Contemporary
For a great contemporary kitchen, rich wood finishes, high tech appliances and luxury gloss is the look you need to aim for.
Floor to ceiling cupboards give you plenty of storage space, leaving the worktops uncluttered and wraparound surfaces that link the sink, worktop and splashback look great too.
A transitional kitchen will have elements of contemporary and traditional design. A transitional kitchen is eclectic and combines manmade and natural materials, textures and finishes.
A mission style kitchen might be made transitional by adding bamboo flooring. A tuscan kitchen might be made transitional by using steel appliances or having some high tech lighting. You could have a cherry style kitchen with contrasting paint colours. The sky is the limit with transitional kitchens.
Transitional fixtures and mouldings are not elaborate but should have some degree of ornamentation.
Traditional
A traditional kitchen has an elegant and formal look like the European and American homes of the 18th to the early 20th centuries.
Features in a traditional kitchen might include natural materials like stone or wood, antique appliances and fixtures, raised panel cabinet door styles, rope and crown moulding, corbels and fluting and cabinets in mahogany, cherry or walnut.
An Italian style traditional kitchen will rely on elegant cabinetry with onlays, rope moulding and custom carved reliefs. These cabinets are usually painted cream and have intricate raised panelling.
A Victorian style traditional kitchen will feature Cathedral arch doors, raised panels and ornate trims and mouldings. Heavy, dark woods are usually used for Victorian style cabinets.
For a Georgian style kitchen walnut, cherry or mahogany woods give a formal finish. Stacked cabinetry to the ceiling, heavy crown moulding and square panel raised doors are common. Black accents are often seen.
Other traditional kitchen styles include Federal, Queen Anne, Early American, Manor, Shaker, Edwardian, Neoclassical, Colonial, Farmhouse, Regency, Cottage, Cape Cod, Bungalow and Plantation.
Rustic
A rustic kitchen will often feature a regional flair. You will see leather pulls, knotty alder, hickory or pine, wood panelling, wooden ceiling beams and rich, warm earthy tones.
Old World
An old world kitchen should hark back to its pre 17th century European style. The raised panel cabinetry is often painted and might have beadboard, cracking, cup and dish racks, bun feet and valence legs.
In an old world kitchen you might see stone floors and walls, furniture-look cabinetry, mosaic tiles, copper or pewter accents, rich deep colours, plaster or brick walls and appliances hidden behind panels.
Tuscan is another old world style. A tuscan kitchen relies on natural materials. The cabinets will often be cream, earthy or yellow. Other old world kitchen styles include French chateau, Italian villa, Dutch cottage, Mediterranean, Castle, Gothic and Normandy cottage.
Country
A country kitchen is often welcoming and bright, featuring woven baskets, painted and glazed cabinets and decorative moulding and shelving.
In a country kitchen, you might see checked, striped, floral, plaid and gingham patterns, antiques, handmade items, metal or chicken wire cabinet inserts, beadboard and calico or chintz window coverings.
In a French country style kitchen you might find oak or cherry cabinetry, framed cabinets in recessed or raised panels, pantry and plate racks and decorative shelving.
In a traditional English country kitchen the cabinet design is normally square and accented by curves. Natural cabinets in oak or pine are popular. A large wooden mantle range hood, intricate moulding and wood cutouts in valances look authentic in an English country kitchen.
For a farmhouse kitchen, use light or dark stained wood and use heirlooms or antiques for authenticity. For a cottage kitchen, you can use driftwood-like finishes for a seaside flavour. For a lake flavour, you can use darker wood but keep it natural looking.
Other country styles include Swedish country, garden country and Tuscan country.
An arts and crafts kitchen relies on a natural look with good quality craftsmanship. Recessed panel doors with thick frames feature in an arts and crafts kitchen and you can contrast the finish of the door frame against the panels.
In an arts and crafts kitchen you might see natural, neutral colours, clean strong lines, mullioned glass doors, rich woods, stained glass lighting fixtures and windows and recessed or inset panel cabinet doors.
With a Shaker kitchen, which is similar, you might see beech, maple, birch or oak veneered wood. Inset flat panel doors go better with a Shaker kitchen style and you can use wide rails in the cabinet frame.
Modern
With a modern kitchen you should expect slick, polished finishes and modern windows and timber joinery. Stainless steel is widely used in modern kitchens. The lighting is normally recessed into the ceiling or halogen lights can be used.
