Inspiration for an expansive traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, cement tile splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Wallis Residence

Cornerstone Architects

Photography by Chase Daniel
Design ideas for an expansive mediterranean l-shaped kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, white splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, beige floor and white benchtop.

Woodland Drive Kitchen Renovations

Jordan Design-Build Group

An old stone mansion built in 1924 had seen a number of renovations over the decades and the time had finally come to address a growing list of issues. Rather than continue with a patchwork of fixes, the owners engaged us to conduct a full house renovation to bring this home back to its former glory and in line with its status as an international consulate residence where dignitaries are hosted on a regular basis. One of the biggest projects was remodeling the expansive 365 SF kitchen; the main kitchen needed to be both a workhorse for the weekly catered events as well as serve as the residents’ primary hub. We made adjustments to the kitchen layout to maximize countertop and storage space as well as enhance overall functionality, being mindful of the dual purposes this kitchen serves. To add visual interest to the large space we used two toned cabinets – classic white along the perimeter and a deep blue to distinguish the two islands and tall pantry. Brushed brass accents echo the original brass hardware and fixtures throughout the home. A kitchen this large needed a statement when it came to the countertops so we selected a stunning Nuvolato quartzite with distinctive veining that complements the blue cabinets. We restored and refinished the original Heart of Pine floors, letting the natural character of the wood shine through. A custom antique Heart of Pine wood top was commissioned for the fixed island – the warmth of wood was preferable to stone for the informal seating area. The second island serves as both prep area and staging space for dinners and events. This mobile island can be pushed flush with the stationary island to provide a generous area for the caterers to expedite service. Adjacent to the main kitchen, we added a second service kitchen for the live-in staff and their family. This room used to be a catch-all laundry/storage/mudroom so we had to get creative in order to incorporate all of those features while adding a fully functioning eat-in kitchen. Using smaller appliances allowed us to capture more space for cabinetry and by stacking the cabinets and washer/dryer (relocated to the rear service foyer) we managed to meet all the requirements. We installed salvaged Heart of Pine floors to match the originals in the adjacent kitchen and chose a neutral finish palette that will be easy to maintain. These kitchens weren’t the only projects we undertook in the historic stone mansion. Other renovations include 7 bathrooms, flooring throughout (hardwoods, custom carpets/runners/wall-to-wall), custom drapery and window treatments, new lighting/electric, as well as paint/trim and custom closet and cabinetry.

French Country kitchen and Bathroom Remodel

John Webb Construction and Design

This countryside farmhouse was remodeled and added on to by removing an interior wall separating the kitchen from the dining/living room, putting an addition at the porch to extend the kitchen by 10', installing an IKEA kitchen cabinets and custom built island using IKEA boxes, custom IKEA fronts, panels, trim, copper and wood trim exhaust wood, wolf appliances, apron front sink, and quartz countertop. The bathroom was redesigned with relocation of the walk-in shower, and installing a pottery barn vanity. the main space of the house was completed with luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout. A beautiful transformation with gorgeous views of the Willamette Valley.

Eclectic Kitchen Design

Karr Bick Kitchen and Bath

Expansive transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in St Louis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, multiple islands, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Campbell

Hamilton Architects

Big Island!
Inspiration for an expansive contemporary galley kitchen in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop, an undermount sink, black cabinets and beige floor.

Contemporary at the Ritz

Bilotta Kitchen & Home

This expansive contemporary penthouse kitchen, with stunning views overlooking White Plains, and the Hudson Valley was designed by Barbara Bell and Bilotta senior designer, Jeff Eakley. The cabinetry is Artcraft in a mix of high-gloss Dannogri laminate, Anthracite high-gloss lacquer, and a custom Gray matte paint. The island, great for entertaining, features a waterfall quartzite countertop with Caesarstone on the perimeter. The backsplash is a metallic glass tile. The Anthracite high gloss lacquer cabinetry hides a paneled 36” Subzero refrigerator and 36” paneled freezer while showcasing a SubZero wine refrigerator and a stainless-steel Bosch wall oven and microwave. A stainless-steel Faber hood sits above a Wolf cooktop. Hidden in the island is an extra Subzero refrigerator drawer for easy to reach drinks. Dishwasher is Miele. Designer: Barbara Bell with Bilotta Designer Jeff Eakley Photo Credit: Phillip Ennis

French Country Chateau Custom Home

Fautt Homes

Design ideas for an expansive l-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor, beige benchtop, white cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback and raised-panel cabinets.

Elegant Contemporary Kitchen

The Kitchen Company

This custom contemporary kitchen designed by Gail Bolling pairs cool gray cabinetry with a crisp white waterfall countertop while the backsplash adds just a touch of shine. It is a national award-winning design.

Nellysford

Arterra Design & Construction

This is an example of an expansive country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, multiple islands, grey floor, white benchtop, an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white splashback and stone slab splashback.

Elegance on the Sand

TaylorPro Design and Remodeling, Inc.

Photos By Jon Upson
Inspiration for an expansive transitional l-shaped kitchen in Tampa with an undermount sink, quartzite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, beige floor, grey benchtop, shaker cabinets and medium wood cabinets.

Dallas | Hillside | Kitchen

Kitchen Design Concepts

In our world of kitchen design, it’s lovely to see all the varieties of styles come to life. From traditional to modern, and everything in between, we love to design a broad spectrum. Here, we present a two-tone modern kitchen that has used materials in a fresh and eye-catching way. With a mix of finishes, it blends perfectly together to create a space that flows and is the pulsating heart of the home. With the main cooking island and gorgeous prep wall, the cook has plenty of space to work. The second island is perfect for seating – the three materials interacting seamlessly, we have the main white material covering the cabinets, a short grey table for the kids, and a taller walnut top for adults to sit and stand while sipping some wine! I mean, who wouldn’t want to spend time in this kitchen?! Cabinetry With a tuxedo trend look, we used Cabico Elmwood New Haven door style, walnut vertical grain in a natural matte finish. The white cabinets over the sink are the Ventura MDF door in a White Diamond Gloss finish. Countertops The white counters on the perimeter and on both islands are from Caesarstone in a Frosty Carrina finish, and the added bar on the second countertop is a custom walnut top (made by the homeowner!) with a shorter seated table made from Caesarstone’s Raw Concrete. Backsplash The stone is from Marble Systems from the Mod Glam Collection, Blocks – Glacier honed, in Snow White polished finish, and added Brass. Fixtures A Blanco Precis Silgranit Cascade Super Single Bowl Kitchen Sink in White works perfect with the counters. A Waterstone transitional pulldown faucet in New Bronze is complemented by matching water dispenser, soap dispenser, and air switch. The cabinet hardware is from Emtek – their Trinity pulls in brass. Appliances The cooktop, oven, steam oven and dishwasher are all from Miele. The dishwashers are paneled with cabinetry material (left/right of the sink) and integrate seamlessly Refrigerator and Freezer columns are from SubZero and we kept the stainless look to break up the walnut some. The microwave is a counter sitting Panasonic with a custom wood trim (made by Cabico) and the vent hood is from Zephyr.

German Kitchen in Esher

Thomas Davies Kitchens

Stunning Nolte German kitchen in an unusal 'T' shaped space combining a kitchen, living and dining area. The doors are a light grey/cashmere colur with the island in a genuine metal finish. Key features include a BORA induction hop with integrated extractor, corian worktops that run seamlessly with corian sinks, a Quooker Flex 3-in-1 boiling water tap, an L-Shaped breakfast bar, a full height Liebherr wine conditioning unit, Miele ovens, a tinted mirror splashback. We also designed and installed the media wall cabinetry in the area opposite. Christina Bull Photography

Sandalwood transitional

Jamestown Estate Homes

Expansive transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Houston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Past Projects

K4 Cabinetry

Photo of an expansive country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Salt Lake City with shaker cabinets, granite benchtops, a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Merillat - Contemportary - Masterpiece

Page Lumber, Millwork, & Building Supplies

This is an example of an expansive contemporary galley open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen

Pike Properties

This is an example of an expansive traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Charlotte with a farmhouse sink, marble benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Family Headquarters Kitchen & Family Room

Interiors by Popov

This is by far everybody’s favorite space. The kitchen is definitely the heart of the home where the dinner is getting ready, the homework is done, and in the family room the whole family can relax in front of the fireplace, while watching TV, listening to music, or playing video games. Whites with warm walnuts, light marble, and splashes of color are the key features in this modern family headquarters. The kitchen was meticulously designed to accommodate storage for numerous kitchen gadgets, cookware, and dinnerware that the family owned. Behind these simple and clean contemporary kitchen cabinet doors, there are multiple ergonomic and functional features that make this kitchen a modern chef’s dream

Florida Modern Custom Home by Orlando Custom Homebuilder Jorge Ulibarri

Jorge Ulibarri Custom Homes

In the large, open kitchen, an 18-foot wood grain laminate feature wall seamlessly integrates appliances in a T-formation. Two kitchen islands are crafted in the contrasting countertop material, one with a wraparound white and gray quartz countertop that matches the backsplash. The second kitchen island has a white quartz surface.

2018 Fall Parade of Homes- Gobal Remodel

TruKitchens

The kitchen features cabinets from Grabill Cabinets in their frameless “Mode” door style in a “Blanco” matte finish. The kitchen island back, coffee bar and floating shelves are also from Grabill Cabinets on Walnut in their “Allspice” finish. The stunning countertops and full slab backsplash are Brittanica quartz from Cambria. The Miele built-in coffee system, steam oven, wall oven, warming drawer, gas range, paneled built-in refrigerator and paneled dishwasher perfectly complement the clean lines of the cabinetry. The Marvel paneled ice machine and paneled wine storage system keep this space ready for entertaining at a moment’s notice. Builder: J. Peterson Homes. Interior Designer: Angela Satterlee, Fairly Modern. Kitchen & Cabinetry Design: TruKitchens. Cabinets: Grabill Cabinets. Countertops: Cambria. Flooring: Century Grand Rapids. Appliances: Bekins. Furniture & Home Accessories: MODRN GR. Photo: Ashley Avila Photography.

Expansive Kitchen 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!