The 50-Year-Old Italian Kitchen Trend Taking 2025 by Storm
Brat summer and Nancy Meyers had their time — now, homes are making way for the cozy “Strega Nona” trend that’s become wildly popular on TikTok. Based on the children’s book written by Tomie dePaola, Strega Nona literally translates to “Granda Witch,” but the look is anything but witchy.
“The Strega Nona Kitchen style is all about a sense of lived-in coziness and warmth,” says Kathy Kuo of Kathy Kuo Home. “The idea of Strega Nona Kitchen embraces those feelings of comfort, connection, and the simple pleasures. And though it’s been billed as a ‘trend,’ I really see this aesthetic and overall ethos as very timeless and sustainable; classic Italian design motifs and the desire to make the kitchen the heart of the home are both time-honored concepts.”
So, how do you bring the homey Italian-inspired design to your home? Here are seven expert–approved tips.
7 Ways to Bring Strega Nona to Your Kitchen
1. Start with a warm palette
At its core, the Strega Nona kitchen design is all about creating a warm and inviting space. Chloe Wang, a luxury interior designer at Mastuvu Design based in Los Angeles, says to focus in on a nature-inspired color palette that resembles an Italian countryside. “Warm terracottas, soft creams, olive greens, and deep, earthy browns are all popular colors in the Italian countryside and create a sense of coziness.”
2. Focus on handmade items
One of the major elements to the Strega Nona kitchen design is “slow living” or sustainability. So featuring handmade items in this look is a must for a more personal space. “We’re seeing an overarching cultural shift toward ‘slow living,’ sustainability, and authenticity in our homes. The Strega Nona Kitchen style reflects these values by incorporating and celebrating handcrafted elements, repurposed materials, and a connection back to heritage,” Wang says. “It’s also a response to the overly minimalist, sterile interiors, because it offers a lived-in look that tells a story.”
3. Blend in natural materials
To make your neutral color palette pop and make your kitchen feel like it’s truly reflective on an Italian countryside, it’s only right that you highlight natural materials within your countertops, backsplash, and flooring. “Incorporate natural materials like reclaimed wood for cabinetry, stone countertops, and terracotta tiles for flooring or backsplash,” Wang says. “Copper, brass, and wrought iron accents add a sense of aged character.”
4. Hang your pots and pans
One of the most glorious parts of a Strega Nona kitchen is the look of a lived-in space. That means hanging your pots and pan is not only deemed okay; it’s suggested! “Pot and pan racks are not only practical, but hanging pots and pans on the wall also adds a “Nonna’s kitchen” feel, with every size pot at easy arm’s reach,” says Teri Simone of Nieu Cabinet Doors. “Opt for a brass or metal rail if you are installing a pot and pan rack, which is functional and adds to the aesthetic!”
5. Display charming cookware or pottery
We can’t think of Italian kitchens without thinking of the artisanal cookware and a delicious home-cooked meal. While hanging your pots and pans, don’t forget to set out your charming cookware or pottery for a more vintage-inspired look that makes Strega Nona kitchens so loved. “Your cookware can work for you as part of the design intention. A large copper pot for cooking pasta, lots of pasta, can be left on the stovetop when not in use to add a layer and color to the space. This works just as well with a Dutch Oven or a large ceramic cast-iron pot,” Simone says.
6. Decorate with open shelving
Open shelving makes a return in Strega Nona kitchens to elevate the homey feel. Open shelving is perfect for displaying any artwork or dinnerware that fits this theme. But one underrated way to utilize your open shelving with this aesthetic involves your freshly grown herbs! “You can decorate the kitchen with open shelving lined with beautiful ceramic dishes, vintage jars, and handwoven baskets, but hanging herbs, dried flowers, or garlic braids really brings out the countryside charm,” Wang says.
7. Tie everything together with vintage lighting
When you’re finalizing your Strega Nona kitchen design, don’t forget to make the space look complete with lighting. Going for a piece that’s vintage-inspired helps the room feel storied, which is what the Strega Nona design encompasses. “Vintage lighting, such as wrought-iron chandeliers or lanterns, can help tie the look together,” Wang says. Look for pendant lights that hang from the ceiling to showcase your fixture while adding visual interest at the same time.
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