How to Get a Hamptons Kitchen That Won't Cost a Rockefeller Fortune
These 10 tricks will help you inject the cool coastal vibe of an upmarket Hamptons-style kitchen at a fraction of the price
Ioanna Lennox
18 March 2016
Houzz Australia Contributor. Creative Director at Ioanna Lennox Interiors, a Sydney award-winning interior design firm specialising in residential interiors. I've been fascinated by architecture and interiors since childhood and after spending 15+ years in the finance industry, I decided to study interior design and set up my own design studio to follow my passion.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Creative Director at Ioanna Lennox Interiors, a Sydney... More
On the east end of Long Island, New York, is a string of popular seaside hamlets populated by the rich and famous. The Hamptons, as the area is known, features some of the most expensive and luxurious real estate in the United States. Step inside one of these properties and you’ll also see some of the country’s finest interior design.
Decorated in a way that reflects the casual and relaxed lifestyles of their sophisticated owners, Hamptons homes – and more particularly their kitchens – are frequently furnished in a casual coastal style, with white tongue and groove panelling on the walls, fine-grained timber floors, and beautiful architectural detailing throughout. Australian homes are perfect candidates for this style due to our relaxed, beach-loving lifestyle. The cost, however, can make replicating the Hamptons look prohibitive.
Read on to find out how to infuse Hamptons’ sophistication and glamour into your kitchen, without spending a Rockefeller’s fortune.
Decorated in a way that reflects the casual and relaxed lifestyles of their sophisticated owners, Hamptons homes – and more particularly their kitchens – are frequently furnished in a casual coastal style, with white tongue and groove panelling on the walls, fine-grained timber floors, and beautiful architectural detailing throughout. Australian homes are perfect candidates for this style due to our relaxed, beach-loving lifestyle. The cost, however, can make replicating the Hamptons look prohibitive.
Read on to find out how to infuse Hamptons’ sophistication and glamour into your kitchen, without spending a Rockefeller’s fortune.
1. Let white cabinets reign supreme
When we think of a Hamptons’ kitchen, we automatically think of large windows that allow plenty of sunlight to flood in, making white cabinetry or paintwork – also a feature – appear to shine brightly. The cabinets can be very expensive to make and install, but thankfully there are alternatives.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: To add some Hamptons flair to your kitchen, try this value-for-money idea for cabinets: choose 2-pack polyurethane kitchen cabinets in a bright white satin or matt finish. White is light and reflective and, when paired with dark timber floors, creates an instant Hamptons look. Inexpensive flat-pack cabinets can be bought from any major furniture store or kitchen retailer, and sometimes you’ll also find them at larger hardware suppliers.
When we think of a Hamptons’ kitchen, we automatically think of large windows that allow plenty of sunlight to flood in, making white cabinetry or paintwork – also a feature – appear to shine brightly. The cabinets can be very expensive to make and install, but thankfully there are alternatives.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: To add some Hamptons flair to your kitchen, try this value-for-money idea for cabinets: choose 2-pack polyurethane kitchen cabinets in a bright white satin or matt finish. White is light and reflective and, when paired with dark timber floors, creates an instant Hamptons look. Inexpensive flat-pack cabinets can be bought from any major furniture store or kitchen retailer, and sometimes you’ll also find them at larger hardware suppliers.
2. Pay attention to added details
Simple decorative details on cabinet fronts are a must-have in a Hamptons-inspired kitchen. Darren James Interiors used Shaker-style panelled cabinets to add simple architectural detail to door fronts in this Burleigh Heads kitchen in Queensland. High cabinets with internal strip lighting appear to elevate the ceiling and make the already large kitchen look even bigger.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: A simple frame adhered to the cabinet front and painted in the same colour will deliver the look seen here. Installing strip lighting on the underside of your top cabinets is also a cheap way to light up your work zones. You can buy strip lights by the metre from Ikea, or even your local hardware store.
Simple decorative details on cabinet fronts are a must-have in a Hamptons-inspired kitchen. Darren James Interiors used Shaker-style panelled cabinets to add simple architectural detail to door fronts in this Burleigh Heads kitchen in Queensland. High cabinets with internal strip lighting appear to elevate the ceiling and make the already large kitchen look even bigger.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: A simple frame adhered to the cabinet front and painted in the same colour will deliver the look seen here. Installing strip lighting on the underside of your top cabinets is also a cheap way to light up your work zones. You can buy strip lights by the metre from Ikea, or even your local hardware store.
3. Select seats in natural materials
Elegance, warmth and texture epitomise the Hamptons style. Soften up the hard white surfaces of a kitchen by introducing timber or natural tones by way of seating.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Choose inexpensive wooden bar stools or high chairs in jute, raffia or another natural weave material to put around your island bench. Chairs made from natural materials, such as wood or woven fibres, are often much less expensive (and feel so much nicer to sit on) than polypropylene, plastic or metal alternatives.
Buying kitchen stools
Elegance, warmth and texture epitomise the Hamptons style. Soften up the hard white surfaces of a kitchen by introducing timber or natural tones by way of seating.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Choose inexpensive wooden bar stools or high chairs in jute, raffia or another natural weave material to put around your island bench. Chairs made from natural materials, such as wood or woven fibres, are often much less expensive (and feel so much nicer to sit on) than polypropylene, plastic or metal alternatives.
Buying kitchen stools
4. Choose a standout island benchtop
There’s something very luxurious about a large expanse of stone in the middle of your kitchen. Marble or wood are the most popular choices for Hamptons-style benchtops.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: If you can’t afford a Calacatta marble slab, try an engineered stone or porcelain slab with patterning painted on it. Alternatively, cover your island bench with a timber top that displays a rich grain. Seal it from moisture with a polyurethane finish or oil it regularly.
Porcelain: the new benchtop material
There’s something very luxurious about a large expanse of stone in the middle of your kitchen. Marble or wood are the most popular choices for Hamptons-style benchtops.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: If you can’t afford a Calacatta marble slab, try an engineered stone or porcelain slab with patterning painted on it. Alternatively, cover your island bench with a timber top that displays a rich grain. Seal it from moisture with a polyurethane finish or oil it regularly.
Porcelain: the new benchtop material
5. Tile the splashback with a pattern
While the traditional subway pattern remains a popular choice with tiling, you can try some alternatives, such as herringbone or hexagon. Hamptons-style kitchens often feature marble or fine imported tiles, but you can find less expensive tiles that still look similar.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: If your budget doesn’t permit marble tiles, stick to simple white subway tiles, which you can pick up for under $40 per square metre. Save your pennies instead to invest in a good tiler who knows how to execute complicated patterns like herringbone.
The return of tiled splashbacks
While the traditional subway pattern remains a popular choice with tiling, you can try some alternatives, such as herringbone or hexagon. Hamptons-style kitchens often feature marble or fine imported tiles, but you can find less expensive tiles that still look similar.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: If your budget doesn’t permit marble tiles, stick to simple white subway tiles, which you can pick up for under $40 per square metre. Save your pennies instead to invest in a good tiler who knows how to execute complicated patterns like herringbone.
The return of tiled splashbacks
6. Paint cabinets in soft hues
If you want to move away from white, other light colours – such as pale greys, greens and blues – are also popular for Hamptons-style cabinets. Or walls can be painted in a dusty colour to allow crisp white cabinets, splashbacks and whitegoods to pop.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Painting your cabinets or walls is the most cost-effective way to make a big impact in the kitchen and, unlike with more specialised jobs, you can do it yourself.
If you want to move away from white, other light colours – such as pale greys, greens and blues – are also popular for Hamptons-style cabinets. Or walls can be painted in a dusty colour to allow crisp white cabinets, splashbacks and whitegoods to pop.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Painting your cabinets or walls is the most cost-effective way to make a big impact in the kitchen and, unlike with more specialised jobs, you can do it yourself.
7. Accessorise with handsome handles
Handles and other hardware items are the jewellery that finish off cabinetry and, just like with your jewellery selection, the look can be understated and elegant, or showy and opulent. In Hamptons-inspired kitchens, it is usually the former.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Scour antique stores and op-shops for some vintage knobs or handles, which can give your kitchen some authentic charm. Just make sure you buy enough items to fit on all the cabinets and drawers; there is nothing worse than realising you don’t have enough.
Handles and other hardware items are the jewellery that finish off cabinetry and, just like with your jewellery selection, the look can be understated and elegant, or showy and opulent. In Hamptons-inspired kitchens, it is usually the former.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Scour antique stores and op-shops for some vintage knobs or handles, which can give your kitchen some authentic charm. Just make sure you buy enough items to fit on all the cabinets and drawers; there is nothing worse than realising you don’t have enough.
8. Embrace open living
Is your kitchen part of an open-plan living area? Hamptons-style houses are characterised by large living zones sectioned off for kitchen, living and dining areas. In this beautiful kitchen, with built-in furniture by Wm Ohs Inc, it’s easy to see how the quintessential Hamptons style of this house has been achieved by using a classic blue and white colour palette. The blue of the ceiling frames the white cabinets, and is repeated in the classic plump chair upholstery in the sitting area adjacent to the kitchen.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Continue the accent colours of your kitchen palette into a neighbouring open-plan living room, via upholstery or other soft furnishings. Even a few cushions in the right colours will do the trick and tie back into the kitchen’s decor.
Is your kitchen part of an open-plan living area? Hamptons-style houses are characterised by large living zones sectioned off for kitchen, living and dining areas. In this beautiful kitchen, with built-in furniture by Wm Ohs Inc, it’s easy to see how the quintessential Hamptons style of this house has been achieved by using a classic blue and white colour palette. The blue of the ceiling frames the white cabinets, and is repeated in the classic plump chair upholstery in the sitting area adjacent to the kitchen.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Continue the accent colours of your kitchen palette into a neighbouring open-plan living room, via upholstery or other soft furnishings. Even a few cushions in the right colours will do the trick and tie back into the kitchen’s decor.
9. Hang large pendants
When it comes to lighting in a Hamptons kitchen, size does seems to matter. Don’t be timid; go big and bold with your lights. Contrary to what most people think, large pendants and shades give the impression of a bigger island bench or room.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Pendants don’t have to be designer lights. If you’re really sold on a designer piece though, you might consider a replica at a fraction of the cost – they’ll still be a conversation starter.
When it comes to lighting in a Hamptons kitchen, size does seems to matter. Don’t be timid; go big and bold with your lights. Contrary to what most people think, large pendants and shades give the impression of a bigger island bench or room.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Pendants don’t have to be designer lights. If you’re really sold on a designer piece though, you might consider a replica at a fraction of the cost – they’ll still be a conversation starter.
10. Add some coastal accessories
These elements can be everyday items, such as cookbooks, beloved memorabilia or artefacts. Use them to add a pop of colour to an otherwise fairly subdued kitchen.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Personalise your kitchen with something you have had stored away that could well suit the theme, such as a family member’s oars from an old row boat or a dinged up surfboard no longer in use. Put it on display as art and you’ll have an eye-catching talking point for zero cost.
TELL US
Do you love the Hamptons look? If you already have a similar style in your kitchen, upload photos or share your best decorating tips in the Comments section.
MORE
12 Essential Ingredients for a Classic Hamptons-Style Kitchen
So Your Style Is: Hamptons
USA Houzz: Step Inside a Breezy Holiday House in the Hamptons
These elements can be everyday items, such as cookbooks, beloved memorabilia or artefacts. Use them to add a pop of colour to an otherwise fairly subdued kitchen.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS: Personalise your kitchen with something you have had stored away that could well suit the theme, such as a family member’s oars from an old row boat or a dinged up surfboard no longer in use. Put it on display as art and you’ll have an eye-catching talking point for zero cost.
TELL US
Do you love the Hamptons look? If you already have a similar style in your kitchen, upload photos or share your best decorating tips in the Comments section.
MORE
12 Essential Ingredients for a Classic Hamptons-Style Kitchen
So Your Style Is: Hamptons
USA Houzz: Step Inside a Breezy Holiday House in the Hamptons
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That's true, Marie - there tends to be a shying away from fridges in photos, just like when it comes to toilets in bathrooms. They're both extremely necessary and literally couldn't live without them, but not always the first things to be showcased.
Hi Jo (jtrennie32), thanks for your message. There are quite a few options for pendants with a Hamptons look. Please contact us directly at info@ioannalennox.com and we'd be happy to help.