Update: my current kitchen remodel
Do you have a favorite kitchen style? Kitchens are the rooms I love to study and design most. Now that my own remodel is finished, I find myself in withdrawal — I’d happily live in a house full of kitchens so I could move from one project to the next. Designing kitchens is fun and satisfying, and when I can’t remodel, I enjoy studying photos to keep my ideas fresh.
Dreaming about kitchens is almost as enjoyable as creating them. Looking at images makes me think about the combinations of elements that draw me in and why certain spaces stand out more than others.
What is it about certain kitchens that I adore?
Today I’m sharing a few kitchens that caught my eye and outlining six takeaways about why they appeal to me. Studying rooms you love and noting the details is a great way to refine your taste. Good design doesn’t always require a big budget — it often comes down to thoughtful choices and a clear sense of style, which you can apply even in a DIY remodel.
Designer Sawyer Berson
I can scroll past thousands of kitchens online without stopping, but once in a while one truly sings to me. Over the years I’ve learned I’m selective because I respond to specific elements that, when combined, create a look I love. My taste has evolved, yet certain fundamentals remain constant.
For example, I still adore the kitchen I designed years ago — I agonized over details with magazines and patience, and I’m so glad I invested that time. Accessories might change over time, but the room’s core design still feels right. Budget constraints meant some elements couldn’t be changed immediately, but they could evolve later without undermining the overall style.
When I study kitchens I admire, I look for common threads that explain why they resonate. Playing observation games with photos helps clarify what you truly love, and that clarity makes it easier to recreate a similar vibe on your own budget.
Atlanta Homes
Another exercise I enjoy is a “takeaway” game: after collecting favorite kitchen images, I ask what unifying principle I can take away and apply. Neither of my kitchen remodels were top-of-the-line, nor were they in the same style of house, yet both incorporated the essential elements I love because I had studied my preferences first.
My previous kitchen remodel
I knew which elements mattered most and which could change over time. That awareness let me achieve a higher-end feel without the high-end price.
Focusing on the vibe I wanted allowed me to prioritize budget-friendly updates that delivered a cohesive, elevated look.
Soon I might compare my two kitchens side by side — they’re different, but share common features that make both feel right to me.
Traditional Home
Sometimes I wonder why I like seemingly opposite kitchens. Why did I love wood countertops in one project and prefer a monochrome, all-white kitchen in another? Why does a bright yellow island stop me in my tracks while some other photos leave me indifferent?
Jas Design Build
If I think about it, common threads usually emerge. I look for elements I can love long-term, and then consider how to adapt them to fit the character and constraints of the house I’m working with.
So what draws me to these kitchens?
Below are six takeaway tips that explain my preferences.
Sarah Sherman Samuel
Here are six reasons I love these kitchens:
1. Simple, classic details — I prefer restraint to overly fussy design.
2. Color contrast or rich texture to add visual interest.
3. Solid stone or wood counters work equally well — in black, white, gray, or natural wood tones.
4. Some open shelving or glass-front cabinets to keep things light and personal.
5. Thoughtful, interesting lighting, faucets, and hardware as finishing touches.
6. Smaller, cozier kitchens over vast, impersonal open plans.
If a kitchen includes most or all of these elements, I’m much more likely to love it.
Did I miss other unifying features?
Even if these aren’t your top priorities, you can try this exercise yourself: collect six or more kitchens that make your heart sing, then look for the common thread that reveals your personal style.
How about you?
Do you play these observation games when you look at design photos?