Design your kitchen as a welcoming room, where utility yields to atmosphere. We visited these designer kitchens for major inspiration.
“No matter what - everyone always ends up in the kitchen,” says Jessie Cate, of M.Cate Interiors. “I love a showstopper range, but it feel like putting a car in your living room,” she admits. Here, Jessie layers cabinetry with two different hues of white oak for dimension. The tower cabinetry hugs the range to soften the space. She added fluted legs to the island to treat it like a piece of furniture. “With all of the hard materials, you have to work to make a kitchen cozy,” Jessie advises.
Designer Ann Prince reminds us to bring in the personality to your kitchen. “Don’t forget the ceiling! Adding wallpaper overhead introduces color and pattern,” she says.
Ann borrows lighting principles from the living room. “Task lighting is a must, but layering in a lamp adds warmth and ambiance. A small table lamp on the counter or a shaded sconce can instantly soften the space. One client also uses the lamp to signal – the kitchen is closed for the evening,” she adds.
Beyond the counter or island, she often incorporates a preferred kitchen seating. “Everyone loves a cozy banquette at their favorite restaurant—so why not enjoy the same charm at home? It’s inviting, space-saving, and makes everyday meals feel special,” notes Ann.
Designer Sarah Spinosa worked on a mid-century design project where the kitchen space opens seamlessly to the dining area and living room, where it was important to honor the era’s ethos throughout the house where cabinetry reads as built-in furniture.
“This kitchen exemplifies mid-century modern elegance, blending clean lines and natural materials for a timeless, functional space. Working from John Jones’ meticulous plans, we focused on optimizing utility without sacrificing aesthetics,” says Sarah. “The cabinetry, beautifully crafted by Tom Archer, frames the kitchen in warm wood tones, while built-in shelves behind the range offer convenient, discreet storage for spices and cooking utensils. A stainless steel backsplash lifts the space with a sleek, contemporary touch, ensuring easy cleanup and visual contrast,” she explains.
Whitney Joiner, of Story Interior Design elevated a recent kitchen renovation of an older home. “We combined two rooms of the original floorplan, making the kitchen the true center of the home. While the scheme is neutral, we really dressed it up with soapstone and marble counters, a brass sink and lighting that felt like jewelry,” she says.
She guides clients to incorporate art in the kitchen as well. “It’s just as important here as it is in a dining room or bedroom. We commissioned Memphis artist, Frances Berry Moreno to work with this family’s motto of Take it Easy,” notes Whitney.
These kitchens remind us to let zones for prep, cooking, and cleanup mingle with curated objects and soft textiles, so the space feels as poised for gatherings as it is efficient for daily tasks.