Take a virtual trip to 12 countries, including India and Russia, to see the most popular kitchens.
This kitchen by Stéphanie Michel-Girard of Wom Design became the most-saved photo in France in March and remained among the most popular photos throughout the year. The muted green of the cabinets and in the terrazzo floor highlight a trend toward soft, natural colors that was popular in France in 2020.
The team at ASE Wohnkultur used stylish gray cabinet fronts — gray is trending in Germany these days — in this kitchen inside a converted barn. The island counter was fabricated from an oak tree on the property. The wood trim, panels and niche backing are also solid recycled oak.
This kitchen embodies what Indians are loving in their kitchens right now: pristine surfaces, glossy and reflective finishes and a neutral palette. “The client wanted a seamless kitchen and a lot of storage space,” says Atreyee Adhikary, founder and head of design of De Panache, a Bangalore-based design firm. The designers fused the homeowners’ sophisticated taste with subtle drama through the contrast between beige, gray and white.
Recessed and undercabinet lighting heighten the effect. The backsplash is lacquered glass. Doors are re-polishable acrylic polymer and the countertop is made of artificial marble with a beveled edge.
Houzz editors in the United Kingdom and Ireland predicted that green kitchens would be popular in 2020, and this space proves them right. It was the owner who came up with the color choice, says designer Declan Keane of Celtic Interiors. “[The owner] knew herself what she was going for and immediately chose the double Shaker doors that we manufacture,” he said. “She was also confident that our new bottle green shade was what she wanted.”
The earthy tones of the exposed brick wall complement the green, while bright white quartz countertops enhance the colors.
This space from LAKD highlights several things Italians are looking for in a kitchen: clean, white fixtures; warm wood; and mix-and-match square vintage tiles.
But this photo was especially loved (and saved) by Italian homeowners for the kitchen’s connection to the outdoors. In fact, “kitchen with a view” was one of the most-searched phrases in Italy this year.
Architect Jun Kato of Jun Kato Architectural Office took inspiration from the homeowner’s walnut furniture to design the left wall of kitchen cabinetry shown here. The owner loves to cook, and this kitchen offers plenty of storage space for ingredients and equipment. Dedicated undercounter space for the garbage bins hides them from view from the nearby dining room.
The combination of wood and gray cabinets makes for an elegant kitchen in this apartment in the center of Valencia. The kitchen, designed by OSB Arquitectos, opens onto a large terrace to create an expansive space full of natural light.
The main draw is the island, which has plenty of storage and a breakfast zone with room for four stools. A large pantry (at the left of the photo) includes cabinets and room for small appliances. The open wood shelving embedded in the cupboard provides warm contrast to the gray tones of the finishes.
This kitchen from Furze Architecture & Design showcases a restrained, refreshing eclecticism. The designers used a palette of white and wood, then introduced various textures through ribbed lighting, brick island backing, chevron flooring and leafy views through a window behind the range.
This space by Anna Zueva remained one of the most popular Russian kitchens all year. The design brings together trends currently in demand among Russian homeowners: moody colors with a touch of gray and natural wood, unusual tiles and clean lines.
Designer Sarah Mailer created a balance of contrasts in this stylish kitchen, with a “combination of classic and contemporary, the pairing of dark and light and the layered, textural mix,” she says. The custom cabinets feature antiqued brass hardware that complements the brass finish on the three island pendants.
This kitchen by Melinda Woodruff of M Woodruff Design in Annapolis, Maryland, has a number of appealing design details. White cabinets and countertops create a light and airy feel, while a gray ceramic backsplash adds movement and pattern. But it’s the hardworking walnut island that really grabs attention. A slim shelf below the 3-inch quartz countertop, which resembles white Macaubas quartzite, provides storage space for the homeowners’ laptop and other items for working from home. Outlets at the back of the shelf allow devices to be charged. Drawers on the end hold paper and other supplies.
Living Your Lifestyle & Owning It! 
This home in Brisbane, on the country’s east coast, embodies the kind of lifestyle to which so many Australians aspire. Its mix of classic elements like the black-and-white color palette, marble counters and backsplash, and refined Hamptons style create a solid feel with a light look. Renovated by Bella Vie Interiors, the kitchen is perfect for the subtropic climate of the region — and sturdy enough for a growing family.