Oakstone Homes is Iowa's premier custom home & renovation company with 30+ years of experience. They build single-family and bi-attached homes in the Des Moines metro and surrounding communities. Oakstone Homes are a family-owned company that focuses on quality over quantity and we're obsessed with the details. Featured here, our Ventura Seashell Oak floors throughout this Oastone Home IA. Photography by Lauren Konrad Photography.

Black & White Kitchen with Accents of Gold

Amazing Spaces

The existing U-shaped kitchen was tucked away in a small corner while the dining table was swimming in a room much too large for its size. The client’s needs and the architecture of the home made it apparent that the perfect design solution for the home was to swap the spaces. The homeowners entertain frequently and wanted the new layout to accommodate a lot of counter seating, a bar/buffet for serving hors d’oeuvres, an island with prep sink, and all new appliances. They had a strong preference that the hood be a focal point and wanted to go beyond a typical white color scheme even though they wanted white cabinets. While moving the kitchen to the dining space gave us a generous amount of real estate to work with, two of the exterior walls are occupied with full-height glass creating a challenge how best to fulfill their wish list. We used one available wall for the needed tall appliances, taking advantage of its height to create the hood as a focal point. We opted for both a peninsula and island instead of one large island in order to maximize the seating requirements and create a barrier when entertaining so guests do not flow directly into the work area of the kitchen. This also made it possible to add a second sink as requested. Lastly, the peninsula sets up a well-defined path to the new dining room without feeling like you are walking through the kitchen. We used the remaining fourth wall for the bar/buffet. Black cabinetry adds strong contrast in several areas of the new kitchen. Wire mesh wall cabinet doors at the bar and gold accents on the hardware, light fixtures, faucets and furniture add further drama to the concept. The focal point is definitely the black hood, looking both dramatic and cohesive at the same time.

Riverstone Studio

Pedini NW

This goal of this studio condo remodel was to make the space feel like a high-end hotel suite. This condo is the client's city place - their home away from home and they wanted it to feel like a luxury escape. The walnut and white matte lacquer cabinets provide a crisp, yet warm and cozy feel in the space. The walnut bath vanity is a perfect contrast to the clean white walls and tile.

Upper West Side Duplex Combination

Ben Herzog

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional galley eat-in kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Kitchen Remodel - Ann Arbor, MI

User

Photo of a large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Detroit with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and recessed.

Thorpedale Road, N4

Build Team

This open plan space is split into segments using the long and narrow kitchen island and the dining table. It is clear to see how each of these spaces can have different uses.

Glass House with Pool Views

Nathan Taylor for Obelisk Home

Inspiration for a large modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Bellmont Vero Contemporary Kitchen

Cabinets and Beyond Design Studio

Bellmont Vero Contemporary Kitchen veneer door.
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Contemporary Sussex Kitchen

Kowalske Kitchen & Bath

A Sussex family hired us as the design build remodel company to makeover this kitchen. This remodeling project had three main goals: improve storage, update the layout/style and enhance the functionality. IMPROVE STORAGE The original home builder put in very narrow cabinets. The small, narrow cabinets made it difficult for the homeowners to store items. They also said it was important to have a kitchen that works for their children. The new design incorporates an appliance cabinet and wide drawers for storing items. The kids have easy access to snack drawers and lower dish storage for plastic cups and plates. Also, we added two built-in cabinets in the dining room for more storage. UPDATE THE LAYOUT & STYLE While the area was large, it didn’t maximize the space or fit their contemporary style. They wanted plenty of counter prep space and enough room for friends and family to gather. We added a large wood island with seating – perfect for hosting parties and family dinners. The space is bright with white shaker cabinetry and subway tile backsplash. Warm touches include satin bronze light fixtures and hardware. ENHANCE THE FUNCTIONALITY This Sussex kitchen features a Galley Sink Workstation. Having a sink workstation facing the center of the room allows the homeowners to stay part of the conversation while preparing a meal or cleaning up. Sink workstations are one of the hottest kitchen trends. HOMEOWNER REVIEW “We recently completed our kitchen remodel with Kowalske and we can’t say enough good things about our experience. Not only was every member of the team amazing, the work that was done in our kitchen was very high quality. We have recommended Kowalske to all of our friends and plan to use them for our master bath remodel in the future!” – Nicole, homeowner (Houzz Review)

Sherwood Eclectic Farmhouse

Northland Design & Build

This is an example of a large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands and white benchtop.

Modern Classic Double Island Kitchen

Studio M Kitchen & Bath

The designer creatively increased kitchen storage by dropping the upper cabinets all the way to the countertops on each side of the window. She used pocket doors so the hidden undercounter space could be more easily utilized.

Cucina con isola in Fenix

MATTEO MARTINI ARCHITETTO

Il forte contrasto è dato dagli elettrodomestici neri - tra cui l'iconico frigo di Smeg - e dalla lampada Aim di Flos.
Photo of a mid-sized scandinavian l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Milan with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, timber splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and recessed.

Georgia Park Heights Custom Home

Made To Last Custom Homes Ltd.

Georgia Park Heights Custom Home is a “West Coast Modern” style home that was built in Crofton, BC. This house overlooks the quaint Cowichan Valley town and includes a gorgeous view of the ocean and neighbouring Salt Spring Island. This custom home is 2378 square feet, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The master bedroom and ensuite of this home are located in the walk-out basement, leaving the main floor for an open-concept kitchen, living area and dining area. The most noteworthy feature of this Crofton custom home is the abundance of light. Firstly, the home is filled with many windows, and includes skylights, and sliding glass doors to bring in natural light. Further, upper and under cabinet lighting was installed in the custom kitchen, in addition to pot lights and pendant lights. The result is a bright, airy custom home that is perfect for this Crofton location. Additional design elements such as wood floors and a wooden breakfast bar complete the “West Coast” style of this Georgia Park Heights Custom Home.

Coyote Creek

KAM Designs

Inspiration for a country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Jackson with quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, stone slab splashback, light hardwood floors, with island and beige benchtop.

Brewer Way

the Design Studio, LLC

This is an example of a large traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and coffered.

Renovation for Re-Sale

Elisse Navi Interiors

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern eat-in kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Birdseye Contemporary Maple Kitchen

Kitchens & Baths Unlimited

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, yellow floor and white benchtop.

Bondi Project

Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms

Putting cabinetry along the back wall of our Condo project would have looked clumsy butted up against the window. Instead we made this otherwise awkward corner shine with a striking marble splash back to the ceiling. Keeping the upper cabinets white (which keeps the space open and spacious) adding a splash of colour below and hint of timber and brass means that this small kitchen is not small on style.

Elegant Simplicity

Raw Urth Designs

Design: Montrose Range Hood Finish: Brushed Steel with Burnished Brass details Handcrafted Range Hood by Raw Urth Designs in collaboration with D'amore Interiors and Kirella Homes. Photography by Timothy Gormley, www.tgimage.com.

#89

Sferico Architetti

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Turin with laminate benchtops, light hardwood floors, beige floor, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, grey splashback, panelled appliances, a peninsula and black benchtop.

Eat-in Kitchen with Light Hardwood 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!