Finding Your Perfect Kitchen Style Starts Here
- Courtney Belcher
- May 3
- 4 min read
Updated: May 7
Designing a new kitchen is exciting, but with so many popular styles, color trends, and layout choices, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Whether you're updating your current space or building from the ground up, choosing the right design direction is essential to creating a kitchen that’s both timeless and functional. This guide will help you make confident, well-informed decisions.
1. Start Your Style with Your Lifestyle
Before picking out cabinets or paint swatches, think about how you use your kitchen. Are you someone who loves hosting big gatherings? Or is your kitchen mainly for quiet family dinners? Your lifestyle should influence your design decisions:
For entertainers: Open-concept kitchens with large islands and seating areas offer both function and a welcoming style that encourages gathering.
For busy families: Durable surfaces, smart storage, and an efficient layout (like the work triangle) are essential—just don’t forget a style that stands up to daily life and still feels like home. In a previous blog, we considered form vs. function - this is also really important, especially for a busy family.
For gourmet chefs: Prioritize high-end appliances, generous counter space, and a well-organized pantry. If you love high end looks and not the price, consider ZLine as an option - these carry the style, but not the price tag.
For the green team: If sustainability is part of your lifestyle, let it guide your kitchen’s style too. Consider cabinet materials, finishes, and sourcing (like U.S.-made vs. imported). For more ideas, check out our blog on eco-friendly kitchen design. For a deeper look into sustainability in kitchen renovations, have a look at our take on that subject.
A kitchen that fits your lifestyle will naturally feel more comfortable and cohesive.
2. Finding Your Design Style
There are endless kitchen styles to choose from, but some of the most popular include:
Modern Style: Clean lines, European minimalistic details, sleek materials like glass and steel. Frameless design, built-in seamless appliances, but without the commercial feel.
Traditional Style: Classic wood cabinets, ornate moldings, warm and cozy color schemes. Modern twists on "old world" styles.
Transitional Style: A blend of traditional and modern elements — simple but with character and modern touches paired with classic style. Inset cabinetry, cup pulls
with beautiful reeded glass cabinet fronts.
Modern Farmhouse Style: Think rustic touches like shiplap, exposed beam ceilings, butcher-block countertops, and apron-front sinks.
Coastal Style: Light and airy with soft blues, sandy neutrals, and plenty of natural texture. Consider a colored stain cabinet that showcases wood grains.
Spend time browsing photos our own clients have shared with us as their inspiration or kitchens we find appealing on Pinterest, Houzz, or see what our own clients have done on Instagram. Save the kitchens that catch your eye — you'll start to notice a pattern in your own style preferences!
3. Pick a Color Palette that Matches Your Style
Color is one of the most powerful tools in kitchen design. It sets the mood, influences the sense of space, and ties everything together. Here’s how to pick wisely:
Styling the Kitchen with Light Colors:
Trending shades: Warm whites, soft creams, and pale neutrals like butter yellow or powdery blue are in. These tones reflect a move away from stark white toward cozier, brighter spaces.
Best for: Small kitchens or low-light spaces. Light colors reflect more light and make a space feel open and inviting.
Pro Tip: Look for warm undertones to avoid a sterile look. Test samples at different times of day to make sure the color stays true.
Styling the Kitchen in Bold and Moody Hues
Trending shades: Navy blue, forest green, charcoal black, and even rich plums and burgundies are turning heads in 2025.
Best for: Larger kitchens with good natural or artificial lighting. These shades add drama and depth.
Pro Tip: Try bold colors on lower cabinets or an island to ground the space without overwhelming it.
Styling the Kitchen in Warm Neutrals and Earth Tones
Trending shades: Greige, taupe, creamy beige, and clay-inspired tones are the new go-to neutrals.
Best for: Any kitchen. These shades are versatile and timeless, working well with most countertops, backsplashes, and flooring.
Pro Tip: Neutrals with warm undertones create a more inviting and relaxed feel than cool grays.
Can't Decide? Style using Two Tones
Trending combos: White uppers with navy lowers, sage green with light oak, or greige perimeter cabinets paired with a bold island.
Best for: Adding dimension to any size kitchen. Two-tone schemes allow for color experimentation and balance.
Pro Tip: Keep finishes and hardware consistent to unify the look. Choose colors that complement each other and the overall palette of your home.
Pro tip: Always test paint colors or cabinet finishes in your home lighting before making a final decision — colors can look very different under showroom lights!
4. Pulling It All Together with Style and Cohesion
Once you’ve selected a color palette, think about how all the materials — cabinets, countertops, backsplash, flooring, and hardware — will work together. Aim for a mix of textures and finishes that complement rather than compete with each other.
For example:
Matte cabinets + glossy backsplash
Natural wood floors + quartz countertops
Brushed gold hardware + stainless steel appliances
Balance is key: if you choose bold cabinets, keep your countertops and backsplash more subtle, and vice versa. Blending up to three metals is acceptable in kitchens, so don't worry about choosing gold hardware when you still want a stainless steel sink!
5. Timeless Style Over Trends
Trends come and go, but your kitchen is a big investment. Choose a design and colors you’ll love for years, not just what’s popular today. Classic choices like white cabinets, subway tile, and neutral countertops tend to stand the test of time.
That said, if you want to sprinkle in trendy colors or styles, do it with accessories like lighting, bar stools, or paint that can be easily updated down the line.
Need Style Advice and Help Pulling It All Together?
Bucks Home & DIY Inc. and Kitchen Me Now are here to help homeowners in Yardley and Bucks County design kitchens that blend beauty, function, and style — all under one roof.
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