A Guide to Kitchen and Bath Design Styles

There’s so much choice available when you’re remodeling a kitchen or bathroom. How do you narrow it down to get the best value without compromising on style? Deciding on a look that complements the rest of your home is a good start. This ensures that you are planning a kitchen or bathroom design that you can live with and then accessorize according to your personal taste.

You might be drawn to certain styles without realizing it, so it’s worth researching potential looks to see what you like. Whether you favor dark colors, intricate patterns, organic textures or clean lines in your design, there is a specific style for you. There are also looks, such as transitional or eclectic, where you can combine elements you love from different styles for a result that’s unique to your kitchen design or bathroom remodel.

Our essential guide to kitchen and bath design styles can tell you all you need to know to help make your decisions. The first step is to figure out the layout that best fits your design goals and enhances your home life. Here are the main kitchen and bathroom design layout options.

Kitchen Layout

It’s essential to choose a layout that makes your kitchen operate efficiently, while also complementing your style. If you go for a style that requires you to radically change your kitchen layout, this will add to your budget. This is a wise investment if it increases storage, physical space, and ease of movement in your kitchen remodel.

• Galley Kitchen - cabinets and appliances are situated along opposing walls which maximizes a narrow space.

• One-Wall Kitchen Layout - cabinets and appliances are installed on a single wall.

• L-Shaped Kitchen - this is a perpendicular walled layout, which offers great corner storage opportunities. L-shaped kitchen designs are one of the most functional and popular layouts, as it fits most kitchen sizes and shapes.  

• U-Shaped Kitchen - the U-shaped layout provides an efficient work triangle and maximizes storage with cabinetry on three walls.

• Peninsula Kitchen - this design extends a counter from the wall or cabinetry for increased dining potential, workspace, and storage.

• Island Kitchen - the kitchen island complements other kitchen layouts by transforming extra storage and workstation into a stylish feature in the center of your kitchen design.

Bath Layout

• Full Bath - the typical version of this bathroom layout focuses on one wall with a sink, toilet, shower, and tub.

• Three-quarter Bath - this is a version without the tub, and ideal for a guest or hall bath design.

• Versatile Master Bath - this bath layout places a toilet and sink on one wall that faces a tub and shower. As there is more space, you could install a double vanity, walk-in shower and bathtub, or a shower-tub combo with the extra space reserved for a larger linen closet.

• Privacy - enhance privacy and comfort by placing a toilet where it is obscured by a vanity, half wall, or even in a separate toilet compartment. This is ideal for a busy bath design shared by multiple people.

• Large Master Bath - if you have the space and budget, you can create your dream bath design layout with the fixtures more spaced out to suit your individual style and functional requirements.

• Tub-focused - a bump out to create an alcove for a tub is a luxurious layout that will increase the value of your home. Alternatively, you can create a niche by flanking a tub with custom storage, toilet, or shower compartments.

Once you have decided on your layout you can choose a style that will work within it, suit your taste, and enhance your lifestyle. Here are some of the top kitchen and bathroom design styles.

Contemporary

Contemporary kitchen and bath design takes the best of current trends and technology, combined with clean lines and minimalism. It favors a sleek look that still incorporates character and color. Contemporary design works best with a color palette of just two shades and a minimal amount of strong focal points, rather than too much detail or decor.

Traditional

If you love design detail and embellishment, then a traditional style would suit your kitchen design or bath remodel. Natural stone floors, countertops, and backsplashes along with chandeliers and clawfoot or pedestal tubs are ideal for this look. A traditional style remodel needs soft, romantic colors from nature and their deeper counterparts like dark wood tones for a calm color scheme. This is a good backdrop to a look that embraces antiques, carved surfaces, and detailed molding.

Transitional

Combining the best of traditional and contemporary elements results in the popular transitional style design. It favors classic shaker-style cabinets and sleek versions of traditional features such as chandeliers or sconces. Instead of prioritizing form over function, transitional bathroom or kitchen design focuses on comfort and softness. Organic textures, minimal artwork, and accessories, along with comfortable furniture in neutrals, grays or blues are some ways to bring transitional style into your kitchen or bath remodel.

Coastal

Kitchen and bath design always works well with blues and whites. Coastal style remodels are planned with beach vibes in mind. This style works well in open-plan spaces with white, light-reflective surfaces, especially on floors, countertops, or cabinetry. As well as blue and white, pastels, warm corals and other tropical colors work really well here, bringing warmth and vibrancy. Focus on natural materials such as stone, reclaimed wood, rope, rattan, and river rock to bring calmness and interesting textures. The current trend of brass is also a perfect addition when used in faucets, lighting fixtures and cabinet hardware. Keep accessories nautical with pebbles, shells, and coastal imagery.

Modern

Modern design refers to an aesthetic movement that took place during the early to mid-twentieth century and embodies a minimalist approach to kitchen and bathroom remodeling.  It uses both natural materials and natural light. High-end materials and strong, clean lines make it a structured, functional, and exceptionally stylish look.  Floating vanities, handleless cabinets, and inset lighting mean your surfaces are uninterrupted and low maintenance. Opt for black, white, and neutral shades for a simple yet elegant design.

Craftsman

The Craftsman movement came about as a reaction to the mass production of the Industrial Revolution. The opposite of churned out furniture and fixtures are individually crafted items made from quality materials. This kitchen and bathroom design style focuses on uncomplicated elements with character and individuality. Built-in shelving, oversized windows, reading nooks and stained glass are all found in the Craftsman look. Floors are often hardwood and countertops often natural stone. Geometric clean lines work for lighting fixtures here too. Your color palette should be made up of earthy tones such as grays, whites, greens, and beiges.

Mediterranean       

Mediterranean style kitchen and bathroom remodels owe much to classic Spanish design. It encourages colors evocative of the Mediterranean coast. You can’t go wrong with deep blue, rich orange, warm terracotta, and sunny yellow. The materials you use for your Mediterranean style remodel should be traditional, such as brick, stone, natural wood, and burnished metal. Go for dramatic, oversized lighting fixtures, rustic tables and vessel sinks to add warmth and charm to this look. Walls should be whitewashed with arched alcoves and ceiling beams, so you feel like you’re in sunny climes all year round.

Farmhouse 

Farmhouse style emerged as a popular choice, evocative of a return to simpler times. An updated twist on old school country living, farmhouse kitchen remodels and bathroom designs embrace colors and materials from the great outdoors. Wood and natural stone with open shelving, large tables, and shaker cabinets make for a stylish look that is fuss-free and designed to last.

Industrial

Industrial design focuses very much on functionality but with an urban aesthetic. Materials in an industrial remodel are raw and urban, like iron, steel, and glass. Colors in this style are influenced by the industrial world, so brick red, concrete, rust, and steely gray are all perfect alongside matte black and ceramic white elements.  Keep your bath or kitchen design minimalist with exposed features such as pipes and open storage and have strong lines in places like stainless steel countertops. Glass bricks for partitions and trough sinks bring cool character to this utilitarian look.

Rustic

If you want a rustic kitchen or bath remodel, it’s important to add chic touches such as filament bulbs or open shelving to keep it on track. It’s all about using warm colors and textures and embracing natural materials. Polished surfaces are not for a rustic design, so instead go for distressed, brushed finishes on furniture and fixtures. Combining materials such as a copper faucet with a rustic wood countertop or a wool throw on a distressed leather chair are all ideas that work in a cozy, yet sophisticated, rustic design.

Eclectic

Eclectic design is all about choosing elements of different styles, resulting in a look to suit your taste and needs. Different colors, patterns, and textures can overwhelm a design so choose a unifying theme to keep your design cohesive. Minimalism is the key, along with a strong layout. Custom storage keeps the focus on your design as it reduces clutter. Floor to ceiling cabinets are becoming increasingly popular and are a great way of dealing with the functional aspect of storage as the rest of your design incorporates eclectic elements.

Cottage

Cottage style is an airy and open look that embraces vintage elements alongside soft colors. Imagine creating a country cottage with florals, retro-style appliances and hardware, beadboards, and pedestal sinks. Try whitewashing wooden floors to instantly brighten the space and give it a lived-in feel. Soft furnishings in pretty colors and coastal accessories help to make your functional remodel a stylish retreat.

There is a style out there to suit your kitchen or bath remodel. You can choose one to fit your existing layout or adapt your layout to work with your favored style. It all depends on your budget and how much renovation your space needs.

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, go with a style that expresses your personality and complements the rest of your home decor. Then it will be easy to choose a color scheme, fixtures, fittings, and accessories within the parameters of your chosen style.

At Lang’s Kitchen & Bath, our experienced design experts can take you through the remodeling process, including planning the ideal layout and style, choosing the products to fit your design, and installation. Contact us today and we can make your dream kitchen or bathroom a reality.