Photo: Dustin Halleck
Photo of a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Chicago with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, no island, green floor and white benchtop.

Blueberry Kitchen with White Appliance Accents

KraftMaster Renovations

Blueberry english kitchen with white kitchen appliances, slate floor tile and zellige tile backsplash.
Photo of a small u-shaped separate kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, white appliances, slate floors, no island, grey floor and black benchtop.

Mukilteo Gem

Interiors by Popov

When we drove out to Mukilteo for our initial consultation, we immediately fell in love with this house. With its tall ceilings, eclectic mix of wood, glass and steel, and gorgeous view of the Puget Sound, we quickly nicknamed this project "The Mukilteo Gem". Our client, a cook and baker, did not like her existing kitchen. The main points of issue were short runs of available counter tops, lack of storage and shortage of light. So, we were called in to implement some big, bold ideas into a small footprint kitchen with big potential. We completely changed the layout of the room by creating a tall, built-in storage wall and a continuous u-shape counter top. Early in the project, we took inventory of every item our clients wanted to store in the kitchen and ensured that every spoon, gadget, or bowl would have a dedicated "home" in their new kitchen. The finishes were meticulously selected to ensure continuity throughout the house. We also played with the color scheme to achieve a bold yet natural feel.This kitchen is a prime example of how color can be used to both make a statement and project peace and balance simultaneously. While busy at work on our client's kitchen improvement, we also updated the entry and gave the homeowner a modern laundry room with triple the storage space they originally had. End result: ecstatic clients and a very happy design team. That's what we call a big success! John Granen.

Lowland Farm Kitchen

Kristina Crestin Design

Jared Kuzia Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped separate kitchen in Boston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Historic Takoma Park Kitchen

Grossmueller's Design Consultants

Design ideas for a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, green splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island, black floor and green benchtop.

North Shore kitchen remodel with seamless technology integration

Mills Technologies

No photoshopping here - in this kitchen remodel, functional devices like ceiling speakers, electrical outlets and lighting keypads are seamlessly integrated into the aesthetic design. Technology and integration by Mills Custom Audio/Video; Use of Trufig single gang devices and Sonance architectural speakers by Dana Innovations; Thomas Norman Rajkovich, Architect; General Contracting by EURO Construction; Millwork by Peacock Cabinetry

Massapequa Park Kitchen

Incredible Home Improvements, LLC

Traditional Galley style kitchen. Grey Herringbone glass tile. Porcelain plank tile. Grey cabinets. White quartz countertop.
Mid-sized traditional galley eat-in kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, a peninsula, grey floor and white benchtop.

The Old School House- Cambridgeshire

Hill Farm Furniture Ltd

This large kitchen in a converted schoolhouse needed an unusual approach. The owners wanted an eclectic look – using a diverse range of styles, shapes, sizes, colours and finishes. The final result speaks for itself – an amazing, quirky and edgy design. From the black sink unit with its ornate mouldings to the oak and beech butcher’s block, from the blue and cream solid wood cupboards with a mix of granite and wooden worktops to the more subtle free-standing furniture in the utility. Top of the class in every respect! Photo: www.clivedoyle.com

Farmhouse Kitchen

Covenant LLC

Photo of a mid-sized country eat-in kitchen in Boston with a single-bowl sink, blue cabinets, limestone benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island and grey floor.

Waterbury Center Kitchen Remodel

Green Line Builders

RS Designs
Inspiration for a large transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in Burlington with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, matchstick tile splashback, panelled appliances, slate floors, with island, beige floor and brown benchtop.

Water Mill Refurbishment

Woodford Architecture and Interiors

Photo of a large country u-shaped kitchen in Devon with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, blue cabinets, solid surface benchtops, brown splashback, stone slab splashback, slate floors, no island, grey floor, white benchtop and panelled appliances.

Stevens Remodel

Harka Architecture

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island, grey floor and black benchtop.

Park Slope

MPD Design Build Inc.

Inspiration for a small modern u-shaped kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, slate floors, no island and grey floor.

Modern Kitchen

Design ideas for a large modern open plan kitchen in Essex with shaker cabinets, wood benchtops, glass sheet splashback, with island, an integrated sink, blue cabinets and slate floors.

Kitchen Pantry & Landing Space

KraftMaster Renovations

Blueberry english kitchen with white kitchen appliances, slate floor tile and zellige tile backsplash.
Design ideas for a small u-shaped separate kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, white appliances, slate floors, no island, grey floor and black benchtop.

S.W.Reno Custom Home

Unique Design Cabinet Company

Pantry pull-outs; Custom Knotty Alder kitchen cabinetry; full overlay applied molding raised panel door style; soft close hinges; dovetailed maple drawer boxes; full extension soft close drawer & roll-out guides.

Blue Steel Kitchen

Figura Kitchens & Interiors

A Striking hand painted blue kitchen, designed for a busy Surrey family. The stark contrast of industrial stainless steel and wooden surfaces against the deep blue units create a statement kitchen. All brought together with matching stainless steel appliances.

West Moseley, London Extension and Renovation

MODEL Projects Ltd

Kitchen, blue, slate floor, white worktop, silver sink, white, built in appliances, built in cupboard
Inspiration for a transitional galley kitchen in London with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, grey splashback, a peninsula, grey floor, slate floors and white benchtop.

SPEKVA Wood Grain

K&N Appliance Gallery

SPEKVA is known for their beautiful use of solid wood, and modern interpretations of classic designs. This table is no exception to the chemistry that solid, rustic wood can have with a contemporarily designed space.

West Oval

Bloomsbury Kitchens and Fine Cabinetry

This is an example of a large modern u-shaped open plan kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, metallic splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and coffered.

Blue Kitchen with Slate Floors 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!