Beachy Kitchen Ideas

Meet the Owner

With kids coming home from college and law school, Stacey Hughes wanted a kitchen with enough room for everyone to gather and cook in. She wanted a simple, clean look, with a few surprises. Essential elements for creating this style include lighting, open space, glass and color.

Easy Access Shelving

Open shelving was a must in this kitchen. The design allows for easy access to everyday kitchenware and dishes, as well as an airy display area for beautifully beachy green glass jugs. “I had my doubts at first, but [the shelves] are so convenient and give the room such an airy feel that now I can’t imagine a kitchen without them,” Hughes said.

Next: more examples of coastal kitchens with open shelving. 

Shelves That Float

In this simple kitchen, green subway tiles run all the way to the ceiling. Open shelving seems to float on the tile and provides extra storage, while sconces are great for task lighting.

Objects of Art

With open shelving instead of cabinets, plates and cookware become objects of art. Use the highest shelf for real art objects instead of cooking supplies.

Take a Chance with Bold Color

Choosing a bold color like bright blue for the kitchen island is a risky decision. However the payoff is obvious. The striking color gives the neutral space energy. “Do something outside your comfort zone—the biggest risks often yield the greatest rewards,” Hughes said.

Next: more examples of colorful coastal kitchens. 

The Color of Tiki

Retro yellow tiki-tiles almost look like bamboo. By keeping the rest of the kitchen neutral, the bright yellows are the feature of this kitchen.

Bright Island Shades

The bright green kitchen island pumps up the energy of this neutral beachside kitchen. The hula skirt sink skirt doesn't hurt either.

Airy, Industrial Barstools

"The open backs on these metal barstools maintain the kitchen’s airy feel, Powell said. At the same time, their simple lines and industrial look offer a fresh interpretation of a traditional piece."

Next: more kitchens with similar barstools.

Keep it Flowing

Open-backed metal barstools are the perfect seating option for this kitchen. The open, casual design keeps everything flowing from the cooking area to the adjacent family room.

Clean Look

Bright lights and a simple palette of green, blue, white, and stainless steel create a clean look and a handsome foil for the curvilinear barstools.

Opt for Eye-catching Hardware

Instead of your run-of-the-mill brushed chrome cabinet knobs, choose brightly colored hardware that injects personality into the room. The cerulean blue against a white background is reminiscent of cool swimming pools on hot days.

Next: more kitchen cabinet and drawer hardware with character.

Hot Hardware

Simple drawer and cabinet hardware just wouldn't do in this brightly colored kitchen. Dark green glass pulls are a small touch, but absolutely necessary in this space.

Unexpected Style

Off-white drawer pulls that match the cabinets would have been the obvious choice in this kitchen. However, bright yellow-gold hardware is an unexpected touch that gives the room some serious style.

Seashell Inspired Tile

Instead of typical 3- x 6-inch ceramic tiles for the backsplash, Powell chose 1 x 2 iridescent glass tiles that sparkle like pearlescent abalone seashells. “What I love most about the tile is its versatility. Because it picks up every color around it, the tile works anywhere,” she said.

Next: more unique tile choices.

Ocean Glow

Small square tiles in ocean shades of blue and green make this kitchen glow and sparkle, just like the sea.

Subtle Sheen

White, pearlescent tiling along this kitchen's backsplash is quite subtle, yet gives the space a sophisticated sheen.

Lighting with Purpose

Powell reinvented vintage elements by varying their scale and finish to create a kitchen that’s both classic and unexpected. These strong silver pendant lamps keep with this idea and are casual enough to work in a beachy space. “Create distinct light sources to illuminate every surface,” she said.

Next: more use of distinct lighting.

Make a Statement

Wicker isn’t just for chairs – these statement-making Italian lamps add coastal style in a creative way.

Delicate Light

A capiz shell light fixture doesn't take over this soft kitchen. The delicate shell pieces reflect the natural light coming through a skylight.

Clutter-free Design

All of this openness and airiness required that clutter be kept to an absolute minimum. “To keep the countertops below the open shelves clutter-free and minimize traffic between the island and the range, I designed workstations like the coffee bar next to the fridge,” says Powell.

Next: more clutter free kitchens.

Hidden Kitchen

This home's kitchen is cleverly hidden behind a tall island made of whitewashed cedar panel cabinets.

Keep it Neat

Polka-dot and striped china transform these shelves into a focal point in this kitchen. By keeping them out in the open, you're forced to keep these items neat, rather than a cluttered mess hidden inside a cabinet.

The Wonder of Wood Floors

A beach house isn’t a beach house unless it has wood floors. The wood floors bring the feeling of a back deck or porch inside. Reclaimed or live plank wood adds instant beachy character.

Next: more beachy wood floors.

A Touch Rustic

Dark brown wood floors pick up the colors of the copper range hood, giving this sophisticated Gulf Coast kitchen a touch of rustic style.

Not Too Hard, Not Too Soft

Also designed by Powell, the wood floors in this kitchen roughen up the soft kitchen.