The Most Popular Kitchen Designs From Around the World

While there’s something to be said for appreciating local flavour, spending too much time admiring our own backyard puts us at risk for design tunnel vision, especially when it comes to the place where we gather to share meals and memories: the kitchen. Instead, cleanse your palate with a little global inspiration. This gallery of popular kitchen designs from around the world is sure to whet your appetite with fresh ideas.

white kitchen with brick backsplash and open shelves

Pexels/Dmitry Zvolskiy

1 / 15

Sweden: Out in the Open

Scandinavian design is notoriously minimalistic – as showcased by an affection for minimal, open shelving in the kitchen (with open shelves, there’s nowhere to hide clutter – only room to curate a beautifully designed space).

woman in white kitchen with silver utensil racks on while-tile wall

Getty Images

2 / 15

Japan: Hang it Up

Prioritizing simplicity, Japanese kitchens tend to highlight elements of balance, simplicity and efficiency – with kitchens designed to be as practical as they are beautiful. Playing on these ideas, one of the most popular Japanese kitchen trends is in plain view. Hanging utensil storage solutions keep essential tools on hand – and on display – with functional shelving, hooks and magnetic racks.

kitchen with blue handle-less cabinets and stainless steel appliances

Pixabay/Gustavo Godoi Gustavo

3 / 15

Japan: Hands Free

Simplicity is also key when it comes to the most popular Japanese kitchen cabinet designs. Traditional Japanese kitchens tend to favour the use of paper or wood shoji screens in cabinet doors, while a more modern spin on this clean-lined aesthetic opts for hinged cabinets that have no handles – creating a contemporary look that still reflects tenets of minimalism.

modern kitchen with concrete backsplash and blue lighting

Unsplash/Rustic Vegan

4 / 15

UK: Industrial Equipped

A stylish twist on popular minimalist aesthetics, many British kitchens incorporate sleek, industrial-inspired design elements like concrete, stone and exposed brick. Highlighting materials in homage to their natural state, streamlined industrial looks create a kitchen that’s contemporary and surprisingly fresh.

three metallic pendant lights in all-white kitchen with centre island

Pixabay/Ryan Doka

5 / 15

UK: The Swing of Things

Statement-making lighting is swinging into more and more UK homes, with pendant lights dropping into many modern kitchens. From clean and simple to elaborate and ornate, pendant light fixtures add glamour to the heart of the home.

white kitchen with red cabinets and terrazzo floor

Getty Images

6 / 15

Germany: Takes on Terrazzo

In Germany, one of the most popular ways to include colour in the kitchen is with terrazzo tile. Terrazzo – a composite material that’s made using a mix of materials like marble, quartz, granite or glass – creates a unique, multi-hued effect that’s both bold and classic. From flooring to backsplashes, terrazzo finds a home in many chic German kitchens.

kitchen with a mix of wood cabinets and centre island with wire bar stools

Pixabay/Giovanni Gargiulo

7 / 15

Australia: An Au Naturel Feel

Many contemporary Australian kitchens bring a modern touch to natural materials like timber, with designs blending elements inspired by (or straight from) the ocean, beach or forests for a more natural look and feel.

HGTV Canada

8 / 15

Ireland: Greens to Envy

Green is commonly considered one of the national colours of Ireland, so it makes sense that it’s making a splash in kitchens across the country. From deep jewel tones to modern matte hues, green is a popular way to add colour to the kitchen in Ireland.

open-plan kitchen with black cabinets and white counters

HGTV Canada

9 / 15

USA: Black-Out Cool

Fade to black: from matte black fixtures to inky gloss cabinets (like the mid-shine black cabinets used in this Nashville home featured on Masters of Flip), bold black design elements are in demand in kitchens across America. Think of it as the LBD for the kitchen: everyone looks good in black.

HGTV Canada

10 / 15

Italy: Going Grey in the Best Way

Speaking of colour (or lack thereof), Italian kitchens are increasingly favouring a new neutral palate, with shades of grey cooking up some seriously chic designs. From deep charcoal to soft greige, grey is a stylish alternative to the ever-popular all-white kitchens, without being too bright.

kitchen with wood cabinets with frosted glass panels

Getty Images

11 / 15

Italy: Cool Cabinets

Another popular kitchen design detail in Italy? Frosted glass. Touches of frosted glass adds an ultra-modern touch to kitchen cabinets and doors, adding dimension to the overall effect (without requiring a totally tidy interior at all times).

geometric kitchen backsplash in kitchen with lavender cabinets

HGTV Canada

12 / 15

United Arab Emirates: Statement-Making Splashes

In an area known for luxe style and bold opulence, it makes sense that more and more Dubai kitchens are looking to backsplashes as works of art. Intricate backsplashes with unique patterns, vibrant colours or unconventional materials add creative flair to the kitchen.

kitchen with white upper cabines and black lower cabinets

HGTV Canada

13 / 15

India: Two Tones

Double the colour, double the style. Two-toned kitchen cabinets are becoming a staple in modern Indian kitchens, giving homeowners an opportunity to shake up the look of their space. Whether using a neutral hue on the top cabinets and jewel-tone on the bottom or mixing and matching a few distinctive colours, the possibilities are endless.

Pixabay/ErikaWittlieb

14 / 15

Denmark: Go Green(ery)

Plants bring life to any living space – especially the kitchen. Denmark decor style tends to veer on the side of Scandi minimalism, but more and more stylish setups are featuring plants and greenery in the kitchen for pops of colour and freshness.

wooden cabinets with ornate hood range in kitchen with granite countertops

Pixabay/Solomon Rodgers

15 / 15

France: Home on the Range

In many French kitchens, the stove is the centre of activity – which is why French-style hood ranges tend to be a focal point in the room. From ornate designs that match the cabinetry to luxe metallic contrast pieces, hood ranges are works of art for many French kitchens.