What's Your Kitchen Decorating Style?
The choices you make in the kitchen reflect your lifestyle as well as what you love
If you’re unsure which kitchen style best suits your needs and inclinations, see what strikes a chord below and you’ll be well on your way to making a decision. For some it’s a no-brainer, but for others it can take some deliberation to see which style best matches their personality type. Life circumstances also come into play, so be sure to factor in these practicalities both now and into the future.
Modern and refined. You’re busy and successful and you like a home to streamline your to-do list – pronto. Your kitchen is the epitome of contemporary good taste, and every up-to-the-minute feature has been coordinated by a professional.
Artsy and eclectic. You’re a free spirit more likely to flourish in creative pursuits than a regimented environment, and the idea of flying by the seat of your pants appeals more than sticking to a routine. You can mix and match materials to your liking and somehow it just works. Pops of colour brighten your day, and you can’t see why vintage finds can’t sit perfectly alongside the most modern of designs.
Cheerful and positive. Why go for a bland or boring kitchen when you can ditch the neutrals for a sunny yellow or fire-engine red that really makes you feel alive. You’re an optimist who sees life’s ups and downs as opportunities to grow. The brighter the better in your kitchen, but you know when to draw the line. Tempering all that colour with some darker tones keeps your feet on the ground.
Family first. Making lunches, helping with homework and signing permission slips amid the hustle and bustle of kids clamouring around the kitchen all talking at once is just the way you roll. And you wouldn’t have it any other way. Your kitchen is designed for a crowd – not just your own family but also drop-ins and sleep overs, too. The more seats the better, and a spacious clearway around the island bench is a must to prevent traffic jams.
A little bit country. Gathering ingredients for dinner at a cobblestoned village market before deftly preparing a meal for friends and family at your farmhouse in Provence is your idea of heaven, but in the meantime you strive to recreate the mood at your house. A farmhouse sink goes without saying, and a collection of all-white crockery in glass-fronted cabinets makes you feel right at home.
Industrial. Stylish and a little eccentric, you’re a one-of-a-kind individual comfortable with who you are. A coffee maker is a kitchen essential, and whether you’re in the mood for cooking up a feast or just want to nibble on a piece of Vegemite toast for dinner, your kitchen has to go with the flow.
Asian inspired. Sleek open spaces give you room to breathe and expansive benchtops make you feel at peace. You keep clutter well away from your minimalist kitchen.
Upmarket tropical. You’re a beach goer who is all about a healthy, active lifestyle. A kitchen that brings the colours of the ocean home from the beach makes you feel free, but you have an eye for the finer things in life, too. Marble and European tapware all the way.
Empty nester. You need room to accommodate the family when they come to stay, but don’t want to sit at an empty table between visits. This eat-in kitchen is just the thing for a one or two-person householder who likes to entertain.
Traditional. You love that the timeless classics are still in fashion but you’re not afraid to move with the times when it comes to minor tweaks. Bench-to-ceiling subway tiling you can live with; anything that strays too far from traditional style you cannot.
Inside outside. You know you have to be inside at least some of the time, but if there’s an opportunity to bring the outdoors in, you’re on to it. A kitchen that sprawls effortlessly on to the deck for al fresco cooking and entertaining is a natural fit.
Mid-century modern. The clean lines and flat-panel cabinetry in your kitchen tie in perfectly with the natural timber, Andy Warhol artworks and Eames chairs in the rest of your home.
French Provincial. Dark marble benchtops paired with a vintage stove and an elegant chandelier take you straight to the French chateau where you know you really belong. Add in some elaborate detailing and you’re ready to whip up a delectable gateau.
Casual and coastal. White cotton, a tan, and a beach towel is all you need to feel comfortable, and your kitchen reflects your simple approach to life. Beachy hues in fresh and bright surrounds make the living easy.
Entertainer’s dream. You’re not averse to a cocktail party, and if there’s an excuse to celebrate with a gathering of colleagues, friends and associates, you’re already emailing the invitations. Expansive and stylish, your kitchen is likely to open up to a butler’s pantry with an extra drinks fridge and room to hide away the mess so you can get on with the party. A double dishwasher and oven goes without saying.
Bold and masculine. Who says a woman’s place is in the kitchen? You wear the pants in this household, and can cook a mean curry, too. This handsome kitchen has it all – it’s dark and broody, but isn’t afraid to shine with the addition of some modern stainless steel lighting, stools and appliances.
Organic delight. Nothing in your kitchen has been touched by a pesticide, and herbs for your hearty and healthy gastronomic creations are within easy reach. Natural timber, room for recycling, and upcycled furnishings and artwork just make sense to you.
Retro. If it’s lime green you love it, and you’re not afraid to reflect your love of the designs of the past … refashioned with a modern twist, of course.
Scandinavian. Expanses of pale timber and abundant natural light are obvious choices for your dream kitchen, and if you can add some hand-crafted chairs of impeccable taste, you’re smiling. With a home that’s eco-friendly and largely unadorned, you’re clear in your ideals and focused on your pursuits.
Cottage charm. Space may be in short supply but the character more than makes up for it in your quaint little kitchen. You’re humble and heart felt and live in the now, and if it’s pretty and practical you’re in love. With the sun streaming in, and the kettle on the boil, does life get any better than this?
TELL US
Which is your favourite kitchen style? We’d love to hear in the comments section below.
TELL US
Which is your favourite kitchen style? We’d love to hear in the comments section below.