American kitchen types: 10 cupboards, supplies and colours

American kitchen types span a variety, offering loads of alternative when transforming a room. A kitchen is perhaps, for instance, modern, conventional, transitional, Scandinavian, have farmhouse model or a cottage look, amongst different choices.
A significant funding, a kitchen ought to be a part of your private home for a few years to return, so it’s value being conscious of the traits of every model together with cupboards, supplies, colours, and different options so that you might be assured of selecting a glance with enduring attraction.
Kitchens are working rooms but in addition on the middle of a house. Whereas functionally they’re for meals preparation, kitchens are areas to eat, work, for teenagers to do homework, and to spend time with the household. Any kitchen concepts chosen ought to present a venue through which you’re comfy throughout all actions, and the kitchen model is a vital consider that consolation.
Right here we study a variety of American kitchen types to tell and encourage your individual transform plans.
American kitchen types
This information will present you the traits of a wide range of kitchen cupboard concepts to help you in selecting the look you like in your American kitchen transform.
1. Conventional kitchen
(Picture credit score: Devol)
A conventional design stays one of many American kitchen types beloved by many. One among these is an effective option to create an attraction that’s timeless, making it a worthy funding. After all, conventional kitchen concepts don’t lack trendy options, make for a sensible cooking area.
There’s loads of element on present in a conventional kitchen which has raised panel cupboard doorways that might be scalloped or beveled, or have detailed profiling or mitered corners. These are sometimes mixed with glass-fronted cupboards through which stemware and extra might be displayed. Crown molding is in style, too. Islands usually have corbels or pilasters and wainscoting.
Conventional kitchens are steadily painted in white and that is usually contrasted with darkish wooden as a part of the general scheme, together with for the ground. The trendy twist in considered one of these rooms is more likely to be its stainless-steel home equipment.
In opposition to this elegant backdrop, it’s simple so as to add private favorites. ‘I like a conventional kitchen with traditional cabinetry, cozy bar stools, and delightful lighting,’ says Maggie Griffin, founder and lead designer at Maggie Griffin Design. ‘Timeless, comfy houses spotlight a conventional kitchen, usually that includes particulars like blended metals, attractive tile work, fairly lighting, and perhaps a pop of coloration, too.’
2. Modern kitchen
(Picture credit score: Future/Darren Chung)
The place a conventional design options elaborations, a up to date kitchen is smooth and pared again. The curiosity in considered one of these schemes comes from the distinction of the gorgeous supplies, colours, and textures somewhat than ornate element.
Fashionable kitchen concepts embody cupboards that usually have slab fronts and could also be handless, or function drawer pulls, linear handles, or neat knobs. They usually function contrasting supplies comparable to wooden alongside a artifical materials, or embody cupboards in two colours.
These kitchens don’t restrict coloration decisions: assertion darks, daring hues, in addition to whites and neutrals are all prospects for a room on this model.
Stainless-steel home equipment might be on present or discreetly hid on this American kitchen model, whereas stone or different tile flooring in impartial shades add one other interesting materials to the room’s palette. Herald an announcement backsplash for contemporary model, and select an undermount sink and tap with strains as fuss-free as the remainder of the room.
3. Transitional kitchens
(Picture credit score: Morse Design {Photograph}: Tara Carter)
A most popular choice for a lot of, transitional kitchens are a cheerful mix of contemporary and conventional rooms.
A kitchen of this model has the comfy and welcoming ambiance of a conventional kitchen, but in addition tends to the cleaner strains and fewer is extra method of a up to date kitchen.
Cupboards are sometimes Shaker or have inset panels and produced from wooden with a painted end. As with conventional kitchens, white is a perennial favourite, however grey and beige nice alternate options, and colours comparable to blue are additionally choices. For many who choose a wooden end, a stain that highlights its pure traits is an alternate. In relation to counters suppose marble or quartz, whereas pendant lighting fits these rooms.
It’s one of many American kitchen types that may go well with properties of various ages. ‘A transitional, white kitchen is a superb search for each new builds and renovated houses,’ says Andi Morse, founder & principal designer at Morse Design. ‘It’s simple to take present cabinetry and both paint it white or set up new Shaker-style doorways. Add gold {hardware} and assertion lighting to finish the look.
‘I like the transitional model as a result of it stays present 12 months after 12 months. White is at all times trending and most requested by purchasers as a result of it’s recent, clear, and shiny. Leaning into the transitional model creates a much less conventional aesthetic. Plus, it really works in any dwelling whether or not conventional, coastal, or trendy.’
4. Farmhouse model kitchen
(Picture credit score: The Cotswold Firm)
A farmhouse model kitchen, related in many individuals’s minds with Fixer Higher Joanna Gaines, is rustic and pure, however trendy, too. The result’s a calming atmosphere however a room that’s extremely practical.
Farmhouse kitchen concepts embody enticing woods which might be a significant factor for the ground, however maybe for cupboards, seating, and counters, in addition to through a farmhouse desk and a butcher’s block. Moderately than one single species, a wide range of woods might be utilized in harmonious tones in a kitchen of this model.
Painted farmhouse kitchens are additionally in style: white is traditional, however think about neutrals with underlying heat, or nature’s blues and greens. As for the cupboards themselves, go for raised panel designs for a farmhouse kitchen, and mix these with shiplap partitions.
An apron-front sink is the proper complement to a room of this model, and plan in open shelving for ornamental equipment in pure supplies and with rustic finishes or hand-painted element.
5. Cottage model kitchens
(Picture credit score: Future / Kasia Fiszer)
Whereas farmhouse kitchens are sometimes spacious rooms with a heart-of-the-home vibe, cottage kitchens flip up the dial on coziness. It’s a mode suited to compact and even low ceilinged rooms, and one which doesn’t stint on element.
Cupboards would possibly function raised panels, however think about beadboard or open grate doorways. Freestanding furnishings is also a part of the format. White or near-to-white painted finishes mirror the sunshine to make a compact cottage kitchen really feel ethereal; think about a distressed end for a time-worn look.
Wooden ought to be a part of the supplies palette for the ground, maybe, or furnishings, in addition to for ornamental items. These are a vital for a cottage kitchen and ought to be displayed on open shelving or cupboards.
Introduce conventional metals to a cottage kitchen, too, for knobs and handles, and taps.
6. Scandinavian kitchens
(Picture credit score: Sola Kitchens)
The clear strains, mild maximizing colours, and pure finishes of Scandinavian kitchens are a choice for a lot of, who additionally worth these kitchens for his or her practicality.
Cupboards might have flat fronts and be handless in case your choice is in direction of probably the most minimalist tackle the look, however a extra homely model with Shaker model or raised panel doorways can be a risk. Bear in mind, although, that even a Scandi kitchen with a extra traditional and comfy look ought to be pared again. ‘The strains are nonetheless clear and easy and there might be little or no “fluff”,’ says Sofia Bune Strandh, founding father of Sola Kitchens.
Select white or pale wooden to mirror the sunshine in a Scandi kitchen, and go for wooden flooring, and counters in wooden or stone, too.
A Scandinavian kitchen ought to pack plenty of intelligent storage options in behind cupboard doorways, and think about a pantry for tremendous organized dry elements.
7. French model kitchens
(Picture credit score: Kitchen Makers)
French nation kitchens have a contact of grandeur, however they’re additionally welcoming areas that embrace the marks of use and put on, and make the preparation of meals a supremely handy job.
A big island or desk is a attribute function of a French kitchen, creating beneficiant area for getting ready the meals that’s so essential to the nation’s tradition. So, too, is having necessities at hand. Hanging copper pans makes them simple to seize and provides heat and curiosity as nicely. Open shelving ought to be a part of the format giving prepared entry to objects comparable to platters and crockery.
A French model kitchen doesn’t should be pristine: wooden cupboards might be time worn, and painted finishes distressed. Counters may additionally proven the marks of use. Matching all through isn’t essential both. Think about combining fitted cupboards with freestanding cabinets that don’t co-ordinate, and set a eating desk with a darkish wooden end in opposition to completely different wooden or white-painted storage furnishings.
‘I really feel like “genuine” is an overused phrase lately, however in relation to kitchens, I feel authenticity in design is essential for each perform and sweetness,’ says Caron Woolsey, founder and principal designer, CW Interiors. ‘The kitchen is the guts of the house, the place we put together and serve the meals we make to the individuals we love. Investing in high quality home equipment and wealthy finishes that patina with time will serve to boost the area with use and age.
‘And you may’t beat the cartoon kitchen of Ratatouille. La Cornue vary, copper cookware, brick partitions, and zellige tile all exude culinary prowess, performance, and that informal but stylish je ne sais quoi that solely the French have really mastered.’
8. Shaker model kitchens
(Picture credit score: Quorn Stone)
Maybe probably the most recognizable of American kitchen types, Shaker kitchens are identified for his or her timeless magnificence, smooth utilitarian strains and wood – usually painted – cabinetry. ‘Shaker furnishings makers centered on kind, growing artistic options comparable to asymmetrical drawer preparations and multipurpose types so as to add visible curiosity with out resorting to pure ornament,’ says Nicholas C. Vincent from The Metropolitan Museum of Artwork.
Shaker kitchen doorways have a flat, recessed middle panel and sq. edges, with easy knobs or cup handles.
9. Wooden kitchens
(Picture credit score: Sola Kitchens)
Wooden kitchen cupboard concepts can vary from the modern, as above, to extra conventional or nation kitchens. Nation-style wood kitchens would possibly function all the weather {that a} Shaker, cottage or conventional kitchen would; modern kitchens are extra of a moveable feast – yow will discover very smooth, minimal Scandinavian – Danish – kitchen types proper via to extra detailed ones, such because the fluted kitchen cabinetry above.
10. The Chef’s kitchen
(Picture credit score: Tom Howley)
An rising American kitchen model, the chef’s kitchen focusses on performance and practicality – with the kitchen format concepts permitting for environment friendly motion across the area. This would possibly imply a double galley format or a single run of cabinetry with an extended kitchen island working parallel.
Retaining home equipment at eye-level is a method to make sure the chef’s kitchen is sensible {and professional} wanting, whereas environment friendly kitchen storage concepts, such a fully-stocked pantry, are must-haves.
What’s the hottest model of American kitchen?
Modern model kitchens adopted by transitional kitchens are the preferred American kitchen types, in accordance with the Design Tendencies examine from the NKBA (Nationwide Kitchen & Bathtub Affiliation). Third was natural/pure model. Conventional, typically a favourite, fell again to tenth hottest.
As for kitchen coloration, whites and off-whites retained their prime rating, however grays, beige/bone tones, and blues have been additionally cited by many respondents to the examine. Lighter colours have been additionally most popular for counters and backsplashes.