Houzz Russia commenters say they particularly like the grey-and-wood colour scheme in this kitchen by Sinchugova Design Studio.
People also love the wooden frame around the splashback and upper cabinets that draws attention and makes the nearby white flat-panel cabinets virtually disappear.
8. Spain
For this Madrid flat, architect Iago Blanco created a soothing and an impressive style on a tight, 8,000-euro budget. A glass partition helps keep cooking smells and noise out of the nearby living area while maintaining visual openness between the spaces.
9. United Kingdom
In the UK, we’ve been seeing a rising interest in natural colour palettes and biophillic design. And this lovely design by Shere Kitchens showcases that trend beautifully.
The sage-green colour of the island unit references the outside world, while natural materials such as the wooden display shelf, rustic vase and woven basket bring in elements of rustic texture. Plenty of natural light from bifold doors at the other end of the room make this scheme feel bright and fresh, while the floor-to-ceiling bespoke cupboards keep clutter out of sight.
10. United States
The most popular U.S. kitchen of 2021 mixes colours and materials to create a style that looks collected over time. To keep the eye moving, Austin, Texas, designer Ariel Bleich balanced raw wood ceiling beams and other wood details with glass-front cabinets, textured taupe-coloured splashback tile and a bank of blue cabinetry. A creamy shade of white on the rest of the cabinets, walls and trim adds warmth.
