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18 Ways to Make a Kitchen Your Own

Give Your Kitchen a Personal Stamp With Color, Finishes and Surprise

Shawn Gauthier August 1, 2011

I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design is collected, not decorated, and that homes should always be as comfortable and functional as they are chic. In addition to writing for Houzz, I work as the Head Copywriter for Layla Grayce and Zinc Door.

I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design is collected,... More

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The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home; it’s where we often congregate as we prepare meals, eat and entertain. Since we’re spending ample time in there, we should be thinking about how to make the space personable and unique.

Even though all kitchens are made up of the same basic essentials, there are many ways to marry function and form in clever and creative ways to make it your own. Whether you’re starting from scratch, renovating or just looking to make a few changes, read on for 18 tips to create a unique, unexpected kitchen that is anything but cookie cutter.

David Sharff Architect, P.C.

Add color with bright chairs. The kitchen itself feels contemporary and clean-lined; the bright pop of orange and fun shape of the Fjord High Bar Stools punches up its personality.

Chr DAUER Architects

Or mix and match the same chair model in different colors for an even more playful approach.

Imagine Living

Mix and match wood species. It’s hard enough choosing one type of wood, so why not coordinate several? The mixture results in a natural aesthetic that is both earthy and unusual; the perfect complement to this modern space.

Desire to Inspire

Combine different styles. The kitchen may be a more utilitarian space, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be treated with the same design approaches as a living room or bedroom. Combining a modern table and chairs with a Southwestern rug and rustic cabinetry creates a vibe that is both eclectic and sophisticated.

Mal Corboy Design

Set the stage with a bold color. No kitchen is getting lost in a white background when it's outfitted in turquoise cabinetry.

Arturo Medellin

Here’s another example in red. The lacquer finish makes it all the more enticing.

Kim Duffin for Sublime Luxury Kitchens & Bathrooms

Set the stage in multiple bold colors. Instead of choosing just one uniform color, mix it up with several. When the color scheme is this daring, there’s little need for additional accessories.

Glenvale Kitchens

Use corner drawers. Impress your guests and use space efficiently by installing corner drawers. They eliminate the hassle of losing items behind a lazy Susan.

More creative ways to cope with corners

Frederick + Frederick Architects

Accessorize creatively. Treat your kitchen as you would any other room of the house and sneak in playful accessories.

Elad Gonen

Get creative with cabinetry. Consider sliding panel doors instead of traditional cabinetry; you can push it open to reveal all your essentials at once instead of opening and re-opening cabinets in search of that long-lost pan. To make it even more interesting, choose a decorative panel that doubles as artwork.

Aneka Interiors Inc.

Or get creative with custom cabinetry by choosing an unusual style like these angled doors.

Dan Brown

Turn your range hood into a focal point. Range hoods often look the same, so by choosing one in an unexpected shape it becomes an additional kitchen design element.

James LeCron

Install an island in different levels. Not only will this increase the visual appeal of your room, but it will add function by creating comfortable surface levels for both eating and preparing meals.

Beckwith Interiors

Seek out unusual light fixtures. The Cicatrices De Luxe 5 Pendant Light by Philippe Starck looks like a glass display hanging in midair.

Divine Design Center

Install a built-in bookcase to your island. Make your island as chic as it is functional with attached shelving to display kitchen essentials and decorative knickknacks.

Ventana Construction LLC

Have fun with appliances. This turquoise range from BlueStar gives this kitchen a mid-century feel reminiscent of Mad Men.

Archipelago Hawaii Luxury Home Designs

Consider an interesting shape for your island. So often islands are square or rectangular, but an unusual shape will make it that much more eye-catching and may provide you with useful extra surface area.

Russell

Or choose an altogether unusual island. It looks like this kitchen island just beached after a day at sea. Ahoy!

More: 23 Inspiring Real-Life Kitchens