10 Cozy Kitchens to Inspire Fall Cooking, Baking and Dreaming
These inviting kitchens may give you the urge to bake — or to start dreaming up a cozy kitchen of your own
Erin Carlyle
September 22, 2018
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes to remodel. Former Forbes real estate reporter. Fascinated by cool homes, watching the bottom line.
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes... More
To celebrate the changing of the seasons, here are 10 cozy kitchens to inspire indoor baking and cooking, along with recipes from around the web to go with each. Take a look and get out your mixing bowl.
Or you might just enjoy the visual warmth created by these kitchen’s cozy features. Perhaps one will spark an idea for your own kitchen remodel.
Or you might just enjoy the visual warmth created by these kitchen’s cozy features. Perhaps one will spark an idea for your own kitchen remodel.
1. Functional Beauty
This is the home of chef Stuart Brioza and pastry chef Nicole Krasinski, cookbook authors and owners of State Bird Provisions and The Progress restaurants in San Francisco. The couple put function first in their space, pairing an extra-long kitchen island with an efficient galley layout. Organic beauty came along with the pragmatic materials choices they made.
This is the home of chef Stuart Brioza and pastry chef Nicole Krasinski, cookbook authors and owners of State Bird Provisions and The Progress restaurants in San Francisco. The couple put function first in their space, pairing an extra-long kitchen island with an efficient galley layout. Organic beauty came along with the pragmatic materials choices they made.
The custom island is made of a 10-foot cypress slab and contains a bronze drainboard surrounding the sink.
Recipe that wants to be made here: Pork Ribs Glazed in Their Own Juices from the couple’s cookbook, State Bird Provisions
Read more about this kitchen
Recipe that wants to be made here: Pork Ribs Glazed in Their Own Juices from the couple’s cookbook, State Bird Provisions
Read more about this kitchen
2. Farmhouse Charm
This kitchen in southern England oozes warmth with its combination of stonework, open upper cabinetry and pale green lowers that look as though they could be miniature barn doors. Gathered red cafe curtains, an unpainted wood corner cabinet and pale yellow walls add to the cozy country effect.
Recipe that wants to be made here: Herby Lamb Cobbler
Cabinet paint: Lichen, Farrow & Ball
This kitchen in southern England oozes warmth with its combination of stonework, open upper cabinetry and pale green lowers that look as though they could be miniature barn doors. Gathered red cafe curtains, an unpainted wood corner cabinet and pale yellow walls add to the cozy country effect.
Recipe that wants to be made here: Herby Lamb Cobbler
Cabinet paint: Lichen, Farrow & Ball
3. Baking Station
This kitchen’s island is 13 feet, 2 inches long and 4 feet wide, with most of the length — 10 feet, 2 inches — made of a white oak counter. The remaining 3 feet of the island is a baking station with a Carrara marble top. One of the owners of this home in Litchfield, Connecticut, loves to bake. The marble stone’s thermal properties help keep dough cool so that it is easier to handle.
Recipe that wants to be made here: Juicy Cherry Pie
Read more about this kitchen | Find a kitchen designer on Houzz
This kitchen’s island is 13 feet, 2 inches long and 4 feet wide, with most of the length — 10 feet, 2 inches — made of a white oak counter. The remaining 3 feet of the island is a baking station with a Carrara marble top. One of the owners of this home in Litchfield, Connecticut, loves to bake. The marble stone’s thermal properties help keep dough cool so that it is easier to handle.
Recipe that wants to be made here: Juicy Cherry Pie
Read more about this kitchen | Find a kitchen designer on Houzz
4. Under the Eaves
This kitchen in Buckinghamshire, England, has its own private roofline, making it appear tucked into a private and protected space. The lowered ceiling creates a cozy, enclosed feel.
Recipe that wants to be made here: English Gingerbread Cake
This kitchen in Buckinghamshire, England, has its own private roofline, making it appear tucked into a private and protected space. The lowered ceiling creates a cozy, enclosed feel.
Recipe that wants to be made here: English Gingerbread Cake
5. Eat-In Table
A small space can feel cozy if it’s well-designed, or simply crowded if it’s not. This 121-square-foot kitchen in Washington, D.C., is efficiently laid out, with an eat-in dining table that adds to the room’s inviting vibe. The bench on one side of the table was a practical choice; when the homeowner needs clearance to open the oven door, she can simply tuck the bench beneath the table.
Recipe that wants to be made here: Broccoli Casserole
Read more about this kitchen | Find dining benches
A small space can feel cozy if it’s well-designed, or simply crowded if it’s not. This 121-square-foot kitchen in Washington, D.C., is efficiently laid out, with an eat-in dining table that adds to the room’s inviting vibe. The bench on one side of the table was a practical choice; when the homeowner needs clearance to open the oven door, she can simply tuck the bench beneath the table.
Recipe that wants to be made here: Broccoli Casserole
Read more about this kitchen | Find dining benches
6. Cabin Style
This cabin in a sparsely populated area of Sonoma County, California, has been owned by the same family for nearly 100 years, and the owners have preserved its warm and rustic vintage style. Rusty-red planks, a retro range and basic cabinets give the space a lived-in and welcoming vibe.
Recipe that wants to be made here: Ham and Split Pea Soup
This cabin in a sparsely populated area of Sonoma County, California, has been owned by the same family for nearly 100 years, and the owners have preserved its warm and rustic vintage style. Rusty-red planks, a retro range and basic cabinets give the space a lived-in and welcoming vibe.
Recipe that wants to be made here: Ham and Split Pea Soup
7. Updated Beauty
This apartment in Edinburgh, Scotland, has contemporary flat-panel cabinets, which can contribute to a cool and sleek feel in a more contemporary space. But here the exposed brick wall, soft green wall paint, bright dining chairs and cheerily decorated table contribute instead to a kitchen that feels cozy.
Recipe that wants to be baked here: Scottish Shortbread
This apartment in Edinburgh, Scotland, has contemporary flat-panel cabinets, which can contribute to a cool and sleek feel in a more contemporary space. But here the exposed brick wall, soft green wall paint, bright dining chairs and cheerily decorated table contribute instead to a kitchen that feels cozy.
Recipe that wants to be baked here: Scottish Shortbread
8. Traditional Feel
The owners of this Chicago kitchen remodeled for a second time after living in the home for many years, and this time they wanted an enveloping, cozy feeling for their space. Both homeowners have demanding jobs and enjoy cooking as part of their relaxation and downtime when they are home. Warm orange details, complementary blue cabinets that look as if they’ve been there for a while and vintage-style light fixtures contribute to an elegant but lived-in, cozy atmosphere.
Recipe that wants to be made here: Crespelle With Ricotta and Marinara, adapted from a recipe by Chicago chef Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia
Pendant lights: Thomas O’Brien, Circa Lighting; flush-mount lighting: Circa Lighting
Read more about this kitchen | Find globe pendants with a nickel finish
The owners of this Chicago kitchen remodeled for a second time after living in the home for many years, and this time they wanted an enveloping, cozy feeling for their space. Both homeowners have demanding jobs and enjoy cooking as part of their relaxation and downtime when they are home. Warm orange details, complementary blue cabinets that look as if they’ve been there for a while and vintage-style light fixtures contribute to an elegant but lived-in, cozy atmosphere.
Recipe that wants to be made here: Crespelle With Ricotta and Marinara, adapted from a recipe by Chicago chef Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia
Pendant lights: Thomas O’Brien, Circa Lighting; flush-mount lighting: Circa Lighting
Read more about this kitchen | Find globe pendants with a nickel finish
9. A Mix of Cabinets
The owners of this recently built Tennessee farmhouse collect antiques, including the mismatched cabinets you see in the corner on the right (see the next photo for a closer shot). The homeowner had also accumulated a number of vintage metal containers, which she had wired and turned into the pendant lights shown here.
The owners of this recently built Tennessee farmhouse collect antiques, including the mismatched cabinets you see in the corner on the right (see the next photo for a closer shot). The homeowner had also accumulated a number of vintage metal containers, which she had wired and turned into the pendant lights shown here.
Mixed materials, a skirt beneath the farmhouse sink, and the wide-plank wood floor contribute to the room’s informal, cozy feel.
Recipe that wants to be made here: Southern Fried Catfish
Read more about this kitchen
Recipe that wants to be made here: Southern Fried Catfish
Read more about this kitchen
10. Folk Art Display
This display of wooden ducks and colorful folk art above a vintage range in a New Orleans kitchen can’t help but cozy it up. And with three French drip coffee pots on the range — a traditional Louisiana way to brew coffee, chicory coffee or tea — this room invites guests in for a soothing hot beverage.
Recipe that wants to be made here: Crawfish Pie
Read more about this home | Find coffee and tea makers
More
Your New Kitchen: 7 Tricky Questions You Didn’t Know You’d Ask
Find a kitchen designer on Houzz to help with your remodel
This display of wooden ducks and colorful folk art above a vintage range in a New Orleans kitchen can’t help but cozy it up. And with three French drip coffee pots on the range — a traditional Louisiana way to brew coffee, chicory coffee or tea — this room invites guests in for a soothing hot beverage.
Recipe that wants to be made here: Crawfish Pie
Read more about this home | Find coffee and tea makers
More
Your New Kitchen: 7 Tricky Questions You Didn’t Know You’d Ask
Find a kitchen designer on Houzz to help with your remodel
We are a family owned business with four generations of experience in whole house remodeling. For over 25 years,... Read More
What are you working on?
Related Products
Whispering Pine Construction will build your house to your specifications. Our residential new construction crew... Read More
Related Stories
New This Week
4 New Kitchens With Wonderful Wood Cabinets
Pros share how they used various wood species, styles, stains and details to create warm and welcoming kitchens
Full Story
Kitchen Backsplashes
30 Bold and Beautiful Range Backsplashes
Get ideas for eye-catching tile and stone backsplashes inside stove alcoves and behind cooktops
Full Story
Kitchen Design
7 Essential Features of a Well-Designed Kitchen
Make sure your new kitchen not only looks good but also functions beautifully
Full Story
Kitchen Workbook
How to Map Out Your Kitchen Remodel’s Scope of Work
Help prevent budget overruns by determining the extent of your project, and find pros to help you get the job done
Full Story
Kitchen Storage
Foolproof Storage Solutions for Corner Kitchen Cabinets
By tidgboutique
Consider Lazy Susans, pullouts and more to maximize storage
Full Story
Trending Now
The 10 Most Popular Kitchens So Far in 2024
Get inspired by the warm neutral palettes, ample storage and inviting islands in these most-saved new photos on Houzz
Full Story
Houzz TV
5 Trends for Kitchen and Bath Products in 2024
See fascinating new features for showers, tubs, faucets and more launched at the 2024 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show
Full Story
Kitchen Backsplashes
Where to Start and Stop Your Backsplash
By tidgboutique
Consider these designer tricks to work around cabinets, windows and other features for a finished look in your kitchen
Full Story
Kitchen Workbook
How to Find Your Kitchen Style
If you’re planning to remodel your kitchen, here’s how to find inspiration and start narrowing down your choices
Full Story
Kitchen Design
15 Stylish Kitchen Range Hood Ideas
Get ideas for hood shapes, sizes and looks that can elevate a kitchen’s design while ridding it of bad air and odors
Full Story
Thank you for an article that FINALLY shows true cozy farmhouse kitchens without islands and barstools. Many important family decisions and conversations were had around the kitchen table on the family farm growing up. And thank you for not including any interior “barn” doors. When I grew up barn doors belonged outside on on the BARN, not in the house and certainly not in a kitchen.
@lisawestbrook1 Thanks so much for your comment identifying the three pots in number 10 as French drip coffee pots! We've updated the story to reflect that they are this item and not teapots. What an interesting bit of Louisiana history!
I find it interesting to see what's considered a 'small kitchen' - my 80 sq. ft. galley kitchen is only larger than #6 and nowhere to expand. =)