Design ideas for an expansive traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, stone tile splashback and brown floor.

Home Addition

L Marie Interior Design

Clients' first home and there forever home with a family of four and in laws close, this home needed to be able to grow with the family. This most recent growth included a few home additions including the kids bathrooms (on suite) added on to the East end, the two original bathrooms were converted into one larger hall bath, the kitchen wall was blown out, entrying into a complete 22'x22' great room addition with a mudroom and half bath leading to the garage and the final addition a third car garage. This space is transitional and classic to last the test of time.

MM45

Ottaviano Ciabatti

Alberto Ferrero
Expansive contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Milan with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, metallic splashback, metal splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Rustic Modern Farmhouse Kitchen

Studio 76 Kitchens and Baths

A new-build modern farmhouse included an open kitchen with views to all the first level rooms, including dining area, family room area, back mudroom and front hall entries. Rustic-styled beams provide support between first floor and loft upstairs. A 10-foot island was designed to fit between rustic support posts. The rustic alder dark stained island complements the L-shape perimeter cabinets of lighter knotty alder. Two full-sized undercounter ovens by Wolf split into single spacing, under an electric cooktop, and in the large island are useful for this busy family. Hardwood hickory floors and a vintage armoire add to the rustic decor.

Lincoln Park - Howe

Middlefork Development LLC

Rising amidst the grand homes of North Howe Street, this stately house has more than 6,600 SF. In total, the home has seven bedrooms, six full bathrooms and three powder rooms. Designed with an extra-wide floor plan (21'-2"), achieved through side-yard relief, and an attached garage achieved through rear-yard relief, it is a truly unique home in a truly stunning environment. The centerpiece of the home is its dramatic, 11-foot-diameter circular stair that ascends four floors from the lower level to the roof decks where panoramic windows (and views) infuse the staircase and lower levels with natural light. Public areas include classically-proportioned living and dining rooms, designed in an open-plan concept with architectural distinction enabling them to function individually. A gourmet, eat-in kitchen opens to the home's great room and rear gardens and is connected via its own staircase to the lower level family room, mud room and attached 2-1/2 car, heated garage. The second floor is a dedicated master floor, accessed by the main stair or the home's elevator. Features include a groin-vaulted ceiling; attached sun-room; private balcony; lavishly appointed master bath; tremendous closet space, including a 120 SF walk-in closet, and; an en-suite office. Four family bedrooms and three bathrooms are located on the third floor. This home was sold early in its construction process. Nathan Kirkman

St. Andrews Shreveport Louisiana

Vintage Construction Group

Photo of an expansive contemporary kitchen in New Orleans with white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Classic Contemporary Orangery Kitchen | Ashurst House

Humphrey Munson

The key design goal of the homeowners was to install “an extremely well-made kitchen with quality appliances that would stand the test of time”. The kitchen design had to be timeless with all aspects using the best quality materials and appliances. The new kitchen is an extension to the farmhouse and the dining area is set in a beautiful timber-framed orangery by Westbury Garden Rooms, featuring a bespoke refectory table that we constructed on site due to its size. The project involved a major extension and remodelling project that resulted in a very large space that the homeowners were keen to utilise and include amongst other things, a walk in larder, a scullery, and a large island unit to act as the hub of the kitchen. The design of the orangery allows light to flood in along one length of the kitchen so we wanted to ensure that light source was utilised to maximum effect. Installing the distressed mirror splashback situated behind the range cooker allows the light to reflect back over the island unit, as do the hammered nickel pendant lamps. The sheer scale of this project, together with the exceptionally high specification of the design make this kitchen genuinely thrilling. Every element, from the polished nickel handles, to the integration of the Wolf steamer cooktop, has been precisely considered. This meticulous attention to detail ensured the kitchen design is absolutely true to the homeowners’ original design brief and utilises all the innovative expertise our years of experience have provided.

Kitchen Remodel

Sebring Design Build

Portraits of Home by Rachael Ormond
Expansive contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Nashville with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, painted wood floors and with island.

Open Kitchen & Butler's Pantry

Mosby Building Arts

An LCD TV mounted to a swing-arm hides behind cabinet doors above the Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer. The kitchen island with undermount sink has storage on 2 sides, and a breakfast bar. By removing walls and creating new entry points, a modern kitchen with an era-appropriate look for a home built in 1914 enlivens a family with natural light and plenty of work and gathering places. The Butler’s pantry and kitchen includes a laundry room, dining area, chalkboard column and a swivel-mount TV above the refrigerator. Photo by Toby Weiss for Mosby Building Arts.

Mt. Prospect Kitchen Addition with Walnut Cabinets

Patrick A. Finn, Ltd

Photography by Sophia Hronis-Arbis. The red barstools add a nice pop of color to this walnut island with a end grain butcher block island top.
This is an example of an expansive transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, matchstick tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and recessed-panel cabinets.

Waterfront elegance

JMDG Architecture | Planning + Interiors

Photos by Marc Minisci Photography, courtesy of Aqua Construction.
Photo of an expansive transitional kitchen pantry in Miami with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors and with island.

37 Sound Ave

GUILTEC LLC

Photo of an expansive arts and crafts u-shaped separate kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, with island, white splashback, stainless steel appliances and light hardwood floors.

Foley Fiore Architecture

Boston Design Guide

Inspiration for an expansive contemporary u-shaped separate kitchen in Boston with a peninsula, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, a drop-in sink and medium hardwood floors.

A place to cook

User

Beautiful bespoke kitchen with views down to an estuary. Secret location, South West England. Colin Cadle Photography, Photo Styling Jan Cadle
Inspiration for an expansive country eat-in kitchen in Devon with beaded inset cabinets, beige cabinets, granite benchtops, white appliances and slate floors.

Modern Classic Coastal

Hom Personal Interiors

The grey houndstooth rattan chairs were a must for the KITCHEN table the moment they were spotted. The precise millwork of the kitchen cabinetry is fully lacquered in white and two Shades of Grey. The giant slab behind the stove is carrera marble as is the 2”x4” beveled subway tile back splash. Both create a riot of other greys. The grey flecked and white counter tops that are all quartz for ease of cleaning and heavy use add to the Shades of Grey contrasted with a stark white. Keeping things elegant...but in a rougher way, the lighting is steel mesh in elegant shapes that add an industrial note to the bright Kitchen

Waterfront Kitchen

Wiedemann Architects LLC

This home on the Eastern Shore of Maryland began as a modest 1927 home with a central hall plan. Renovations included reversing the kitchen and dining room layout , adding a large central island and hood to anchor the center of the kitchen. The island has a walnut counter encircling the working island and accommodates additional seating. The main sink looks out to the north with beautiful water views. The southwest bay window affords a seating area with built-in bookshelves adjoining the breakfast room while the one in the kitchen provides for the secondary sink and clean-up area. By capturing the additional depth in the bay window, a large TV is concealed below the countertop and can emerge with a press of a button or retract out of sight to enjoy views of the water. A separate butler's pantry and wine bar were designed adjoining the breakfast room. The original fireplace was retained and became the center of the large Breakfast Room. Wood paneling lines the Breakfast Room which helps to integrate the new kitchen and the adjoining spaces into a coherent whole, all accessible from the informal entry. This was a highly collaborative project with Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen and Bath LTD of Chevy Chase, MD. Bob Narod, Photographer, LLC

West Vancouver Horizon

SGDI - Sarah Gallop Design Inc.

This beautiful home is located in West Vancouver BC. This family came to SGDI in the very early stages of design. They had architectural plans for their home, but needed a full interior package to turn constructions drawings into a beautiful liveable home. Boasting fantastic views of the water, this home has a chef’s kitchen equipped with a Wolf/Sub-Zero appliance package and a massive island with comfortable seating for 5. No detail was overlooked in this home. The master ensuite is a huge retreat with marble throughout, steam shower, and raised soaker tub overlooking the water with an adjacent 2 way fireplace to the mater bedroom. Frame-less glass was used as much as possible throughout the home to ensure views were not hindered. The basement boasts a large custom temperature controlled 150sft wine room. A marvel inside and out. Paul Grdina Photography

Traditional Kitchen

Design ideas for an expansive traditional galley eat-in kitchen in Other with multiple islands, beaded inset cabinets, distressed cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink and porcelain floors.

West Vancouver Horizon

SGDI - Sarah Gallop Design Inc.

Karvelas Kitchen

Turan Designs, Inc.

Huge Contemporary Kitchen Designer: Teri Turan
Photo of an expansive transitional u-shaped kitchen in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

All Cabinet Finishes 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!