Eating, drinking, cleaning, relaxing—a lot happens in the kitchen. The design of your space needs to help all of these activities run smoothly—but that doesn't mean it can't be beautiful, too. Like a breathtaking abstract painting or an iconic Picasso line drawing, a simple kitchen can be the most beautiful, as fewer details let you appreciate the grandeur of the ones you do want to showcase.

If you're trying to design a simple kitchen but keep getting stumped by your pan storage, scroll on to see 8 stunning but simple kitchen designs that prove you can do more with less. They are streamlined, efficient, and anything but boring—we promise.

01 Play With Navy

Small Dome Metal Sconce, Modern Wall Light Fixture Bathroom Vanity Light, Indoor/Outdoor Wall Mounted Lamp for Bedroom, Hallway, Living Room

Navy is a classic, timeless color that goes well with practically all furniture and design styles, yet it's not often our first thought for kitchens. It certainly deserves its time in the sunlight of this modern home though. The dark island focuses the large rectangular room and contrasts well with the earthy leather stools. 

02 Make the Most Out of Your Floors

A simple kitchen design is instantly made unforgettable by black and white checkerboard marble tile. To avoid your kitchen looking like an old-school diner or the Mad Hatter's tea party, skew big. The larger format and high sheen of this floor keep it looking sophisticated and modern.  

03 Bring the Glamour Via Appliances

Can a refrigerator be sexy? It's a ridiculous question, unless the fridge of the matter is a retro-style Smeg. The '50s icon of Italian design is powerful enough to serve as the focal point for your entire kitchen.

Use it as the starting point when designing out your kitchen, then complement it with a subway tile backsplash and some classic vintage nods. 

04 Go Monochromatic

Paring down your design to a single color and committing to it from kitchen door to refrigerator is a bold design choice in its own right. Little details like vertical cabinet pulls at the end of the navy runner also give the eyes places to stop and rest.

05 Mix Metal Accents

Double Swoop Linen Wall Sconce, 17.5 Inch Hand-Polished Metal Finish Vanity Light with Conical Linen Shade, Mid-Century Aged Wall Light for Hallway, Bedroom, Living Room, Kitchen

In a kitchen, mixing black appliances with gold accents says a lot with a little. Mixing metals a simple trick to add flair in even the most traditional of kitchens—just note how the gold accents look brushed and matte, which keeps the design sophisticated.

06 Make a Statement With Geometric Details

The arched entry to this simple kitchen instantly makes it unforgettable. The entry perfectly frames the symmetry of the stools and circular pendant lights, and the navy shiplap island centers the design while still feeling casual and fresh.

07 Let Mother Nature Do the Talking

With the addition of freshly cut monstera leaves, this kitchen feels bright, clean, and devoid of any objects that lack function. That doesn't mean this kitchen is lacking in any way, though.

The visual details of the white marble and stained natural wood add contrast and drama, and the simplicity of the counter stools and pendant lights allows you to focus on the natural beauty.

08 Choose a Soft but Nontraditional Color

White cabinets, gray accents, marble countertops—every kitchen has a least one of these things, and a fair share of them check off the whole list. Going simple doesn't have mean staying standard, though, and the light Jordan Almond hue of this kitchen is a quiet but impactful way to stand out.