Kitchen Design
Kitchen of the Week
The 20 Most Popular Kitchens of the Week in 2012
The "likes" and Houzz bookmarks have spoken, and these kitchens have emerged as the most loved here in the past year
From colorful and modern to historic and muted, Houzz's featured Kitchens of the Week in 2012 included just about every kitchen style, color and material available. Mixing inspiration and practical tips, the ideabooks showed beautiful kitchens that became a hit among Houzzers.
We've compiled the 20 most popular of these kitchens in one spot for a big dose of instant kitchen inspiration. They're presented in order of popularity, based on Facebook "likes" and Houzz bookmarks.
We've compiled the 20 most popular of these kitchens in one spot for a big dose of instant kitchen inspiration. They're presented in order of popularity, based on Facebook "likes" and Houzz bookmarks.
2. Smart Storage Solutions in Indiana
While stunning at first glance, this kitchen has more than meets the eye. Designer Susan Brook custom designed horizontal-grain cabinetry with built-in tambour doors, trash rollouts, knife storage and a lift for a mixer — among other items — to help the family stay organized.
While stunning at first glance, this kitchen has more than meets the eye. Designer Susan Brook custom designed horizontal-grain cabinetry with built-in tambour doors, trash rollouts, knife storage and a lift for a mixer — among other items — to help the family stay organized.
3. Beautiful Blue in Martha's Vineyard
Set on a lake on the northern coast of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, this kitchen has soothing blue cabinetry that struck a note with Houzz readers. A spacious back pantry, plenty of natural light and entertainment-friendly solutions make this kitchen great for cooking dinner for 10 or two.
Set on a lake on the northern coast of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, this kitchen has soothing blue cabinetry that struck a note with Houzz readers. A spacious back pantry, plenty of natural light and entertainment-friendly solutions make this kitchen great for cooking dinner for 10 or two.
4. Elegant 18th-Century Remodel
Renovating an older home always comes with a set of challenges — particularly when you’re working with a home from the 18th century! This 1790 New Jersey kitchen still had its original brick fireplace, which the owners were intent on retaining. Harmony Cabinets and Construction outfitted the fireplace with a functional stove and built in new foggy-blue cabinetry for a timeless look.
Renovating an older home always comes with a set of challenges — particularly when you’re working with a home from the 18th century! This 1790 New Jersey kitchen still had its original brick fireplace, which the owners were intent on retaining. Harmony Cabinets and Construction outfitted the fireplace with a functional stove and built in new foggy-blue cabinetry for a timeless look.
5. Exquisite Artistic Backsplash
Although the handmade stained glass backsplash makes a bold statement in this kitchen, McKinney York's kid-friendly design solutions are what drew readers to this space. Multiple activity zones —including a smaller, second fridge — help with cleanup and cooking, while a dumbwaiter from the garage makes unloading groceries easy.
Although the handmade stained glass backsplash makes a bold statement in this kitchen, McKinney York's kid-friendly design solutions are what drew readers to this space. Multiple activity zones —including a smaller, second fridge — help with cleanup and cooking, while a dumbwaiter from the garage makes unloading groceries easy.
6. Sweet French Country Style in Austin
Simple but sweet, this kitchen has a practical layout and reasonable design. While the space is on the smaller side, UB Kitchens used a cream and white palette to make it feel open and bright. A backsplash accented with gray grout adds low-maintenance visual interest.
Simple but sweet, this kitchen has a practical layout and reasonable design. While the space is on the smaller side, UB Kitchens used a cream and white palette to make it feel open and bright. A backsplash accented with gray grout adds low-maintenance visual interest.
7. Galley Kitchen in the Wine Country
A dream home doesn't always come with a dream kitchen — as these homeowners in Sonoma, California, learned. While the budget meant that the footprint of this narrow galley kitchen couldn't be reconfigured, architect Amy Alper reorganized the layout to make cooking and cleaning simple. Focusing on appliance placement and maintaining a clear and spacious work triangle enhanced the function of the kitchen without adding any square footage.
A dream home doesn't always come with a dream kitchen — as these homeowners in Sonoma, California, learned. While the budget meant that the footprint of this narrow galley kitchen couldn't be reconfigured, architect Amy Alper reorganized the layout to make cooking and cleaning simple. Focusing on appliance placement and maintaining a clear and spacious work triangle enhanced the function of the kitchen without adding any square footage.
8. Stirring Up Two Styles in San Diego
These Southern California homeowners compromised on their differences in style, integrating elements of contemporary and rustic design into their new kitchen. Jackson Design & Remodeling used a mix of classic subway tile, Caesarstone and reclaimed wood elements to successfully combine the two looks.
These Southern California homeowners compromised on their differences in style, integrating elements of contemporary and rustic design into their new kitchen. Jackson Design & Remodeling used a mix of classic subway tile, Caesarstone and reclaimed wood elements to successfully combine the two looks.
9. Two Islands in Colorado
This family of five wanted extra space so they could all hang out in the kitchen together. Two islands and two refrigerators divide the kitchen by activity — prep and cooking, cleanup and eating — so that the entire family can function seamlessly in the space.
This family of five wanted extra space so they could all hang out in the kitchen together. Two islands and two refrigerators divide the kitchen by activity — prep and cooking, cleanup and eating — so that the entire family can function seamlessly in the space.
10. New Traditional Style in a 1900s Home
The small size of this 1900s kitchen — which could hold only a mini fridge — didn't make sense for this modern-day family. Sarah Henry knocked out a back wall, installed floor-to-ceiling cabinetry and worked with durable but timeless materials to create a new, open space.
The small size of this 1900s kitchen — which could hold only a mini fridge — didn't make sense for this modern-day family. Sarah Henry knocked out a back wall, installed floor-to-ceiling cabinetry and worked with durable but timeless materials to create a new, open space.
11. Budget-Friendly Boosts in Toronto
Although these clients had a limited budget, Gillian Lazanik knew they could still have a stylish kitchen. By making use of the existing footprint and appliances, she dressed up the space with Ikea cabinetry and a bold-colored backsplash. A desk area on the other side of the galley kitchen doubles as a workspace for the parents and a snack spot for the kids.
Although these clients had a limited budget, Gillian Lazanik knew they could still have a stylish kitchen. By making use of the existing footprint and appliances, she dressed up the space with Ikea cabinetry and a bold-colored backsplash. A desk area on the other side of the galley kitchen doubles as a workspace for the parents and a snack spot for the kids.
12. Connected, Open Oregon Remodel
The family needed a kitchen with space to accommodate their three home-schooled children, and that would still feel connected to the rest of their house. With an added retro breakfast nook and classic and durable materials that embrace the home's midcentury roots, the kitchen is now a family-friendly space that'll last for many years to come.
The family needed a kitchen with space to accommodate their three home-schooled children, and that would still feel connected to the rest of their house. With an added retro breakfast nook and classic and durable materials that embrace the home's midcentury roots, the kitchen is now a family-friendly space that'll last for many years to come.
13. An Austin Galley Kitchen Opens Up
Pear-green cabinetry and an adorable seating area helped brighten this outdated space and connect it to the adjacent living room. Subtle details, from the corner window to the extra-large subway tile, play with the size and scale of the petite kitchen. Custom white oak countertops add necessary warmth.
Pear-green cabinetry and an adorable seating area helped brighten this outdated space and connect it to the adjacent living room. Subtle details, from the corner window to the extra-large subway tile, play with the size and scale of the petite kitchen. Custom white oak countertops add necessary warmth.
14. Vintage Elegance in a Pocket Size
Nestled into 145 square feet, this kitchen stays true to its 1920s roots. Designer and homeowner Robert Kelly wanted all of his materials and appliances (including that gorgeous vintage stove) to stay true to his home's original style, and played with the circulation and traffic flow within the footprint to help it function for his family.
Nestled into 145 square feet, this kitchen stays true to its 1920s roots. Designer and homeowner Robert Kelly wanted all of his materials and appliances (including that gorgeous vintage stove) to stay true to his home's original style, and played with the circulation and traffic flow within the footprint to help it function for his family.
15. An Entryway Kitchen Opens Up
This Boston kitchen is set right inside the main foyer, and the clients wanted to make sure it made the right statement. Designer Emily Pinney added extra square footage by taking over an adjacent eating area, turning it into an eat-in bar with extra counter space. A classic all-white palette keeps the kitchen in line with the rest of the home's style.
This Boston kitchen is set right inside the main foyer, and the clients wanted to make sure it made the right statement. Designer Emily Pinney added extra square footage by taking over an adjacent eating area, turning it into an eat-in bar with extra counter space. A classic all-white palette keeps the kitchen in line with the rest of the home's style.
16. Smart, Elegant Atlanta Addition
This kitchen underwent quite the transformation, from a 1980s nightmare to a warm and modern space. A new layout with designated activity zones that control traffic makes the space entertainment and cooking friendly. Extra shelves were added, and special coffee and wine stations make sure that everyone can get their treat of choice while staying out of the cook's way.
This kitchen underwent quite the transformation, from a 1980s nightmare to a warm and modern space. A new layout with designated activity zones that control traffic makes the space entertainment and cooking friendly. Extra shelves were added, and special coffee and wine stations make sure that everyone can get their treat of choice while staying out of the cook's way.
17. Historic Queen Anne Renovation
While Geoffrey Gainer's Queen Anne needed a new kitchen, he didn't want a faux old-fashioned or disjointed modern style to replace it. Instead, Gainer merged the kitchen and dining room, using Douglas fir shelves, cork flooring and paper-based countertops that will all show signs of gentle wear. Over time, this new kitchen will start to blend with the home's older bones.
While Geoffrey Gainer's Queen Anne needed a new kitchen, he didn't want a faux old-fashioned or disjointed modern style to replace it. Instead, Gainer merged the kitchen and dining room, using Douglas fir shelves, cork flooring and paper-based countertops that will all show signs of gentle wear. Over time, this new kitchen will start to blend with the home's older bones.
18. A Cooking Maven's Small Kitchen
Cara Eisenpress might have a small kitchen, but this New York blogger, writer, food stylist and recipe developer still manages to make the most of it. While she can't make any major changes to her rental space, displaying pretty foods, investing in quality tools and using as much wall space as possible help all of her foodie need get met.
Cara Eisenpress might have a small kitchen, but this New York blogger, writer, food stylist and recipe developer still manages to make the most of it. While she can't make any major changes to her rental space, displaying pretty foods, investing in quality tools and using as much wall space as possible help all of her foodie need get met.
19. Small Kitchen, Big View
Bumping out a bay window in this Philadelphia kitchen provided a beautiful backyard view and a little extra space for a dining table and chairs. This Victorian home is on a historic block, so exterior changes had to be minimal. But the new bay window perfectly complements the home's original bay window on the second story.
Bumping out a bay window in this Philadelphia kitchen provided a beautiful backyard view and a little extra space for a dining table and chairs. This Victorian home is on a historic block, so exterior changes had to be minimal. But the new bay window perfectly complements the home's original bay window on the second story.
20. Streamlined and Smart in Montreal
Houzzers loved how this historic remodel embraced a modern design, with easy-to-clean materials. Built-in storage for wine, knives and books uses up every inch, while granite countertop and MDF cabinet facades make cleanup a matter of a simple wipe-down.
Homeowner's Workbook: How to Remodel Your Kitchen
Houzzers loved how this historic remodel embraced a modern design, with easy-to-clean materials. Built-in storage for wine, knives and books uses up every inch, while granite countertop and MDF cabinet facades make cleanup a matter of a simple wipe-down.
Homeowner's Workbook: How to Remodel Your Kitchen
Readers loved designer Jennifer Ott's aqua and lime kitchen in Texas. While the bold-colored island and backsplash caught Houzzers' eyes, the functionality of this smart kitchen is what made it bookmark worthy. Extra-large drawers in lieu of base shelving, hidden storage in the window seat and two pantries help Ott keep her kitchen tidy.