🕯 A light academia kitchen must be a place that tells a story of ancient art and poetry. A kitchen space where the earthy hues and Greek pillars accents combine, inviting you to cook and manage food as if you were using your hands to model a piece of sculpture in ancient Greece, or to talk about philosophy, art or read poetry out loud with a friend while savoring a glass of red wine. It must be not just a pretty environment but a place that naturally guides you toward the light academia lifestyle, helping you romanticize your routine, making your life more authentic and making your soul alive.
It took me a while to decide how to write this post because finding images of original light academia kitchens that matched this aesthetic was challenging. The impression I get when researching references is that everything is very similar, and even content completely focused on light academia aesthetics rarely has options for kitchen architecture or interior design with light academia attributes.
So, I decided to organize this article into two parts: the first with references and inspirations from real kitchens with the palette and some elements from light academia. Although we can feel a bit of the light academia aesthetic in these they are still very modern and have little identity characteristic of the aesthetic.
The second series of light academia kitchen ideas was imagined by me and generated with artificial intelligence to bring something new and more creative, that truly channels the artistic, poetic aura of the light academia in the kitchen.
🕯 The Ultimate Guide for Light Academia Aesthetic (Outfits, Room Ideas, Architecture, Moods)
As a designer, I thought a lot before creating images with AI for this website. However, after studying a lot, I realized it was much more challenging than it seemed because it wasn’t just typing a prompt. To get satisfying and believable results, I needed to use my graphic designer knowledge and research Greek history architecture, possible textures, and materials that communicate the moods and eras of this aesthetic and that can be used in a real kitchen, which was a long process.
AI was a great tool in this procedure because I could do more than display photo examples of things already built, but create new and exclusive ideas to help the world of interior design become a more creative and less “copy and past from Pinterest” place.
I’m a designer, not an architect, so the AI-generated kitchen inspirations are not focused on functionality, but more on showing aesthetic possibilities in design, colors, textures, and objects. For functionality, hiring an architect is essential!
☾ Affiliate Disclosure: The Mood Guide celebrates women’s moods and versatility. Even though we may earn a commission from some of your purchases, we encourage you to shop with the right intention. Focusing your energy on what you feel confident and comfortable in is empowering! ♥︎
Light academia aesthetic in Kitchen interior design:
The first thing is to remember the elements of the light academia, now focused on interior design.
The interiors of light academia are a mix of preppy British academia and, mostly a new and modern interpretation of the timeless Classical ancient Greek architectural style.
Light Academia textures and Color palette:
Color Palette: Soft and dusty earthy light color palettes are the foundation of everything in light academia aesthetic, from the interiors to outfits.
Textures & Materials: Antique handcrafted textures, from beige soapstone to terracotta organic handmade pottery that is, since those ancient days, used in sinks, statues, vases, candle holders, and bows. The light academia materials and textures are formed by rustic and aged elements mixed with classic and durable antique stones.
Materials: Classic antique stones will keep the ancient, rustic time-worn feel
- Marble: a natural stone and the primary building material used in ancient Greek architecture, including the popular sculptures and columns. Marble is prized for its durability, elegance, and ability to be finely carved and sculpted.
- Soapstone: It was also very commonly used in statues, fireplaces and cookware in ancient Greece. According to this article from The Spruce (I recommend the full read for all pros and cons of soapstone in the kitchen), soapstone is also dense and highly heat-resistant making it a desirable material for kitchen countertops, and, in this case, a perfect aesthetic fit for the Light Academia kitchen interiors.
Motifs and patterns
Flower and faunal motifs incorporated in the classic and sophisticated ornamentations and combined with geometric patterns are characteristic of the ancient Greek architectural style.
The Geometry and Naturalist mix visually expresses a logical and mathematic identity with the art and humanistic philosophy of nature interpretation that is so characteristic of this era.
Light academia lightning:
To bring you back to ancient Greece and add dramatic soft poetry to your kitchen, keep it natural as much as you can, and to do that, go for windows that allow the entrance of sunlight and candles to connect with the ancient sacred fire while you cook.
Of course, you need modern lighting as well, so copper lamps or a classic chandelier will keep the ancient classic mood.
Decor elements of the Light academia aesthetic
Light academia aesthetic and lifestyle enthusiasts especially appreciate art, such as museums, sculptures, paintings, poetry, and pottery. Therefore, a true Light academia kitchen must evoke a classic antique mood and display little pieces of art in shaped vases or prints (they don’t need to be original and expensive).
Vintage and classic Greek-inspired homeware and tableware. Details such as framed poetry, or tiles, gold vintage tea sets, and vases with Greek-themed prints also make the difference. The distinct organic White and beige look is essential for the decoration.
A wall made out of book pages is a great idea, and you can also do it on the kitchen wall with your favorite recipes!
For light academia kitchen sink:
The elements below and let your kitchen narrate an ancient story.
Aged Brass Tap
Old vintage taps combined with marble or copper are the perfect rustic-vintage-classic-chic merge of the light academia aesthetic.
Light Academia Real Kitchen inspiration
Below are a few real kitchens with colors and details that suit the light academia aesthetic.
This one is almost perfect. The neutral interiors captured the timeless classic architecture, and we have antique portraits, antique-looking ceramic vases, white books, and brass in the decoration. A few column candles and Greek sculptures would be enough to cause an immediate identification with the light academia aesthetic in this kitchen.
White shaker cabinetry is a modern classic approach, that combined with the grey marble backsplash and soft woods creates the foundation of a basic light academia kitchen.
Classic dusty gray with marble is another nice mix of modern and rustic farmhouse.
Light academia luxury in this classic and large all white kitchen.
Light Academia Al Kitchen inspiration
As I explained at the beginning of this article, I had doubts about whether I should bring alternatives with AI. Still, I saw that as a designer, I need to have the vision, the knowledge of light, textures, angles, photography, and materials to generate satisfactory results, so I don’t think it’s just a matter of “typing prompts”, as my mental and research work was extensive here.
So, although the kitchens above are completely wonderful, they raise questions for me, like this space inspire me to paint ceramics? Does it activate archetypal places in my unconscious that connect with a more intellectual part of me? Can it slightly transport me to a movie scene, where I can, at least for a bit, while I cook, feel like a wise ancient artist manipulating food?
Thinking about that, I created a few options below mixing modern accents that are easy to find, the textures and palette that I have mentioned above, and a hint of scenography creativity to evoke ancient classic elegance and rustic beauty elements to an original light academia kitchen, to make your kitchen environment a truly ancient piece of art.
I kept a neutral palette in the examples below. To generate a Greek classic, I mixed calm and classic drama with some texture play among the materials of the kitchen sink and shelves. The thematic decoration filled with identity in their shapes and textures is also essential.
I love the result of the contrast of polished marble for the countertop and an ancient sculpture on the wall and shelf stone.
Chandeliers, arches, vines and columns. If this were a project for my kitchen, I would replace those candles with utensils for a little coffee corner and books.
Now some light academia kitchen ideas for small spaces.
Frames and golden details combined with chandeliers and floral wallpapers create a vintage sophistication.
I love the idea of framing a special family recipe. If it is on handwritten old and stained paper, even better!
Light Academia kitchen finds
Below are curated treasures around the internet that resemble authentic and characterful Greek elements that make us feel comfortable with the beauty and inspired by entering a place that resembles another era. You will find candles, Greek column-inspired decorative sculptures, handmade pottery, and stoneware for the kitchen.
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