What is the difference between American and European kitchen style?

Kitchen decoration styles vary across different regions. Currently, the most popular kitchen styles are divided into American-style kitchens and European-style kitchens. Although the styles differ, their core functions are consistent. However, modern decoration not only focuses on functionality but also attaches great importance to visual appeal. So, before starting the decoration, let's take a look at the differences between American and European kitchen styles.

1. Space Planning

American kitchens usually feature open and spacious layouts, with blurred boundaries between the kitchen, living room, and dining room. They are equipped with kitchen cabinets and kitchen islands. This layout reflects Americans' emphasis on family gatherings, allowing people to move freely between the stove area and the living room during daily life and parties.

In contrast, European kitchens prioritize efficiency over space size. A typical European kitchen has a small area and adopts a closed design, which can isolate oil fumes. Due to the limited space, European kitchens focus on multi-functional zones and make clever use of vertical space.

2. Appliance Design

Appliances are indispensable in a kitchen, and the design of these appliances also reveals the differences between American and European kitchen styles. American kitchens prefer large-sized appliances that have a strong visual presence. Therefore, both refrigerators and ovens are of large models.

On the other hand, Europeans favor built-in appliances, which can perfectly integrate with European frameless kitchen cabinets without disrupting the overall aesthetic.

3. Aesthetic Style

American kitchen designs tend to create a warm atmosphere. Thus, you will see cabinets made of maple, cherry, or oak wood, with each cabinet door adorned with raised line decorations.

European-style kitchens, however, focus on a minimalist style. They use frameless kitchen cabinet doors with hidden handles, presenting a seamless and integrated look.

4. Storage Design

The storage method best reflects the core demands of the two styles. American kitchens pursue easy accessibility of items, so their storage designs place commonly used kitchen supplies in visible positions. For example:

• Open shelves display cookbooks and tableware;
• Drawers adopt a pull-out design for easy access to pots, pans, and bowls;
• Rotating baskets are installed in corner kitchen cabinets to avoid dead corners, ensuring that people do not have to rummage through cabinets to find things while cooking.

In European kitchens, closed cabinets are the mainstream. The interiors are equipped with storage accessories (such as plate dividers, spice racks inside cabinet doors, and pull-out trash cans) to maximize space utilization. Small items are all stored in small drawers to keep the countertop tidy, aiming to create a clutter-free space where every item has a fixed place.

Conclusion

In fact, there are significant differences between American and European kitchen styles. The easiest way to distinguish them is by looking at the cabinets: kitchens with framed cabinets belong to the American style, while those with frameless cabinets are European-style. Each style has its unique beauty. The most important thing is to figure out whether your dream kitchen is of a warm style or a minimalist style.