MR Direct Sinks and Faucets

As the heart of the home, the kitchen says so much about its inhabitants and their culture. It even inspires them to live and act in certain ways.

For example, a cozy French kitchen inspires culinary creation and social gathering. While a Japanese kitchen is a place of quiet reflection.

What do you want your kitchen to inspire? Here are a few of our favorite kitchen styles in the world for both their look and their ability to inspire.

Vibrant, rich, and full of color, the Moroccan kitchen is one of the liveliest on the globe. Its bold tiles, deep blues, spicy reds, and rich woods enchant the imagination and jump-start the appetite for a big bowl of delicious couscous and veggies.

Moroccan light fixtures cast a comfy warm glow over everything to keep the colors from appearing to loud—a crucial part of this design.

The Moroccan style looks great even in small and windowless spaces, making this a fun reno for apartment kitchens.

Minimal and practical, the Scandinavian style is not for busy-bodies or hoarders. This simple kitchen design was inspired by people who ate mainly preserved food, so a lot of the food prep happened in a shed outside.

Composed of clean lines, white tile, and plenty of wooden accents, this kitchen is a place for order and harmony. You’ll feel right at home with a cup of coffee or tea on a quiet morning or a wine and cheese tasting with friends.

We’d recommend a workstation sink to keep the clutter at bay.

As opposed to the clean Scandinavian style above, Italian kitchens are rowdy and ready for splashes, spills, and laughs.

Built on an aesthetic base of stone, wood, and clay, the Italian kitchen has a rustic and natural feel. Antique décor and wooden seating (bench-style works too!) make family and togetherness a focus, and natural light and well-placed windows keep the space airy.

Big pots, pans, and casserole dishes live in large wooden cabinets, and a large apron sink is needed for big cleaning jobs.

Inspired by a lack of space and healthy eating, the Japanese kitchen is a minimal work of kitchen zen. Many Japanese eat simple soups, rice, and fish for nearly every meal at home, so they don’t need much more than a small space for a kettle and a rice cooker.

Cabinets line the walls and plenty of hooks hang to make use of any extra vertical space. Light-colored wood, soft green plants, and natural light give the space a natural feel. It’s also important to minimize clutter in and out of cabinets. Keep only what you use on a daily basis.

A bamboo sink fits nicely in this simple, quiet space.

The French kitchen is similar to the Italian for its social elements, but it’s a bit more modern in its look. The French prefer high-end lighting, décor, and accessories, which makes sense, as the French love to experiment in the kitchen and host long dinners.

These kitchens almost always feature tables or kitchen islands, as this is a popular gathering space.

Cabinetry is typically wooden, and fresh air and light from large windows are important. Like the Italian kitchen, a big sink is standard because of the cultural importance of cooking and hosting. We’d recommend a fireclay sink to bring together modern décor and wooden cabinetry.

If you’re inspired by these kitchen styles from around the world, it’s time to get decorating. A kitchen style from any country can fit perfectly in your home. Just remember that It’s not only about the look. It’s also about the energy the style inspires and radiates throughout your home.

Need some more inspiration? Get your ideas flowing by exploring MR Direct sinks.