WHAT IS THE HAMPTONS STYLE?

The Hamptons style aesthetic takes its name from a group of villages and hamlets called The Hamptons is a coastal region on the east end of Long Island, New York. Back in the 19th century, it was primarily composed of fishing settlements, farmhouses, and beach shacks. However, it slowly transformed as those from the city made their way into the area, making it a popular holiday destination.

Today, The Hamptons area is an established summer destination or weekend getaway for ever-busy New Yorkers. Even now, many celebrities have a home in this beautiful coastal area such as Beyoncé, Robert Downey Jr, Jerry Seinfeld, and many more! 

Seeking to encapsulate this unique vibe, the Hamptons style is both charming and luxurious at the same time. It captures an aesthetic that reflects a relaxing life by the ocean, and a laid-back coastal vibe. As many long for the high life, extended holiday getaways, and a serene home environment, it’s no wonder that the Hamptons Style remains popular to this day.

WILL A HAMPTONS KITCHEN WORK FOR MY HOME?

You don’t need a home on Long Island to have a Hamptons style kitchen. You don’t even have to live near the beach! The goal is simply to capture the aesthetic and atmosphere of a beach-side home in The Hamptons.

Let’s first look at what homes in the area typically look like. Hamptons homes put a premium on relaxation, and integrating the allure of the coast into your daily life. It is both laid-back and elegant at the same time. 

The homes themselves are often large –sprawling even, with large front and back yards to match. Multiple windows adorn the walls, bringing in plenty of light into the home.

Inside, Hamptons interior design typically features pitched or high ceilings, wood floors, and natural fabrics. Colors are often very light, most often white, to help bounce around the light from the large windows. Just like the home itself, the interior spaces are large with a preference for open-plan layouts. All together, this gives the whole home a bright and vibrant relaxing atmosphere. 

The more similar your home is to the descriptions above, the easier time you’ll have in achieving a Hamptons style kitchen. However, even if you don’t tick all the boxes, don’t fret. Remember, there’s always a way to work around your home’s limitations. An experienced kitchen designer can help you adapt the look to a less-than-ideal space!

WHAT DOES A HAMPTONS STYLE KITCHEN NEED?

1. COASTAL COLOR PALETTE

To achieve that airy and breezy atmosphere of the Hamptons look, it’s hard to go wrong with white –the most common option for kitchens of this design. White reflects light well and enhances the effect of natural lighting from windows. It naturally makes space look brighter. It’s unobtrusive to the eyes, making the space feel fresh and clean. 

You don’t have to limit yourselves to all-white cabinets, however. Another option is to combine white with colors that make you think of the sand, beach, and ocean waves. These colors include light browns and beige, blues and greens, and a little bit of gray. Steer clear from louder and vibrant shades of these colors. Even if you want a darker color to create contrast, you still want it to be relatively subdued –think colors like navy blue. 

2. NATURAL MATERIALS

More often than not, Hamptons style homes feature classic timber flooring. A lighter color wood is traditionally used to go with the muted color palette. Though, it’s perfectly fine to use darker woods to contrast with the cabinets and ground your space. This gives the design a more contemporary flair. 

Furniture is another avenue where you can incorporate natural materials. Whitewashed or lightly colored wood furniture is typical in this style. For fabrics, such as for seating, you can choose materials such as cotton, linen, and leather. Of course, remember to keep the color palette in mind when choosing fabric for your seating.

3. SHAKER-STYLE CABINETRY

Shaker-style cabinet doors are the signature look of this style and are practically a must for a Hamptons style kitchen. The shaker door profile features a recessed center panel on the door face. It’s the perfect blend between traditional detailing and clean unobtrusive lines. It is simple, laid-back, and yet still so elegant –the hallmarks of the Hamptons aesthetic.

Not all your cabinets have to be full wood panels, either. It’s common to use glass paneled upper cabinet doors in Hamptons style kitchens. It’s the perfect place to show off any displays or unique crockery. It also breaks up the visual monotony of a large wall of white cabinets. And in keeping with the Hamptons vibe, glass upper cabinets can make your kitchens look brighter and larger –especially if you add lighting inside! 

4. CABINET HARDWARE

Of course, we mustn’t forget about the hardware to truly finish off our kitchen cabinetry. As the shaker-style doors are quite streamlined, the type of hardware we choose is what shifts the look to something more traditional or something more contemporary.

If you want a more classic look, cup cabinet pulls are a fantastic option. Other options would include more ornate traditional-style pulls and knobs. Conversely, simple straight pulls and small knobs will fit a more contemporary design.

It’s not just with the handle profiles that you have to consider. The finish also plays a key factor. Matte black cabinet pulls provide more contrast against white cabinets, and definitely lean contemporary. On the other end of the spectrum, you have finishes like antique brass or satin nickel that make your cabinet hardware truly feel like jewelry of the kitchen.

5. MARBLE COUNTERTOP

Continuing with the luxurious white, light, and bright that we have going on, we need a countertop to match. More often than not, kitchen countertops in The Hamptons are marble. This goes for both the side cabinet benchtops and on your kitchen island. The most common options are Carrara or Calacatta marble, both from Italy.

However, some aren’t too keen on using marble as it’s a higher maintenance material compared to other kitchen countertops. It’s porous and stains quite easily. In such instances, quartz countertops are a great alternative. They come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, many of which have a similar appearance to marble.

6. TILE OR MARBLE BACKSPLASH

Often backsplashes are an afterthought, but they can make a kitchen shine. For a Hamptons kitchen, you generally have two options. Your first option is to simply match your countertops. A marble backsplash, almost seamlessly extending from your kitchen counter, creates a clean and unified look. 

The other popular option is a subway tile backsplash. It’s frequently laid out in a traditional brick pattern, but it can also be arranged diagonally or a herringbone pattern, adding extra flair to your kitchen. Using white tiles with white grout adds texture while keeping the space bright and airy. Ocean blues, greens, and grays can also be used to make an accent wall, while adding to the beach vibe that we want.

7. PENDANT LIGHTING

Large or oversized pendant lighting works especially well with pitched or high ceilings, typical of Hamptons style homes. It serves both a decorative and functional purpose. These are often placed over kitchen island counters or dining tables. These large pendant lights become a feature in the space while enhancing the scale and adding drama to the room.

While they can function as accent pieces, try not to overdo it. Something too modern, too industrial, or too avant-garde will clash with the relaxing coastal vibe. Instead opt for a wicker pendant lamp or a simple metal and glass shade.

8. OTHER FURNITURE & DECOR 

To truly get the full experience, we shouldn’t ignore the loose items like furniture and decor. We already touched on these earlier when we mentioned choosing natural fabrics for seating. In general, you want your decor to reflect your personal tastes while complementing the coastal atmosphere.

There’s no need to go all-in with the nautical and beach themed decor. You don’t have to pick all blue items if it’s not to your liking. When in doubt, neutral colors work best. Light grays and beige tones will easily match a Hamptons style kitchen. Wood items, whether light or dark, also fit in perfectly.

WHY SHOULD I USE THE HAMPTONS STYLE?

We all want to feel comfortable in our own homes and the Hamptons style does just that. This design aesthetic brings to mind images of seaside luxury –it’s like being on a holiday! And who doesn’t want to feel like they’re on a holiday all the time? By adding a Hamptons kitchen into your new home or renovation, you can bring a piece of that holiday luxury into your everyday life. If that sounds like a great idea to you, then you should definitely consider using this style.

Whether you’re already sold on a Hamptons kitchen or still considering your options, it’s best to consult with a professional. Our team at Wood & Co. has the experience and expertise to answer any of your burning questions. Get in touch with us and let’s see how we can achieve the kitchen of your dreams.

Editor Note: This post was originally published in December 2020. It has been updated with additional information and improvements.