The under-the-sink area can be pretty dreadful. It's cramped and hard to keep tidy — which is also why it's the perfect spot to install a pull-out drawer.

This minimalist kitchen really benefits from the absolutely striking raw wood countertop. So unique and beautiful. I really can't take my eyes off it. 

Keith spent a over a year remodeling his 1959 Mid-Century home in Palm Springs. A big part of the remodel was completely gutting and transforming the 1980s kitchen. The result? A gourmet kitchen with all the bells and whistles:

One of the most common woes in small kitchens is not enough countertop space, and no room for an island or breakfast table. One solution? Hang a collapsible table on the wall! When collapsed, the table in this photo serves as a small shelf, but just flip the end up and you've got a mini breakfast table, or another work surface for food prep. 

I don't know much, but I know I love you ... hot pink kitchen floor. (That's how the song goes, right?) This floor is an unexpected, thrilling detail, especially when you consider that the ceiling is also painted pink, albeit a paler shade. Apparently the floor in this Swedish kitchen was a dull laminate before the owners — in a bold, budget-friendly move — painted and then covered it with large sheets of adhesive-backed plastic, which gives it that slight sheen.

Shell's newly renovated studio in Greenwich Village, New York feels much more spacious than it actually is! The 520-square-foot apartment is smartly laid out and full of hidden storage solutions, including a hidden pantry in the open kitchen. The kitchen cabinets are IKEA (a budget choice), but the countertops are 2.5" thick monolithic white Corian countertops — a worthwhile investment, according to Shell. See more photos below:

I first heard of woodworker/DIY'er extraordinaire Ariele Alasko when her super cool salvaged headboards showed up in my Pinterest feed. After exploring her site, Brooklyn to West, I discovered she also makes salvaged wood dining tables in her signature graphic, mix-and-match style. I think they're stunning, don't you? A little worn and rustic, but completely eye-catching.

Remember this dining room? The map was such a cool touch, particularly paired with that cheery purple table. In the spirit of that, we went looking for other inspirational map-attired dining rooms, and found a few that should ignite your wanderlust. 

Bruce and Melanie's steampunk Victorian home in Sharon, Massachusetts is quite a far cry from the modern, white kitchens we see so much of nowadays. Their 2010 Apartment Therapy House Tour highlighted the couple's passion for antiquing, history, art, and technology, which you can especially see in their kitchen!

We've always been impressed with this beautiful warm and woody IKEA kitchen remodel. Love the look? Want to emulate some of it in your own kitchen? Here are sources to help you get the look. 

A Rich, Warm IKEA Kitchen

Cabinets: IKEA Akurum Adel in medium brown
Cabinet Hardware: VINNA from IKEA
Cooktop: Ceramic Electric cooktop from Eldig 
Countertops: Tan Brown Granite from J&V Stone, Stamford, CT
Flooring: Alcorense in Ara G, 12" x 24" from Nemo Tile
Lighting: Ceiling: Portfolio from Lowes; Under-cabinet: GE Zenon from Home Depot; Small cabinet overhead spots: GRUNDTAL from IKEA.
Microwave: Framtid
Oven: Whirlpool from P.C. Richards
Paint – Walls: "Sweet Annie" from Benjamin Moore
Refrigerator: Nutid counter-depth 
Sink: Main sink - Generic 24" 18 gauge stainless from J&V Stone; Bar sink -  LAGAN sink with HOVSKAR faucet.
Tile: Backsplash tile - Lima Ceramic Tile, Stamford, CT
Trim: Fibra Metal Lev, Listello 1/4"x24" from AKDO