Your Guide to a Craftsman-Style Kitchen
Natural woods, earthy hues, artful lighting and handcrafted details give these rooms a warm, comfortable vibe
Whether you’re tackling a kitchen remodel with the help of a kitchen designer, an architect or a contractor, being able to clearly define your favorite style will help get your project off to a smooth start. If you live in a Craftsman home or just love handcrafted quality and a warm, cozy atmosphere, Craftsman style might be the right fit for you. Read on for the need-to-know details about this popular kitchen style, including key elements, color palettes, fixtures and finishing touches.
What You Won’t Find in Craftsman Kitchens
The emphasis in a Craftsman kitchen is on the simplicity and warmth of natural materials. This isn’t the place to experiment with trends or veer too far from the plucked-from-nature aesthetic. Here’s what you won’t see:
The emphasis in a Craftsman kitchen is on the simplicity and warmth of natural materials. This isn’t the place to experiment with trends or veer too far from the plucked-from-nature aesthetic. Here’s what you won’t see:
- Bright color palettes
- Mass-produced, uniform materials like concrete and vinyl
- Cutting-edge trends
- High-shine finishes
- Curving shapes
Nature-Inspired Color
Craftsman-style kitchens have rich earth tones, vibrant greens and warm neutrals that coordinate well with natural wood.
Colors for Craftsman kitchens:
Craftsman-style kitchens have rich earth tones, vibrant greens and warm neutrals that coordinate well with natural wood.
Colors for Craftsman kitchens:
- Rich, earthy hues. Chestnut, bark, stone, sienna, ocher
- Vibrant greens. Sage, moss, spring green, olive
- Warm neutrals. Cream, parchment, beige, taupe
Handcrafted Cabinetry
Beautiful handcrafted cabinetry made of oak, pine or maple is a signature of the Craftsman look. With the cabinetry’s minimal detailing and rich stain, the focus stays on the quality of the wood and expert crafting. Look for a frame-and-panel profile (similar to Shaker-style cabinets), visible joinery and geometric accents. Countertops in granite, marble, soapstone and natural wood add rich texture and color. Bin pulls, latching hardware and squared-off metal knobs provide just the right finishing touch.
Find a kitchen-cabinet maker
Beautiful handcrafted cabinetry made of oak, pine or maple is a signature of the Craftsman look. With the cabinetry’s minimal detailing and rich stain, the focus stays on the quality of the wood and expert crafting. Look for a frame-and-panel profile (similar to Shaker-style cabinets), visible joinery and geometric accents. Countertops in granite, marble, soapstone and natural wood add rich texture and color. Bin pulls, latching hardware and squared-off metal knobs provide just the right finishing touch.
Find a kitchen-cabinet maker
Design Detail: Artful Lighting
Craftsman-style lighting features strong geometric lines, with amber-hued mica casting a soft glow. Look for lanterns in rectangular and square shapes with geometric details, as well as chandeliers, simple wall sconces and recessed lighting for an even glow throughout the space.
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Craftsman-style lighting features strong geometric lines, with amber-hued mica casting a soft glow. Look for lanterns in rectangular and square shapes with geometric details, as well as chandeliers, simple wall sconces and recessed lighting for an even glow throughout the space.
See more of this kitchen
Design Detail: Built-In Storage
Cabinetry with details built to fit the space and the homeowner’s needs is a hallmark of Craftsman style. Look for built-in bookshelves, wine storage, glass-front display cabinets, pot racks, spice shelves and more.
Cabinetry with details built to fit the space and the homeowner’s needs is a hallmark of Craftsman style. Look for built-in bookshelves, wine storage, glass-front display cabinets, pot racks, spice shelves and more.
Design Detail: Banquette Seating
Built-in seating offers another opportunity to showcase beautiful natural wood and simple, elegant designs. If space permits, consider a built-in banquette breakfast area, either within or adjacent to the kitchen.
Find a carpenter to design and install a custom banquette
Built-in seating offers another opportunity to showcase beautiful natural wood and simple, elegant designs. If space permits, consider a built-in banquette breakfast area, either within or adjacent to the kitchen.
Find a carpenter to design and install a custom banquette
Design Detail: Handcrafted Tile
Handmade tile is a hallmark of Craftsman design. Simple rectangular and square tiles in rich colors work well on backsplashes and islands, while hand-painted tiles with illustrated motifs and nature-inspired scenes can be used as accents.
Find Craftsman tiles in the Houzz Shop
Handmade tile is a hallmark of Craftsman design. Simple rectangular and square tiles in rich colors work well on backsplashes and islands, while hand-painted tiles with illustrated motifs and nature-inspired scenes can be used as accents.
Find Craftsman tiles in the Houzz Shop
Finishing Touches
Details in Craftsman kitchens are artful, organic and nature-inspired. Look for sturdy wood bread boards and earthy pottery — like the Russel Wright pieces on the open shelves shown here — as well as seasonal flowers and botanical artwork.
Details in Craftsman kitchens are artful, organic and nature-inspired. Look for sturdy wood bread boards and earthy pottery — like the Russel Wright pieces on the open shelves shown here — as well as seasonal flowers and botanical artwork.
Your turn: Are you a fan of Craftsman style? Describe or show us your favorite Craftsman-style kitchen in the Comments!
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Find a kitchen designer to get your project started
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More on Houzz
Roots of Style: See What Defines a Craftsman Home
Browse photos of Craftsman-style kitchens for inspiration
Find a kitchen designer to get your project started
Shop for Craftsman kitchen products
Craftsman-style kitchens spotlight the beauty of natural wood and quality workmanship. Here are some common elements to look for:
- An abundance of natural wood
- Simple cabinets with visible joinery
- Lighting with clean lines and geometric shapes
- An earthy, nature-inspired color palette
- Built-in features such as glass-front cabinets and banquette seating
- Handmade tiles with richly colorful glazes
See more of this Craftsman-style kitchen