Multi-Purpose Kitchen
When Sunset editor-in-chief Irene Edwards set out to remodel her Victorian home, the goal was to balance style with function. Because her husband cooks for a living, this is the most used space in Edwards' home. But the original configuration felt cramped, with a low ceiling and a breakfast room separated by French doors. The architect removed those doors and reconfigured the kitchen into three zones: a cooking area with a prep sink, a nook for everyday meals, and a larger sink area for cleanup. Removing the dropped ceiling revealed almost three extra feet of height—a feature showcased by adding shiplap ceiling finish, pendant lights, and a library-style ladder.
Natural Colors
Customize Cabinets
“The kitchen is all about maximum function in minimum space,” says homeowner Grant Kirkpatrick. “Everything has to be able to store cleanly.” The alderwood cabinets have drawer pullouts and racks to pack away all utensils; pantry items and cleaning supplies are stashed in a more generous cabinet across the living room.
Moody Touches
By eliminating a breakfast nook, Eva Kosmas Flores and her husband, Jeremy, opened up the kitchen and made room for the vintage Roper range they scored on Craigslist. “I like to think about all the food that’s been prepared on it over the years,” says Eva, who learned to cook at her parents’ Greek deli. “I hope that all the good food karma carries into what I cook on it too.” A contractor installed the Shaker-style cabinets and oak floors.
Portland Loft Kitchen
When the kitchen is the highlight of a floor plan, tile is a statement of style. The textural glazed thin brick rises to the soffit and covers the range hood. This kitchen also features drawers instead of standard kitchen cabinets that often unreachable, wasted back corners.
On the Water
The Bertrams, avid cooks and entertainers, went through their kitchen dish by dish to come up with the right division of space. Nebolon designed hanging racks for their favorite glassware and pots; the island includes custom spice drawers, a pullout chopping block, and shelves for cookbooks. The fog blue paint on the cabinets helps them blend in with the main living space.
Budget Makeover
The Emericks removed all of the upper cabinetry, adding new native-fir open shelves and countertops. Cream-colored cabinets, brass hardware and light fixtures, and the farm sink give the cottage a farmhouse vibe. The back of the fireplace became an architectural frame for the stove, which the couple found at a garage sale.
Save to Splurge Kitchen
Staying on budget involved a series of compromises and calculations. To save money in the kitchen the couple did without upper cabinetry, instead repurposing shelving from their previous home. And by paying less for a lightly dented refrigerator, they were able to pony up the cash for something else they wanted: “We splurged on a nice, quiet Bosch dishwasher,” says homeowner Anna Smith. “It’s worth it with kids.”
Smart Kitchen
Designer Jessica McCarthy opened up the kitchen by swapping out the upper cabinets for white shelves against counter-to-ceiling subway tile. She brought warmth to the space through butcher-block countertops; a rust-colored rug; and wood, brass, cork, and copper accessories. The porcelain farmhouse sink and blue cabinets reference traditional country style.
Beach Cottage Kitchen
Varying finishes give the kitchen and dining room character. “It’s like a math problem: You start with one thing and play off that,” homeowner Dana Marron says. A dark green La Cornue stove contrasts with light, modern oak cabinets; shiny metal chairs offset the rustic chipped-paint dining table. “The irony of having white floors is that you worry less about them. Scratches don’t matter, because that’s the character you’re going for in the end,” adds Marron.
Bright Assets
The main attraction in the kitchen is the bright yellow stove, which the couple decided to buy during one of their first appliance-shopping dates. They chose a soothing blue Heath backsplash to complement the yellow and added a chalkboard for their “absurd lists of grocery items,” says Ellen Bennett. To save space, Casey Caplowe designed their kitchen pantry to fit underneath the staircase, which is wrapped in solid oak.
Splashed with Color
Interior designer Megan Hudacky wanted more color in the kitchen than a typical backsplash would give, so she extended the tiles to the ceiling and onto the floor. The stunning result delineates the kitchen from the rest of the open space. “I chose blue because it’s a soothing color most people feel comfortable with,” she says. Hudacky wrapped the vent hood and adjacent cabinets in brushed bronze to dress up the kitchen. Open glass shelves along the rest of the wall get the most impact out of the tile.
Bold Kitchen
Instead of replacing the unremarkable wood kitchen cabinets, the couple painted them charcoal and added black hardware. By painting the wall and window trim the same color, they put the focus on the floor tile. Moreover, deep charcoal acts as a neutral. Both warm and cool tones pair well with it. Smoked Glass RLUL225; ralphlaurenhome.com
The hexagonal tile makes the room. Two shades of gray relate the tile to the wall color. The blues add shock value. Hexagon 8 tiles in Original Blue, from about $20/sq. ft.; kismettile.com
Cupboard Free Kitchen
Designed and built by the family, this vacation home was customized down to every detail. The kitchen features open shelving, so dishware serves as art. “You don’t end up having a lot of stuff just hidden away,” says homeowner Chad Robertson. “All the things you use on a daily basis are right there. And with so many of us running around, nothing can be too precious.”
Indoor/Outdoor Kitchen
This modern cabin is full of natural materials and expanses of glass. The kitchen walls slide aside to access the 450-square-foot deck that includes a barbecue station, effectively doubling the room’s square footage. The ipe flooring flows from indoor to out, creating a cohesive look between the spaces. The refrigerator and pantry doors almost disappear into the walls.
Eco-Friendly Kitchen
Though it has a similar footprint to the prior kitchen (“low 8-foot ceilings, red cabinets, dismal,” Beall says), the new walk-through space feels bigger thanks to higher ceilings, glass-front cabinets, floating shelves, a pull-out pantry, and bright white surfaces. The recessed energy-efficient LED lights in the kitchen and family room certainly help as well.
But not everything is new –The butcher block counters were salvaged from the former kitchen.
Modern Meets Old-School
One of the first things you notice about this San Francisco kitchen is the open space and clear countertops. While this family designated their home a technology-free space, the design and function of the kitchen certianly doesn't suffer. Modern lines and electricity are present in the kitchen, the family opted for simple household products like manual appliances, stove-top coffee, and basic electronic appliances without an LED interface.
Cottage Kitchen
Open Craftsman kitchen
The ground floor of the once single-story house is now essentially one combined kitchen, dining area, living space, and home office, with bedrooms in an upstairs addition.
Dual-Family Kitchen
The kitchen in this shared vacation cabin is a simple line of cabinets, counters, and stove along one wall of the main living space.
Heath-Tiled Kitchen
“Unfinished” Kitchen
In designer Cisco Pinedo’s house, knickknacks are few and far between, which results in each item gaining a sense of importance and meaning. The kitchen counters are recycled granite, and the cupboards are made from unfinished wood. “If it’s a great material, let it be,” Cisco says.
Creative Renovation
In this home renovation, a new island increased counter space and allows for a prep sink beyond the main farmhouse sink.
The kitchen cabinet doors were removed: “If a door’s closed,” says homeowner Jamie, “I have a tendency to forget things are there.”
To maintain the integrity of the house, the owners had the walls repaired with plaster, not drywall.
Casual Cabin Kitchen
Thrifty choices in this cabin's kitchen include a mix of open shelves and laminate cabinets.
Kitchen the Colors of Sea Glass
This turquoise and white kitchen is inspired by the sea — and by the beautiful tumbled glass you can find along the shore.
Moroccan Bungalow Kitchen
Paint and tile took this 1920's kitchen from glum to glam. Pale green upper cabinets and backsplash tile set off the cool Hawaiian blue granite counters, the warm tones of the mahogany cabinets, and Dylan Gold’s reclaimed-wood island.
See more of our Dream Remodel project
Remodeled Victorian Kitchen
Colorful backsplash tiles contribute a mix of whimsy and history in this updated Victorian in San Francisco. The Iznik design (annsacks.com) is based on 16th-century Turkish originals. The kitchen also features eco-friendly cast-stone countertops and reclaimed wood floors and cabinets.
See more of this sunny Victorian remodel
Kitchen Island for Socializing
Centered on a sociable semicircular island, this kitchen has plenty of space for multiple chefs to work while guests sip and chat.
Kitchen in Plain Sight
Featured in Sunset's May 1966 issue, this award-winning La Mesa hillside home near San Diego was considered a model of indoor-outdoor living.
The renovated kitchen retains the original footprint minus the overhead cabinets that isolated it from the dining area.
Retro Ranch Kitchen
Matthew and Jennifer Hibbard of Scottsdale, Arizona, did most of the work on their retro ranch themselves. Jennifer found the Silestone quartz countertop online, never seeing it in person. It arrived a perfect fit for this kitchen-dining area.
See more of this retro ranch remodel
Open Kitchen Shelving
Open shelves feel hospitable―guests can just grab wineglasses off the shelf―and force you to edit.
Try following this homeowner's rule of thumb: “If you use it more than once a week, have it out. If you use it a few times a month, stick it in a cabinet. Once or twice a year? It belongs in the basement.”
Kitchen Storage Solution
If the kitchen lacks a proper pantry, get creative. The owners of this 700-square-foot bungalow mounted a wall rack to store their wine.
See more of their small-home solutions
Innovative Kitchen
This white kitchen is in one of three apartments in an innovative Seattle triplex. The top-floor unit shown here overlooks the park next door. Flat cabinets and sleek counters in the kitchen enhance the spacious feeling.
Sunny Kitchen Remodel
Rich and Linda Peters wanted to preserve and enhance the architectural style of their 1929 San Mateo house while opening the kitchen to the outdoors.
They selected concrete counters, a farmhouse-style sink, and white wood cabinets.
A long center island with a butcher-block surface and deep overhangs is great for two-person cooking, prep work, and entertaining.
A Kitchen with Layers of Ccolor
The clean design of this blue and white kitchen is layered with pops of energetic color. The red drum pendant from Croft & Little illuminates the bamboo island top from Teragren. Glass-front cabinets provide a showcase for colorful pottery.
The bamboo-topped table on casters tucks under the island and can roll away for use throughout the house or outside. Mixing up the chair styles adds casual appeal.
Midcentury Kitchen
The owners of this 1953 ranch wanted to strip the home back to its roots and open the interior to the surrounding yard.
New walnut veneers restore period charm to the original kitchen cabinets. Existing slate flooring was kept in place, and the interior of the concrete block walls was sandblasted to add texture.
The 1950s aesthetic was hardly limited to stainless steel and molded plastic. The use of wood, especially walnut and mahogany, was a main design feature of that era.
Warm Kitchen
A modern farmhouse is what designer Lara Dutto had in mind when she remodeled her kitchen.
By removing the wall that closed off the room from the rest of the house, Dutto gained 5 feet of living space and united the layout.
After opening up the kitchen, Dutto devised a means of closing it off when needed. "From the kitchen window, you can see goats and a big barn up the hill," she says. "That inspired the sliding barn door."
Learn more about this warm kitchen makeover
Big kitchen
When your home is less than 700 square feet, you have to pick your priorities. In this 1907 San Francisco cottage owned by Christine Nelsen-Thuresson and Johan Thuresson, three cramped rooms made way for a spacious, light-filled kitchen with garden views.
Cool and Bright Kitchen
This kitchen's color palette — robin's egg blue walls, smoky lilac cabinets — is like a muted Monet painting. Several paints and even the floor stain were custom-mixed. White field tile by B&W Tile keeps things light.
The rolling island was designed by Artdecor (510/527-3904) and fabricated by Mark Turpin (510/469-6784).
Kitchen Nook
A built-in banquette opposite the central cooking station is a cozy family gathering spot for games and casual meals.
Eat-in Kitchen
This eat-in kitchen opens to the rear porch through a glass door. Double-hung windows above the sink allow in air and light. The table legs are painted white to match the walls, ceiling, and cabinet trim. The flooring is reclaimed from old schoolhouses.
Jewel-Like Cabin Kitchen
The open, well-lit kitchen is the central gathering spot in this house.
The appliance-free island was made from a stainless steel and butcher block workspace purchased at a restaurant-supply store, then covered on three sides with plywood.
Modern Boathouse Kitchen
This boathouse anchored on a Seattle lake features bamboo-finished cabinets and ample natural light and ventilation.
Fresh, Colorful Kitchen
White Shaker-style cabinet fronts are a bright foil for the vibrant glass-tile backsplash. New niches display cobalt bowls. A two-toned, two-tiered concrete counter -- pale green above and charcoal gray below -- adds sleek style to the work and serving spaces.
See more of this colorful kitchen makeover
White Victorian kitchen
Calacatta marble gives the kitchen island and counters a lustrous look.
It may be traditional, but it certainly isn't stuffy. "I always loved Victorians ― they reminded me of real-life dollhouses," says Sophie Fauveau of the 1890 Portland home she renovated with her husband, Mark Williams. "But I also knew I wanted light colors, no clutter, and a sense that everything belonged together."
Their remodel stayed true to the home's period details and old-fashioned charm while infusing it with youthful, contemporary sophistication.
Revitalized Craftsman
An unlikely blend of materials and salvaged goods finds visual balance in this kitchen. A painted tin ceiling, stainless steel counters, and blue glass tile mesh seamlessly.
Reunion ranch: Cookhouse
The cabin's cookhouse is where everyone gathers to eat and spend time together. The unique arrangement of this retreat allows for plenty of space for group activites.
Kitchen Bar
A gap in the L-shaped counter (to the right of the chairs here) created better flow from this family kitchen to the breakfast nook, and out to the garden.
Now the L is a multi-purpose island with a raised bar counter.
Prefab Kitchen
The open kitchen (with white Ikea cabinetry) makes the scant square footage in this modern prefab seem expansive.
Eco-Conscious Kitchen
Smooth slim concrete counters from Concreteworks edge the kitchen's perimeter. A thick concrete slab on the island gets its texture and golden flecks of color from recycled rice hulls. Energy Star rated appliances by GE.
Light-Filled Kitchen Makeover
Two decisions in this remodel were key: replacing a window at one end of the galley-like space with a glass Dutch door and wrapping three sides of the room with a counter. The counter passes in front of the Dutch door, becoming a breakfast bar; light coming through the door washes the floor and walls.
Design: John Jennings and Sasha Tarnopolsky, Dry Design, Los Angeles (323/954-9084, ext. 21)
Summer Retreat Kitchen
The kitchen appears bigger than its 15-by-15 footprint thanks to its spare coastal palette of white paint (Benjamin Moore "Super White"), bamboo countertops (Teragren), reclaimed barnwood flooring (Black's Farmwood) and blue/cream ceramics (Soulé Studio).
Basket pendant lamps by Beach House Style highlight the kitchen island (Woodenbridge, Inc.).
Tahoe Retreat Kitchen
A mix of redwood, stainless steel Electrolux appliances, and slate floors makes for a contemporary cabin feel in this expansive home. A band of picture windows by Pella creates a vivid transparent backsplash.
Playful farmhouse kitchen
Formerly a slender galley, this kitchen is now an open, multipurpose space with an adjacent hallway that serves as the drop zone for backpacks, mail, and shoes.
An antique barrister card catalog serves as an ingenious storage system for miscellaneous household items.
An 1887 tavern table serves as the island in this family-friendly kitchen. The 1920s utility sink is from a salvage yard.
Flexible Galley Kitchen
Seattle architect David Coleman opened this 250-square-foot galley-style kitchen to adjacent rooms and used subtle level changes to define each area. The flexible plan makes the space ideal for breakfast for 1 or a dinner party for 10.
DIY Concrete Countertop
The kitchen in this Alaska cabin was rebuilt from the bare studs. Vertical storage keeps cooking tools handy. The owners poured the concrete counter themselves.
More about this amazing cabin makeover and How to make a concrete counter
Airy Kitchen-Living Space
Floor-to-ceiling French doors open off the kitchen onto a small deck. A wood table and benches mixed with metal dining chairs create a relaxed look. The breakfast bay acts as a daylight-catcher that brightens the rest of the kitchen. A marble backsplash and wood display shelf make the kitchen handsome enough to entertain in.
Red Kitchen Island
A coat of brick-red paint makes the island the star of this kitchen. For a sophisticated look, try pairing one red object with neutral tones. Here, dark-wood surfaces and stainless steel appliances do the trick.
Light-Infused Kitchen
Built in 1869, this home needed an updated kitchen and more light in interior rooms.
Owner and architect Mary Griffin replaced a 1920s shed-roof addition at the back with a slightly larger addition that allowed the kitchen to move out of the historic part of the house.
She turned the new kitchen into a large light box with a translucent roof made of aluminum-and-fiberglass Kalwall panels. Widened openings between the major rooms further brighten the interior.
Design: Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects, Berkeley (510/841-9000)
A Cook's Sophisticated Kitchen
Maple cabinets in a natural finish and countertops in a light green concrete give this kitchen an earthy but sophisticated feeling.
Design: Dennis Fox, Fox Design Group, Point Richmond, CA (510/235-3369). Dean Rutherford, Rutherford & Singelstad, Berkeley (510/649-3069).
Sleek, Open Kitchen
Bright lights, large rectangular openings, and a simple palette of green, blue, white, and stainless steel create a clean look and a handsome foil for the curvilinear barstools.
Open shelves around the sink and range hold smaller objects, such as dishes, serving bowls, and glasses—items the couple uses every day.
See more of this modern kitchen
Wide-Open Kitchen
Big curved beams create a wide-open kitchen/family room. Clerestory windows bounce the light off the ceiling, brightening the space.
Updated Victorian Kitchen
In the kitchen a Carrara marble counter and backsplash and black-and-white checkered flooring form graphic backdrops for this refurbished Victorian.
