Creating a Spanish-Style Kitchen: Your How-To Guide
Achieve the earthy, warm, & culturally-inspired kitchen of your dreams.
Looking for a way to update your kitchen? Look no further than Spanish style. This interior design style is inspired by the vibrant color palettes, architectural elements, and rustic materials brought from Spain to the Americas. Today, you can usually find Spanish style in laid-back Californian homes, rustic Southwestern villas, and even tropical-inspired spaces in places like Florida. Spanish style is warm, inviting, and down-to-earth, which is why it's perfect for your kitchen. Read more to learn how to create a Spanish-style kitchen, from simple decor swaps to stylish fixture upgrades.
1. Incorporate a Spanish-Style Backsplash
Your kitchen backsplash is the easiest place to start when designing a Spanish-style kitchen. Spanish backsplash tiles are available in a variety of colors and patterns. Most have beautiful geometric designs and come in rich blues, oranges, reds, yellows, greens, or multicolored patterns. You can always choose peel-and-stick varieties to make the process even quicker. This is especially helpful if you live in a rented space where you can't do a complete renovation.
Tip!
Review How to Install Kitchen Backsplash Tile or How to Install Peel-and-Stick Backsplash Tile to get started.
2. Install Openwork Shelving
Spanish-inspired kitchens usually feature a combination of standard cabinetry and openwork shelving to add timeless charm to the room. Install rich wood shelves on bare spots to instantly cozy up your walls. Open shelving is also a great way to show off rustic wood materials and Spanish kitchen decor.
If there is one architectural element that Spanish-style kitchens have to have, it's arches. Archways and curved architectural features were a staple in classic Spanish homes because they helped support the weight of buildings and added to the beauty of the space. If you are blessed with arched features in your kitchen, accentuate them with a rustic brick backsplash or line them with tile. If you don't have naturally built-in arches, don't worry! There are plenty of ways to fake an arch to achieve the same look. Position an arched wall mirror in a part of your kitchen where you want it to feel more open. You can also paint your own arches or use wallpaper cut-outs to form arches with different patterns or colors.
A terracotta Spanish-style kitchen features comforting orange-red tones that you won't want to pass up. Whether you incorporate terracotta color or natural terracotta materials, you are sure to achieve the earthy and homey aesthetic you're after. The best part is that there's a long list of ways to infuse your kitchen with terracotta! Terracotta floor tiles or kitchen backsplashes are the most obvious (and breathtaking) choice. However, you can also add pops of terracotta throughout your kitchen by potting windowsill herbs in terracotta pots and displaying terracotta vases for a warm, rustic look.
Create your dream Spanish-style kitchen by letting exposed wood beams do all the work. Wood beams add rustic charm while also hinting at traditional Spanish homes, which incorporated wood support beams as a way to hold up roofs with heavy clay or terracotta tiles. Don't have natural wood beams in your kitchen? Fake it! Opt for faux wood beams that are meant to be installed right on your ceiling. You can also add wood corbels or brackets to doorways or archways for another look altogether.
Don't forget to add color to your Spanish-inspired kitchen. Most modern Spanish kitchens feature white or ivory-colored cabinets to create a bright, fresh feel. However, medium-toned and dark brown are also popular to add depth and connect to traditional Spanish interiors. As for vibrant color, Spanish style is all about rich blues, teals, greens, yellows, oranges, and even red. Bring these colors into your kitchen with a bold backsplash, or display fun, Spanish-inspired dinnerware sets. Store items on your kitchen counter in jewel-toned storage canisters. We recommend including more than one color to really bring your kitchen to life.
Tip!
Get more inspiration for a Spanish kitchen design with these Spanish-Style Decorating Ideas to Create a Villa-Like Home.
7. Feature Metalwork
In addition to exposed wood and terracotta, metal details are also important when creating a Spanish-inspired kitchen. Wrought iron and oil-rubbed bronze are particularly popular because they add character and historic charm to the kitchen – metals like polished brass or stainless steel would be too modern for Spanish-inspired spaces. Go all-out in your kitchen with a rich copper or bronze range hood with decorative details. Opt for wrought-iron-like black and bronze kitchen island lights for a rustic look. Extra points if your light fixture also features weathered wood elements. For small Spanish-style kitchens, an oil-rubbed bronze sink faucet and cabinet pulls might be all you need to incorporate these timeless metal details.
Just like your backsplash, your floors also deserve a Spanish-style upgrade. Choose Spanish-style floor tile that matches your backsplash in pattern or color for a cohesive look. Not looking to do a full floor renovation? Consider a Spanish-inspired runner rug or kitchen mat to don your floors in Spanish motifs.
A rustic Spanish-style kitchen wouldn't be complete without a rich wood centerpiece. Spanish-style spaces incorporate medium-, red-, or dark-toned wood to nod to the wood accents in traditional Spanish buildings. Wood species don't matter as much as the wood tone you choose. However, walnut and dark maple are popular because of their rich coloration and durability. Add onto your kitchen prep space and infuse the room with rich wood tones by adding a stunning kitchen island. You can also upgrade your cabinets for a timeless look and feel. Wood cutting boards come in a range of wood tones and shapes that make for the perfect rustic display when hung on the wall or positioned on the countertop.
Tip!
In love with Spanish-style kitchen ideas? Check out these guides to discover similar design styles for your home:
Your Guide to Modern Mediterranean Interior Design
Tuscan-Style Decorating: Your Guide to Tuscan Design
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Start dreaming up your Spanish kitchen!
