Celeb kitchens ranked from tacky to tasteful: From one TV presenter’s ‘overstyled’ modern set-up to an ex-Spice Girl’s cosy but ‘dated’ decor

Celebrities are known to splash out thousands (if not millions) on their mansions – and for many, a premium state-of-the-art kitchen is a standout feature.

But despite having a hefty budget to get the finest in culinary wares and appliances, it seems, taste cannot be bought.

Here, an interiors expert has delivered her verdict on which A-listers are going for ‘showy’ and ‘classy’ designs – and which are keeping it ‘traditional’ and ‘polished’.

It includes Mollie King’s sparkling all-white counters, Jamie Oliver’s cosy cooking set up, featuring an exposed brick wall, and the sleek modern decor in Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan’s £3.5million Essex mansion. 

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Jordana Ashkenazi, founder and design director of Element One House, revealed which stars know how to keep their kitchens classy (and which ones don’t)…

Geri Halliwell

Jordana: Geri Halliwell’s kitchen feels cute, quaint and very lived in, with a clear country-house feel. It’s warm and homely, but it also feels a little dated and lacks the sense of glamour or polish you might expect from a former Spice Girl. Rather than feeling luxurious or aspirational, the space leans more towards cosy and traditional.

While it does appear that the granite worktops may have been updated, much of the kitchen still feels in need of a lift. The cabinetry, handles and overall detailing feel on the older side, and even small changes could make a big difference. Updating the hardware, refining the lighting and introducing more considered finishes would help modernise the space without losing its charm.

At the moment, the kitchen feels comfortable rather than stylish. It works, but it doesn’t quite reflect Geri’s profile or personality, and overall it feels a little old for her.

VERDICT: Dated

Mollie King 

Jordana: Overall, it’s a really lovely kitchen. It’s clean, fresh and on trend, with a modern design style that feels easy to live with. The layout works particularly well, with an open-plan feel, a generous breakfast bar and clear zones that make it a great space for both cooking and socialising. You can absolutely see this being a kitchen that’s enjoyable to spend time in and perfect for entertaining.

Where it falls slightly short is in the finishes. The all-white cabinetry paired with a white worktop makes the space feel a little flat and mid-range rather than truly high-end. While the gold handles are fashionable, they feel quite bold against the neutral palette and don’t add enough depth to elevate the overall look.

A chunkier worktop in a contrasting stone or marble would make a significant difference, instantly giving the kitchen more character and a more premium feel. A worktop has the power to transform how cabinetry is perceived. It’s a bit like wearing an expensive pair of jeans with a cheap t-shirt, the jeans suddenly elevate the whole outfit. There are areas in a kitchen where it’s worth spending and others where you can pull back, and investing in a strong surface choice here would lift the entire space.

VERDICT: Safe

Jamie Oliver

Jordana: Jamie Oliver’s kitchen looks exactly how I imagined it would. It’s warm, friendly and full of life, with a relaxed, farmhouse-eclectic feel that immediately makes you feel at home. From the exposed brickwork and open shelving to the mix of colours and textures, the space feels traditional, characterful and unmistakably British.

It looks genuinely loved and lived in, rather than styled for perfection. The layout clearly works for cooking and family life, and there’s an ease to the space that makes it feel welcoming and practical. Yes, it’s slightly chaotic in places, but that only adds to the charm. This is what a real chef’s kitchen in a busy family home should look like.

Most importantly, it makes you hungry just looking at it. The colours, tones and overall atmosphere feel comforting and joyful, and there’s a sense of authenticity here that’s hard to fake. It’s eclectic, colourful and full of personality, and it works beautifully.

VERDICT: Authentic

Nigella Lawson 

Jordana: Nigella Lawson’s kitchen feels lived in, loved and genuinely enjoyed. You can immediately tell this is a space where cooking really happens. The hanging pans, well-used cookware and layered surfaces give it a warmth and honesty that feels very true to her, and there’s something comforting about how unpolished it all is.

That said, the overall style is a little harder to pin down. There’s an eclectic mix of elements and finishes, and while that may be intentional, it does verge on feeling slightly chaotic. The pieces don’t always feel cohesive, and it’s not immediately clear what design direction the kitchen is aiming for. Some elements feel timeless, others a little dated, and together they create a look that feels more mismatched than styled.

Overall, it’s a very traditional British kitchen with plenty of charm and character, but it could benefit from a gentle update and a clearer sense of style. A bit of editing or direction would help bring everything together without losing the warmth and personality that make it distinctly Nigella.

VERDICT: Traditional

Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan

Jordana: Mark Wright’s kitchen is extremely modern and highly polished, with a bold, high-impact look that’s clearly designed to read well on camera. The dark cabinetry and oversized island give the space a strong, masculine feel and, while the darker palette is very much a personal choice, it does make the room feel quite heavy overall. The layout works well, particularly for entertaining and filming, with the large island functioning effectively as the central focal point.

Where the kitchen falls short is in the finishes. The marble-effect surfaces and high-gloss elements feel quite shiny and slightly plasticky, rather than genuinely high-spec. While the space is clearly aiming for a luxury aesthetic, the overall effect feels more showy than refined, with visual impact prioritised over warmth and texture.

Overall, it reads more as a bachelor-pad kitchen than a family space. It’s sleek, confident and visually striking, but a little cold and one-dimensional, designed more to impress on screen than to feel truly inviting day to day.

Lastly, the intention seems to be modern, high-end Italian design, but the execution leans more towards a more TOWIEesq-style interpretation of luxury. It’s bold and glossy, but lacks the subtle restraint and material depth you’d expect from a truly elevated contemporary kitchen.

VERDICT: Showy

Lydia Bright

Jordana: Lydia Bright’s kitchen feels soft, inviting and very thoughtfully done. She’s clearly been hands-on with the renovation, and it shows in the level of detail and cohesion throughout the space. The pale green, minty tones are gentle and calming, adding just enough colour and character without feeling bold or overpowering.

The layout and detailing feel well considered, particularly the canopy area, which is an unusual and charming feature that adds interest and a sense of craftsmanship. Accessories have been carefully tied into the colour palette, helping the kitchen feel pulled together rather than overly styled. It’s a look that feels intentional but still relaxed.

Overall, it’s a really lovely kitchen that feels warm, welcoming and genuinely lived in. It suits Lydia’s aesthetic perfectly and strikes a nice balance between pretty and practical, making it a space that feels as good to be in as it looks.

VERDICT: Inviting

Molly-Mae Hague

Jordana: Molly-Mae’s kitchen and dining space is undeniably impressive and works brilliantly as a socialising area. The layout is excellent, and you can immediately see that this is a kitchen designed to be used, hosted in and enjoyed.

The curved banquette breakfast area is a real highlight. It softens the space beautifully and adds a sense of flow and intimacy. The soft bluish tone of the upholstery is one of the very few moments of colour seen in her home, and it works extremely well. The contrast against the white, gold and marble finishes adds depth and warmth without disrupting her signature calm aesthetic.

The kitchen itself feels high-spec. The two chunky marble islands look substantial and expensive, with the contrasting marble introducing subtle movement and colour. This prevents the space from feeling flat or overly neutral, something Molly-Mae’s interiors can occasionally lean towards.

Overall, it’s a fantastic kitchen and entertaining space that feels polished, luxurious and well thought through.

The only element that slightly lets it down is the chandelier. It feels a touch gaudy and, in comparison to the rest of the space, slightly cheapens the overall look. A more understated, architectural lighting choice would have elevated the room further and made it feel even more refined.

And that banquette moment proves something else too. That pop of colour works so well it almost feels like a tease. Molly, you’ve proved you can do colour, so we’re officially ready for more. Bring it on!

VERDICT: Curated

Emma McVey

Jordana: Emma McVey’s kitchen feels incredibly well considered and beautifully executed. The marble worktops do a lot of the heavy lifting here. They add real character and contrast while still keeping that neutral, calm palette. There’s depth, movement and warmth in the stone, which stops the space from feeling flat or one-note.

The detailing has clearly been thought through. The tiling above the range cooker adds an extra layer of texture and interest and brings in that additional level of design consideration that elevates the whole space. It’s subtle, but it makes a big difference.

The range cooker itself is a real statement piece. It looks high quality, substantial and expensive, and it anchors the kitchen visually rather than just being a functional appliance. There are a few elements like this throughout the space that feel genuinely beautiful rather than purely practical.

What works particularly well is the balance. It feels very traditional British and timeless, but still modern, clean and completely up to date. It doesn’t feel trend-led, which is why it will age well.

The scale of the room also helps. It’s a huge space, but it’s been handled well, so it still feels elegant and balanced rather than overwhelming.

Overall, it’s a very pretty kitchen that feels high spec, thoughtful and properly designed. Everything works together, and you can tell it’s been executed with care.

VERDICT: Polished

Chloe Sims

Jordana: Chloe Sims’ kitchen is sleek, glossy and very well put together. It’s clearly been designed to feel luxurious and photo-ready, with clean lines, high-shine finishes and a strong sense of symmetry throughout, without trying to be overly expressive.

The hidden coffee nook is a nice touch and works well visually. Tucking it away behind pantry doors keeps the main kitchen looking streamlined and uncluttered, while still allowing for a dedicated lifestyle moment. It’s practical, but also very Instagram-friendly.

The cabinetry works well overall and I do like the colour of the handles, which add a bit of warmth. I’m not completely sold on the shape of them, but they still sit comfortably within the scheme. The overall feel does lean slightly showroom, which is very on brand for Chloe.

Where it falls a little flat is in the materials. Like the rest of the house, it’s very beige and creamy. The marble-effect surfaces are nice, but quite subtle. It would have been great to see something with a heavier grain, more movement or a bit more contrast to bring depth and interest. As it stands, everything blends together beautifully, perhaps a little too well.

Overall, it’s a lovely kitchen that’s clean, polished and clearly well executed. It does exactly what it sets out to do, but plays it very safe, and one stronger material choice could have lifted it further.

VERDICT: Showroom

Lucy Mecklenburgh

Jordana: Lucy Mecklenburgh’s kitchen feels like it’s trying to do a few different things at once, and that’s where it starts to fall apart. You can see the intention behind the design. There’s an effort to introduce depth and character through chunky marble elements, and the idea of using two different cabinet colours to create contrast is a good one in theory.

The issue is the execution. The shape and finish of the cabinets don’t quite work and end up cheapening the overall look. Rather than feeling warm or contemporary, the cabinetry reads quite plasticky and laminate-heavy. The handles also don’t help elevate the space.

There’s a further disconnect with the flooring. It feels quite traditional, while the kitchen itself leans modern and glossy, so the two elements don’t really speak to each other, which adds to the sense of confusion.

Where the kitchen is particularly let down is the worktop. It could have been much chunkier, as it looks a bit flimsy and doesn’t give the space enough weight or presence. That said, the marble splashback is a nicer moment. The veining running through it adds interest and depth and is one of the stronger material choices in the kitchen.

Overall, it’s fine from a practical point of view, but visually it lacks cohesion. With better cabinet detailing, stronger material choices and a clearer relationship between the flooring and the kitchen units, it could have felt far more elevated.

VERDICT: Disjointed

Amanda Holden

Jordana: Amanda Holden’s kitchen is clearly a very expensive, solid and high-quality space. You can see that a lot of thought and investment has gone into it, and the layout is fantastic. It’s a great entertaining kitchen, with a beautiful, generous fridge and plenty of room to cook, host and socialise comfortably.

The flooring is a real highlight and helps ground the space, adding depth and richness that balances the darker cabinetry. From a practical and spatial point of view, it really works.

Where it starts to feel overwhelming is in the styling, particularly the lighting. There’s a lot of very loud, statement lighting going on, and rather than enhancing the kitchen, it takes over. Everything feels like it’s competing for attention, and you’re not quite sure where to look.

There’s also a tonal clash in the cabinetry. The island benches are a noticeably different blue to the blue-grey used elsewhere, and those tones don’t quite sit together. The gold detailing pushes the space further into a very blingy, theatrical territory, with several bold pieces all fighting to be the hero at once. You don’t need that many shiny, statement elements in one room. The bar stools, in particular, feel a little out of step with the quality of the rest of the kitchen.

Overall, it’s an impressive, clearly expensive kitchen with a brilliant layout and excellent entertaining potential. It just leans too heavily into statement at the expense of cohesion, which means it’s more likely to date rather than feel timeless.

VERDICT: Over Styled

Binky Felstead

Jordana: It’s clearly a very expensive kitchen, and you can tell straight away that it’s solid and good quality. The layout is fantastic and it works brilliantly as an entertaining space. The oversized fridge, large island and bar setup really anchor the room and make it feel designed for hosting. The floors are beautiful too and add a real sense of weight and luxury.

That said, there’s a lot going on visually and quite a few elements competing with each other. The colour palette is loud. There’s a lot of blue, but the island benches are a noticeably different blue to the blue-grey cabinetry, and tonally they don’t quite work together. Rather than complementing each other, those colours clash slightly. The gold detailing is bold and theatrical, which is clearly intentional, but it does push the space towards feeling a bit OTT.

The lighting is where the kitchen is most let down. There are multiple statement lights happening at once, and together with the bar stools and metallic finishes, everything starts competing for attention. You’re not quite sure where to look. It feels visually busy and full on, which ultimately cheapens what is otherwise a very high-end space.

That said, I do really like seeing the fridge covered in photos and magnets. I have exactly the same thing in my own house. It’s refreshing and human, and it shows that a real family actually lives here, rather than the kitchen being styled to look like a pristine show home.

Overall, it’s an impressive, confident kitchen with great entertaining credentials, but it feels overworked. It almost works, then you look again and notice the clashes. With more editing and restraint, it could have been truly timeless.

VERDICT: Overloaded

Kate Ferdinand

Jordana: It’s a perfectly fine kitchen. It’s nice enough, it’s safe, and it’s clearly good quality, but it is very neutral and quite flat. There’s nothing wrong with it at all, but there’s also nothing particularly memorable or special about it.

The layout works, the cabinetry is classic, and everything does what it’s supposed to do, but it feels very stock standard. It doesn’t really push any design boundaries or offer a strong point of view. It’s the kind of kitchen that blends into the background rather than making a statement.

Overall, it’s inoffensive and easy to live with, but it lacks personality and wow factor. It’s not bad by any means, it’s just not exciting. Some colour or accessories to add some personality or depth wouldn’t go astray here.

VERDICT: Plain

Millie McIntosh

Jordana: I really like this kitchen. The pinky tone feels warm and considered, and while it’s a risk, it’s been executed beautifully. You can see thoughtful pattern choices coming through in the background, which add depth and character without overwhelming the space.

The wooden flooring works really well and brings a softness and warmth that grounds the whole scheme. The lighting is gentle and charming, and overall the kitchen feels cohesive, personal and well balanced. It’s not trying to be showy or overly polished; it simply feels lived-in and loved.

What I like most is that she hasn’t played it safe. There’s confidence in the choices, and it feels like a space designed around what she genuinely enjoys, rather than blindly following trends. It’s a refreshing change from the sea of white kitchens and marble-everything.

This doesn’t read as a particularly high-spec or big-budget kitchen, and that’s exactly why it works so well. It’s a great example of how good design doesn’t have to rely on huge budgets or luxury finishes, but on making the right choices and ensuring everything works together.

Overall, it feels warm, thoughtful and full of personality and charm.

VERDICT: Charming

Chloe Ferry

Jordana: The flooring is actually the strongest element in this kitchen. It looks expensive and like real, good-quality wood, which immediately elevates the space. However, the cabinetry lets it down. The units have a very flat, laminate feel and lack any real detailing, so they don’t feel as high-end as the floor beneath them.

What doesn’t quite work is the combination of woods. The tone of the wooden floor and the wooden cabinetry are too similar but not similar enough, so instead of complementing each other, they end up competing. It all becomes a bit too woody and visually muddled rather than layered and intentional.

Overall, it’s a very modern kitchen, but it feels quite generic and trend-led. The finishes don’t have much depth, and because of that, it’s the sort of space that will date fairly quickly. Despite the expensive-looking floor, the kitchen itself doesn’t quite live up to it.

VERDICT: Clashy