Storage Tips

15 Design Ideas We're Stealing from Celebrity Kitchens

February 19, 2018

There are plenty of things we don’t envy about the lives of celebrities—constantly being stalked by photographers and having no sense of privacy, for instance. However, we do find ourselves feeling a little green when it comes to their kitchens. After all, one of the perks of being rich and famous is that you can afford to create your dream kitchen, decked out with beautiful decor and top-of-the-line appliances.

While a full-on renovation might not be in the budget for many of us, you can definitely steal a few design ideas from the kitchens of your favorite stars. Here are some celebrity kitchens we’re obsessed with and tips on how to recreate the look in your own home.


1. Ina Garten’s Hanging Pots and Pans

There’s really no easy way to store pots and pans in your kitchen cabinets. They all end up in a jumble, making it a chore to get the one you need, which is why we love Ina Garten’s storage strategy.

Instead of tucking all of her pots and pans away in a cupboard, she hangs some of them all right above her stove, keeping everything neat and within reach. The best part is that you simply need a wall-mounted kitchen bar to bring this storage solution into your own kitchen. (And can we please just take a minute to admire her new Lacanche French range? SWOON)


2. Chrissy Teigen’s Open Shelves

You’ll probably be distracted by Chrissy Teigen’s adorable picture of her daughter at first glance, but we recommend you watch this video clip again and check out the amazing open shelves behind the model-slash-cookbook-author.

Join The Conversation

Top Comment:
“Thank you, Catherine, for all of these insights. I was going to add exactly your points about the oil on the shelf above the stove and the hanging pots. And that stainless steel backsplash. Are you kidding? I see what ordinary cooking does to the top edges of my stainless steel stove every time I turn the burner on to do anything other than boil water. I cannot even imagine having to deal with that on the larger, more noticeable backsplash - even if I had a full-time domestic employee. And then, there's that stovetop next to a giant glass window. While it would indeed be pleasant to look out onto one's patio while cooking, for anyone who cooked on a regular basis, it would virtually always be through a film of spatters, no matter how strong the hood. No. Just no. ;o)”
— AntoniaJames
Comment

The simple shelves match the kitchen counters for a cohesive look, and Teigen uses them to store plates, bowls, glasses and cookbooks—all the essentials you need to have within reach when you’re cooking.


3. Khloé Kardashian’s Uber-Organized Pantry

Khloé Kardashian might not be the first person who pops into your head when you think of celebrity chefs, but her pantry is awe-inspiring, especially if you like things to be neat and tidy.

In this “Khlo-C-D” video, the reality TV star shows off her impressively polished pantry, where everything is in matching containers and arranged with purpose. Kardashian suggests checking out yard sales for pantry-organizing supplies, such as containers, baskets, and labels.


4. Brooke Shields’ Over-the-Stove Shelf

Still cooking! Post-thanksgiving breakfast. #🍳

A post shared by Brooke Shields (@brookeshields) on

Supermodel Brooke Shields has a genius solution for storing all the extraneous odds and ends that gather on kitchen counters. She has a thin shelf installed above her stove where she leaves salt, pepper, oil, and other cooking essentials. This way, they’re always within reach and you can have the clean counters you crave.


5. Jennifer Garner’s Baking Station

Pretend Cooking Show, Episode 2: @huckcafe English Muffins by @zoenathanloeb. You can see the full episode, in all its floury glory, on my Facebook. #icrackmyselfup #pretendcookingshow #notaprettybaker ----- Huckleberry English Muffins recipe: 3 cups buttermilk 2 tbsp active dry yeast 3 tbsp unsalted butter (room temp) 3 tbsp honey 6 cups bread flour 1/4 cup sugar 4 1/2 tsp kosher salt 1 cup cornmeal ----- 1. Warm 1 1/2 cups (355ml) of the buttermilk in a small saucepan, but do not boil. Place the remaining 1 1/2 cups (355ml) cold buttermilk in the bowl of a stand mixer with the yeast and whisk by hand to combine. Add the warm buttermilk to the cold buttermilk mixture and whisk to blend. Add the butter, honey, bread flour, sugar, and salt and mix on low speed with the dough hook attachment for about 1 minute, until the dough comes together. Increase the speed to medium-high and work the dough for about 2 minutes until smooth. • 2. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour. • 3. Sprinkle 1/2 cup (80g) of the cornmeal on a clean work surface and dump the dough out onto it. Sprinkle another 1/4 cup (40g) of the cornmeal on top of the dough and flatten it into a disk with 1 inch (2.5cm) thickness. • 4. Sprinkle the last 1/4 cup (40g) of the cornmeal onto a sheet pan. With a 3 inch (7.5cm) round cutter, cut the English muffins from the dough. Cut them as closely as possible, minimizing the amount of scraps, as you cannot combine and reroll this dough. • 5. Arrange the English muffins, 1 inch (2.5cm) apart, on the sheet pan. Allow the dough to rise for 1 hour at room temperature. Or refrigerate overnight and allow to rise for 1 hour in the morning. • 6. As the English muffins near readiness, preheat your oven to 350F (180C) degrees. When the oven is hot, heat an ungreased griddle or large cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Jen tip: 275F (135C) for the temperature of your griddle! • 7. Drop the English muffins onto the griddle and cook for about 1 minute on each side, until golden brown. • 8. Return the English muffins to the sheet pan and immediately bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until they feel light.

A post shared by Jennifer Garner (@jennifer.garner) on

Setting up is half the battle when it comes to baking. It’s certainly a hassle if you have to fetch supplies from the pantry once you get going, so why not take a cue from Instagram cooking show host Jennifer Garner and lay everything out to make the process as smooth as possible?

Garner leaves her mixer right on the counter alongside baking essentials like flour and sugar, so everything is ready and waiting when it comes time to create. We can’t wait to see what she whips up next on her Pretend Cooking Show!


6. Blake Lively’s Copper Theme (Modeled by Salma Hayek)

While it may be Salma Hayek hard at work in this photo, it’s actually Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ home (and baby) you’re seeing. Instead of decking out their kitchen in stainless steel appliances, these A-listers opted for a copper color scheme, which makes the space that much more warm and welcoming.


7. Lady Gaga’s Rustic Cabinets

Love this hoodie ❤️#workout #training

A post shared by Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) on

We were a little surprised to see that Lady Gaga’s kitchen has a distinctly rustic vibe, including distressed cabinets and countertops—an easy look to recreate in your own home. The bright tableware in the cabinets adds a nice pop of color to the otherwise muted space.


8. Jessica Alba’s Bright Color Scheme

So many celebrities (and people in general) opt for white kitchen decor these days, including white walls, white cabinets, white backsplashes, and more. While we love the look of a pristine white kitchen, there’s something incredibly relatable and welcoming about the cheery yellow walls in Jessica Alba’s kitchen. Maybe it’s time to brighten up our own spaces with a pop of color!


9. Mariah Carey’s Second Sink

In the middle of this adorable at-home music video featuring Mariah Carey’s son Roc, you’ll get a glimpse at the singer’s impressive kitchen island, complete with a built-in sink. We love the idea of having a second kitchen for prep work (we can dream, can't we?)—it would definitely come in handy when there’s more than one person working in the kitchen.


10. Oprah’s Wall Decor

Top chefs in my kitchen for tonight's #summersolstice #queensugarparty

A post shared by Oprah (@oprah) on

If you can tear your eyes away from the amazing Moroccan-inspired cuisine being prepared in this video, you’ll get a glimpse of the walls in Oprah’s kitchen. We love the aesthetic of the bird-themed decor against the plain white walls.


11. Reese Witherspoon’s Classic Aesthetic

Everything about Reese Witherspoon is polished and proper, so it should come as no surprise that her kitchen is near immaculate, too. Check out those perfectly organized cabinets, clear counters, and spotless backsplash. This might be the motivation we need to tidy up a bit.


12. Gwyneth Paltrow’s Metal Backsplash

Battle of the stuffing begins... @sheryllowejewelry

A post shared by Gwyneth Paltrow (@gwynethpaltrow) on

Most kitchens have a tile backsplash behind the stove, but Gwyneth Paltrow's has a super-modern stainless backdrop instead. Not to mention, she has an envy-inducing double range—perfect for having cook-offs with friends.


13. Taylor Swift’s Coffee Station

In this video interview with pop star Taylor Swift, we’re treated to a mini tour of her home. If you fast forward to 1:40, you can peep her amazing kitchen, complete with a full-on coffee station. On a side counter, she has coffee and espresso machines arranged under a cabinet full of mugs. This is an easy look to replicate in your own home. Though, you might not be able to decorate your coffee station with a VMA award.


14. David Beckham's Black-on-Black

David Beckham's savory chicken and leek pie (an ode to Gordon Ramsey!) looks picture-perfect, but we can't stop staring at the all-black lower cabinet scheme in his kitchen. Black fronts and black pulls make a stylish statement while still maintaining the warmth of the kitchen.


15. Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Adorable Decals

Okay, so technically this isn’t Sarah Michelle Gellar’s kitchen—it’s the headquarters for her company Foodstirs. However, we’re totally crushing on the kitchen-themed decals (scroll through the pictures to see!).

The cute sayings are bright, colorful and quirky, and we think they’d make an awesome addition to just about any kitchen. Oh, and the chalkboard doors aren’t too shabby either!

Which celebrity kitchen was your favorite? Tell us below!

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See what other Food52 readers are saying.

  • OhMisha
    OhMisha
  • Melissa
    Melissa
  • Catherine Iino
    Catherine Iino
  • AntoniaJames
    AntoniaJames
  • Jaye Bee
    Jaye Bee
Freelance writer, product tester & baking enthusiast.

11 Comments

OhMisha August 21, 2019
This was almost entirely baloney, there wasn't a single "tip" in this article I felt was even news worthy let alone an inspiration. Just a hot promotional for the usual media attention queen suspects that turn up on the usual "media" like they don't already get enough "look at me" attention?... jeeez
 
Melissa February 20, 2018
Weirdly I like none of these....... with the exception of Miss Swifts residence, now that’s a home! Thanks for the compilation of curiosity, an excellent article!
 
AntoniaJames February 20, 2018
I like Witherspoon's, and like you, like the Taylor Swift house, which seems quite livable (though I always put my grand piano in a larger room, and would never own one like hers.)
I find it interesting, too, how much Witherspoon's kitchen looks like the one in the house of her character in "Big Little Lies." ;o)
 
Jaye B. June 8, 2018
Melissa, ditto. The birds in Oprah's kitchen are especially weird.
 
Catherine I. February 19, 2018
I think the stars in your eyes might have gotten in the way of your usual savvy kitchen advice. For instance, do you really recommend keeping oil and spices above a hot stove? You need a celebrity-budget cleaning staff to clean the bottoms of the pots and pans hung over Garten's range, the black cabinets in Beckham's kitchen, or the bird sculptures in Oprah's. And I'm a little terrified for the safety of the stars' families--the Lively child's foot hooked in the oven door, Mariah Carey's kimono sleeves next to the open flame. Yikes!
 
AntoniaJames February 19, 2018
Thank you, Catherine, for all of these insights. I was going to add exactly your points about the oil on the shelf above the stove and the hanging pots. And that stainless steel backsplash. Are you kidding? I see what ordinary cooking does to the top edges of my stainless steel stove every time I turn the burner on to do anything other than boil water. I cannot even imagine having to deal with that on the larger, more noticeable backsplash - even if I had a full-time domestic employee.

And then, there's that stovetop next to a giant glass window. While it would indeed be pleasant to look out onto one's patio while cooking, for anyone who cooked on a regular basis, it would virtually always be through a film of spatters, no matter how strong the hood. No. Just no. ;o)
 
M February 20, 2018
Ditto, though my big irk is always open shelves.

I yearn for a design guru who finds the best looks that don't require cleaning crews, etc to keep nice.

Or, at least honest assessments of the time and frequency of cleaning binges needed to keep everything looking great and not covered in grime.
 
AntoniaJames February 20, 2018
M, I hear you on the open shelves. I realize that they are quite "on trend" and I can see the advantages for a restaurant or a test kitchen / photography studio, but please, for my home kitchen, give me the practicality, and the serene beauty and architectural interest, of carefully chosen, thoughtfully painted cabinet doors. ;o)
 
Safstar February 21, 2018
I agree so much with these comments! Open shelves are such a complete 'NO'. I also feel very nervous when designers suggest using the most of a space by hanging glasses/cups/mugs from the ceiling of cupboards: I love the space saving idea but the thought of it all coming crashing down is enough to put me off!
 
Jaye B. June 8, 2018
Ditto on all these comments. And, yes, open shelves are plain nonsense to me; just what I want to do - more shelves to dust and dishes & glassware that need dusting. Celebrity daily cleaning staff indeed.
 
Jean August 21, 2019
It appears to me that none of these folks with open shelves is owned by a cat. Otherwise, those shelves would be empty.