Do you know what your design style is?

Do you have an idea of what you want your kitchen to look like, but have a hard time finding the right words to describe your style to your kitchen designer? You are not alone! With common buzz words like modern farmhouse, mid century modern, and contemporary getting tossed around it can be hard to know what each style actually entails.

In this post we’re going to go over the basics of the most popular design styles.

SCANDINAVIAN – clean lines, light colours, and natural textures

The Scandinavian design arose in popularity in Europe and America in the mid-20th-century along with the popularity of modernism. The principal foundation of Scandinavian design is ‘form meets function’. Scandinavian design focuses on natural materials and clean lines inspired by bringing the outdoors inside. Taking the simplicity of modern design and softening it with cozy textiles, warm woods, and light colour-schemes.

Characteristics

Colours – White and neutral hues as the base, blended with natural wood tones and pops of blue and green.

Door style – Slab front with iron, nickel, brass, or wood finishes

Countertop – Rustic stone or tile, quartz is also a great material for this style

Backsplash – Natural, minimal colour, not too busy

Elements:

– Large windows to bring the outside in and for natural light

– Natural wood flooring for added warmth

– Cozy and coloured textiles

– Cean, rounded and straight lines

– Open and floating shelving throughout

– Bring in some plants to add to the outdoors in theme

MID-CENTURY MODERN – eclectic, comfort, and practicality

Gaining popularity in the 1940s, Mid-Century Modern is a combination of retro and modern with inspiration from the outdoors. Similar to the Scandinavian style, Mid-Century Modern includes simple lines and warm tones while incorporating a vintage and eclectic charm. Focusing on simple lines and a large focus on texture it often includes wood paneling and wood cabinets along with retro colours such as mint green, pink, or orange.

Characteristics

Colours – Bright or muted greens, yellows, oranges, and pinks mixed with natural wood and creams

Door style – Slab front painted doors, walnut accents and sliding doors

Countertop – Quartz or laminate

Backsplash – Bold, geometric patterns that bring a retro vibe, exposed brick

Elements:

– Combination of contrasting materials and textures

– Open shelving

– Bring the outside in with large windows for natural light

– Plants for pops of nature in the space

– Fun and unique furniture

– Statement pendant lighting

CONTEMPORARY – clean, simple, and sleek

Not to be confused with the ‘modern’ design which refers to the design movement more closely resembling ‘mid-century modern’. Today’s contemporary design (which is simply defined by what is in style at the moment) has a focus on a clean, open space with a good use of the space available. Similar to the Scandinavian style with clean lines, minimal design, and an emphasis on light. Contemporary design not only has a stylish design but has a focus on using innovative storage solutions.

Characteristics

Colours – clean whites, blacks, and neutrals or a bold colour mixed with natural wood

Door style – slab door front

Countertop – Quartz or porcelain

Backsplash – Simple porcelain or glass tile, full height slab

Elements:

– Integrated appliances

– Open layout

– Simple hardware or often without hardware

– Integrated lighting

– Stainless steel appliances and sleek fixtures

– Waterfall countertop

EUROPEAN CONTEMPORARY – refined, sleek, and minimalist

Less is more in a European kitchen. When it comes to European design, German designed kitchens dominate the market with their sleek lines and ergonomic design.

Characteristics

Colours – Neutral and light colour palette, beige, pine, grey, black, silver, and white, wood accents

Door style – Slab front with no hardware

Countertop – Porcelain

Backsplash – Full height slab with minimal to no design

Elements:

– Frame-less cabinet

– Built with engineered wood, metal, and glass materials

– Integrated and paneled appliances

– Integrated lighting

TRANSITIONAL – classic and contemporary

Taking off in popularity in the 1950s, Transitional design is a perfect blend of the classic, traditional kitchen and the modern, contemporary aesthetic. Fitting well with an older home renovation it can play into the charm and comfort of an older home while adding sleek modern amenities. So it comes as no surprise that the NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association) has predicted it to be the most popular style for many years to come.

Characteristics

Colours – Soft and neutral, deep gray, beige, green-greys, pale blue, and white

Door style – Shaker style (frequently painted) with hardware accents such as brushed gold or brass pulls

Countertop – Quartz or quartzite (commonly a waterfall countertop)

Backsplash – Simple organic tiles or full height slab

Elements:

– Cohesive design, excluding clutter and patterns

– Wood plank floors

– Mix of modern and antique decor

– Practical and vintage inspired fixtures

– Statement range hoods

– Paneled appliances

TRADITIONAL – character, inviting, and detailed

The kitchen style we know now as Traditional, originates from the 1970s-80s. This style is a mix of formal and homely all at once. The design will be the opposite of a clean lined modern kitchen by proudly boasting decorative features like moldings and raised cabinet doors.

Characteristics

Colours – Warm cream and taupe with darker wood tones

Door style – Recessed and raised panel doors, glass doors

Countertop – Granite and butcher block

Backsplash – Neutral tiles and subtle patterns, not to overshadow the cabinetry detail

Elements:

– Decorative valanced toe kicks, columns, and paneling

– Decorative range hoods

– Hardwood, stone, or tile flooring

– Vintage-like hardware with gold, bronze, or brushed nickel finish

MODERN FARMHOUSE – approachable, warm, and rustic

The modern farmhouse design we’ve all grown to love is inspired by the hardworking farmyard kitchen, while combining elements of modern city design. Even though many farmhouse kitchens aren’t on active farmland, they still carry the same warmth and character. The Farmhouse style perfectly blends light and rugged materials, such as white cabinet doors and rustic wood beams on the ceiling, to create a warm and inviting kitchen.

Characteristics

Colours – Neutrals such as white, beige, and grey, with muted earth tones and natural wood

Door style – Shaker with matte black, oil-rubbed bronze, and brushed nickel hardware

Countertop – Quartz and/or butcherblock

Backsplash – Simple like white subway tile or hexagonal tile

Elements:

– Natural materials such as wood, brick and shiplap, mixed with metals

– Floating shelves to display vintage items

– Large cooking space

– Apron front sink

COASTAL – calming, fresh, and effortless

Just like you feel when you’re on the beach, a coastal kitchen design should feel peaceful and not overwhelming. Elements of coastal kitchens and farmhouse kitchens tend to overlap, with simple design and natural finishes. When you walk into a well-designed coastal kitchen you should feel comfortable, relaxed, and at home.

Characteristics

Colours – Soft neutrals, white, off-white, tan, and beige accented with aqua, corals, gray, and seagrass green

Door style – Shaker with copper, bronze, brushed nickel hardware

Countertop – White quartz

Backsplash – Soft neutral porcelain or glass tile, quartz stone slab

Elements:

– Open space and natural light

– Warm wood and glass

– Large cooking space

– Pendant lighting with fabric or woven shades and metal finishes

Now you’re an expert in all the different kitchen design styles! Not every kitchen will fall exactly into one category, but I hope this help you further discover your style when working with your designer.

Joanne Penner

Joanne joined the Winnipeg team as the project coordinator in 2022. When she’s not keeping the Winnipeg team on schedule, she can be found (with a coffee in hand) capturing images of their beautiful kitchens and managing the Two30Nine social media.