While style usually succumbs to overall function in a busy kitchen space, there is no reason -- as these homes prove -- that style can't share a plate with storage.

The kitchen in this California beach house has countertops made of formica, which the homeowners specifically picked because of its durability. A large mirror hangs on the back wall to open up the space even more, and the stools are comfortable enough for hours of sitting.

Not all our supplies need to be hidden away. In this Hudson Valley, New York, kitchen, objects such as pottery and vases are arranged by color and material, which makes the collection look organized. Less-display-worthy items are stowed behind the curtain.

In this Brooklyn, New York, brownstone, what's now the kitchen used to be a formal parlor. The homeowners retrofitted the space by turning former closets into cabinets for appliances and dishes and adding a custom marble-top island. The room has become the family's go-to hang-out spot.

The kitchen in this American colonial has mahogany counters, a table on casters, and simple, modern chairs that can easily be stored elsewhere to make room. 

The owners of this Westchester, New York, ranch updated the kitchen to include a marble-topped island and beautiful, statuesque stools. It now makes a comfortable hub for quick meals or homework.

To achieve a feeling of openness, the owner of this Chicago townhouse washed the kitchen in a clean, pale palette.

An editor's tiny apartment still manages to have big style. The original outmoded cabinetry is turned modern: The cabinet doors were removed and the interior was painted white. The backs of the shelves were painted the same blue as the walls. Food is stored in the white canisters on the shelves and the large storage boxes above hold platters and holiday decorations.

This kitchen is part of a foursquare early-19th-century cottage that is set on four acres. Cabinets painted in a creamy white contrasts the richly colored wooden counters.

This 1941 ranch house has a mix of modern and vintage touches. In the retro-style kitchen, an orange theme, including the citrus-printed Roman shade and the tangerine espresso maker, effectively sets the tone for the room.

This 1852 Charleston, South Carolina, house mixes modern touches with the city's traditional architecture. This light-filled kitchen is the hub of the home's activity. The trestle table's white polished-marble top was honed to give it the timeworn appearance of a European cafe table. It is surrounded by old church chairs with hymnal pockets. The table anchors the contemporary room and serves myriad purposes.

A rustic and refined barn home features crafted pendant light fixtures in the kitchen from old metal shades and gas-pipe fittings. The island counter is a 3-inch-thick piece of maple that is so heavy, it had to be brought into the house in two pieces and then glued together!

A beach bungalow in Greenport, New York, features an ocean-inspired painted floor and walls painted with layers of yellow, white, and spring-green until this radiant result was achieved.

The kitchen in this relaxed, elegant townhouse boasts limed-oak cabinets. The gently reflective stainless-steel countertop and backsplash also brighten the room; the dents and dings that come with use actually improve their looks. Black-iron stools are covered in a green vinyl that's tough enough for the after-school crowd.

In a Manhattan apartment, space is tight everywhere. The owner of this kitchen wanted to keep the counters as clear as possible. Cabinets, therefore, were designed to conceal appliances while keeping them handy; electrical outlets are hidden under the upper cabinets.

In this downtown loft space, a rolling ladder, which slides between the open kitchen and the living area, allows access to shelves holding serving pieces and books. The style is playful and useful.

In this Pelham, New York, home, the owners went for a subdued palette. Cabinets from a laboratory supply company hold white tableware and an array of glass compotes and cake plates. The island is topped with a practical butcher block.

For a city apartment kitchen that gets a lot of use, color and function are both on display. Aside from many clever storage spaces, a collection of cafe au lait bowls adds a bright and whimsical focal point.

In this contemporary Los Angeles home, owners added sleek-yet-comfortable bar stools for the family meals that often take place at the expansive kitchen counter.

In a historic 1920s house in Malibu, California, the kitchen's geometric tile patterns have been described as "Pueblo Deco." The colors are rich and varied and the overall design is beautiful to look at.

The streamlined kitchen of this home -- just outside the Chicago area -- offers plenty of hidden storage; the island, built of red cedar and marble, houses the owner's collection of tableware.

This bare-bones kitchen in a summer guesthouse has no stove, just a refrigerator and sink -- but remains a lovely spot for light meals.

Honed black granite countertops are juxtaposed against honey-colored Douglas fir cabinetry in the kitchen; translucent glass doors on the cupboards provide a glimpse of the owner's collection of vibrant Czech pottery from the 1920s and '30s.

Instead of spending a lot on kitchen cabinetry, this couple chose open shelving and splurged on appliances and limestone.

At the heart of this kitchen is an 1880s table topped with Caesar stone, a newfangled composite that is "lemon-proof, red-wine-proof, and Sharpie pen-proof," the owner of this home says with conviction. A well-worn rug covers the polished wood floor.