Light or Dark? Minimalist or Maximalist? How to Choose the Right Style for Your Cookbook
When you’re creating a cookbook, the recipes are just the beginning.
The visuals, the tone, mood, and style, are what bring your story to life.
And one of the first questions many of my clients ask is this:
“Should we go light and airy, or rich and moody? Minimalist or maximalist?”
It’s a good question. The answer? It depends, on you, your story, and the people you’re speaking to.
Here’s how I guide clients through finding the right style for their book.
1. Start With Your Story
Before we talk about color palettes or prop styling, I always start with the why behind the book.
Are you sharing deeply personal family recipes?
Are you building a modern brand rooted in health and balance?
Are you evoking the chaos and joy of big Mediterranean dinners?
The style has to reflect your story, not someone else’s trend or moodboard.
Light and neutral styling might communicate calm, ease, and everyday joy.
Darker tones can add depth, drama, and intimacy.
Both are beautiful. But only one might feel like you.
2. Who’s This Book For?
Your target reader plays a huge role in shaping your cookbook’s aesthetic.
Wellness-focused readers often resonate with light, clean, bright styling.
Food lovers who crave indulgence may lean toward rich tones and layered details.
If your audience is visually-driven (hello, design lovers!), the textures and composition matter just as much as the recipes.
Think about the person flipping through your pages. What will move them?
3. Light vs. Dark: What Are You Communicating?
Let’s break this down:
Light & Bright
Clean, fresh, open
Often minimal, with whites and neutrals
Communicates simplicity, ease, and wellness
Great for: spring/summer books, healthy recipes, Scandinavian-inspired design
Dark & Moody
Intimate, dramatic, textural
Rich shadows, deep backgrounds
Communicates tradition, depth, elegance
Great for: autumn/winter dishes, rustic flavors, heirloom recipes
There’s no wrong answer. Just a question of what serves your message.
4. Minimalist or Maximalist?
This is about more than just “how many props.” It’s about intention.
Minimalism
Food is the hero
Clean lines, negative space
Every element is purposeful
Ideal for modern brands or when recipes speak for themselves
Maximalism
Layered storytelling
Rich textures, vintage props, and seasonal produce scattered around
Communicates abundance, personality, and context
Great for books that celebrate culture, history, or big emotions
Minimal doesn’t mean boring. Maximal doesn’t mean messy.
It’s all about balance and clarity.
5. Don’t Just Follow Trends
Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram are full of beautiful visuals, but your cookbook is a timeless artifact.
Trends come and go. You want your book to look like you, not like someone else’s aesthetic from last year.
So yes, gather inspiration. But don’t get lost in it. Stay grounded in your own tone, values, and voice.
6. Still Not Sure? Let’s Test It.
Some of my favorite projects began with a style test shoot.
We tried both: one light, one dark.
One minimal, one layered.
And suddenly, it became obvious. One version clicked. It looked and felt like the book we wanted to make. The other? Still beautiful, but not quite right.
Style is a tool. Try it on.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a cookbook style isn’t just about visuals, it’s about emotion. It’s how you make your reader feel. It’s what your food sounds like when it’s turned into imagery.
So, should your cookbook be light or dark? Minimalist or maximalist?
Only one way to find out: tell your story honestly, and the style will follow.
Ready to explore the visual direction of your cookbook?
Let’s talk. I help authors and brands shape the soul of their books, through food, through photography, through design.
