Eric Roth Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and black benchtop.

Transitional Updates - Naperville, IL

TKS Design Group

Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW Our clients had been in their home since the early 1980’s and decided it was time for some updates. We took on the kitchen, two bathrooms and a powder room. The layout in the kitchen was functional for them, so we kept that pretty much as is. Our client wanted a contemporary-leaning transitional look — nice clean lines with a gray and white palette. Light gray cabinets with a slightly darker gray subway tile keep the northern exposure light and airy. They also purchased some new furniture for their breakfast room and adjoining family room, so the whole space looks completely styled and new. The light fixtures are staggered and give a nice rhythm to the otherwise serene feel. The homeowners were not 100% sold on the flooring choice for little powder room off the kitchen when I first showed it, but now they think it is one of the most interesting features of the design. I always try to “push” my clients a little bit because that’s when things can get really fun and this is what you are paying for after all, ideas that you may not come up with on your own. We also worked on the two upstairs bathrooms. We started first on the hall bath which was basically just in need of a face lift. The floor is porcelain tile made to look like carrera marble. The vanity is white Shaker doors fitted with a white quartz top. We re-glazed the cast iron tub. The master bath was a tub to shower conversion. We used a wood look porcelain plank on the main floor along with a Kohler Tailored vanity. The custom shower has a barn door shower door, and vinyl wallpaper in the sink area gives a rich textured look to the space. Overall, it’s a pretty sophisticated look for its smaller fooprint. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Pool House

Evergreen Building Systems LLC

Inspiration for a small beach style kitchen in Bridgeport with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback and beige floor.

Rockville

Jennifer Radakovic Design

Large country kitchen pantry in Richmond with white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, brown benchtop, a farmhouse sink, stainless steel appliances, with island and shaker cabinets.

Scarborough Modern Farmhouse Kitchen Renovation

The Good Home - Interiors & Design

Darren Setlow Photography
Inspiration for a large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland Maine with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, multi-coloured benchtop, beige floor and exposed beam.

When Three Become One

Square Footage Inc.

Photos by Valerie Wilcox
This is an example of an expansive transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Vallejo Court Project

AFT Construction

Open Kitchen with large island. Two-tone cabinetry with decorative end panels. White quartz counters with stainless steel hood and brass pendant light fixtures.

Organic Modern Mountain Home

Living Stone Design + Build

Inspiration for a large country open plan kitchen in Other with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, window splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Craftsman Kitchen in Brighton, MI

Dream Kitchens

Photo of a large traditional l-shaped kitchen in Detroit with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, wood benchtops, green splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, medium wood cabinets and window splashback.

Kitchen Sink

New Old, LLC

Design ideas for a large country kitchen in Charlotte with a farmhouse sink, marble benchtops, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, light hardwood floors, no island and shaker cabinets.

Whiteside Farm, SL-1979

Wilson Design & Construction, Inc.

Wilson Design & Construction, Laurey Glenn
This is an example of a country u-shaped kitchen in Atlanta with shaker cabinets, blue splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white cabinets.

Modern Eclectic Family Home

BUILT Design Collective

photo credit: Haris Kenjar Urban Electric lighting. Rejuvenation hardware. Viking range. honed caesarstone countertops 6x6 irregular edge ceramic tile vintage Moroccan rug

Shawnee Kitchen Remodel

Allen Building Specialties, Inc.

Photo of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Kansas City with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, brick splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Lakefront Timber Frame Home and Pavillions

KohlMark Architects and Builders

The design of this home was driven by the owners’ desire for a three-bedroom waterfront home that showcased the spectacular views and park-like setting. As nature lovers, they wanted their home to be organic, minimize any environmental impact on the sensitive site and embrace nature. This unique home is sited on a high ridge with a 45° slope to the water on the right and a deep ravine on the left. The five-acre site is completely wooded and tree preservation was a major emphasis. Very few trees were removed and special care was taken to protect the trees and environment throughout the project. To further minimize disturbance, grades were not changed and the home was designed to take full advantage of the site’s natural topography. Oak from the home site was re-purposed for the mantle, powder room counter and select furniture. The visually powerful twin pavilions were born from the need for level ground and parking on an otherwise challenging site. Fill dirt excavated from the main home provided the foundation. All structures are anchored with a natural stone base and exterior materials include timber framing, fir ceilings, shingle siding, a partial metal roof and corten steel walls. Stone, wood, metal and glass transition the exterior to the interior and large wood windows flood the home with light and showcase the setting. Interior finishes include reclaimed heart pine floors, Douglas fir trim, dry-stacked stone, rustic cherry cabinets and soapstone counters. Exterior spaces include a timber-framed porch, stone patio with fire pit and commanding views of the Occoquan reservoir. A second porch overlooks the ravine and a breezeway connects the garage to the home. Numerous energy-saving features have been incorporated, including LED lighting, on-demand gas water heating and special insulation. Smart technology helps manage and control the entire house. Greg Hadley Photography

Traditional Pantry

CLOSET FURNISHINGS & CABINETRY

Traditional white pantry. Ten feet tall with walnut butcher block counter top, Shaker drawer fronts, polished chrome hardware, baskets with canvas liners, pullouts for canned goods and cooking sheet slots.

Manor Homes Verona 2016 Parade Home

Couture Designs

This is an example of a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Columbus with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, marble benchtops and mosaic tile splashback.

Classic White Modern Kitchen

Andreas Letkovsky Architecture

Alex Kotlik Photography
Design ideas for a large country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Hanover Rustic Kitchen

Kathleen Doyle Interior Designs LLC

Bill Secord
Inspiration for an expansive arts and crafts eat-in kitchen in Seattle with an integrated sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, green splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors and with island.

Contemporary Kitchen Remodel - South San Jose, CA

CAGE Design Build

Contemporary Kitchen Remodel featuring DeWils cabinetry in Maple with Just White finish and Kennewick door style, sleek concrete quartz countertop, jet black quartz countertop, hickory ember hardwood flooring, recessed ceiling detail | Photo: CAGE Design Build

Hoboken Small Kitchen

User

Inspiration for a transitional single-wall kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and no island.

Brown Kitchen with Shaker 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!