12 Essential Ingredients for a Classic Hamptons-Style Kitchen
Discover the traditional, elegant features that set the coastal-style Hamptons kitchen apart
Hamptons-style is coastal and casual, yet elegant and refined. Originally, it took its inspiration from a group of villages called The Hamptons on Long Island, New York, but has come to represent relaxed coastal living, natural materials, classic shapes and lots of natural light. Hamptons-style kitchens reflect this classic, coastal look and are designed and built to last.
1. Architecture
Classic Hamptons architecture features details such as pitched ceilings, exposed beams, timber sarking on walls and ceilings, wood floors, pale colours and lots of light. Consider this when planning a Hamptons kitchen, as it will work best in a house that already possesses some of these features.
Classic Hamptons architecture features details such as pitched ceilings, exposed beams, timber sarking on walls and ceilings, wood floors, pale colours and lots of light. Consider this when planning a Hamptons kitchen, as it will work best in a house that already possesses some of these features.
2. Use of white
White is the perfect choice when designing a Hamptons kitchen, and is loved for its light, reflective quality. This kitchen showcases white in the cabinetry, marble benchtops, lights and window frames.
White is the perfect choice when designing a Hamptons kitchen, and is loved for its light, reflective quality. This kitchen showcases white in the cabinetry, marble benchtops, lights and window frames.
3. Dark wood floors
Dark wood floors are an alternative to light floors in Hamptons kitchens. The dark floor in this kitchen contrasts beautifully against the off-white cabinetry, bar stools, splashback, and chandeliers.
Dark wood floors are an alternative to light floors in Hamptons kitchens. The dark floor in this kitchen contrasts beautifully against the off-white cabinetry, bar stools, splashback, and chandeliers.
4. Frame and panel cabinetry
Traditionally, kitchen cabinets were constructed with a frame around the panel, and these are sometimes called shaker-style cabinets. These cabinets are popular in Hamptons kitchens because of their solid, traditional lines and detailing.
Traditionally, kitchen cabinets were constructed with a frame around the panel, and these are sometimes called shaker-style cabinets. These cabinets are popular in Hamptons kitchens because of their solid, traditional lines and detailing.
5. Blue/green/grey cabinetry
Blue, green or grey painted wood cabinetry provides an interesting alternative to white, and works well in coastal kitchens as it reflects the colours of the ocean.
Blue, green or grey painted wood cabinetry provides an interesting alternative to white, and works well in coastal kitchens as it reflects the colours of the ocean.
6. Marble benchtops
The beauty of marble is undeniable and it comes in a huge range of colours and patterns. It suits the Hamptons look due to its natural, timeless quality. Two popular types from Italy are Calacatta, seen here, with bold veins, and Carrara, with softer, more subtle veins.
The beauty of marble is undeniable and it comes in a huge range of colours and patterns. It suits the Hamptons look due to its natural, timeless quality. Two popular types from Italy are Calacatta, seen here, with bold veins, and Carrara, with softer, more subtle veins.
7. Wooden benchtops
Wood is an alternative to marble and is often chosen for its natural, tactile, organic properties. However, be careful with moisture and heat, and only choose solid hardwood species.
Wood is an alternative to marble and is often chosen for its natural, tactile, organic properties. However, be careful with moisture and heat, and only choose solid hardwood species.
8. Ceramic tile splashback
Choose ceramic tiles for the splashback, such as these small grey subway tiles. They come in a variety of colours and can be square, rectangular, hexagonal, or penny rounds.
Choose ceramic tiles for the splashback, such as these small grey subway tiles. They come in a variety of colours and can be square, rectangular, hexagonal, or penny rounds.
9. Bar stools
These classic Thonet bentwood bar stools feature decorative braced hoops and come in oak, walnut and black, as well as a range of custom colours. White suits this kitchen and the Hamptons look perfectly.
These classic Thonet bentwood bar stools feature decorative braced hoops and come in oak, walnut and black, as well as a range of custom colours. White suits this kitchen and the Hamptons look perfectly.
10. Over-sized pendant lights
These large cloth pendant lights are the perfect choice for this kitchen with its high ceilings, and add to the drama and scale of the room. Other choices for Hamptons-style kitchens are metal, woven cane and ceramic.
These large cloth pendant lights are the perfect choice for this kitchen with its high ceilings, and add to the drama and scale of the room. Other choices for Hamptons-style kitchens are metal, woven cane and ceramic.
11. Open shelves and cane baskets
Open shelves are a great way to show off kitchenware, especially if the pieces are beautiful like these vintage scales and glass bottles. Cane baskets help keep clutter to a minimum, and store unsightly items while adding to the Hamptons vibe.
Open shelves are a great way to show off kitchenware, especially if the pieces are beautiful like these vintage scales and glass bottles. Cane baskets help keep clutter to a minimum, and store unsightly items while adding to the Hamptons vibe.
12. Quirky coastal memorabilia
This delightful kitchen ramps up the coastal Hamptons vibe with a vintage surfboard on the wall, but other choices could be old fishing or diving equipment. Introducing elements like this will add character to the kitchen, but try to choose authentic items to keep it from looking contrived or twee.
TELL US
Are you a big fan of Hamptons style? How have you incorporated the elegant coastal theme into your own home? Tell us in the comments section below.
This delightful kitchen ramps up the coastal Hamptons vibe with a vintage surfboard on the wall, but other choices could be old fishing or diving equipment. Introducing elements like this will add character to the kitchen, but try to choose authentic items to keep it from looking contrived or twee.
TELL US
Are you a big fan of Hamptons style? How have you incorporated the elegant coastal theme into your own home? Tell us in the comments section below.
This kitchen hallmarks all the classic Hamptons elements – from the beautifully detailed white cabinetry, large island and subway tiles to the dark floors, double oven and white crockery on display.