How to create a bistro-style kitchen
To achieve a cozy bistro style kitchen, focus on a few thoughtful design choices. Whether you're looking to incorporate classic bistro elements, add a café vibe, or simply enhance your kitchen's cozy charm. We've gathered our top 6 tips on how to create a bistro-style kitchen for a cozy and functional space.
Kitchen design – Nordiska Kök
A café-inspired kitchen is all about comfort and style. Warm tones, vintage accents, and soft lighting come together to create a welcoming atmosphere.
Embrace the bistro style with classic elements and café-inspired vibes. Discover ideas for kitchen decoration and details.
Achieve a warm, inviting space with thoughtful design for a bistro-inspired kitchen.
1. Café chairs, tables, and bench seating
To create a bistro style kitchen, furniture is key. Choose small wooden or marble café tables paired with classic café chairs for a charming and functional space. A site-built bench along the wall offers extra seating while saving space, creating a cozy bistro feel—perfect for smaller kitchens or creating a café kitchen vibe.
Maximize space in a smaller kitchen with a built-in bench along the wall and built-in café table.
Create a cozy space around your kitchen island by adding chairs for seating. Discover kitchen island inspiration and ideas.
Pair a small wooden table with classic café chairs and a space-saving bench to create a cozy bistro feel. See more from the interior photographer's bistro kitchen.
2. Vintage details for character and personality
Add vintage-inspired details by displaying charming pieces such as coffee canisters, porcelain, handmade ceramics, or classic glassware. These small touches bring personality to your space, adding charm and a sense of history, much like those found in a cozy café kitchen.
Coffee canisters, porcelain, and glassware add personality to your bistro kitchen.
Vintage accessories and wall art bring an authentic bistro feel. Discover our top 6 kitchen decor ideas.
Handmade ceramics and vintage details create a cozy café feel.
3. Timeless tiles and countertops
For a classic bistro style, choose textured tiles for a timeless backsplash. Opt for subtle tones or neutral colors for the countertop to create balance. For a more personal touch, complement your bistro-style kitchen with a terrazzo countertop that enhances the cozy, eclectic feel of your café-inspired kitchen.
Tiles provide a timeless and elegant aesthetic that characterizes both bistro and café styles.
Terrazzo adds a vibrant and unique touch to an eclectic café-inspired kitchen, infusing the space with character and charm.
A tile backsplash enhances your bistro kitchen's charm, while a neutral countertop maintains a balanced feel.
4. Open shelving for a light, airy bistro kitchen
Opt for open shelving to display your favorite glassware, plates, and kitchen essentials. This not only enhances the café atmosphere, but also keeps your kitchen tools easily accessible. The open shelving style adds a light, airy feel, complementing the rustic bistro style while providing a practical storage solution.
Display glassware and plates with open shelving for a café vibe.
Add a sense of openness and airiness to the kitchen with open shelving. Read our tips on decorating with open storage.
Open shelving provides a smart storage solution, while enhancing the bistro-style kitchen's airy vibe.
5. Lighting that sets the mood
Create a cozy café vibe with warm, inviting lamps. Wall lamps with soft, ambient lights enhance the charm of your space, perfect for a relaxed bistro atmosphere. Pair them with pendant lights or dimmable options for added versatility.
Set the mood with cozy, warm lighting from a ceiling light. Explore functional kitchen furnishings.
Soft lighting and charming wall lamps bring warmth and character to your bistro kitchen.
Elevate your kitchen with a statement pendant light, creating an inviting atmosphere perfect for the dining area. Read our top tips on how to decorate the dining room.
6. Cabinet doors with ribbed glass
Combine open shelving with concealed storage by using cabinet doors with ribbed glass. This design allows light to flow through, maintaining a spacious, airy feel while providing hidden storage—perfect for achieving the balance of a bistro-style kitchen with a cozy café atmosphere.
Combine open shelving with hidden storage by using cabinet doors with ribbed glass.
Ribbed glass cabinet doors allow light to flow through, enhancing the spacious feel of your bistro kitchen while providing hidden storage.
Ribbed glass cabinet doors add a charming, textured detail to the bistro-style kitchen.
Discover cozy café-inspired kitchen design ideas:
Embrace the cozy charm of a café kitchen with elements like rustic wood, cozy seating and classic café table.
Bistro-style kitchen design ideas that blend style and comfort. Discover kitchen inspiration from our latest projects.
Add your personal touch to a bistro kitchen that fits your style, all while maintaining a cozy, café-inspired atmosphere.
Saves space and create a bistro-style kitchen with built-in seating.
Combine charm, functionality, and a café atmosphere in your kitchen.
Create a coffee corner for a cozy café vibe.
