Today’s Hampton kitchen designs are inspired by those in the vacation homes of New York’s late 19th to early 20th-century elite. Historically, the upper-crust of New York had vacation homes located in the Hamptons, part of the East End of Long Island, just an easy distance away from the city by horse or motorcar.
Unlike stately NYC townhouses, these Hampton vacation homes could be maintained with few or no servants. This was an advantage as homeowners did not have to bring their entire retinue with them. This also informs the sleek, almost minimalist design of modern Hampton-style kitchens, which makes them a joy to use for anyone who enjoys cooking.
Below, we’ve enumerated some of the key features of this style of kitchen. Take a look at our list and see if it fits your aesthetic or if it could be integrated into any upcoming kitchen renovations.
Casual East Coast Elegance
One key feature of these kitchens is their heritage as part of beachfront homes for the East Coast elite. While white is often the dominant colour, hues that evoke the sea and the coast (such as teal, light blue, and navy grey) are the highlights of a Hampton kitchen. This leads to a laid-back look that evokes coastal scenes that nevertheless give off a classic and timeless look.
Natural Lighting
Coastal interior styles such as French tropical or Mediterranean generally use a lot of natural light, and Hampton style kitchens are no exception. White furniture and fixtures are often chosen to reflect the most light within a space and give the kitchen a breezy, open, and airy feel.
Windows tend to be large to allow as much natural light as possible into the home. Floors are likewise lightly coloured and tend to be made from bleached wood rather than tiles of linoleum. Ceilings are likewise lightly coloured.
However, something that differentiates the Hampton style from other coastal styles is the use of stark white marble countertops, which harks back to their origins as homes for the wealthy. Artificial lighting fixtures complement the look and feel of the space and often cast warmer light to evoke vintage gas lamps or natural lighting.
Natural Materials
Hampton kitchens tend to use a lot of natural materials such as stone and driftwood. These are often given minimal finishes or are left in their natural state, which further evokes the natural beauty of America’s East Coast. Wood floors and furniture are often left with a very light varnish or are treated in a way to show their natural grain and colour.
A Focus on Entertaining
Hampton kitchens are more than just a place to prepare food. They’re usually meant to be a focal point in the home and a place to entertain guests. Unlike many other spaces meant for entertaining, these kitchens have an understated, casual feel that helps put both the guests and host at ease.
Elegant, naturalistic, and efficient, Hampton-style kitchens are great for those who enjoy working in the kitchen as well as for those who appreciate the finer things in life. They are also an excellent choice for integrated kitchen and dining areas in small homes and apartments.
Be sure to check out The Maker to learn more about the Hampton style as well as other options for designer kitchens. Do you like Hampton style kitchens? Why or why not? We’d love to hear from you!
