2020’s Most Popular Kitchens from Around the World
Take a virtual trip to 12 countries to see the most-saved kitchen photos on Houzz last year
Great kitchen design is often in the details. Just look at these most-saved kitchen photos of 2020 – you’ll see how calming colour palettes, just-right hidden storage, eye-catching tiles and other clever elements can elevate a kitchen to something stylishly beyond the sum of its parts.
France
This kitchen, designed by Stéphanie Michel-Girard of Wom Design, became the most-saved photo in France in March and remained among the most popular photos throughout the year.
The muted green of the cabinets and in the terrazzo floor highlight a trend towards soft, natural colours that was popular in France in 2020.
This kitchen, designed by Stéphanie Michel-Girard of Wom Design, became the most-saved photo in France in March and remained among the most popular photos throughout the year.
The muted green of the cabinets and in the terrazzo floor highlight a trend towards soft, natural colours that was popular in France in 2020.
Germany
The team at ASE Wohnkultur brought grey – on trend in German kitchens right now – into this cookspace in a converted barn. The trim, panels and niche are in solid recycled oak, while the cabinet fronts are made of easy-to-maintain, anthracite-coloured Fenix.
The highlight of the 50 sq m kitchen-diner is the breakfast bar, which the designers crafted from an oak tree growing on the owners’ property.
Along with providing all kinds of storage space, the kitchen fulfils the clients’ wish to combine modern design, functionality and the charms of an old building.
The team at ASE Wohnkultur brought grey – on trend in German kitchens right now – into this cookspace in a converted barn. The trim, panels and niche are in solid recycled oak, while the cabinet fronts are made of easy-to-maintain, anthracite-coloured Fenix.
The highlight of the 50 sq m kitchen-diner is the breakfast bar, which the designers crafted from an oak tree growing on the owners’ property.
Along with providing all kinds of storage space, the kitchen fulfils the clients’ wish to combine modern design, functionality and the charms of an old building.
India
This kitchen embodies what Indians are loving in their kitchens right now – pristine surfaces, glossy and reflective finishes, and a neutral palette.
“The client wanted a seamless kitchen and a lot of storage space,” says Anurag Adhikary, principal designer of De Panache, a Bangalore-based design firm. The designers have cleverly fused the homeowners’ sophisticated taste with subtle drama, through the contrast between the beige, grey and white. Recessed and under-cabinet lighting heightens the effect.
The splashback is lacquered glass, the doors are re-polishable acrylic polymer, and the worktop is made of 40mm-thick artificial marble with a bevelled edge.
This kitchen embodies what Indians are loving in their kitchens right now – pristine surfaces, glossy and reflective finishes, and a neutral palette.
“The client wanted a seamless kitchen and a lot of storage space,” says Anurag Adhikary, principal designer of De Panache, a Bangalore-based design firm. The designers have cleverly fused the homeowners’ sophisticated taste with subtle drama, through the contrast between the beige, grey and white. Recessed and under-cabinet lighting heightens the effect.
The splashback is lacquered glass, the doors are re-polishable acrylic polymer, and the worktop is made of 40mm-thick artificial marble with a bevelled edge.
Ireland
Green schemes were on our radar when we gave our trend predictions for 2020 for the UK and Ireland, and here we see the shade used beautifully.
It was the owner who came up with the colour choice, explains designer Declan Keane of Celtic Interiors. “[The owner] knew herself what she was going for and immediately chose the double Shaker doors that we manufacture,” he said. “She was also confident that our new bottle green shade was what she wanted.”
The rich green colour is complemented by the earthy tones of the exposed brick wall, and lifted by a bright white quartz worktop.
Green schemes were on our radar when we gave our trend predictions for 2020 for the UK and Ireland, and here we see the shade used beautifully.
It was the owner who came up with the colour choice, explains designer Declan Keane of Celtic Interiors. “[The owner] knew herself what she was going for and immediately chose the double Shaker doors that we manufacture,” he said. “She was also confident that our new bottle green shade was what she wanted.”
The rich green colour is complemented by the earthy tones of the exposed brick wall, and lifted by a bright white quartz worktop.
Italy
This design from LAKD Kitchen embodies some of the major trends Italians are looking for in kitchens right now: a mix of clean white fixtures and a warm wood touch, balanced with mix-and-match squared vintage tiles.
This photo was especially loved (and saved!) by Italian homeowners for the kitchen’s connection to the outdoors. Not only does lots of light flood in through the window, but there’s a door to the outside terrace.
A kitchen full of light with a getaway spot on the terrace is something many are looking for these days: “Kitchen with a view” was one of the most-searched phrases in Italy last year.
This design from LAKD Kitchen embodies some of the major trends Italians are looking for in kitchens right now: a mix of clean white fixtures and a warm wood touch, balanced with mix-and-match squared vintage tiles.
This photo was especially loved (and saved!) by Italian homeowners for the kitchen’s connection to the outdoors. Not only does lots of light flood in through the window, but there’s a door to the outside terrace.
A kitchen full of light with a getaway spot on the terrace is something many are looking for these days: “Kitchen with a view” was one of the most-searched phrases in Italy last year.
Japan
Architect Jun Kato of Jun Kato Architectural Office took inspiration from a piece of walnut furniture the homeowner had purchased to design the left wall of kitchen cabinetry shown here.
The owner loves to cook, and this kitchen offers plenty of storage space for ingredients and cookware. There’s a dedicated space for rubbish bins underneath the counter, where they’re hidden from view for anyone in the dining room.
Thinking of renovating your kitchen? Find a kitchen designer near you on Houzz, view images of their work and read reviews from previous clients.
Architect Jun Kato of Jun Kato Architectural Office took inspiration from a piece of walnut furniture the homeowner had purchased to design the left wall of kitchen cabinetry shown here.
The owner loves to cook, and this kitchen offers plenty of storage space for ingredients and cookware. There’s a dedicated space for rubbish bins underneath the counter, where they’re hidden from view for anyone in the dining room.
Thinking of renovating your kitchen? Find a kitchen designer near you on Houzz, view images of their work and read reviews from previous clients.
Spain
The combination of wood and grey cabinets makes for a very elegant kitchen in a flat in the centre of Valencia, designed by OSB Arquitectos. The kitchen-diner opens onto a large terrace to create an expansive space full of natural light.
The island is the main draw. It has plenty of storage and a breakfast zone with room for four stools. A large pantry (on the left of the photo) includes cabinets and storage space for appliances. The open wooden shelving recessed in the cupboard provides a warm contrast to the grey tones of the surrounding units.
The combination of wood and grey cabinets makes for a very elegant kitchen in a flat in the centre of Valencia, designed by OSB Arquitectos. The kitchen-diner opens onto a large terrace to create an expansive space full of natural light.
The island is the main draw. It has plenty of storage and a breakfast zone with room for four stools. A large pantry (on the left of the photo) includes cabinets and storage space for appliances. The open wooden shelving recessed in the cupboard provides a warm contrast to the grey tones of the surrounding units.
New Zealand
This kitchen from Furze Architecture & Design showcases a restrained kind of eclecticism that feels refreshing. The designers kept the colour palette simple white with wood, then introduced various textures via the ribbed lighting, the brick facing on the island, the chevron flooring, and the fantastic view of lush foliage through the glass splashback.
This kitchen from Furze Architecture & Design showcases a restrained kind of eclecticism that feels refreshing. The designers kept the colour palette simple white with wood, then introduced various textures via the ribbed lighting, the brick facing on the island, the chevron flooring, and the fantastic view of lush foliage through the glass splashback.
Russia
This kitchen by Anna Zueva remained one of the most popular Russian kitchens throughout the year, to little surprise of Russians. The design brings together trends currently in demand among homeowners there: moody colours with a touch of grey and natural wood, unusual tiles and clean lines.
This kitchen by Anna Zueva remained one of the most popular Russian kitchens throughout the year, to little surprise of Russians. The design brings together trends currently in demand among homeowners there: moody colours with a touch of grey and natural wood, unusual tiles and clean lines.
United Kingdom
The key to success in this stunning kitchen is the balance between opposites. Designer Sarah Mailer says she focused on the “combination of classic and contemporary, the pairing of dark and light, and the layered, textural mix.
“To maximise the space and exploit the ceiling height, we installed bespoke Shaker cabinetry,” she says.
To bring the whole space to life, Sarah also added some antique brass hardware, which has a lovely weathered patina, as well as three striking pendants over the island.
The key to success in this stunning kitchen is the balance between opposites. Designer Sarah Mailer says she focused on the “combination of classic and contemporary, the pairing of dark and light, and the layered, textural mix.
“To maximise the space and exploit the ceiling height, we installed bespoke Shaker cabinetry,” she says.
To bring the whole space to life, Sarah also added some antique brass hardware, which has a lovely weathered patina, as well as three striking pendants over the island.
United States
This kitchen by Melinda Woodruff of M Woodruff Design in Annapolis, Maryland, has many appealing design details. White cabinets and worktops create a light and airy feel, while a grey tiled splashback adds movement and pattern.
But it’s the hardworking walnut island that really grabs attention. A slim shelf below an 80mm quartz worktop, which resembles white Macaubas quartzite, provides storage space for the homeowners’ laptop and other materials for working from home. Outlets at the back of the shelf allow the homeowners to charge devices, while drawers on the end store paper and other supplies.
Tell us…
Which of these kitchens is your favourite? Or do you love one that didn’t make the top spot? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
This kitchen by Melinda Woodruff of M Woodruff Design in Annapolis, Maryland, has many appealing design details. White cabinets and worktops create a light and airy feel, while a grey tiled splashback adds movement and pattern.
But it’s the hardworking walnut island that really grabs attention. A slim shelf below an 80mm quartz worktop, which resembles white Macaubas quartzite, provides storage space for the homeowners’ laptop and other materials for working from home. Outlets at the back of the shelf allow the homeowners to charge devices, while drawers on the end store paper and other supplies.
Tell us…
Which of these kitchens is your favourite? Or do you love one that didn’t make the top spot? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
This home in Brisbane, on the country’s east coast, embodies the kind of lifestyle so many Australians aspire to. Its successful mix of classic elements (the black and white colour palette and marble worktop and splashback) with refined Hamptons style (the pendant lights and details in the joinery) create a solid feel with a light look.
Renovated by Bella Vie Interiors, the kitchen is perfect for the subtropical climate of the region while, practically speaking, it’s sturdy enough for a growing family.