23 Inspiring Real-Life Kitchens

We asked you to show us what your kitchens are all made of — and show us you did. All these 23 Houzz associates’ kitchens include just about every type of substance and style imaginable. Check out the creative solutions — from fresh paint to updated cabinets, to recycled countertops, handcrafted tile, repurposed kitchen doors plus a DIY wine walnut backsplash. Thinking about your own kitchen redo? Get inspired by your fellow Houzzers.

1. Joiede’s brilliant kitchen update. Houzz consumer joiede had a limited budget for the 1926 kitchen remodel. Laminate countertops (“Western Iron” from Wilsonart) and custom spacious maple cabinets look fantastic and cut down the price substantially. She then made daring but inexpensive statements with colour and accessories.

Autumn Cover and Squirrel Tail (with just 75% of the tint) paint from Benjamin Moore accent this cozy corner. The colours complement the glass tiles on joiede’s backsplash.

Fused glass knobs and pulls from Hot Knobs add a bit of jewelry to the eclectic space.

Joiede used the same formica from the counters and covered an IKEA UTBY table to get a more substantial piece of furniture to get her nook. Behr Corn Husk Green near the window brightens the space.

The charcoal floors are manufactured from Flexitec’s Majestic cushion vinyl, in the Galerie 598 color option. It is easy on the feet, hides dirt, and is beautiful to boot!

2. R_okoko20’s entertainment-friendly kitchen. This spacious and mild kitchen belongs to Polish interior designer and Houzz consumer r_okoko20. Cooking and entertaining is a significant part of her family’s lifetime, so it was important to have a kitchen that has been spacious, comfortable, and easy to clean. Laminated countertops need little upkeep, and a tiled backsplash is easy to keep clean. The mild ceramic floors are durable and wear-resistant.

Hooks keep dishtowels and aprons useful from the cooker, while woven baskets with chalkboard labels maintain dining accessories for last-minute get togethers. Just visible in the background would be a laundry area, which also holds the microwave, freezer and other items that didn’t match in the kitchen.

3. Pjandb’s antique-styled kitchen. When consumer pjandb first purchased this classic house, there were no cupboards or interior walls. The upside: getting to start entirely from scratch. “We wanted to make it look like the kitchen had been created over time, so we did two distinct custom made cupboards,” pjandb says. “Gold on the top, and Jacobean on the bottom.”

The first floor was stained with a Jacobean checkerboard pattern, and pillowtop subway tiles with a crackled finish were used for the counter tops. The exceptional countertop is untreated aluminum, which means that the look of it wears and changes every day.

4. Sarvowinner’s Art Deco style kitchen. Sarvowinner’s house is decorated with a clearly art-deco vibe, which has been carried into the kitchen remodel.

A stylized art deco profile has been used on the doorway and windowpanes. A smooth granite countertop offsets the white cabinetry and chic pulls imported from France. A subway-style tiled backsplash has been set up on the back wall with a accent edge of habit glazed art-deco tile. The gorgeous floor is the house’s unique terrazzo.

5. Willtv’s fearless black and white kitchen. Houzz consumer willtv changed his 8′ x 12′ kitchen into a slick and clean space. The cupboards are Shaker-style maple painted with Benjamin Moore’s Gardenia.

The countertops are made with Blue In The Night granite. Montauk Black Slate was used on the floors, while easy subway tiles from Datile Rittenhouse were used on the counter tops.

6. Sunnyvmd2b’s DIY backsplash. Trying to find a backsplash with a little more spice? Attempt what sunnyvmd2b did, and go the DIY route. Just know there’s quite a lot of work entailed. Rather than opting for the typical tile, this Houzz user used a combination of collected and purchased corks (roughly 650 in total), and cut them in half and adhered the flat side to the wall.

She urges painting the wall a comparable brownish colour to start out with because a number of the wall is bound to appear through. “I just used double-stick foam tape to stick them to the wall,” she states. “warmth from the cooker has never been a issue so far, and there’s no humidity to speak of in Arizona — so I can’t really speak to how they’d hold up expanding and contracting in high humidity areas.”

The photographs were put up first (tile or other art would also look good), and the cork was arranged across the frames.

7. Sturney’s welcoming and spacious kitchen. Even though sturney agonized over every decision in her kitchen remodel, the result was precisely what she wanted. The closets were custom made in a white-painted maple, and the island has been completed in a dark cherry wood.

Countertop granite is Typhoon Bordeaux, with coordinates with the cherry wood of the island. The ordered oil rubbed bronze hardware on the cabinets is from Restoration Hardware. “The best thing about the cupboards is to the inside,” she states. “They’re all pull-outs, full extension, and quiet close. They are so much more usable and efficient — we actually have some empty drawers now!” Crossville tile on the ground and a darling window seat to take advantage of the view round out the space.

8. Scrpbk1’s tri-level island. Scrpbk1 did a total kitchen remodel, placing in fresh Geriba granite countertops and truffle crackle glazed tile for the backsplash.

The cabinetry is habitmade, and painted with Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee with a glaze for texture and interest.

Her favourite part about the brand new kitchen is that the tri-level island. The stove with the hidden port is in the lowest level, and the microwave oven (found here) is about the highest degree. There’s a warming drawer under the oven, and the breakfast bar is about the center level. It is all concealed, yet easy to get.

9. Oldpye’s spacious kitchen. With a family of six cooks using this space, Houzz consumer oldpye knew tit needed to be durable and functional. Gray ceramic tile has been used on the ground, echoing the identical subway style as the white ceramic backsplash. Caesarstone in Misty Carrera was used for the countertops, and painted white maple was used for the lower cabinets.

Notice anything missing? Rather than upper cupboards, they chose to use a long, open shelf for dishes and glasses. A fantastic solution if you’re especially proud of your dish collection!

10. Louzucaro’s Mid-Century Modern Chicago kitchen. Houzz consumer louzucaro wanted to take his 1980s Chicago suburban ranch to the next level. “For the kitchen and living room space, we wanted a more contemporary organic look. Almost as if someone was designing a late ’60s or early ’70s ranch, and had a short glimpse into the future to check at stuff!” The outcome is a blend of contemporary and vintage. Materials and orientation has been chosen to make a very linear look. A gorgeous distressed hickory was used for the floors, and hickory stained two colours (about the perimeter and also the island) was used on the cabinets.

The fireplace that was first has been torn out and redone from Roman brick. They chose to put the fireplace slightly off centre to get a more mid-century feel. The two-seated bar was completed in a lovely and daring walnut, and the backsplash is made up of slate tile.

Although some folks warned them, they chose to perform the chimney in honed granite. “People said we’d hate it because it’s difficult to maintain, but it cleans up easily with sterile water,” he states.

11. Bubba67’s brilliant and quirky cottage kitchen. Bubba67 calls this look “grandma on acid.” It’s filled with colour, light, and a near-endless number of knickknacks. Situated on the back side of the 1890s cottage, the kitchen has been initially on an open back porch with a lean-to roof.

When he purchased the house, it still had a sloping porch flooring, a 7-foot ceiling, and some terrible cabinetry and countertops. “Everything in the kitchen has been sloped, for example, countertop,” he states. “When we spilled some thing, we needed to run to the other side of the room to grab it before it hit the wall or dripped off the counter!”

During the remodel, the ground has been leveled, the ceiling has been raised, and a walnut floor has been placed in. The floor has been painted different colors prior to painting it a final colour of green, so the colors show through because it wears.

The big windows over the sink and absence of overhead cabinets were retained so the kitchen would still feel light and airy. A number of the substances used in this kitchen were refurnished or recycled. Their contractor used a doorway from another part of the house to help make the stand-alone pantry. Everything was put up on feet (like the fridge) for extra height.

Bubba67 likes to listen to music while cooking, so they repurposed a few toilet gas grills as speaker grills on either side of the red concrete countertop.

The cupboards are repurposed too! On-site materials were all used to put the cabinets together, and some of them were rubbed with purple paint to bring out a little bit of funk and use. All these under-counter cabinets are modular, so if a new owner gets tired of one, it can be pulled out and replaced with something different.

12. Moezoo’s slick kitchen accents. Moezoo’s open concept kitchen is tasteful and contemporary in several shades of grey, black and white with stainless steel beams.

A coat of London Fog’s Reversed Shaker was used on the cherry wood cabinets — a nice comparison agasint the Arctic White granite. Brushed nickel Richelieu pulls were used on the chimney, and a textured backsplash of quartzite fiddlesticks was set up on the back wall.

The curved eating bar has Flexxstone on the trunk. It offsets the birch tavern hardwood floors for a natural-luxe look.

13. Lwarren2’s golden colour palette. Lwarren2 chose to base this kitchen colorway around the gorgeous golden tumbled travertine flooring. Shaker style cabinets in a hot but muted yellow were awarded broader stiles and rails to get a contemporary spin. Stainless Steel hardware, a perpendicular running glass tiled backsplash and Caesarstone counters without no extra edge contribute to the smooth and modern look.

14. Khougton’s quick and inexpensive kitchen update. Rather than replacing cupboards, Houzz consumer khoughton simply repainted the cupboards in a shiny off-white (Starched Linen from the Martha Stewart Collection), additional cut to the door faces and substituted the hardware.

IKEA oak countertops and a painted beaded backboard flow from the kitchen into the walk-in cabinet.

15. Kgbnc’s rosy and hot cooking space. Kbgnc’s kitchen is a warm, textured space with fantastic materials that combine together beautifully. Carpets made of reclaimed Dominican Rosewood are emphasized with handmade ebony pulls. The rosy countertop is a coloured concrete, which complements the colour of the Honey Onyx marble subway tile backsplash and the sign of wood grain on the butcher block counter.

16. Karenheff’s simply luxury kitchen update. Perfectly classic and put together, the kitchen of Houzz consumer karenheff appears easy, but is outfitted to the nines.

The white cupboards were painted in Benjamin Moore’s White Dove and are offset with honed Absolute Black countertops and a white subway tile backsplash.

The island is the specific opposite, with granite counter tops, plus a Kashmir White granite counter tops. The warm wood flooring is stained red oak, which warms the subtle Benjamin Moore Gray Owl paint on the walls.

The wine fridge next to the butler’s pantry is from Sub-Zero, and can be a luxurious addition to the already high-end blower choice.

17. Eglantine4’s eco-friendly kitchen. How do you know for certain if the material you have chosen will survive? Houzz consumer eglantine4 came up with a smart solution: She kept a big sample of the counter substance from the sink for weeks prior to making a determination. She ended up with Squak Mountain Stone — a recycled concrete and paper product with a slightly rustic texture.

The backsplash is created of Sumi-e recycled glass tile. Its blue/green colour was chosen to coordinate with the ceramics on the counter tops.

The closets in eglantine4’s kitchen are all from IKEA, with mid-century contemporary style hardware. The floor tile is a dark charcoal from Daltile called Asian Black. It extends into the workplace space off the kitchen and can be replicated in the house’s entryway, hearth, and master bath.

18. Beatriz’s contemporary European-inspired kitchen
Houzz consumer beatriz wanted her kitchen to have a contemporary European look — inspired by Italian design and also her Francis Francis espresso maker. White ABSTRACT cabinetry from IKEA provides a clean and easy setting, and a lovely honed Carrara marble countertop is reminiscent of these in coffee stores around Italy.

Mid-century contemporary style tile from Heath Ceramics adds a splash of colour to the compact kitchen. This same shade of green can be used in many distinct accents throughout beatriz’s house.

19. Deconut’s kitchen storage solution. Houzz consumer deconut’s old kitchen had a serious lack of storage and barely any drawers! When it came time to perform a remodel, drawers have been an absolute must. “I have wanted drawers for so long now I’ve got a total of 20,” deconut says. IKEA ADEL style cabinetry (in cherry and creamy white) were set up as equally above and under counter storage. Drawer pulls and handles are also from IKEA.

The countertop is a Caesarstone quartz in a latte colour. A white backsplash glass tiled accents adds a bit of visual interest, while still looking clean and fresh contrary to the countertops. Even though it’s a relatively little kitchen — just 12′ x 18′ — that the little island makes the kitchen more effective and easy to maneuver around in.

Bud Dietrich, AIA

20. Bud_dietrich’s blend of contemporary and traditional. Bud_dietrich lives in a 1930s French Country style residence. “We wanted our kitchen to be a bridge between this older, more conventional style, and a sleeker and more contemporary look,” he states. His kitchen pays tribute to the conventional with apparent stained cabinetry and a beaded inset in glistening alder, while the stainless steel appliances and an Ann Sacks glass tile backsplash pay tribute to the contemporary.

21. Bjackson’s glossy stainless steel backsplash. Although bjackson’s kitchen has been updated about five years before, the easy style of the plan and the wear-resistance of the substance has helped it maintain a shiny and fresh look. White laminate cabinets counter Absolute Black granite countertops and a butcher block on the staircase. Even though the shimmering backsplash appears mirrored, it’s actually composed of 2-inch stainless steel tiles — that give a surprising and contemporary accent to the very simple cabinetry and counters.

Avaloncj’s parents’ Fiesta dishware display. A kitchen can be the perfect place to highlight a set. The photographs of the kitchen are from Houzz consumer avaloncj’s parents’ lake house, and the amazing assortment of various Fiesta dishware is her mother’s. The house, built in 1914, has a cottage feel, which is something her parents wanted to maintain in their remodel. The knotty pine cabinetry actually used to maintain the bedroom, but her dad converted them into kitchen cabinets.

23. Lenoreldavies’s clean and traditional kitchen remodel. The kitchen in lenoreldavies’ 100-year-old Victorian-style house required to be renovated to meet contemporary needs (with three hungry boys in the household, contemporary appliances were a must), but she also wanted to be certain that the kitchen match the home’s style. The living area on the main floor was little and composed of many smaller rooms, so she had the back wall and other walls knocked down to make a bigger kitchen space.

There are just two under-counter ovens in this kitchen, each on either side of the Viking gas stove. This allowed lenoreldavies to obtain a high-end range and relatively inexpensive ovens instead of getting an expensive range-and-oven mix. Deep drawers beneath the stove store pans and pots. Electric strip molding has been installed under all of the cabinets, so the gorgeous subway tile backsplash did not have to be bothered.

Butcher block built into the island functions as the key prep area. Rather than purchasing a huge high-end fridge, lenoreldavies set two regular models that hinge on different sides. They open like French doors, provide a lot of storage room, and look just like luxury models. Behind the partial refrigerator wall is an area with cubbies for her sons, a half-bath, a wine fridge, and a farm sink to get basic gardening and cleaning.

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