Category: Kitchens

Many homeowners spend years dreaming of a new kitchen. Yet between new appliances and tearing down walls, it’s easy to forget about the little things. One detail you should never overlook is your new kitchen backsplash!

Your kitchen backsplash is a protective barrier between your culinary workspace and the drywall underneath. It’s also the perfect place to show off your taste in interior decor.

Draw inspiration from these kitchen backsplash ideas when planning out your future home improvement!

Read also: Kitchen Backsplash Ideas on a Budget

[view_toc]

1. Brick Backsplashes for a Storybook Kitchen Charm

If your dream kitchen looks straight out of a storybook, it might be best to skip the tile backsplash altogether. Instead, consider protecting your kitchen walls with exposed brick or a brick overlay.

This type of backsplash is ideal for any farmhouse-, cottage-, or chateau-inspired home. Or take your kitchen in a totally different direction with an industrial aesthetic.

A brick backsplash can be left “natural” or whitewashed for a brighter appearance. Contrasting grout will make your brick backsplash really pop. But there’s nothing wrong with a monochromatic look.

2. Expanding Spaces with Dark Backsplash Tiles

Dark colors don’t always make the surrounding space appear smaller. Dark backsplash tiles can actually create the illusion of a more spacious kitchen by adding contrast and dimension to the room.

Dark-colored tile contrasts beautifully against white cabinetry and countertops. However, you can also go all-in with a dark color scheme that encompasses the entire kitchen.

Play around with natural stone and other materials that feature subtle variations. These details will prevent your dark backsplash from looking too flat.

3. Glass Sheet Backsplashes: Sleek, Modern, and Reflective

You can’t get more modern than a glass sheet backsplash. With a seamless look and reflective finish, glass is the perfect choice for a kitchen remodel.

Glass backsplashes come in several different colors. You can’t go wrong with white or a shade of light blue. On the other hand, black glass is undeniably sleek and a touch dramatic.

Unfortunately, glass sheets cost a pretty penny. Repairing damage typically means replacing the entire panel. If you’re looking for an economical version of this trend, consider a traditional glass tile backsplash instead.

4. Marble Backsplashes: Timeless Elegance in Neutral Tones

If you want to maintain a neutral color palette throughout your kitchen, natural stone is an ideal choice for your backsplash tile. Marble, in particular, pairs well with nearly all kitchen decor.

The trendiest way to use marble for a tile backsplash is in large, uninterrupted panels. This design preserves the color variations and patterns within the stone. Combined with a marble countertop, this will give your kitchen a modern, seamless aesthetic.

The innate color differences in marble allow for designs that stand out without overwhelming your kitchen.

5. Versatile Metal Tile Backsplashes for Every Kitchen Style

Have you ever thought about using metal tile for your kitchen backsplash? Depending on how you style it, this material can give your kitchen an ultra-modern or classically rustic atmosphere.

For a modern metal backsplash, opt for a stainless steel or brushed nickel finish. If you want your kitchen to have an Old World aesthetic, copper is your best option.

One of the most wonderful things about metal is that it’s incredibly easy to press patterns into the material itself. Porcelain, ceramic, and stone tiles just can’t compete with that potential versatility.

6. Embracing Patterned Backsplashes for Distinctive Kitchen Designs

If plain subway tile isn’t for you, why not give your kitchen backsplash a personality of its own? With the growing popularity of maximalist design, patterned kitchen backsplash ideas are becoming increasingly common.

Moroccan tile is a go-to option for any patterned backsplash. Installing these intricate tiles is quick and easy.

Remember that patterned tile does not need to include multiple colors. Monochromatic designs can have as big of an impact without making your kitchen backsplash feel visually cluttered.

7. Authentic Rustic Backsplashes with Classic Materials

White subway tile might be the star of contemporary farmhouse design. But this clean-cut backsplash idea won’t cut it for an authentic rustic aesthetic.

The secret to a rustic kitchen backsplash is to select a material that looks well-loved from day one. Opt for a backsplash made of classic building materials like shiplap, brick, or tin.

Embrace the imperfections in your backsplash design and avoid bright colors, intricate patterns, and unusual tile shapes. After all, rustic backsplashes are more about utilitarianism than perfection!

See more rustic kitchen ideas here.

8. Exploring Natural Stone Backsplash Options for Your Kitchen

Marble is far from the only natural stone that makes a great backsplash. Whether your home decor leans industrial or rustic, there are countless ways to incorporate stone in your new kitchen backsplash.

Don’t be fooled… the vast majority of stone backsplashes are not made of solid stone at all. You can replicate the look and feel of natural stone minus the labor and expense with a sculpted wall overlay.

If you have your heart set on using real stone for your kitchen backsplash, look for rough-cut tiles that can be installed like ones made of glass or porcelain. Pebbles can also be set like penny tiles for a one-of-a-kind backsplash that’s perfect for a lodge or cabin.

9. Diverse Tile Options for Your Kitchen Backsplash

One of the worst assumptions you can make about tiles is that they only come in a handful of styles. Today, interior tiles are available in countless different shapes and finishes. And if you can’t find the exact style you’re looking for, there’s a good chance you can special order it!

Less is often more. Don’t overwhelm your intricate tile layout with garish colors or vice-versa. If you want to highlight your backsplash tiles, a monochromatic color palette might be best.

Of course, tile setting is an art form! While some decorative tiles are DIY-friendly, it’s 100% worth hiring a professional to create a custom backsplash for your kitchen walls.

10. Creative Touches for a Unique Kitchen Backsplash

There are plenty of interesting ways to give your kitchen backsplash a unique touch. These projects may not be as straightforward as uniform subway tiles but are well worth the extra time and creative energy required.

An asymmetrical backsplash is simple yet unexpected. You can achieve this look with shaped tiles or different colors. Play around with gradients and high-contrast shades in your kitchen tile design.

There’s also no rule that backsplash tiles must end in a straight line. One of the most unique details you can include in your kitchen is a geometrical backsplash. Hexagonal tiles work particularly well for this idea!

11. Wooden Backsplashes: A Unique and Warm Tile Alternative

If you’re looking for an alternative to plain marble or porcelain tile, a wooden backsplash might be right up your alley. (As long as you apply the right sealant, wood can be just as durable as tile!)

Instead of square or rectangular tiles, wood backsplashes tend to be made of planks or large panels. These pieces can be arranged horizontally, vertically, or even horizontally.

Wood grain is both neutral and warm. But if natural wood doesn’t suit your kitchen decor, you can paint your wooden backsplash at any point.

“Life isn’t black and white. It’s a million gray areas, don’t you find?”  –  Ridley Scott

Gray is the modern neutral and gives your home a soft and welcoming feel. It’s the perfect solution when white is too harsh and bright while black is too dark and moody. From light and pale to rich charcoal, grey can soften the look of your kitchen.

Pair your grey with bronze, copper, or gold, and you add warmth to the space. Choose stainless steel, silver, or nickel, and you have an ultra-cool space for preparing your meals.

These gray kitchen ideas will get you inspired to change up the color scheme in your kitchen.

[view_toc]

1. Black and Gray Palette for Sophistication

For a sophisticated and slightly masculine feel, use a black and gray color palette in your kitchen. An all-black kitchen can be stunning but requires the right type of kitchen for it to not look like a black hole.

Soften the look by painting your walls black and hanging gray kitchen cabinets. The lighter cabinets in front of the darker walls create the illusion of a larger space.

You can also create this illusion with the countertop. Choose black lower cabinets and then place a light gray countertop on them. The placement of the two colors makes the counter seem bigger than it really is.

Having it on this horizontal surface also helps to reflect more light, making the kitchen feel brighter.

2. Natural Materials with Gray and Brown Tones

Don’t skip over this kitchen color combination. When done right, it isn’t nearly as boring or dull as it initially sounds. The idea is to use your gray color palette with natural materials that have a brown color palette. The two then combine together for a simple and well-designed kitchen.

You create this look in your kitchen by adding a gray backsplash or gray walls. Then use dark wood for the cabinets, food, or countertop.

Embrace modern kitchen trends by using your gray color on half of the cabinets and dark wood on the other half. This two-tone look breaks up the kitchen.

3. Combining Cabinet Styles with Light Gray for Various Looks

While white cabinets will always be the standard go-to in kitchens, they can be boring. Light gray cabinets are a perfect alternative.

Pair light gray kitchen cabinets with the right door front style, and you have a clean and classic design. Shaker cabinets are perfect because they have a subtle design that adds visual interest without being overwhelming. It also combines a traditional cabinet style with modern color.

For a sleek and ultra-modern look, choose slabs cabinet fronts. These are perfectly flat and create a smooth look across all of your cabinets.

For a more traditional look, choose cabinets that have more millwork. These more ornate cabinets will give your kitchen a lot of visual details.

4. Soft Color Palette for Contemporary and Transitional Kitchens

Use a combination of dark gray, light gray, white, and light wood to create a contemporary or transitional kitchen. This soft color combination creates a neutral canvas for you to then decorate. This is ideal if you like to change your decor often or plan to sell your home soon.

Contemporary kitchens can look beautiful with light gray cabinets. The light shade softens the look of bright white cabinets. It also artfully combines modern color trends with the traditional cabinet design.

Pair it with a light wood floor and light-colored countertop, and you have a bright and welcoming kitchen.

5. Elevating Elegance with Gray in High-End Materials

Gray is a perfect color for creating an elegant kitchen style. The trick is to skip the gray paint and instead use expensive materials and designs that are typically found in high-end kitchens. Start with your kitchen counter.

Replace your current counters with Carrara marble that has gray veining or is predominantly gray.

Marble countertops aren’t your only option. You could also use another stone that has a similar look to marble. Granite and limestone are other natural stones that can give your kitchen an elegant look. You can also use an engineered stone, such as quartz.

6. Bold Gray Kitchen Island for a Modern Look

Having a kitchen island gives you the chance to go bold with the gray shade you choose. A dark shade of gray may be too dark for your upper gray cabinetry. Upper wall cabinets in a dark gray and close your kitchen in, making it feel dark and small.

Instead, use that dark shade for your gray kitchen island. The limited amount of coverage keeps the dark color contained so as not to take over your kitchen.

Keeping it in the lower half of the room also prevents it from closing in the kitchen. Using it only on the island embraces modern kitchen design trends, helping your kitchen to look fresh.

Read more: 69 Kitchen Island Ideas

7. Charcoal Gray for a Modern, Contrasted Kitchen

Give yourself a modern kitchen by choosing a darker shade of gray. Charcoal gray is a softer version of black and is still dark enough to offset beautifully against your stainless steel appliances.

To keep your kitchen from becoming too dark, add contrast by using white. The clean and crisp look of the bright white helps to reflect more light and keep your kitchen bright.

If you want to add color, consider creating a gray and navy kitchen. The gray and blue balance well against each other. You can keep your stainless steel appliances, and you have the option of using either light or dark wood.

8. Gray Color Schemes for Expanding Small Kitchens

Your small kitchen presents a unique challenge because you want to create a beautiful yet functional space but are limited. Using gray is a perfect way to make a galley kitchen feel larger than it really is.

Choose a darker backsplash tile and then hang light gray cabinetry. The color contrast will make the darker wall feel further away than it really is.

You could also choose a light gray countertop instead. A smaller kitchen means you can make the most of your budget and splurge on a more expensive material like marble.

Making the floor darker can also make the space feel bigger. You can do this by staining your concrete floor a darker gray and then sealing it.

9. Adding Gray to White Kitchens for Visual Interest

All-white kitchens are boring and a pain to keep clean. Adding gray to your white kitchen can create layers and visual interest. It’ll also be less harsh on your eyes.

Try replacing your white cabinets with dark gray cabinets. Or add a stainless steel subway tile backsplash. The metal doesn’t take away from the white aesthetic while also being easy to clean.

Another option for your kitchen design is to add a gray floor. Skip the ugly plain gray tile. Opt for a light gray wood floor. It will look beautiful and add a contemporary touch to the kitchen. It will have broad appeal and blends with a wide range of interior design themes.

“I always had a fantasy of being a chef, because I like kitchen life.”  –  Geoffrey Rush

Updating your kitchen is one of the best ways to upgrade your home and increase its value. While many people focus on the appliances, lighting, walls, and cabinets, there’s one area that can make an even bigger impact.

Changing the flooring in your kitchen transforms the entire look and feel of the space.

Kitchen flooring ideas embrace almost all types of flooring. However, that doesn’t mean they are all the best options.

The flooring you choose needs to look great, be within your budget, and be durable enough to last. Consider these ideas for the new floor in your kitchen.

[view_toc]

1. Create Elegance with Chevron Patterns

Add a unique style to your kitchen floor by arranging the wood planks or tile in a chevron pattern. This is a simpler version of parquet flooring. The chevron design creates a subtle design that won’t overwhelm the kitchen.

Traditionally, wood flooring is used for creating the chevron pattern. You can use small to large planks to scale the size of the pattern to suit the size of your kitchen. However, if you don’t want a wood floor, you can create the same pattern with rectangular-shaped tiles.

2. Add Drama with Dark Flooring

Choosing a dark-colored flooring for your kitchen will add sophistication and drama. It can also help your kitchen to feel larger when you pair it with light-colored walls and cabinets.

The contrast between the light and dark draws the heaviness down while making the upper area feel larger.

You could stick with a natural look by choosing a dark hardwood or engineered wood floor. Your kitchen will have a traditional feel with this approach. For a modern feel, choose a sleek black slate.

It will have varying shades from dark charcoal grey to pitch black. You can also opt for a black tile for a contemporary feel.

3. Classic and Durable Tile Flooring Options

Tile is one of the most popular materials for the kitchen floor because it’s affordable and durable.

You have two main types of tile to choose from: ceramic or porcelain tile. Both are strong, but porcelain is less porous and more durable. Both types of tile come in a range of sizes, colors, and shapes.

If you aren’t ready for the full commitment of tile replacement, then a more affordable and less permanent option is vinyl tile. You can lay luxury vinyl tile over your existing floor for a quick and easy change.

While it may not last as long as other flooring materials, it will quickly transform the look of your kitchen.

4. Embrace Modernity with Grey Flooring

Grey is the popular modern neutral. It’s replaced beige and tan as the soft neutral color used for designing and decorating. A light grey floor is best accomplished with natural materials.

A plain grey tile will look dull and industrial, which isn’t the look most people are going for in their home kitchen.

For an easy floor solution, try concrete flooring. You probably already have concrete as the foundation in your kitchen. Clean it up and seal it to prevent stains and make it more sanitary.

5. Brighten Spaces with Light-Colored Floors

Choosing a light-colored floor for your kitchen will help to keep the space feeling light and bright. Modern kitchen design embraces light woods that blend well with the minimalist design approach. You’ll see it often used in Scandinavian interior design.

You could also choose a light-colored tile. It doesn’t have to be pure white. Instead, choose a light marble that features shades of grey veining. You could also use natural stone that’s in a light shade.

What’s nice about these two options is that the light color is predominant, but the floor has depth with the darker shades accenting the floor.

6. Luxury and Elegance with Marble Floors

Large marble sheets are the classic look of elegant and high-end homes. A bright white or light grey marble will look elegant and keep your kitchen looking bright.

The large sheets of marble will look and be the most expensive. However, it also creates a smooth and continuous look that will flow throughout your whole kitchen.

If you have your heart set on marble for your flooring material, consider using marble tile flooring. These are smaller tiles that are made from marble.

A popular shape in flooring trends is a small rectangular, similar to subway tile. This combines the vintage feel of subway tile with the elegance of marble.

7. Go Green with Modern Sustainable Flooring

A rising trend in home flooring materials is sustainable and environmentally friendly flooring materials. This is material that’s made from natural materials that won’t damage the environment and are easy to restore.

Cork flooring is one of the most popular flooring materials for this trend. While you could choose cork that looks like traditional cork, you could also choose cork flooring in a more elegant pattern.

You can find modern cork flooring with a chevron, plank, or geometric pattern.

The other most popular sustainable material is bamboo flooring. It looks like standard light wood flooring.

What’s nice about bamboo is that not only is it environmentally friendly, but it’s also incredibly durable. This helps your flooring to last a long time, even with heavy use in the kitchen.

8. Make a Statement with Patterned Floors

Kitchen floor tile tends to be a bit boring, with either wood or plain tile floors.

Make your kitchen stand out by creating a pattern on your kitchen floor. You can do this with almost any kitchen flooring option you decide to use.

If you want wood flooring, skip the standard running planks and create a chevron or herringbone pattern. Or you could lay a parquet flooring for an elegant pattern.

Tile is another easy flooring material to create patterns with. You could use a small tile to create a mosaic pattern. This works best for small kitchens.

Lay a larger tile that has a pattern on each tile. Larger-sized tiles and scaled patterns work best in larger kitchens.

You can also use multiple plain tiles to create a custom pattern on the floor.

9. Achieve a Warm, Rustic Look

Give your home the final touch to your rustic aesthetic with a wooden floor. You could do this with authentic reclaimed or salvaged wood.

This will give your kitchen floor an uneven and worn look. This is nice but also not completely practical. You don’t want to risk injury to someone who is barefoot in your kitchen.

This can result in a lot of cleaning up of the wood before you install your rustic kitchen flooring design.

A great alternative is to use laminate flooring. Both laminate and vinyl flooring can mimic the look of rustic wood flooring without all of the work and maintenance requirements. Finish the look by laying a kitchen rug on top that’s woven out of jute or a low pile oriental rug.

10. Timeless Beauty with Stone Flooring

Natural stone can give your kitchen a warm and welcoming feeling while also looking sleek and modern. The aesthetic you give your kitchen will depend on the type of stone and how it’s cut.

Rustic stone flooring is hand-cut and irregular in shape. They tend to look more generic in color and work well in a kitchen that has a rustic or farmhouse feel.

Stone tile is a better option for kitchens that are more sophisticated. Subway tile made from stone can give your home a vintage feel. Especially if you choose a white or black stone.

Large slabs of stone can look at home in a modern or contemporary kitchen. The large sheets minimize grout lines and create a continuous look.

11. Earthy Charm with Terracotta and Brick

For a rustic and earthy feel, choose a natural material like terracotta or brick. Both of these have a warm reddish or orange hue. Using either as your kitchen tile will add a coziness to your kitchen.

Traditional terracotta floor tiles are smaller, which doesn’t always look great in all kitchens.

Give your terracotta a modern look by choosing one in a geometric shape or large-scale tile. This will update the look of the terracotta and keep your kitchen from looking outdated and old.

Instead of laying bricks in a traditional pattern, give them a different look by placing them in a chevron or fishbone pattern.

12. Express Creativity with Unique Flooring Designs

If you’re the more innovative or creative type, then get creative with your kitchen flooring. When choosing a unique flooring idea, don’t let yourself get swept up by kitchen flooring trends. Some flooring trends look beautiful but lack the durability your kitchen floor needs.

Some resilient flooring options that you could consider are poured resin, limestone, concrete, and rubber flooring. These are all strong and water impervious materials that will hold up in the kitchen.

Some of them you’ll want to seal. Otherwise, their porous nature will create a health risk as they harbor bacteria.

13. Classic and Versatile Wood Flooring Choices

Hardwood flooring is an easy way to upgrade the look of your kitchen. If you have the budget for it, replace your flooring with a hardwood floor.

This solid wood flooring is beautiful and incredibly durable. Harwood tends to have a dark tone, which adds richness to your kitchen.

If real hardwood floor is out of your budget, don’t give up. A more affordable alternative is vinyl or laminate flooring. These are planks that are engineered hardwood to look and feel exactly like real wood but aren’t.

Modern options are incredibly durable and even waterproof. This makes them perfect for use in the kitchen.

They also come in a range of wood types and shades, which makes it easier to match the rest of your kitchen.

The kitchen sink is so important to daily life that it’s found use in one of our favorite sayings: “Everything but the kitchen sink.” Yet this importance is often overlooked by homeowners actually designing a kitchen of their own.

Your kitchen sink is, in many ways, the centerpiece of your entire kitchen. It plays an integral role in the layout and workflow of your kitchen, and no culinary space can function without one.

Keep reading for some of our favorite kitchen sink ideas that will prove just how crucial this element is to the perfect home.

[view_toc]

1. Choose Durable Ceramic Sinks

A ceramic kitchen sink is nowhere near as fragile as you might think. On the contrary, ceramic sinks are some of the most durable (even out-performing stainless steel). Another awesome quality of ceramic is just how easy it is to clean.

Ceramic sinks offer a traditional aesthetic that feels right at home in any farmhouse- or rustic-style kitchen design.

For the greatest durability and heat-resistance, be sure to invest in a fireclay sink. Fireclay ceramic contains high levels of clay and other materials that give the final product a remarkably strong finish.

2. Optimize Space with Drainboard Sinks

Drainboards are sloped surfaces that hold freshly washed dishes and allow excess water to run back into the sink (rather than pooling on your countertop). A drainboard is not part of the kitchen sink itself but an accessory attached to one or both sides.

Stand-alone dish-draining racks can be clunky and unattractive. Opting for a kitchen sink with a built-in drainboard is an excellent way to give your kitchen a more streamlined appearance.

Drainboards can be built into nearly any style of kitchen sink. You can find drainboard attachments made of stainless steel, ceramic, granite, and many other materials.

3. Explore Farmhouse Sink Styles

Farmhouse kitchen sinks rose to popularity a few years ago and have yet to lose momentum. The traditional farmhouse sink style is also known as an apron-front sink.

Today, this style of sink can be found alongside all different kitchen decor trends. For a clean aesthetic, go with a white ceramic farmhouse sink with a large basin. If you prefer an industrial look, opt for a sink made of stainless steel.

The humble apron sink is just as often a fixture in contemporary homes as it is rustic-inspired ones. Pairing your farmhouse sink with a sleek faucet and soap dispenser will ensure your kitchen is ready for the modern age.

4. Select the Perfect Sink Faucet

Do you want your kitchen sink faucet to stand out from the rest of the room? Or do you want it to blend into the background? The answer to this question is nearly as important as picking out a sink basin.

Choosing the perfect sink faucet means accounting for your kitchen’s functional and aesthetic needs. Don’t let yourself get swept up in fancy features (or a one-of-a-kind faucet style) in lieu of what your household truly needs.

No matter what style of faucet you decide on, it’s important to match the finish to other elements within your kitchen. Look to your cabinet hardware or light fixtures for inspiration that will tie your kitchen sink to the rest of the design.

5. Incorporate Sinks into Kitchen Islands

The kitchen sink often ends up as a centerpiece that all other appliances revolve around. So — at least in terms of accessibility — it makes sense to include space for a sink in your kitchen island.

By placing your sink in your kitchen island, you’ll be putting much of your home’s day-to-day mess on display. Be sure to invest in a large sink basin that can accommodate plenty of dishes.

On the other hand, a kitchen island can be the ideal place to install a small prep sink. If you entertain often (or just love home cooking), you may soon wonder how you ever lived without this extra workspace!

6. Modernize with Contemporary Sinks

Yes, most contemporary kitchen sink ideas favor traditional designs. But there’s plenty of opportunities to incorporate modern elements in your own kitchen.

The faucet can make or break any modern kitchen sink design. Sleek, geometric shapes are the most popular. But installing a vintage-style faucet alongside an ultra-modern basin is also a winning choice.

Another way to introduce some modern intrigue to your kitchen sink is to select a basin made of a unique material. A granite composite sink is interesting no matter how you style it. The same is true for a colored stainless steel or soapstone sink.

7. Maximize with Single Sinks

Society as a whole puts a lot of stock in the idea that bigger is always better. And this belief impacts how we design our personal living spaces.

You might be tempted to install an extra-wide double sink in your kitchen to maximize space for washing and prepping. However, plenty of kitchens benefit from a compact single sink instead.

Opting for a single-compartment sink means more room for accessories like a built-in cutting board or drainboard. Single sinks are also ideal for kitchenettes or for fitting into a tight kitchen corner.

8. Embrace the Elegance of Square Sinks

Contemporary kitchens tend to have larger, washbasin-style sinks compared to homes from just a few years ago. While rustic apron-front sinks fall into the category, you’ll also find plenty of self-rimmed and undermount sinks as well.

Many corner kitchen sink ideas feature square basins to maximize capacity without taking up too much countertop space.

A square kitchen sink fits many decor styles — the material you choose will have more impact than the actual shape. A stainless steel sink will produce a more industrial look. Meanwhile, a copper or porcelain sink will look very traditional.

9. Choose Versatile Stainless Steel Sinks

Stainless steel is one of the most popular kitchen materials around. It looks super sleek. Plus, it’s easy to clean and maintain throughout your kitchen’s lifetime.

Stainless steel sinks come in every style imaginable. If you want to maximize functionality, go for a double-bowl sink design. If you’re short on space, opt for a corner kitchen sink or one with a built-in drainboard.

Not all stainless steel sinks are built the same. Look for quality-of-life features like a soundproofed basin or heavy-gauge steel to ensure you get the most out of your new kitchen remodel.

10. Sleek Style with Undermount Sinks

Knowing which kitchen sink ideas are right for your home involves more than just choosing your favorite finish. Even opting for an undermount sink over a self-rimmed design can make a big difference.

How do you take your coffee (or tea)? Even if you start your days with a black cup of joe, brewing your own coffee can require an arsenal of tools.

You can let your kitchen counters succumb to a mess of coffee grounds and empty mugs. Or you can design a coffee station that streamlines your mornings and makes even the most basic cup feel like a trip to your favorite cafe.

Below you’ll find some of the best coffee bar ideas and tips to recreate them in your own home!

[view_toc]

1. Chalkboard Coffee Station

We all know a charming local coffee shop with a clever chalkboard sign or illustrated wall menu. So it’s only natural that you’d want to include a chalkboard element in your own coffee bar design.

Chalkboard paint makes it incredibly easy to add a functional writing surface to your living space. Most chalkboard paint can be used on walls and furniture. You can make a custom message board with a piece of framed wood.

Much of the appeal of including a chalkboard in your coffee station is the customizability. However, don’t be afraid to use stencils to add semi-permanent designs to your chalkboard — seasonal motifs are a great option!

2. Holiday Celebration Setup

Children celebrate the winter holidays with hot cocoa. Adults celebrate the season with hot coffee (and maybe an occasional cup of cocoa!).

Aside from stocking your coffee station with seasonal flavors like peppermint, gingerbread, and eggnog, take the time to update your decor for the holidays. Set out your favorite holiday coffee cups and arrange Christmas ornaments throughout the area.

If space allows, your home coffee bar is the ideal place to display a small Christmas village or miniature tree. Tinsel and twinkling lights can be strung across the coffee station for maximum holiday cheer.

3. DIY Coffee Bar Creation

Yes, you can go to your local kitchenware or furniture store and purchase a ready-made coffee bar table. Yet many of the best coffee bar ideas are the result of individual creativity and DIY skills.

The perfect coffee bar is one that meets your household’s needs, and the easiest way to achieve that is to design your own. 

Start with a compact hutch or console table that matches your home decor — new paint and hardware can always be used to give an old piece of furniture a new look. Install hooks, extra shelves, and access to a power source for all of your coffee supplies. 

4. Dining Room Coffee Station

The kitchen counter is the most obvious location for a coffee maker. But placing your coffee station in your dining room can be a great way to free up kitchen space and make your dining area feel more inviting.

Set up your coffee bar using a thin console table or buffet. If your coffee bar station has drawers or cabinets underneath, you can use the space for miscellaneous serveware along with your coffee essentials.

While your coffee bar should coordinate with your dining room decor, it’s okay to draw attention to the area with a cute sign or mug rack.

5. Farmhouse Style

Farmhouse decor is largely about curating a space that is as warm and cozy as possible. Naturally, an at-home coffee station fits right in with this goal.

Furniture with a natural wood or whitewashed finish is ideal for a farmhouse coffee bar. You can use vintage furniture for your station setup or mimic an aged appearance using chalk paint and finishing wax.

Farmhouse-style coffee bar decor often features repurposed materials and antiques. Hand-painted pallet wood can be used to create a custom sign or mount a mug rack. Include small details like rustic tea towels and mason jars in your DIY coffee bar.

6. Kitchen Space Coffee Bar

The kitchen is by far the most convenient room to keep your coffee maker in. Why not expand your kitchen coffee nook to include everything you could possibly need for a morning pick-me-up?

Keep all of your coffee-making supplies in one area and include thematic decor to tie everything together. Organization and visual appeal are what differentiates a proper coffee bar from a regular kitchen setup.

Your kitchen coffee bar doesn’t need to be out on display 24/7. Consider placing your coffee accessories in a butler’s pantry or large cupboard to keep your kitchen neat and tidy throughout the day.

7. Luxury Coffee Bar

It doesn’t matter if you own an early-model Keurig or a high-end espresso machine. The most luxurious coffee bar ideas are all about attention to detail.

Opt for simple furniture and decor that offers a cohesive aesthetic. Modern elements like a glass console table and sleek floating shelves are excellent investments.

While decor is crucial to creating a stylish living space, you don’t want to overdo it. Clutter is the enemy of luxury design, especially when it comes to a mess-prone area like a coffee station. Prioritize organization and storage when designing your luxury-inspired coffee bar setup.

8. Contemporary Coffee Bar

Modern decor is not a monolith. There are numerous trends and styles contained within the modern design movement. Borrowing ideas from any or all of these trends is not just okay but encouraged!

Regardless of your go-to aesthetic, modern decor is all about sleek shapes and finishes. One of the easiest ways to give your coffee corner a modern touch is with a monochromatic color scheme.

Take a minimalist approach with your coffee bar surface. Invest in special storage solutions to hold coffee pods and other necessities. Display pop artwork and unique decor over your coffee station with a floating shelf.

9. Pallet Crafted Coffee Station

Reclaimed wood is a beloved material among home designers and DIYers alike. If you’re looking for inspiration to create your own DIY coffee bar, getting your hands on some pallet wood is a great place to start.

Reclaimed pallet wood is an excellent choice for a cottage- or farmhouse-inspired coffee bar top. Replace your existing coffee station surface or add pallet wood on top to protect the original finish.

Another great coffee bar idea is to use recycled pallet wood to construct floating shelves or coffee mug storage. Leave the raw wood finish intact or paint your new wall decor to match your home decor.

10. Rustic Coffee Bar Design

You’ll see many of the same design elements in both rustic and farmhouse decor, including vintage furniture, aged finishes, and reclaimed wood.

While contemporary farmhouse decor tends to have a more polished look, rustic decor remains au naturel. You can also create a rustic coffee bar with aspects of the French countryside or American Southwest.

Your first step should be deciding if you want your rustic coffee station to have a light and airy aesthetic or a more masculine one. From there, you can curate your coffee setup to match.

11. Small Space Coffee Bar

It doesn’t matter how much love you hold for the perfect cup of coffee. Devoting a large portion of your home to a coffee bar isn’t always realistic.

A small coffee station can be just as efficient as a full-size one. Look for an unused corner in your kitchen, dining room, or pantry that can be converted to a DIY coffee bar.

A bar cart is an extremely convenient and versatile piece of furniture, whether you’re mixing cocktails or brewing a morning coffee. Using a bar cart is ideal if you drink pour-over coffee (or prefer a cup of tea) rather than relying on a traditional coffee machine.

12. Stylish Coffee Corner Inspiration

Most people don’t set up an at-home coffee station solely out of convenience. Coffee bars offer a unique aesthetic that can make your home feel cozy and on-trend.

Of course, you need the essentials — there’s little point in putting together a coffee bar without some kind of coffee maker. Invest in stylish baskets and wall-mounted mug hangers to store your must-have coffee accessories.

Once your coffee bar is fully stocked, you can move onto the fun stuff. There’s no shortage of fun and quirky coffee-related artwork that can be displayed above your station. Complete the look with miscellaneous items like candles, potted plants, and more.

13. Sleek White Coffee Bar Concept

A home coffee bar does not need a high-concept aesthetic to look great. An all-white design is clean, contemporary, and easy to adapt to whatever space you have available. You can also take a white coffee bar in several different directions.

Pairing white decor with wooden accents will add much-needed warmth. This combination is often used in rustic designs.

Sleek light fixtures and minimal decor will give your coffee station a modern appearance. If the look of wood grain isn’t your style, use materials like polished metal or marble instead.

14. Wooden Coffee Bar Creation

Whether you’re thinking of setting up a full-scale coffee station or mobile bar cart, wooden furniture goes with everything.

There’s a good chance your coffee bar will take a beating with daily use. Rather than spend money on brand-new furniture, try your hand at creating a DIY coffee station by painting or refinishing an old dresser or accent table.

The natural wood elements don’t need to stop there. Supplement your coffee bar storage with wall-mounted shelving or add a personal touch with your favorite framed artwork.

Wood countertops might feel like a new trend. Yet this material was one of the first used for in-home work surfaces.

Wood is far more durable than many people believe, even if it does require special maintenance from time to time. And it complements a wide variety of interior decor trends.

So if you’re dreaming of a kitchen counter that’s both classic and contemporary, you should definitely give natural wood a chance.

Check out some of our favorite wood countertop ideas below before you decide on your next kitchen counters!

[view_toc]

1. Achieve a Glossy Finish with Natural Oil Finish Wood Countertops

Transform your kitchen into a sophisticated space with natural oil finish wood countertops. This finishing technique not only brings out the innate beauty and grain of the wood but also provides a smooth, glossy surface that’s a delight to touch. Regular maintenance with oil ensures longevity and preserves the luster, making your kitchen a centerpiece of elegance and warmth. These countertops are perfect for those who love a sleek, reflective look without compromising on the organic feel of wood.

2. Make a Bold Statement with Dark Stained Wood Countertops

Dark stained wood countertops are the epitome of bold elegance and can anchor the aesthetic of any kitchen. This choice is perfect for creating dramatic contrast, especially in kitchens with lighter cabinetry or walls. It’s not just about looks; dark stains also do a great job at hiding minor scratches and wear. When paired with the right lighting, these countertops can create an inviting atmosphere, exuding a sense of luxury and timeless sophistication.

3. Create a Warm Glow with Maple Stained Wood Countertops

Introduce a touch of warmth and natural radiance into your kitchen with maple stained wood countertops. Maple’s light color and subtle grain patterns provide a perfect canvas for stains, allowing you to tailor the warmth and tone to your kitchen’s color scheme. These countertops bring a cozy, welcoming glow to your space, making it more inviting. The durability and versatility of maple make it a practical choice for a busy kitchen.

4. Timeless Appeal: Distressed Wood Countertops

Distressed wood countertops offer an unmatched timeless charm, perfect for adding character to your kitchen. This style celebrates the beauty of imperfections, making each piece unique. The distressed finish not only looks stunning but is forgiving of the hustle and bustle of a busy kitchen. It’s an ideal choice for a rustic or farmhouse-style kitchen, blending old-world charm with modern functionality.

5. Classic Look: Butcher Block Wood Countertops

Butcher block wood countertops bring a classic, functional elegance to your kitchen. Known for their durability and ease of repair, these countertops can withstand the rigors of daily use while maintaining their beauty. They provide a warm, inviting surface for meal prep and can double as a charming serving area. Regular sanding and oiling will keep them looking fresh and new, making them a practical yet stylish addition to any kitchen.

6. Embrace Natural Appeal with Live Edge Wood Countertops

Live edge wood countertops are for those who seek to bring nature’s unrefined beauty into their home. These countertops feature the natural edge of the tree, offering a unique, organic look that becomes the focal point of your kitchen. The raw, natural lines of the edge contrast beautifully with the polished surface of the countertop, creating a striking balance. They fit well in both modern and rustic kitchens, bringing a piece of the outdoors inside.

7. Mask Spills with Matte-Finish Wood Countertops

Matte-finish wood countertops offer a contemporary, understated elegance that also practicality masks spills and fingerprints. This finish diffuses light rather than reflecting it, lending a soft, serene ambiance to your kitchen. It’s an ideal choice for those who prefer a more subtle, muted look that still showcases the natural beauty of the wood. These countertops are also easier to maintain, requiring less frequent touch-ups.

8. Add Visual Interest with Two-Toned Wood Countertops

Two-toned wood countertops are a creative way to inject visual interest and depth into your kitchen. By combining different wood types or stains, you can create a unique, custom look that complements your kitchen’s color palette. This design choice can be used to highlight specific areas of your kitchen, like an island or breakfast bar, and is perfect for adding a contemporary twist to the warmth of wood.

9. Go Eco-Friendly with Reclaimed Wood Countertops

Reclaimed wood countertops are not only stylish but also an eco-friendly choice for your kitchen. Each piece tells a story, with history etched into its grains and textures. These countertops are ideal for creating a rustic, lived-in feel, and their recycled nature makes them a sustainable choice. They’re also incredibly durable, having withstood the test of time, and can be refinished to suit your taste.

10. Soften Your Kitchen with Light Stained Wood Countertops

Light stained wood countertops are perfect for softening the overall look of your kitchen. They bring a bright, airy feel to the space and can make small kitchens appear larger. The light stain highlights the natural grain of the wood, offering a subtle, understated elegance. These countertops pair beautifully with a variety of decor styles and are a great way to brighten up your kitchen without overwhelming it.

12. Achieve a Unique Look with Resin & Wood Countertops

Resin and wood countertops are the pinnacle of modern kitchen design, offering a unique, eye-catching look. This innovative combination allows for a myriad of color and pattern choices, encapsulating objects or creating stunning visual effects within the countertop. The resin provides a durable, water-resistant surface, perfect for the demands of kitchen use. These countertops are ideal for those wanting to make a statement and stand out from the traditional kitchen design.

You’ve been slowly collecting kitchen tools and small appliances over the years.

You didn’t notice as it was happening, but you’ve now run out of counter space. It’s time to take your counters back. Adding shelves to your kitchen can give you more kitchen storage.

You could buy a utilitarian rack from your local home improvement store. But this won’t add to the decor and aesthetic of your kitchen.

Instead, why not add shelves that will be both visually pleasing and functional? These kitchen shelf ideas will help you create more storage space in your kitchen.

[view_toc]

1. Floating Shelves

A floating shelf has a modern look with a sleek shelf and no visible hardware. You can make your floating kitchen shelves be as large or as small as you want.

You could have one large floating shelf that extends the entire length of your kitchen. Or you could have several smaller shelves mounted above each other.

When mounting your floating shelves, be sure to mount them to the studs. This will ensure your shelf has the most strength to support whatever you decide to place on it.

2. Metal Shelves

If you have a modern kitchen, then add open kitchen shelving that matches this aesthetic. Metal or glass shelves are a smart choice for a contemporary kitchen design.

Floating shelf brackets are the best hardware for this style of shelf. However, you could choose a straight-line bracket with minimal hardware.

When choosing the metal for your hardware, you’ll want to look for something that is corrosion-resistant and durable. You can’t go wrong with high-quality stainless steel.

Aluminum and iron are also good choices. Choose a metal that fits your budget and has the design aesthetic you’re hoping to create.

3. Narrow Shelves

If you have a tiny kitchen, then look for narrow shelves. They will take up less room by having a shallow depth. The reduced depth will help to keep your kitchen feeling open.

You can also do this by using glass shelves. Look at kitchen shelving ideas with glass shelves, and you’ll see how the kitchen still feels large.

This is because you can easily see through and beyond the shelf, tricking your eye into thinking the kitchen is larger than it is.

You can also think of narrow as the length of the shelves. You only need a small amount of wall space to add kitchen shelving. Perhaps you have a narrow space where you can mount several shelves above each other. Then place a single item on each shelf.

4. Open Shelves

If you love open kitchen shelving ideas, you can try them out in your home. You could go big and commit to open shelving throughout your entire kitchen. Take out all of your cabinets and replace them with open shelves.

Not everyone is ready to take out all of their cabinets. That doesn’t mean you have to give up on open shelving in your kitchen.

Instead, take out one or two cabinets and replace them with an open shelf. That way, you don’t lose all of your cabinets but can still try out the open shelving look in your home.

5. Pallet

If you’re a homeowner who enjoys doing DIY projects, then try your hand at building kitchen shelves out of pallet wood.

You could hang a pallet cut in half for a simple spice rack. Line the spice jars up in the compartment of the pallet.

This type of kitchen shelf works great in a small kitchen space. The wood pallet pieces are a set size, making it easy to build uniform shelves.

You could take the pallet apart and use brackets to mount the planks on your wall. Or you can use them to build your own rack with multiple shelves.

6. Pantry

Treat your pantry like you would your master bedroom closet. Skip the basic industrial-looking wire shelving and replace it with a closet organizational system.

You’ll have so much more space when you start creating shelving that’s designed with your specific pantry in mind. You could have shelves of different heights to accommodate different items.

This kitchen organization idea works no matter what size pantry you have. Small pantries could have a few simple shelves. Larger pantries or those that are walk-in could have a complete system with shelves, drawers, and gravity can racks.

7. White

White has always been a popular color for the kitchen. It’s bright and looks clean. Consider using it for the color of your open kitchen shelves.

The shelves could block the natural light in your kitchen, so making them white will reflect the light and keep the space feeling bright.

The white color is a nice neutral, making it easy to change your kitchen’s design aesthetic. When you decide to sell your home, the broad appeal of white will come in handy. You won’t need to make any changes to make your home more attractive to potential buyers.

8. Wood

A natural wooden shelf can add warmth and a touch of nature to your kitchen. Use reclaimed wood for your wood shelf for a rustic or farmhouse look. Embrace the uneven and worn look of the wood.

For a cabin-inspired or farmhouse kitchen look, use a piece of wood with a raw edge. The edge is unfinished and may still have bark on it.

Not all wood shelves need to be rustic, though. Choose a beautiful piece of maple or cherry and have it finished with varnish. The shiny, smooth surface will look elegant in your kitchen. The sealed wood will also be easier to keep clean.