Designer Sarah Robertson of Studio Dearborn helped a neighbor and friend to update a “builder grade” kitchen into a personal, family space that feels luxurious and inviting. The homeowner wanted to solve a number of storage and flow problems in the kitchen, including a wasted area dedicated to a desk, too-little pantry storage, and her wish for a kitchen bar. The all white builder kitchen lacked character, and the client wanted to inject color, texture and personality into the kitchen while keeping it classic.

Fresh & Airy

KrimsonHAUS

Mid-sized transitional u-shaped kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and black benchtop.

French-Country Kitchen Remodel- Front View

Kraft Custom Construction

After a not-so-great experience with a previous contractor, this homeowner came to Kraft Custom Construction in search of a better outcome. Not only was she wanting a more functional kitchen to enjoy cooking in, she also sought out a team with a clear process and great communication. Two elements of the original floorplan shaped the design of the new kitchen: a protruding pantry that blocked the flow from the front door into the main living space, and two large columns in the middle of the living room. Using a refined French-Country design aesthetic, we completed structural modifications to reframe the pantry, and integrated a new custom buffet cabinet to tie in the old columns with new wood ceiling beams. Other design solutions include more usable countertop space, a recessed spice cabinet, numerous drawer organizers, and updated appliances and finishes all around. This bright new kitchen is both comfortable yet elegant, and the perfect place to cook for the family or entertain a group of guests.

Parkmeadow

Clearcut Construction, Inc.

This beautiful eclectic kitchen brings together the class and simplistic feel of mid century modern with the comfort and natural elements of the farmhouse style. The white cabinets, tile and countertops make the perfect backdrop for the pops of color from the beams, brass hardware and black metal fixtures and cabinet frames.

A Naturally Modern Kitchen Remodel

Bobbi Alderfer/Lifestyle Design

With using the walnut cabinets, we tried to keep the sizes as uniform as possible but there were some aspects the client wanted. One of those was the corner appliance garage. Hiding these necessary evils in a beautiful cabinet with easy accessibility was the perfect marriage.

Caputuring Craftsman

Creative Design Construction, Inc.

Embracing an authentic Craftsman-styled kitchen was one of the primary objectives for these New Jersey clients. They envisioned bending traditional hand-craftsmanship and modern amenities into a chef inspired kitchen. The woodwork in adjacent rooms help to facilitate a vision for this space to create a free-flowing open concept for family and friends to enjoy. This kitchen takes inspiration from nature and its color palette is dominated by neutral and earth tones. Traditionally characterized with strong deep colors, the simplistic cherry cabinetry allows for straight, clean lines throughout the space. A green subway tile backsplash and granite countertops help to tie in additional earth tones and allow for the natural wood to be prominently displayed. The rugged character of the perimeter is seamlessly tied into the center island. Featuring chef inspired appliances, the island incorporates a cherry butchers block to provide additional prep space and seating for family and friends. The free-standing stainless-steel hood helps to transform this Craftsman-style kitchen into a 21st century treasure.

Magnificent Transition Kitchen

CairnsCraft Design & Remodel

Large transitional kitchen in San Diego with an undermount sink, white cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop, quartz benchtops, glass tile splashback and shaker cabinets.

Long Island Residence

JSE Interior Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary kitchen in New York with shaker cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, with island and white benchtop.

Whitewing

AFT Construction

High Res Media
Inspiration for an expansive transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Phoenix with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, quartz benchtops, marble splashback and beige floor.

Custom Atlanta Home

Vincent Longo Custom Builders

Design ideas for a large transitional l-shaped kitchen pantry in Atlanta with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, no island and brown floor.

Deep Blue Kitchen Larchmont Manor

Studio Dearborn

A hip young family moving from Boston tackled an enormous makeover of an antique colonial revival home in downtown Larchmont. The kitchen area was quite spacious but benefitted from a small bump out for a banquette and additional windows. Navy blue island and tall cabinetry matched to Benjamin Moore’s Van Deusen blue is balanced by crisp white (Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace) cabinetry on the perimeter. The mid-century inspired suspended fireplace adds warmth and style to the kitchen. A tile covered range hood blends the ventilation into the walls. Brushed brass hardware by Lewis Dolan in a contemporary T-bar shape offer clean lines in a warm metallic tone. White Marble countertops on the perimeter are balanced by white quartz composite on the island. Kitchen design and custom cabinetry by Studio Dearborn. Countertops by Rye Marble. Refrigerator--Subzero; Range—Viking French door oven--Viking. Dacor Wine Station. Dishwashers—Bosch. Ventilation—Best. Hardware—Lewis Dolan. Lighting—Rejuvenation. Sink--Franke. Stools—Soho Concept. Photography Adam Kane Macchia.

Traditional San Diego

User

Traditional but unusually shaped kitchen with a white painted cabinets, seapearl quartzite countertops, tradewinds tint mosaic backsplash, paneled appliances, dark wood island with hidden outlets. Featuring a flat panel TV in the backsplash for your viewing pleasure while cooking for your family. This great kitchen is adjacent to an amazing outdoor living space with multiple living spaces and an outdoor pool. Traditional but unusually shaped kitchen with a white painted cabinets, seapearl quartzite countertops, tradewinds tint mosaic backsplash, paneled appliances, dark wood island with hidden outlets. Featuring a flat panel TV in the backsplash for your viewing pleasure while cooking for your family. This great kitchen is adjacent to an amazing outdoor living space with multiple living spaces and an outdoor pool. Photos by Jon Upson

Transitional Kitchen Remodel with Two Tone White Oak

Mariano & Co., LLC

Large transitional kitchen in Phoenix with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Warm Farmhouse Kitchen - Basking Ridge, NJ

KraftMaster Renovations

Warm farmhouse kitchen nestled in the suburbs has a welcoming feel, with soft repose gray cabinets, two islands for prepping and entertaining and warm wood contrasts.

Spruce Ave.

Ashley Martin Home

Design ideas for a large transitional galley open plan kitchen in Orlando with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, green cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances and grey benchtop.

Bohème Chic

Anne Chemineau - Decor Interieur

La cuisine ouverte sur le séjour est aménagée avec un ilôt central qui intègre des rangements d’un côté et de l’autre une banquette sur mesure, élément central et design de la pièce à vivre. pièce à vivre. Les éléments hauts sont regroupés sur le côté alors que le mur faisant face à l'îlot privilégie l'épure et le naturel avec ses zelliges et une étagère murale en bois.

Modern Farm House in Cherry Hills

Haley Custom Homes

This open floor kitchen has a mixture of Concrete Counter tops as well as Marble. The range hood is made of a custom plaster. The T&G ceiling with accents of Steel make this room cozy and elegant. The floors were 8 inch planks imported from Europe.

Hex Tile Backsplash in Glossy Navy Blue

Fireclay Tile

Anchored by a Navy Blue Hexagon Tile Backsplash, this transitional style kitchen serves up some nautical vibes with its classic blue and white color pairing. Love the look? Sample navy blue tiles and more at fireclaytile.com. TILE SHOWN 6" Hexagon Tiles in Navy Blue DESIGN John Gioffre PHOTOS Leonid Furmansky INSTALLER Revent Remodeling + Construction

Braeburn Mid Century Modern, Houston, TX

Victoria Sheffield

Midcentury modern kitchen with white kitchen cabinets, solid surface countertops, and tile backsplash. Open shelving is used throughout. The wet bar design includes teal grasscloth. The floors are the original 1950's Saltillo tile. A flush mount vent hood has been used to not obstruct the view.

Plano | Normandy Estates | Kitchen & Butler Cabinets (Partner)

Kitchen Design Concepts

The builder we partnered with for this beauty original wanted to use his cabinet person (who builds and finishes on site) but the clients advocated for manufactured cabinets - and we agree with them! These homeowners were just wonderful to work with and wanted materials that were a little more "out of the box" than the standard "white kitchen" you see popping up everywhere today - and their dog, who came along to every meeting, agreed to something with longevity, and a good warranty! The cabinets are from WW Woods, their Eclipse (Frameless, Full Access) line in the Aspen door style - a shaker with a little detail. The perimeter kitchen and scullery cabinets are a Poplar wood with their Seagull stain finish, and the kitchen island is a Maple wood with their Soft White paint finish. The space itself was a little small, and they loved the cabinetry material, so we even paneled their built in refrigeration units to make the kitchen feel a little bigger. And the open shelving in the scullery acts as the perfect go-to pantry, without having to go through a ton of doors - it's just behind the hood wall!

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!