Design ideas for a transitional u-shaped kitchen in Dallas with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback and stainless steel appliances.

modern kitchen in piedmont

building Lab, inc.

photo: scott hargis
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, quartz benchtops, porcelain floors, with island, metallic splashback and grey floor.

Courtyard House

DeForest Architects

Contractor: Prestige Residential Construction; Interior Design: NB Design Group; Photo: Benjamin Benschneider
Design ideas for a contemporary kitchen in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, granite benchtops and panelled appliances.

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Country Retreat

Rill Architects

James Ray Spahn Photography
Inspiration for a traditional kitchen in DC Metro with wood benchtops.

Autumn Wind

Room Resolutions

"Let there be light!" Vaulted ceilings and pendant lighting with coordinating island light brighten up this kitchen. The stainless steel appliances and lightly stained alder custom cabinets add to the aesthetics of this remodel. Photography by Victor Bernard

Tanque Verde 941

Eren Design and Remodel

Tucson Kitchen Design - These Tucson homeowners wanted a kitchen that would boast every amenity but create a relaxed and unpretentious ranch house feel. We created a true chef’s kitchen that incorporates all the modern amenities a professional chef could desire while creating the impression of a kitchen that has been lived with for generations. Details like the tin ceiling, tile countertops and warm un-fussy cabinetry work together with the existing Saltillo tile floors to provide them with the ideal space for family gatherings in this clients’ winter home in Agua Caliente Ranch Estates."

piedmont kitchen + bath remodel

building Lab, inc.

Two of the most significant alterations: removal of the wall between kitchen and family room and flush framing a beam dropping below the ceiling plane, entailed significant structural implications. The effort was amply rewarded in the continuity and dynamism of the resulting spaces. The large island centerpiece now straddles and accentuates the seam between the intimate 8’ kitchen ceiling and the airy vaulted height of the family room. Supporting these spaces are generous storage, a light saturated eating nook and a discrete computer workstation. design: building Lab build: canyon construction photo by scott hargis

Contemporary Kitchen

Photo of a contemporary galley separate kitchen in San Francisco with blue cabinets, an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

Custom Range Hood

Paul L. Johnson Interiors

Dramatic contemporary kitchen in a cool grey with slightly off white grey walls. The stainless steel in this kitchen brings out the balance of warm and cool. Joe Currie, Designer John Olson, Photographer

Rift Sawn White Oak

Venuti Woodworking

Photo of a contemporary kitchen in Salt Lake City.

Wainscott South

EB Designs

Wainscott South New Construction. Builder: Michael Frank Building Co. Designer: EB Designs SOLD $5M Poised on 1.25 acres from which the ocean a mile away is often heard and its breezes most definitely felt, this nearly completed 8,000 +/- sq ft residence offers masterful construction, consummate detail and impressive symmetry on three levels of living space. The journey begins as a double height paneled entry welcomes you into a sun drenched environment over richly stained oak floors. Spread out before you is the great room with coffered 10 ft ceilings and fireplace. Turn left past powder room, into the handsome formal dining room with coffered ceiling and chunky moldings. The heart and soul of your days will happen in the expansive kitchen, professionally equipped and bolstered by a butlers pantry leading to the dining room. The kitchen flows seamlessly into the family room with wainscotted 20' ceilings, paneling and room for a flatscreen TV over the fireplace. French doors open from here to the screened outdoor living room with fireplace. An expansive master with fireplace, his/her closets, steam shower and jacuzzi completes the first level. Upstairs, a second fireplaced master with private terrace and similar amenities reigns over 3 additional ensuite bedrooms. The finished basement offers recreational and media rooms, full bath and two staff lounges with deep window wells The 1.3acre property includes copious lawn and colorful landscaping that frame the Gunite pool and expansive slate patios. A convenient pool bath with access from both inside and outside the house is adjacent to the two car garage. Walk to the stores in Wainscott, bike to ocean at Beach Lane or shop in the nearby villages. Easily the best priced new construction with the most to offer south of the highway today.

Riverfront

Jenni Leasia Interior Design

This new riverfront townhouse is on three levels. The interiors blend clean contemporary elements with traditional cottage architecture. It is luxurious, yet very relaxed. Project by Portland interior design studio Jenni Leasia Interior Design. Also serving Lake Oswego, West Linn, Vancouver, Sherwood, Camas, Oregon City, Beaverton, and the whole of Greater Portland. For more about Jenni Leasia Interior Design, click here: https://www.jennileasiadesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.jennileasiadesign.com/lakeoswegoriverfront

BreakfastForFour

tuthill architecture

Interior Designer: MJB Design Group
Inspiration for a traditional u-shaped kitchen in Miami with panelled appliances, white cabinets, white splashback and recessed-panel cabinets.

Newton Renovation

Michael Kim Associates

This is an example of a large transitional galley kitchen in Boston with shaker cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, window splashback, light hardwood floors and with island.

Vanderbilt

Modern Craft Construction, LLC

Wonderful modern remodel in Dallas Texas.
Design ideas for a contemporary kitchen in Dallas with stainless steel appliances, concrete benchtops, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, beige splashback and stone tile splashback.

L. Cramer Builders + Remodelers

L. Cramer Luxury Home Kitchen Photography: Jill Greer Architecture: Ben Nelson Furnishings: Gabberts Design Studio
This is an example of a traditional eat-in kitchen in Minneapolis with raised-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Kitchen

Janof Architecture

The kitchen is a warm and functional space that utilizes custom walnut cabinetry, stainless steel, and extra-thick calacatta marble.
Photo of a contemporary kitchen in Seattle with stainless steel appliances, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback and marble splashback.

Space to Expand

Lang's Kitchen & Bath

Chpper Hatter Photo 10ft ceiling heights in this new home design help expand the overall space and provide enough height to include the stone hood design. The Blackberry stained cherry cabinetry for the main cabinetry provides the contrast for the natural stone hood. The island cabinetry is Straw color on Alder wood. This light color helps the overall space stay light. The custom desk is in the kitchen for easy access to recipes and school schedules.

Transitional Craftsman Kitchen

Robin Rigby Fisher, CMKBD/CAPS/CLIPPS

This 1920 Craftsman home was remodeled in the early 80’s where a large family room was added off the back of the home. This remodel utilized the existing back porch as part of the kitchen. The 1980’s remodel created two issues that were addressed in the current kitchen remodel: 1. The new family room (with 15’ ceilings) added a very contemporary feel to the home. As one walked from the dining room (complete with the original stained glass and built-ins with leaded glass fronts) through the kitchen, into the family room, one felt as if they were walking into an entirely different home. 2. The ceiling height change in the enlarged kitchen created an eyesore. The designer addressed these 2 issues by creating a galley kitchen utilizing a mid-tone glazed finish on alder over an updated version of a shaker door. This door had wider styles and rails and a deep bevel framing the inset panel, thus incorporating the traditional look of the shaker door in a more contemporary setting. By having the crown molding stained with an espresso finish, the eye is drawn across the room rather than up, minimizing the different ceiling heights. The back of the bar (viewed from the dining room) further incorporates the same espresso finish as an accent to create a paneled effect (Photo #1). The designer specified an oiled natural maple butcher block as the counter for the eating bar. The lighting over the bar, from Rejuvenation Lighting, is a traditional shaker style, but finished in antique copper creating a new twist on an old theme. To complete the traditional feel, the designer specified a porcelain farm sink with a traditional style bridge faucet with porcelain lever handles. For additional storage, a custom tall cabinet in a denim-blue washed finish was designed to store dishes and pantry items (Photo #2). Since the homeowners are avid cooks, the counters along the wall at the cook top were made 30” deep. The counter on the right of the cook top is maple butcher block; the remainder of the countertops are Silver and Gold Granite. Recycling is very important to the homeowner, so the designer incorporated an insulated copper door in the backsplash to the right of the ovens, which allows the homeowner to put all recycling in a covered exterior location (Photo #3). The 4 X 8” slate subway tile is a modern play on a traditional theme found in Craftsman homes (Photo #4). The new kitchen fits perfectly as a traditional transition when viewed from the dining, and as a contemporary transition when viewed from the family room.

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!

Friedman

John Lum Architecture, Inc. AIA

Photos Courtesy of Sharon Risedorph
Contemporary u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and blue splashback.