Eco-friendly ideas for your kitchen - smart choices can save you money while helping to save the planet
Okay, so you buy organic food, shop at farmers’ markets, and fill the recycling bin every week. It also makes sense to go green when it’s time to remodel your kitchen, especially when the choices you make can save you some green by slicing your home’s energy use. Besides reducing your carbon footprint, some greener choices work far better than conventional products while improving indoor air quality in the bargain.
But knowing what is and isn’t green can be more complicated than it seems. “There is no perfect green product,” says Jennifer Senick, executive director of the Rutgers Center for Green Building. Even solar cells have to be manufactured and that involves pollution and waste, she says. So, going green often includes considering a product’s environmental impact over its entire life cycle.
That can also mean looking past what manufacturers and salesmen say about their products. “Companies have tacked the word ‘green’ onto just about everything they sell,” says Tony Brown, director of the Ecosa Institute, a sustainable design school in Prescott, Ariz. “But really they’re just doing what they’ve always done, with a minor tweak here or there. It’s lip service, not a green revolution.”
Here’s our guide to bona-fide environmentally friendly kitchen remodeling, from what products to look for and which green certifications you can trust to some simple design principles that yield the greenest results.
Buying Sustainable
Appliances. Any sustainable kitchen project should start with energy use and its long-term payback of lower energy bills. For dishwashers and refrigerators start by checking the energy use or efficiency scores in the Ratings in this issue. And look for the Energy Star label, although Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports, has found that some products use more energy than their labels promise. And be sure to compare the “Estimated Yearly Energy Use” listed on the labels. For example, some non-Energy Star refrigerators may actually use less energy than similarly sized Energy Star models, with actual usage depending on configuration and features.
Cabinets. Look for certification labels indicating that the wood was sustainably harvested and constructed with adhesives and finishes that are low-VOC (volatile organic compounds are unhealthy chemicals that off-gas from many manufactured products, especially flooring, fiberboard, and finishes). You also want products with no added urea formaldehyde (a common construction adhesive that off-gasses into the home and is a likely carcinogen).
Countertops. Among the earth-friendly alternatives recommended by Jennifer Schwab, the Sierra Club Green Home’s Director of Sustainability, are concrete, engineered stone (quartz), recycled-glass tiles, paper composite, and reclaimed wood. Of these materials, quartz did far better overall in our countertop tests and looks more like real granite or marble. Look for products certified for low VOCs and no urea formaldehyde.
Flooring. One way to go green is to reuse flooring from another building, known as reclaimed wood, or use flooring made from logs recovered from the bottom of waterways, called “sinker wood.” Pluses include the fact that you can often get “old growth” wood with striking patterns and even distress marks for a vintage feel. But neither of the reclaimed products we tested fared well. You can also use new flooring that’s been harvested sustainably. Cork and bamboo are renewable resources, and while they’re are harvested overseas, they are relatively lightweight to ship. The best bamboo also beat oak and other hardwoods in our tests. Also consider tiles made from recycled glass. And as an alternative to vinyl flooring, consider linoleum, which is made entirely from natural materials (cork, jute, and linseed oil), though it must be shipped from England, where it’s manufactured. Look for products certified for low VOCs and no added urea formaldehyde.
Backsplash. Use tiles made from recycled porcelain or glass, suggests Jennifer Senick. But keep in mind that some recycled products—like terrazzo tiles—can contain binders, such as epoxy, that can emit harmful chemicals. So, again, choose products certified for low VOCs and other emissions. Windows. If you’re installing new windows, look for Energy Star products, which means they’re more efficient than at least 80 percent of the windows sold today.
Vent hood. A vent hood that exhausts outside can reduce indoor air pollution by clearing your kitchen of fumes, moisture, and grease. But pass on that showpiece hood if its fan is rated for a larger space than your kitchen; you lose huge amounts of heated and cooled air along with the smoke. And note that exhaust fans built into over-the-range microwaves haven’t performed well in our tests.
Paint. Look for paints certified as low VOC, but don’t stop there. Also consider paints tinted with low- or no-VOC pigments. The best of today’s low-VOC interior paints also topped the charts in our performance tests. The Benjamin Moore Natura brand performed well in our tests, it’s low VOCs and is tinted with no-VOC pigments.
Kitchen with large square island as a family dining table
White and gray marble was the material chosen for the backsplash and also for the square island countertop that accommodates four golden chairs. On the walls, a light gray tone, while the planned joinery adopts dark blue, filling the lower part of the layout. There, it is worth noting a smart solution: in addition to having discreet drawers, there is also space to accommodate cookbooks. The result is an environment with a well-used amplitude and perfect for receiving friends and family for delicious lunches and dinners!
| Laura Butler-Madden |
| https://www.laurabutlermadden.com/ |
White kitchen with marble backsplash, countertops and island in minimalist style beach house
With 260 m², the project promotes a contemporary interpretation of the region's vernacular architecture through a clear volumetry, white color and traditional roof shape. "The house is organized around a large room that opens, through glazed openings, onto the landscape and the sea", explains the studio.
The constructive solutions and the materials applied embody a design of simple lines also in the decoration. Marble, present on the countertop, backsplash and island of the open kitchen, is one of the few textures in the house. Integrated into the environment, the dining room breaks the monochrome of the space with a set of colorful chairs.
| LADO Arquitectura e Design |
| R. das Fontaínhas 76B, 1300-257 Lisboa, Portugal |
| +351 21 362 3523 |
| https://lado.pt/ |
Pistachio green kitchen with decorative dishes hanging on the wall, Provencal-style cabinets and granite countertops
After living in more than six Brazilian cities, the residents of this apartment decided to settle in Rio de Janeiro when they acquired their first property. Full of memories, the residence houses many of the memories brought by them from every corner of Brazil. Part of them is displayed on the kitchen wall, which brings together the collection of dishes from the family's favorite restaurants, with pieces from Belém, Curitiba, São Paulo, Campo Grande, Brasília and Fernando de Noronha.
With all the pleasant memories, the collection was kept waiting for the right moment to go on the wall. With the duo Philippe Nunes and Lívia Ornellas, from Nop Arquitetura, the family's first apartment gained a home atmosphere, with the perfect balance between coziness and functionality. For this, the architects divided the cooking area and the pantry, with Provencal-style cabinets and granite countertops, at the resident's request.
A curiosity is the choice of shade of green: from the beginning, the pistachio green shade was requested. “The affective memory linked to food and the resident’s sensory perception of this relationship is so strong that at no time did she refer to the color as green: it is pistachio, the shell tone in the furniture and the green on the tiles and wall”, Philippe says, also remembering the day of the photos: “When I arrived for the photos, the kitchen was ready, with the smell of cake in the oven and flowers scattered around. It is a home with people, with life. In such difficult times, a project has never been more necessary”, he concludes.
| Nop Arquitetura |
| R. Geraldo Martins, 70 - sala 604 - Icaraí, Niterói - RJ, 24220-381, Brazil |
| +55 21 2714-6318 |
| http://www.noparquitetura.com.br/ |
Shades of pink in Latin rustic vintage kitchen
Blue kitchen cabinets with gray countertop and white subway tile backsplash
Kitchen with light wood cabinets, white countertops and light wood floating shelves
With a light Nordic touch, the decoration of the environment was planned to convey tranquility to the residents. The reason is easy to understand: they don't give up cooking as a family and spending a lot of time in the heart of the house. Therefore, solutions that keep the environment organized were the priority of interior designers. The combination of the kitchen furniture with the island, in turn, could not be more accurate.
The result was the creation of a multifunctional white countertops, which serves not only for preparing food, but also for keeping everything in order. Discreet and elegant in just the right measure, the cabinet doors were designed in light wood to match the white lacquered surface. On the walls, rectangular dark green-blue tiles cover the entire field of vision with personality. The light wood floating shelves ensure extra storage space and still serve as support for small objects and potted plants. A dream kitchen!
| Stewart-Schafer |
| 141A Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205, United States |
| +1 718-522-2508 |
| https://www.stewart-schafer.com/ |
Farmhouse kitchen: white cabinets with leather handles and subway tiles
Black and white kitchen decor with chalkboard backsplash
Whether on the floor, on the walls or in the choice of furniture and appliances, all the details that make up the kitchen follow the monochromatic proposal. While the cabinets were executed in white, stools, lamps and other elements receive the black color, creating a visual identity for the environment. In the background, the chalkboard backsplash appears as a message board for the whole family.
Blue kitchen cabinet with gray countertop and gray backsplash
It composes with the vibrant tone a light gray, which appears in the stainless steel finish of the countertop, in the backsplash, in the rounded handles and also in the cabinets that occupy the sides of the environment. The floor, in turn, adopts gray cement. The colors are for the striped rug and the accessories - even the food has a decorative effect!
| Poteet Architects |
| 1114 S St Mary's St, San Antonio, TX 78210, United States |
| +1 210-281-9818 |
| https://www.poteetarchitects.com/ |
Gray kitchen cabinet and wood interior accents
| Chris Silveira |
| +55 11 3550-8080 |
| https://www.instagram.com/chrissilveiraarquiteta/ |
Vintage kitchen interior design with exposed concrete wall
The herringbone pattern of the kitchen floor draws attention at first glance. The reason? Among the wood pieces, porcelain tiles were also placed in the dining area, creating a transitional effect in this vintage kitchen interior design. In the decoration, the charm is due to the chosen pieces, marked by the mixture of modern and rustic. In the background, the colorful cabinet reveals washed tones of grey, cream and salmon. "This concrete wall was discovered on site. Perfect for this kitchen", describes the architect.
| MM18 Arquitetura |
| R. Barão de Tatuí, 302 - Santa Cecilia, São Paulo - SP, 01226-030, Brazil |
| +55 11 2308-4710 |
| http://mm18.com.br/ |
Industrial style pink kitchen
The original ceiling and the pendant lamps add an industrial atmosphere to the decor, complemented by the white countertop with tall stools in the same color.
| Conti, Cert |
| Carrer de Pàdua, 62, 08006 Barcelona, Spain |
| +34 936 39 39 11 |
| http://conticert.com/ |
Country home kitchen with yellow backsplash tiles, light beige cabinet and dark cyan kitchen island in California
In addition to the spacious kitchen island, there is a large quartzite countertop. Cabinet with wide vertical slats comes in a light beige, making the environment even brighter. The vibrant colors are due to the blacksplash, which has yellow tiles, and also at the base of the island, in dark cyan. On the floor, light wood brings warmth.
| Landed Interiors & Homes |
| 2701 Eighth St #201, Berkeley, CA 94710, United States |
| +1 510-866-2399 |
| https://landedinteriors.com/ |
All white kitchen with white appliances, white island and minimalist decor
| JWS Interiors |
| Washington, D.C., United States |
| +1 703 953 9666 |
| https://www.jws-interiors.com/ |
White and light wood cabinets in kitchen with geometric floor
| Iná Arquitetura |
| R. Guarará, 565 - Jardim Paulista, São Paulo - SP, 01425-001, Brazil |
| https://ina.arq.br/ |
Beautiful classic blue kitchen cabinets with grey countertops
The kitchen walls remained with white paint and in the backsplash, around the sink, the surface was coated with Subway Tiles (the famous New York subway tiles). In addition to the intense blue, another detail stands out in the set: the floor received a geometric coating in black and white. No wonder, everyone who arrives at the designer's house is around this beautiful kitchen!
| Marina La-Gatta |
| São Paulo, Brazil |
| +55 11 99664-9947 |
| http://www.marinalagatta.com.br/ |
Natural materials and neutral colors in Scandinavian style kitchen with a wabi-sabi touch
The beauty of the space comes from the contrast between the table and stools sculpted by nature and the straight lines of the countertop in the background. The white Smeg refrigerator follows the unpretentious minimalism, finished with a granite backsplash – a trend that works as a surprise element in the decor.
Kitchen interior combines retro and contemporary references with green cabinets and patterned ceiling
| Marcante Testa |
| Via Valprato, 68, 10155 Torino TO, Italy |
| +39 011 248 9489 |
| http://www.marcante-testa.it/ |
Kitchen with white cabinet, oak hardwood floor and beautiful wooden kitchen chairs
“The proposal for the kitchen, as was the resident's wish, was for it to be organically part of the living area of the house. This is a functional kitchen on a daily basis, and a large sideboard on feast days", explains architect Fernando Paál. "Countertops are in super white quartz and cabinets have white woodwork. The imbuia wood shelf is used as an element to store everyday kitchen things".
Sage green kitchen cabinet in 19th century building
Instead of structural changes, the office focused on the clever use of colors and materials to determine the modern aesthetic, preserving elements such as cornices and friezes. Notice the fully crafted lining decorated with a pendant lamp that exudes the scent of bygone eras. In the background, while the minimalist cabinet works as a storage area for kitchen utensils and accessories, metallic shelves offer an interesting aesthetic contrast.
| Sella Concept |
| 394 Camden Rd, London N7 0SJ, United Kingdom |
| +44 (0)207 609 1555 |
| https://www.sella-concept.com/ |
Scandinavian kitchen in dark tones - grayish green walls and cabinets
A variety of mismatched chairs, including a bench, surround the round table adorned with an elegant candlestick – candles always help to create a hygge mood, as dictated by the Scandinavian lifestyle booklet. Utensils on display also contribute to a casual decor. That's why it's worth taking the rustic boards out of the closet and putting them on display.
| Artilleriet |
| Magasinsgatan 19, 411 18 Göteborg, Sweden |
| +46 31 711 76 21 |
| https://artilleriet.se/ |
Black and white combination ensures spaciousness in minimalist kitchen decor
| Teresa Xu |
| 272 W 115th St, New York, NY 10026 USA |
| https://www.teresaxudesign.com/ |
Kitchen with thick marble cantilever countertop table and mirrored backsplash
At the back, in the sink area, wooden cabinets made to measure for the space house utensils and the pantry. Highlight for the mirrored backsplash, which was specially designed to gently reflect the view of the ocean when the curtains on the balcony, on the opposite side, open. Poetic!
| Decus Interiors |
| 53 Queen St, Woollahra NSW 2025, Australia |
| +61 2 9363 4004 |
| https://decus.com.au/ |
Small kitchen in earthy tones with an oriental touch
| Marianne Evennou |
| 28 Rue Sedaine, 75011 Paris, France |
| +33 6 77 87 79 59 |
| https://www.marianne-evennou.com/ |
Kitchen plants decor - on the countertop, on the floor, hanging plants
Beautiful kitchen with black tiles, light wood cabinets and cobalt blue curtains
Made of marble fragments, the light floor brought more light to the other dark elements. There are two types of cabinets: some in black, occupying the lower part, and others in light wood, in the upper part and on the right side. The round dining table has a pink finish on the base - a color that also appears between the tiles.
| Ater Architects |
| Kiev, Ukraine |
| +380937083430 |
| https://www.aterarchitects.com/ |
Blue and orange in the kitchen. Minimalist kitchen cabinets with combination of colors and textures.
| Colombo And Serboli Architecture |
| Via Laietana, 36, 1º 2º, 08003 Barcelona, Spain |
| +34 653 47 82 21 |
| https://www.colomboserboli.com/ |
Exposed brick wall in the kitchen
Black kitchen with minimalist decor - Hygge style dictates a spacious and bright atmosphere
| Studio Four |
| 1A Mercer Rd, Armadale VIC 3143, Australia |
| +61 3 9822 3222 |
| https://studiofour.net.au/ |
Beautiful kitchen integrated in a tiny home
Tiny homes were successful a few years ago and continue to reinvent themselves, especially among people who love minimalist and sustainable lifestyle. The concept is to create environments making the most of the available space. In this tiny home, this beautiful kitchen ensures fluidity through the use of wood and light coatings that harmonize the environments. Custom furniture is another rule for this type of home: see how the built-in cupboards design the staircase that leads to the bedroom in the upper space. The minimalist decor is highlighted by the entrance of natural light and punctuated with potted plants, colorful kitchen accessories and geometric coatings.
Black kitchen cabinet with dining room
Integrated environments are a constant in interior trends, regardless of generation. The idea of connectivity with the home and use of space allows the creation of smarter and more optimized environments. Here, the black kitchen cabinet integrated with the dining room reinforces the idea of fluidity and appreciation of the entry of natural light, coming from the large windows in the industrial loft. Custom cabinets fill the back wall, creating enough space to store crockery, kitchen utensils and appliances. The dark, bucolic backdrop highlights the earthy-toned furniture and accessories that decorate the dining room. Wooden table, leather, copper and gold make up the palette of the dining area. Potted plants and arrangements with dry foliage complete the aesthetic.
Pink, green and yellow in vintage kitchen
Colorful kitchens are becoming more popular and choosing a palette can help in the decoration process. Here, green fills the walls and custom furniture under the marble countertop to create a backdrop against which other hues will softly pop up. The suspended furniture has doors one of each color, ranging from pink, yellow, peach and nude. Colors also present in the geometric tile that covers the floor. The play of shapes, textures and pastel tones create an incredible vintage kitchen. Pots with plants and cactus complete the decoration.
Shades of green in kitchen design
Color variation takes industrial reference out of the ordinary. Karine Vilas Boas uses color as the main element of her work as a fashion stylist, and this could not be left out of her new home. Juliana Camargo's project, therefore, brought a vibrant palette to the apartment's decor. The main request was to have a fully green kitchen, something the resident had dreamed of for some time. In order to unite her husband's references, which encompassed simple lines and industrial style, to the client's chromatic desire, the architect sought to mix shades of green in the kitchen, using mint green and emerald green for the cabinets and tiles. The gray of the concrete and island countertops bring a maturity to the decor. Exposed blue tableware complements Karine's ultra-colorful aesthetic. There's no way not to be inspired for meals here!
| Karine Vilas Boas |
| R. Maria Curupaiti, 441 - 5010 d - Vila Ester (Zona Norte), São Paulo - SP, 02452-001 Brazil |
| +55 11 99468-0262 |
| https://www.karinevilasboas.com.br/ |
Beautiful kitchen with classic blue cabinets
This beautiful kitchen with classic blue cabinets, chosen as Pantone's color of 2020, is proof that the tone is capable of taking any room from the serious without making it tiring. On the contrary: nuance is capable of awakening calm and confidence, according to Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Institute, in an interview with Forbes. In addition to being present in the upper cabinets and in the cabinets under the counter, the blue that refers to the ocean also appears on the wall next to the window.
The contemporary setting gains complements in the right measure for a balanced result. Wooden table and low stools decorate the dining area, while the backsplash adds a natural texture. Finally, the hardwood floor brings a welcome feeling of warmth.
Minimalist decor, colors and furniture in this beautiful kitchen
Minimalist decor doesn't mean the space has to be monotonous, right? This beautiful kitchen integrated with the dining room takes advantage of the clean lines of the custom cabinetry to create an inspiring space and enhance the decor with elegant details. The upper cabinets could be just white, but the round wooden handles create an interesting visual geometric game. In the center, the wooden niche with glass doors stands out from the light background. The dark green downstairs, the two-tone herringbone wood floor, the gold-finished chandeliers and the elegant furniture make for an incredible combination.
Amber tone in beautiful kitchen decorated with recycled wood and blue furniture
Amber tone predominates in this beautiful kitchen, punctuated by blue furniture. When renovating this house in Melbourne, Australia, the Brave New Eco office not only made the environments brighter, but also bet on sustainability when choosing the materials. The integrated kitchen with custom cabinetry is all decorated with light wood and part of it is covered with recycled battens - note the slatted details on the curved island and a detail of the cabinets.
| Brave New Eco |
| 334 Victoria St, Brunswick VIC 3056, Australia |
| https://www.braveneweco.com.au/ |
Colorful coatings decorate open kitchen design
An Edwardian-style home in England needed an update, and nothing could be more amazing than adding a little color to your everyday decor. 2LG Studio took advantage of the spaciousness of the open kitchen design to play with a mix of coatings and sweet colors: pink tiles fill the walls, while hydraulic tiles with geometric designs cover the floor and the central kitchen island. The colors present there are repeated in the decorative details, such as vases, organizing pots, ceramics and stools. The custom kitchen cabinets were painted light gray to match the rest of the environment and received a wooden countertop. Industrial fixtures and vintage trolley complement the certainly inspiring aesthetic.
| 2LG Studio |
| +44 20 3590 5386 |
| http://www.2lgstudio.com/ |
Kitchen in black, red, gray and wood
Textures of different materials stand out in this project in Rio de Janeiro. Tiles, wooden slats, burnt cement, steel... various materials configure a harmonious mix of textures in this beautiful kitchen with black cabinets designed by Paula Costa Arquitetura in an apartment of 110 m². A collector of old motorcycles and a flamenguist, the owner of the apartment in Leblon had the colors of his passions stamped on this environment.
| Paula Costa Arquitetura |
| Av. Ayrton Senna, 2150 - Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22775-003, Brazil |
| +55 21 98232-2701 |
| https://paulacostaarq.com.br/ |
Contemporary kitchen with brown cabinets
Light wood on the floor and white on the walls enhanced the joinery. When designing this kitchen integrated into the dining room, the interior design office Cecilie Claussen bet on a simple color palette, but paid attention to the bright finishes and details that made all the difference for a contemporary result. The upper half of the visual plane is marked by white, which invades the walls, the hood, light fixtures, countertops and part of the joinery. At the bottom, it is the brown that surprises and sets the tone in the cabinets.
| Cecilie Claussen |
| Akersgata 45, 0158 Oslo, Norway |
| +47 924 05 627 |
| https://www.cecilieclaussen.no/ |
Pink and green in the minimalist kitchen
Cabinet structure works as a partition for the intimate area of the integrated apartment. Inside this small apartment in Berlin, Germany, the architect Ester Bruzkus played with a coordinated color palette to give the feeling of harmony in all spaces. Green and pink come in different versions. In the minimalist kitchen, she chose neo mint for the dining table and pink for the bespoke cabinets. To accompany, light wood and gray finish the light aesthetic that takes advantage of the abundance of light in the space. In addition to the natural functionality of the planned cabinets, its structure serves as a partition for the intimate area. The gray stone countertop and the semi-recessed sink enter the dance of interior trends that make this environment extremely current.
| Ester Bruzkus Architekten |
| Schwedter Str. 34a, 10435 Berlin, Germany |
| +49 30 23597940 |
| https://www.esterbruzkus.com/ |
Beautiful kitchen with blue cabinets, geometric shapes and island with terrazzo top
Central island with terrazzo top brings “print” to the environment. This beautiful kitchen with blue cabinets and geometric shapes is proof that mixing can result in a contemporary and very original design. The vibrant blue of the joinery extends to the top of the wall, while the wet area is tiled in white squares with colored grout. Below it, the cabinets are greyish and equally current.
A good idea from the designers of the Hølte studio, the simple and well-crafted details stand out in the environment. This is the case of the natural wood cabinet, which serves as a pantry and “warms up” the space. Finally, the central kitchen island offers as a surprise element a terrazzo-style recycled marble surface by Altrock. The minimalist luminaire is from London studio Hand & Eye.
| Hølte Studio |
| 16-29 Andrews Rd, London E8 4QF, United Kingdom |
| +44 20 7041 6015 |
| https://holte.studio/ |
Green and pink kitchen with geometric tiles and golden details
Golden details in the accessories and the retro fridge brought even more charm to the environment. Pink is far from going out of fashion in decoration and has been gaining more and more fans of this versatile color that combines with different shades and styles. Art director Dabito, from the Old Brand New studio, is part of this team and used color with a lot of personality when designing this beautiful kitchen.
| Old Brand New |
| http://www.oldbrandnew.com/ |
Beautiful kitchen with light pink cabinets, white walls and light gray flooring
Light pink color coats linoleum surfaces and stands out between white walls and light gray flooring. This kitchen version, created by IKEA in partnership with Reform, responsible for the cabinets, adds monochromatic decor trend to another that emerged a few years ago but is still going strong today: the millennial pink.
The light pink tone was chosen for the linoleum, a material that covers the surfaces of the planned joinery, whether in the lower and upper cabinets and even around the hood. On the floor, subway tiles bring a light gray tone, which does not stand out in the set. The door and the remaining walls have adopted white, and the light fixtures and faucet have a discreet touch of gold. Simple choices that resulted in a charming environment!
White kitchen with pink island and subway tiles
White subway tiles and wooden floors guarantee the light atmosphere of the decor in actress Helene Yorke's apartment. To create a cheerful and welcoming atmosphere, interior designer Susanne Fox prepared an environment with different textures and finishes. Here, the bespoke cabinet has been cut in the middle to house the sink, cooktop and extra storage space. Icon of American kitchens, subway tiles form the backsplash that composes with the island in a soft pink tone, a trend color that has already become a decoration classic. And to warm up the project, the stools and the wooden floor were the big bets.
Kitchen with pink island and brass cabinets
The unlikely combinations of this kitchen designed by Alex McCabe, creator of the Australian bedding brand Kip & Co, a unique space in her home in Melbourne. The ambience demonstrates the perfect balance between modern and bohemian starting with the brass cabinets, which have been hand aged using apple cider vinegar. Just above, a hanging garden with hanging plants takes advantage of the opening to the ceiling, bringing greenery to the interior.
The unusual details of the decor do not stop there. Pink was the color chosen for the concrete island, which invites quick meals on the high stools, while, in the background, the backsplash and countertop receive quartzite coating with natural patterns.
Yellow and blue palette in the modernist kitchen design
Using colors in decoration does not necessarily mean opting for very vibrant tones or a mix of prints. Yes, it is possible to have a minimalist decor using colors, as designer Yaroslav Priadka shows. Mellow yellow fills cabinets and a piece of the wall of this small kitchen, already highlighting the space inside the apartment. The earths follow both the color of the ceiling, an orange brown, and the main walls, with a grayish brown. To break it down, blue comes in as the ideal complement and makes the space a true reference of the modernist palette. The choice of furniture and objects with simple lines does not allow aesthetics to invade maximalism. The dining table's yellow chandelier and geometric rug punctuate the space in an exceptional way.
Modern kitchen in historic building - contemporary furniture contrasts with ornaments and mosaics
This modern kitchen is part of an apartment in a historic building in Barcelona. When revitalizing the six-story building erected in the early 20th century by Spanish architect Francesc Berenguer i Mestres, professionals at the interior design studio Vilablanch invested in contemporary furniture and preserved the property's original features.
To contrast with the ornate ceiling and mosaic floor, the kitchen received stainless steel cabinets and wooden table and chairs with minimalist lines, considered more “serene” elements by the designers. “We opted for an elegant and sophisticated interior design that recovers and values decorative details that are part of the history of modernism”, explain Elina Vilá and Agnès Blanch.
| Estudio vilablanch |
| Carrer d'Amigó, 78, 80, 1º B, 08021 Barcelona, Spain |
| +34 935 51 33 39 |
| https://www.estudiovilablanch.com/ |
Beautiful kitchen with concrete island and kitchen island garden
Inside a historic building in São Paulo, designed by Franz Heep, this beautiful kitchen with a concrete island unites the past with the present in an inspiring way. Felipe Hess, who designed the interiors, renovated the entire environment: white tiles on the walls and hydraulic tiles on the floor form a neutral base for the environment, reinforced by the entry of natural light. The amplitude of the space was taken advantage of by the dynamics of the objects, which are arranged horizontally. The large concrete island houses a cooktop, sink and generous space for preparing and serving meals. Niches were created to keep cookbooks and everyday crockery handy. Next to the main island, a kitchen island garden next to the window grows organic food in a cool way. As the idea was to take advantage of the old apartment in a modern way, the architect integrated the social area and the division of the environments was in charge of the retractable glass doors.
| Felipe Hess |
| Alameda Franca, 1050 - Cerqueira César, São Paulo - SP, 01422-002, Brazil |
| +55 11 3083-5233 |
| http://felipehess.com.br/ |
Mix of wood, steel and concrete in a small kitchen with island
To guarantee amplitude for this small kitchen, Cartelle Design studio integrated the environment with the living room, removing the wall that left the narrow room. Another great way to optimize space is the suspended cellar - if desired, the resident can still place vases with suspended plants in the gap formed. The palette of grey, black and woody follows throughout the space. In the cooktop and sink area, the minimalist cabinets gain more sober tones; in the adjacent structure, with more doors and space for the oven, wood predominates, dividing the kitchen space.
Kitchen with green terrazzo backsplash and light pink cabinet
Some color combinations are so iconic that it's often hard to imagine how they would work separately. This is the case with the palette of this kitchen designed by Andrew Magmet, from the VYMIR Design office. Vivid and light at the same time, the environment combines an elegant shade of earthy green with the softness of light pink present in the closet and in the furniture details. Here, the main protagonist is the terrazzo coating applied to the backsplash.
Strikingly, the material reappears on the island, which extends into an arch-shaped dining table for two. Another interesting tip to delimit environments is the use of different tones. The cooking and dining space, for example, is visually separated by a color divide, with the kitchen floor, walls and ceiling painted green, while soft pink and white terrazzo define the living area.
| VYMIR Design Studio |
| Shevchenka St, 45, Ivano-Frankivsk, 76018 Ukraine |
| +38 099 528 7661 |
| http://vymir-design.com/en/ |
Pink and greyish blue kitchen with built-in cabinet
Few encounters are as thriving as millennial pink and greyish blue. Light and subtle, pink and greyish blue combination used in this kitchen is the main protagonist of the environment signed by the duo Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead, from the 2LG Studio office. Here, the pop palette makes room for the creative use of colors, which are present from the geometric vinyl floor to the countertop with built-in cabinets and a semi recessed sink. To contrast the pastel tones, golden details appear on the furniture, bringing together lamps, stools and a charming tea cart with the same shade. On the walls, hanging shelves were installed to help organize the space.
Marble fills walls and floor in kitchen
Colored coatings are becoming more and more successful in kitchen interior projects. In this kitchen, marble fills the walls and floor, forming a geometric game with a passionate vintage feel. The colors of the plates are repeated in the accessories of the environment, such as crockery and extractor hood. Minimalist furniture complements without interfering too much, since the main protagonist of the space is the coating. The terracotta colored ceiling completes the decoration full of references to the past, but executed in a contemporary and inspiring way.