Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW The homeowners came to us looking to update the kitchen in their historic 1897 home. The home had gone through an extensive renovation several years earlier that added a master bedroom suite and updates to the front façade. The kitchen however was not part of that update and a prior 1990’s update had left much to be desired. The client is an avid cook, and it was just not very functional for the family. The original kitchen was very choppy and included a large eat in area that took up more than its fair share of the space. On the wish list was a place where the family could comfortably congregate, that was easy and to cook in, that feels lived in and in check with the rest of the home’s décor. They also wanted a space that was not cluttered and dark – a happy, light and airy room. A small powder room off the space also needed some attention so we set out to include that in the remodel as well. See that arch in the neighboring dining room? The homeowner really wanted to make the opening to the dining room an arch to match, so we incorporated that into the design. Another unfortunate eyesore was the state of the ceiling and soffits. Turns out it was just a series of shortcuts from the prior renovation, and we were surprised and delighted that we were easily able to flatten out almost the entire ceiling with a couple of little reworks. Other changes we made were to add new windows that were appropriate to the new design, which included moving the sink window over slightly to give the work zone more breathing room. We also adjusted the height of the windows in what was previously the eat-in area that were too low for a countertop to work. We tried to keep an old island in the plan since it was a well-loved vintage find, but the tradeoff for the function of the new island was not worth it in the end. We hope the old found a new home, perhaps as a potting table. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

2109 Skyview Ridge

Five Star Interiors

Cabinets: Dove Gray- Slab Door Box shelves Shelves: Seagull Gray Countertop: Perimeter/Dropped 4” mitered edge- Pacific shore Quartz Calacatta Milos Countertop: Islands-4” mitered edge- Caesarstone Symphony Gray 5133 Backsplash: Run the countertop- Caesarstone Statuario Maximus 5031 Photographer: Steve Chenn

Anamor Kitchen

Landed Interiors & Homes

Photography by Brad Knipstein
Photo of a large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, quartzite benchtops, yellow splashback, terra-cotta splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Country French Kitchen

Natural Stone Design Gallery

The country French home tile designs in the kitchen are not only chic, the tones of blue and natural inspire and welcome culinary creativity. The kitchen backsplash is adorned in Carrara marble. The stunning print just above the stove is Sanza in Snowflake Blue by Stone Impressions, which provides a charming focal point that ties all the elements together.

Modern Charm in Highland Park

Glenbrook Remodeling

The kitchen, butler’s pantry, and laundry room uses Arbor Mills cabinetry and quartz counter tops. Wide plank flooring is installed to bring in an early world feel. Encaustic tiles and black iron hardware were used throughout. The butler’s pantry has polished brass latches and cup pulls which shine brightly on black painted cabinets. Across from the laundry room the fully custom mudroom wall was built around a salvaged 4” thick seat stained to match the laundry room cabinets.

Sewall's Point Waterfront Home

Francesca Morgan Interiors

Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style u-shaped open plan kitchen in Miami with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, marble benchtops, stainless steel appliances and multiple islands.

Eclectic kitchen, dining in kitchen

Ayelet Designs

click here to see BEFORE photos / AFTER photos
Mid-sized eclectic l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, quartz benchtops, red splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, recessed-panel cabinets and beige cabinets.

Napa Valley inspired Modern Farmhouse

Genuine Custom Homes

Genuine Custom Homes, LLC. Conveniently contact Michael Bryant via iPhone, email or text for a personalized consultation.
This is an example of a large country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Austin with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, wood benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, travertine floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Glebe Kitchen Remodel

Tatiana Wojtan Studio

Kevin Belanger
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary galley separate kitchen in Ottawa with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula and white benchtop.

Acacia IV

Brandon Architects, Inc.

This is an example of a beach style kitchen in Orange County with grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, grey benchtop, beige cabinets and shaker cabinets.

Wandsworth refurbishment

Abstract Renovations Ltd

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in London with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, quartzite benchtops, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Sankt Mickelsgatan 114B

Hägerstens Mäklare

Design ideas for a large country single-wall eat-in kitchen in Stockholm with a drop-in sink, beige cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula and flat-panel cabinets.

Contemporary kitchen with island

User

This beautiful kitchen was designed by one our team for a property development company that were building three new housing plots in Tring. They gave us the task of coming up with a kitchen design that would be timeless and suitable for any new homeowner. Therefore, the challenge for us was to design for someone that we would never meet, but still try to make the space personal to them. The entire interior scheme needed to be considered, as the overall look of the house is contemporary, so the kitchen design needed to match this style. Due to this, a combination of high quality materials and a neutral colour scheme have been used. Handle-less, high gloss cashmere and matt taupe cabinetry are complimented by a Silestone Lusso quartz worktop with a European walnut breakfast bar. Attention to detail was key and needed to be carefully thought about within the design. Particular features have been replicated, such as including the walnut detailing to feature within the breakfast bar and for the wrap around panelling of the built-in fridge/freezer. LED lighting has also been used for the decorative purposes of illuminating the cabinetry but also the ceiling extractor, which both help to create an atmosphere within the kitchen, particularly in the evenings. The overall layout has been carefully considered, appliances have been positioned so that the potential homeowners would have everything they need within a practical working triangle. Storage solutions have been cleverly designed to be hidden behind doors, adding to the spacious feeling of this beautiful kitchen.

French Mediterranean

Murphy & Co. Design

Photo of a mediterranean galley kitchen in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, beige cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Blending Contemporary with Traditional

Origin - Doors and Windows

Photo of a small country single-wall kitchen in Buckinghamshire with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, blue splashback, no island, beige floor and black benchtop.

Rustic Kitchen

Inspiration for a country kitchen in Other with beige cabinets, beige splashback, brown benchtop and beaded inset cabinets.

Kitchen Reno

Fascella Construction

This is an example of a large modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, beige cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Dunbarton, Transitional Kitchen

The Muir Showrooms

The homeowner chose a stainless steel 60/40 double sink with a brushed nickel pull-down faucet. Matching sink grids protect delicate dishes and glassware.

Linda & Richie's Kitchen

Agate Architecture, LLC

Small transitional galley separate kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and a peninsula.

Kitchen Reno

Fascella Construction

Large modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, beige cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Blue Kitchen with Beige Cabinets Design Ideas

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to planning your kitchen design. Where do you even start? Gathering some inspiration in a photo gallery is always a good starting point, as looking at different kitchen designs often brings up ideas you haven’t even thought of yet.

Browse Photos of Kitchen Designs for Inspiration and Collect Your Ideas

You can browse through photos of all kinds of kitchen styles, layouts and sizes on Houzz to get started before jumping into any design software or contacting a local professional for help. Here’s a few considerations to keep in mind when planning your kitchen.

1. What Makes a Good Kitchen Design, and Why is it Important?

For starters, you want to find a balance between aesthetics and function. You may have heard of the ‘kitchen work triangle’, which refers to the space between your fridge, sink and stove. You want everything within easy reach when you’re working in the kitchen and look beautiful at the same time. It’s a good idea to take note of both when browsing our photo gallery.

2. Consider Your Space to Determine Your Kitchen Layout

Firstly, consider the space you have, and the limitations that come with it. Do you have a small kitchen and need to maximise your workspace and storage? Can you allow yourself some more space and a big island with seating? Are you designing your kitchen from scratch or renovating an existing design? Which appliances do you already own and what are their measurements? Are there windows you need to take into consideration when planning cabinets? How do kitchen, living and dining areas connect? Depending on your space and needs, you want to use a shape that suits you. U, G, or L-shaped kitchen, with or without island or peninsula? Know your dimensions, plan cabinetry carefully and consider the placement of your appliances. You don’t want to end up with a finished design, only for your significant other to question where the fridge is supposed to go. Consider from the start where your fridge, oven, microwave and sink goes to save yourself from starting again from scratch - remember the kitchen work triangle! You also want to plan the layout of your cabinets. Maybe you’re planning for a pantry and can do with less storage space in your kitchen, so that your design can be one without upper or lower cabinets for a different look. A corner cabinet can be a smart storage solution if you want to keep the look clean and simple.

3. Decide on a Kitchen Style, But Don’t Forget Practicality

You want the style of your kitchen to reflect your personality and taste. We have curated a large array of kitchen styles here at Houzz, from traditional to contemporary to transitional and everything in between. Consider what your cooking style is for a start - Italy is known for its cuisine, so italian kitchen designs are generally popular. Also consider ergonomics - depending on how much time you spend in your kitchen, the height of your counters can make a big difference to your overall health. You also want to consider colour and finishes of cabinets, countertops and splashbacks. Which colour do you want your cupboards to be? Simple, timeless white or rather making a statement in black? Maybe rather a rustic wood? Also consider the colour of your floor - if you have dark floors, you may want to keep cabinets lighter. You could also go for an all-white look and choose black appliances for contrast. Once you know which style you fancy, don’t forget how you will be using the space. You want to keep cooking in mind, as well as how easy to clean and maintain the space will be. How many cooks do you need to accommodate? Do you have kids around? How much storage do you need? Maybe you want to go for open shelves rather than cabinets and allow for easy reach of key items you use when cooking. Again - remember the triangle! Lastly, choose lighting that both enhances the look of your kitchen as well as your cooking performance, providing light in all the right places.

4. Be Conscious of Your Budget

No matter what you plan for your kitchen design, cost is always a big factor. Be sure to plan with your budget in mind. It may make more sense to go for a modular kitchen design rather than custom build. You can save a lot of money if you get at least 3 estimates from professionals before locking in the job. And don’t forget to allow a 20% buffer for emergencies. Once you are ready to hire a pro, our directory will help you find one, no matter where you are. So whether you're looking for an Interior Designer in Melbourne or an Architect in Sydney, you can be sure to find a qualified expert for the job!