Our Ultimate Kitchens

Large kitchens are impressive, but can also feel cavernous. Not so in this kitchen. White cabinets and a beamed ceiling draw the space together, creating an inviting and welcoming atmosphere. Cabinets of all shapes and sizes ensure everything has a proper storage place.

Simple white cabinets -- some with four-square glass panels -- come to life against the cheerful green walls. Tunas granite countertops also carry a touch of green, while creamy butterscotch subway tile adds color to the backsplash. Red accessories and decorative items add to this dreamy space.

Bright sunlight highlights the standout features of this kitchen. Polished white surfaces gleam elegantly. Recessed paneled cabinets and white woodwork add texture and depth to the room. Reflective elements, such as stainless-steel appliances and chrome barstools, add sparkle and shine. The walk-in white pantry is another touch of luxury.

A spacious 31-x-16-foot kitchen is tailored to cooks and guests alike. The roomy work zone gives the cook elbow room and counter space. The island and adjacent eating area provide an area for guests and family to chat with the cook without being in the way. Sky blue walls, white cabinets, and rich woods create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Classic designs meld with contemporary lines to form this standout kitchen. The decorative mullions and muntins on the window as well as the stainless steel-track lighting and fixtures all epitomize Art Deco style. The honey-colored wood's organic grain and lustrous finish add movement so the expanses of wood don't appear overwhelming or static.

Breathtaking Rocky Mountain scenery inspired this nature-infused kitchen. A rich palette of colors and textures reflects the mountainous surroundings of this kitchen. Rustic red walls and warm cherrywood cabinets coordinate with a coppery glass tile backsplash. The sparkling tiles pick up the green, blue, and gold in the Verde Peacock granite countertops.

A pastel color takes on a new personality when paired with modern elements. Mint green in various hues comprises the tile backsplash. Beech cabinets generate warmth and sophisticated stainless steel gives a sleek finish to the space.

A striking combination of rich colors and textures warms up this once dim and gloomy kitchen. Dark walnut cabinets with ribbed-glass inserts complement zebrawood-fronted cabinets. The stripes in both elements generate a cohesive look. Dishes and other small accents lend a powerful boost of color and character.

Who says traditional style has to be formal and by the book? Bold pops of yellow and red add modern flair, but the kitchen design stays faithful to Colonial simplicity and elegance. A work island, reminiscent of a Colonial table, adds storage and counter space. Nantucket-style cabinetry and a hammered copper sink also bring in rich traditional touches.

Kitchens are a gathering place for guests and family alike. This black-and-white space welcomes everyone in style. Touches of metal add contemporary flair to the classic color combination. Stainless steel extends from the appliances to the sink and faucet to the cabinet hardware.

Steeped in historical character, this kitchen looks as if it has stood the test of time. Smart material choices give the kitchen timeworn qualities, but with modern savvy. Unmatched elements, such as the vintage-style French range and furniture-style cabinetry, look as if they were added over time. A light-and-dark color scheme enhances the timeless character.

The ocean views from this kitchen are stunning and the inside is equally beautiful. Sparkling granite countertops and rich wood cabinets are graceful and refined. A beachy blue back-painted glass backsplash infuses the space with color. A partition with a ship-inspired porthole separates the dining room and kitchen, adding another nautical touch.

Elegant materials, such as limestone countertops and beaded-board paneling, infuse this kitchen with panache. But vintage style relaxes the formality. Vintage-inspired appliances and finishes, along with doses of red, dot the room. In this ultimate kitchen, style meets functionality. Customized storage cabinets and a spacious layout maximize usability.

This kitchen takes its cue from the early-1900s Tudor mansion it calls home. Exposed ceiling beams, furniture-look cabinetry, and subtle moldings are classic Tudor elements brought to life in this modern-day kitchen. A period-pattern backsplash and farmhouse sink lend a touch of authenticity.

From hand-finished hardware to hand-painted tiles, this kitchen captures a sense of natural artistry. Noticeably absent from the kitchen are upper cabinets. But an antique bread cabinet serves as storage. The unit maintains the country-French style created by details installed throughout the kitchen, such as plaster finishes and blue and yellow accents.

The crown of this kitchen, an amoeba-shaped ceiling soffit, is only the beginning fun and funky characteristic in this kitchen. The L-shape island showcases collectibles on open shelves and also serves as prep and eating areas. Amber-colored pendant lights coordinate with the honey-hued Italian walnut cabinets.

A few bold moves transformed this blah kitchen into a contemporary masterpiece. Dark wood floors and cabinets are brightened with a punch of red. Unique building materials also make this kitchen a standout. Walls rebuilt from recycled and antique glass allow light to flow through the open floor plan. Slate countertops and stainless-steel appliances lend a sleek and sophisticated air.

White cabinets are a current favorite in kitchen design. But the elegant element quickly becomes passe without a little bit of personality. In this kitchen, copper livens up the room with old-world ambiance. Penny-colored walls and copper pots are the immediate standouts. But if you look closely, the countertop, wood, and brick all have copper hues.

Traditional French and contemporary American styles are as different as night and day. The unexpected pairing combines the best of both styles in this kitchen. Creamy cabinetry with an antique glaze resembles French furniture. Elements such as the tile backsplash and European-style cast-iron stove are distinctly French. But the kitchen's function is fully contemporary American with abundant storage in the cabinetry and center island.

This Dutch Colonial kitchen has a warm and homey, farm-kitchen feel. Creamy white cabinetry mingles with the pale blue island base and Delft-tile backsplash. Pulled up to the island, two wicker chairs and a wooden magazine rack play up the cozy country feel.

With their large, spacious shelves, ornate architectural details, and cozy atmosphere, vintage libraries offer kitchen-design inspiration too good to pass up. Traditional Gothic fretwork, leather barstools, and a fireplace are all elegant library touches. White hues offset the handsome, dark mahogany wood and add a contemporary edge.

Kitchens often serve as an entertaining showplace and an everyday gathering place. A well-thought-out design helps a kitchen serve both functions. Here, the cabinetry and woodwork is rich and detailed. But the creamy glazed wood is casual. The island is painted a traditional hue of sage green but is accented with bright and fun kitchen accessories.

Old-world appeal is at its finest in this kitchen. Every detail and design element transports you to Tuscany. Earthy hues serve as the basis for the color palette. Patterns and textures on the tile, floors, and counters continue the Tuscan theme. Rustic patinas, such as the distressed and glazed cabinets, complete the charming kitchen.

Asian design and natural inspiration come together to create a calming and urbane kitchen. Light and dark elements -- including the dark island and light Alaskan cedar and bamboo cabinetry -- reflect the kitchen's Asian influence. Earthy elements are introduced with limestone counters and a bamboo-like pattern backsplash above the range.

Often, a kitchen's charm and grace are found in the details. Egg-and-dart molding, ornate corbels, and beveled-glass-front cabinets are all standout features that refine this kitchen. Painted maple cabinetry with a coffee-color glaze, fleur-de-lis backsplash tiles, and wrought-iron chandeliers give the kitchen a French flair.

A true classic never goes out of style, as this tres chic kitchen proves. This kitchen's traditional French style boasts serious staying power. Decidedly French details, such as an arch motif and blue accents, parade around the kitchen. White cabinetry and silver hardware are paired with professional-grade appliances. Details such as a subway tile backsplash and elegant accessories complete the timeless look.

To make a kitchen stand out, add unique elements with a wow factor. The classic raised hearth is used for heat and food prep. Geometric red tiles comprise a backsplash with pizzazz. The clean lines of the cabinets and hardware add a contemporary vibe to the fun, family-friendly kitchen.

Every detail of this French-inspired kitchen exudes elegance. The neutral color palette of rich brown and airy creams is dressed up with texture. A tumble-marble tile backsplash and distressed cabinets add depth. The room is crowned with a decorative paint-and-glaze finish on the walls, resembling old-world plaster.

White cabinets, white walls, and a white island counter are chic and elegant. But if it were not for the heavier wood elements, the kitchen would be lost in a cloud of white. A dark cherry island and dark countertops make the spacious room feel more proportionate. Their large size anchors the room, giving the kitchen a sense of balance.