As a Kitchens Editor, I'm constantly looking ahead, whether it's predicting the trends to come or finding new and evolving ways to style and decorate our cooking spaces. But recently, I've been reminiscing and flicking through the Homes & Gardens archives at kitchens past.
It's incredibly valuable to look back and reflect on the styles that once proved most popular and rediscover the designs we marveled over that still feel fresh and totally timeless today. There are so many lessons and ideas we can still take from them.
And as I flicked through the house tours of past issues, I was drawn to the warm, welcoming kitchens that invite you in, feel comfortably elevated, and embody an enduring style. And for me, they are the recipe for the perfect cozy kitchen.
Here are six characterful and charming kitchens that stood out thanks to their warming color palettes, layered design, and considered decor that blend enduring style with homely appeal.
A Pink and Green Kitchen in a Victorian Home
Part of the renovation of an old Victorian house, this characterful kitchen was designed by Emma Ainscough in collaboration with deVOL Kitchens and created a warm and inviting hub in the home. From the charming colors to the collected decor, it's a space we always return to.
'We designed this kitchen from scratch. It was previously located on the lower ground floor, but the house hadn’t been touched for decades, so the kitchen location felt a bit stuck in the past. Our clients wanted the kitchen to be at the heart of the home, so we promoted it to these high-ceilinged, grander-proportioned walls of the raised ground floor,' Emma recalls.
'With kitchens, I always try to ensure that they don’t feel too clinical. This was particularly important with this kitchen to honor its home and architecture, and with it being in the heart of the home on the ground floor, it was important that it felt homely with the rest of the space.'
'To achieve this, we ensured there wasn’t too much full height joinery – we broke this up with low cabinets only, and put the sink in front of the large window overlooking to garden to frame that lovely green view. We also used a combination of different lighting, some quite atmospheric in order to zone the different spaces, and importantly used some antique pendants to soften all the ’new’ that you typically require in a kitchen,' she explains.
'We also played around with materials, using a marble countertop with plenty of strong veining in, accompanied by handmade Moroccan zellige tiles, which add a certain tactility to the space. I think tiles can be really impactful and change the whole feel of a kitchen depending on what you go for.'
'Zellige tiles are all hand-made with beautiful ‘imperfections’ which instantly soften that clinical feel that a kitchen can be at risk of feeling. Also, color – play around with tones, it doesn’t have to be bold tones to make an impact, often soft palettes are more livable, and this soft pink tone contrasts the heavy joinery to further soften the space.'
If you love the light fixture in the dining area of this kitchen, look no further. This pleated linen lampshade is key to a soft, cozy dining nook that takes lighting to the next level.
Emma kept the kitchen island simple in this space, opting for classic wooden stools. If you want to create a similar look, this stool from Rejuvenation is a stylish, timeless, and comfy option.
Emma elevated the mundane features in this kitchen, including the fruit bowl, to something more sculptural. This bowl has a similar feel with the wavy handles and beautifully textured finish.
Every warm and welcoming kitchen needs a brass pot rail – just take a look at Emma's design! This pot hanger is one of the more affordable options that will age over time.
Something as simple as a softly colored pot can create a more inviting feel in a kitchen. Take notes from this kitchen with a pale pink Le Creuset Dutch Oven perched on the cooktop.
Layered lighting instantly adds warmth and ambiance to a kitchen, and sconces are key. If you like the fixtures in Emma's design, this black and brass dimmable sconce has a similar look.
A Moody Kitchen in a Sydney Apartment
Decorating with moody colors is a wonderful way to add warmth and drama all in one sweep. But when we toured with a refined and eclectic Sydney apartment, the kitchen (which we all adored then, and still do now) was well ahead of its time.
Located in a relatively new building, the space was the perfect blank canvas to personalize and elevate to be something more statement. And the kitchen was the perfect place to start.
'We completely opened the space up to the hall and into the dining room to make it feel much more spacious and inviting,' says interior designer Tamsin Johnson, who created a more open feel and better flow in the space, connecting the rooms in a way that makes more sense.
From there, the design focused on textures. The dark wooden floor grounds the room more traditionally and adds to that moodier atmosphere, creating an inviting and all-encompassing scheme.
On the paneled cabinetry and island, color became the star of the show. The deep, burnt red hue feels warm and daring, without overwhelming the space. 'The colors are warm and contrast with the bold stone, creating a lovely little clash of activity,' Tamsin adds.
The Calacatta Viola marble is a beautiful addition – marble countertops and accents are a timeless choice, and the bold veining creates a striking contrast against the softer tones in the space. Silver faucets fade into the background, removing that utilitarian look that can so easily take away from the ease and comfort this space evokes.
Tamsin wasn't afraid to mix metals in her kitchen, and it adds to the space's appeal. Take a leaf out of her design book with this silver serving bowl, perfect for styling everyday essentials.
She also made sure to incorporate natural materials to ground the bold design. As well as the flooring, she's included a vintage wooden stool, very similar to this '60s piece from Chairish.
Why hide your wine in a cupboard when it can be on full display, doubling as decor? Tamsin used wall-mounted bottle pegs in her space – this set of 12 is perfect to recreate the look.
To complete the wine wall, Tamsin included a curved marble shelf above the bottles to store a copper wine bucket. It's slightly more pared-back, but this H&M design has the same elegant feel.
Vintage lighting is always an investment, but it's a real focal point in Tamsin's kitchen. This chandelier isn't an exact match – it never is when you buy vintage – but it's by the same designer.
If you want to bring an air of Tamsin's bold and busy marble into your own kitchen, but perhaps aren't committing to a remodel, smaller accessories, like this marble tray, are a stylish alternative.
An Elevated Farmhouse Kitchen in an English Country Home
Modern farmhouse kitchens may have fallen somewhat out of favor, but the more classic, more rustic iterations never will. It's a style that's humble, layered, and in the case of the kitchen in this contemporary farmhouse, quietly elegant.
'The previous kitchen was very modern and didn't work well at all with the heritage of the house. We designed a more traditional shaker kitchen with a large butler sink, which was much more fitting to the architecture and period of the house,' explains designer Angus Reid.
'The Calacatta Borghini marble plays a major role here. The kitchen island is huge, and there is a lot of work surface space. So it was important we chose a stone with warm tones. The Borghini has lovely warm veining throughout, which is subtle but adds interest,' he adds.
'The cabinetry was painted in a warm stone color. Whilst the color is neutral, it adds warmth to the space. We used reclaimed Delft tiles, which had the perfect amount of imperfections!
Layering and texture come into their own in this kitchen. The stone floor tiles feel perfectly imperfect, as though they've been imprinted by history; the zellige backsplash tiles' irregular form bounces light most uniquely, and wooden ceiling beams add further warmth and character.
And then there's the decor that creates interest and personality, from the single open shelf reserved purely for accessories, the garden trug basket filled with foraged foliage, and a vintage lamp to add ambient lighting on gloomy evenings. It's these small details that signal this kitchen is lived-in and loved.
Inviting kitchens make you want to look around and make yourself at home, and Angus has created that sense with elevated essentials. This black terracotta bowl is the perfect piece to create the look.
Natural, organic materials are ever-present in this kitchen, most notably through wooden cutting boards. If you like the light wood and thin profile shown in Angus's space, this tray is for you.
Angus has chosen a very simple fixture in his design, but it really works, allowing the other materials to have their moment. This almost industrial-style pendant light is a near match.
Nothing says lived-in style like functional pieces doubling up as decor. In this case, a garden trug basket filled with foliage on full display. This charming Walmart find is an absolute steal!
Angus has opted for a vintage lamp in this kitchen – a chic way to create a warmer light. This rejuvenation lamp is a close match, even if it's not vintage. Perfect for displaying on your countertops.
The tiled backsplash is a standout feature – the way the lights hit the irregular profiles of the tiles is so chic. And it's so easy to recreate – these glossy wall tiles are exactly what you need for the job.
A Californian Craftsman's-Style Kitchen
The darker wood tones and the heritage features of Craftsman kitchens always invoke a cozier atmosphere, and this Craftsman-style home by Heidi Caillier is a case in point. The kitchen is filled with wood tones – both light and dark – soft textures through the cafe curtains and rug, and vintage-inspired motifs.
A kitchen filled with dark wood tones can easily feel gloomy, but this space proves that with the right mix of colors, tones, and materials, it can be a bright and inviting scheme. And during the redesign, adding the island and updating the lighting made a huge difference to both the style and function of the space.
'It felt like such a big, empty room without an island to anchor it. I also wanted it to be something different than the cabinets so that it felt like it was added to over time,' explains designer Heidi Caillier.
'Wood cabinets, when done right, can really make a kitchen feel warm. Kitchens are normally all hard finishes, so the wood goes a long way to bringing in that organic element. We often do wood countertops for this reason. The handmade tile also brings an element of interest that draws you in,' she explains.
The open storage throughout the kitchen, from the shelves to the island, creates a lived-in look that instantly feels less formal and fussy, while collected vessels in various designs filled with fresh fruit and seasonal blooms add a sense of personality to the space.
For Heidi, the kitchen lighting is a true success story in the space. 'I love small-scale pendants over a kitchen island. I don't like big statement pendants. These feel functional and charming and are the perfect touch for this space.'
The warming tones of the rug in Heidi's design are so striking, and I've found a close match at Wayfair. It's a flatweave design with a line-detail decoration, ideal for any style of kitchen.
Lighting was so important to Heidi throughout this design, and she settled on deVOL's pleated porcelain lights. They add lovely texture and vintage style without taking over the whole room.
No kitchen needs light to be blocked out entirely, but diffusing it or adding privacy makes sense. Heidi chose cafe curtains – Anthropologie's offerings always go down well with our editors.
She's decorated the shelves so beautifully in this kitchen, including a vintage stoneware jug, which adds rich color and old-school style. This just is in the same style and color – a close match.
Another thing displayed on the shelves that feels more unique and considered is the glass carafe in a cane sleeve. It looks like another vintage find, but this Target find is a great way to get the look.
Another element of Heidi's lighting scheme was the ceiling fixtures. She went classic with aged metallic flush mount fixtures, not dissimilar from this Shoppe Amber Interiors design.
A Sensitively Modernized Victorian Townhouse Kitchen
When the homeowners moved into this Victorian townhouse, the proportions were all off. It was dark and uninviting, and the compact galley kitchen didn't function for family life. That was when interior designer Laura Stephens was called in to transform the space into something far more warm and welcoming.
'We flipped the kitchen from the back of the house to the middle room, where we feel it has made a huge difference in terms of the space. We added an internal window above the sink to let light flow into this darker back room,' Laura recalls.
The kitchen cabinet color is a beautiful element, which helps to brighten and invigorate the space without feeling stark or too bold. This, combined with the natural tones and textures throughout the space, offers a subtle nod to enduring stylish coastal kitchens.
'The elements of wood are essential in adding a sense of warmth to the space. The wooden flooring, but also the dark oak wall cabinets and shelf. I love using rugs in areas where there are lots of hard surfaces,' she explains.
'We used wall lights with fabric shades (which people are often worried about, but in fact really helps to create coziness in kitchen spaces), which is a great way to inject a little color and pattern. Think about using a sisal rug or runner, a more practical option than wool, but one that will help break up expanses of flooring.'
The rug is a stand-out feature in this kitchen, and it's a design from Bombay Sprout. The jute base is elevated by the red and blue decorations – a color combination that screams character.
The open shelving in this kitchen is a subtle yet impactful addition. Recreate the look with this dark wood shelf, complete with gently arched brackets in a brass finish for a timeless look.
Pops of red are ever-present in this blue kitchen, and while the Pooky fixtures used are no longer available, this design isn't far from the original, with a very on-trend gingham pattern.
If you're going to add potted herbs or plants to your kitchen, take notes from this design and embrace terracotta pots. The scallop edge of this planter gives it a little bit more interest.
This kitchen also features a pot hanger, but this time in a more aged finish. If you prefer that patina look, Rejuvenation's rail system is a great option for an aged finish that feels timeless.
Laura also chose to use pans as decor, but in this kitchen, it's all about the green Always Pan. It's an unexpected pop of color, but it brings a touch of contrast to the existing scheme.
A Warm, Layered Family Kitchen
Located in a large Edwardian home, this kitchen needed to be layered and relaxed, not at all boring, yet still functional for everyday family life. And it was a task entrusted to Tiffany Duggan, founder of the London-based design firm Studio Duggan.
And she's transformed the space into an elegantly playful design, where emerald green cabinets, marble countertops, and brass accents combine. And the kitchen layout, complete with one row of wall cabinets, a large island, and a spacious dining area, ticks the boxes for relaxed and functional style.
But the layering really comes through from the decor and how it's been styled. Glass-fronted cabinets give everyday kitchenware and a more styled feel, while open shelving creates a designated place to display arts and decorative mugs that offer a preview into the lives and personalities of those who live there.
And the lighting has been layered to perfection, adding to the warmth and coziness of the design. Rattan sconces above the shelving doubles as a decorative feature and task lighting over the kitchen countertops, while globe pendants above the island offer focused illumination, while also helping to create a sense of separation from the dining area.
But it's the wood tones that really complete the design, and add that natural warmth and texture. The large dining table is the most obvious, a richly toned wood that gains a beautiful patina over time. But in the main kitchen, smaller accents like the rattan light shades and the layered cutting boards tie the whole scheme together.
Everything about this kitchen still feels in style today. From the classic color palette to the organic materials and layered features, it embodies warmth and coziness in the most playfully sophisticated way.
How chic are the rattan wall lights in Tiffany's design? This design from Urban Outfitters is slightly larger than in the original space, but it has the same movable arm for funtion.
Is your kitchen island looking a bit bland? Allow yourself to be inspired by this kitchen and add a rustic clay vase filled with seasonal foliage. This design is a stylishly close match to the original.
Globe pendants are a classic way to light your kitchen island, and if you love the look Tiffany created, these fixtures are much of a muchness, diffusing the light for a warming glow.
Don't forget to layer in wooden accents. Tiffany opted for cutting boards (a designer favorite) in a light wood finish – you can create a similar look with this Zara design, available in a few sizes.
Not every element of your kitchen needs to be bold in color or made from natural materials. Create breathing space in the same way Tiffany has with this Le Creuset black pepper mill.
Tiffany went for a dark wood finish for the bar stools, so we will too! The curved back and dark upholstery of this design really appeals – it's chic while remaining practical in a messy kitchen.
Every one of these kitchens is filled with warmth, character, and coziness, characteristics we all crave from our cooking spaces, especially in the colder seasons. But what makes these designs so special is that embrace enduring style – you can't tell which year any of them were designed. They prove that with the right colors, textures, and approach to design, you can create a kitchen that's equal parts cozy and timeless.
