joana Morrison
Photo of a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, white floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Midcentury Modern 2

HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Kitchen open to Dining Room features large island and live-edge Walnut table with Eames shell chairs - Architecture: HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Interior Architecture: HAUS with Design Studio Vriesman, General Contractor: Wrightworks, Landscape Architecture: A2 Design, Photography: HAUS

Farmhouse Home - Krameria St.

Colorado Kitchen Designs

Beautiful kitchen island with large decorative posts. White farm sink and bumped out range. Small details like a vlance toe on the sink cabinet complete the overall look. Marble and soapstone tops.

Contemporary Farm Style Kitchen

Ross Design Inc.

View of kitchen looking back toward seating area. photo: Tracy Witherspoon
Design ideas for a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, medium hardwood floors and limestone splashback.

Transitional - White Cabinets, Gray Oak Island, Carrera Arabesque Backsplash

Cedar Hill Cabinets

This was the darkest corner of the former kitchen. The white painted kitchen cabinets and an oak island stained gray with Carrera marble countertops create a very trendy room that is very open and light. Photography by Greg Hoppe.

Eagle Harbor Cabin

FINNE Architects

The Eagle Harbor Cabin is located on a wooded waterfront property on Lake Superior, at the northerly edge of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, about 300 miles northeast of Minneapolis. The wooded 3-acre site features the rocky shoreline of Lake Superior, a lake that sometimes behaves like the ocean. The 2,000 SF cabin cantilevers out toward the water, with a 40-ft. long glass wall facing the spectacular beauty of the lake. The cabin is composed of two simple volumes: a large open living/dining/kitchen space with an open timber ceiling structure and a 2-story “bedroom tower,” with the kids’ bedroom on the ground floor and the parents’ bedroom stacked above. The interior spaces are wood paneled, with exposed framing in the ceiling. The cabinets use PLYBOO, a FSC-certified bamboo product, with mahogany end panels. The use of mahogany is repeated in the custom mahogany/steel curvilinear dining table and in the custom mahogany coffee table. The cabin has a simple, elemental quality that is enhanced by custom touches such as the curvilinear maple entry screen and the custom furniture pieces. The cabin utilizes native Michigan hardwoods such as maple and birch. The exterior of the cabin is clad in corrugated metal siding, offset by the tall fireplace mass of Montana ledgestone at the east end. The house has a number of sustainable or “green” building features, including 2x8 construction (40% greater insulation value); generous glass areas to provide natural lighting and ventilation; large overhangs for sun and snow protection; and metal siding for maximum durability. Sustainable interior finish materials include bamboo/plywood cabinets, linoleum floors, locally-grown maple flooring and birch paneling, and low-VOC paints.

Kitchen Islands - The Ascension - Super Ranch on Acreage

Cascade West Development

Paint by Sherwin Williams - https://goo.gl/nb9e74 Body - Anew Grey - SW7030 - https://goo.gl/rfBJBn Trim - Dover White - SW6385 - https://goo.gl/2x84RY Flooring by Macadam Floor + Design - https://goo.gl/r5rCto Metropolitan Floor's Wild Thing Maple in Hearth Stone - https://goo.gl/DuC9G8 Storage + Shelving by Northwood Cabinets - https://goo.gl/tkQPFk Alder Wood stained Briar - Dining Island Paint Grade Wood painted Snow Drop - Kitchen Perimeter & Prep Island Countertops by Wall to Wall Stone Corp - https://goo.gl/VKnjNk Venato Quartz with a Bevel Edge - https://goo.gl/I1ZjaJ Windows by Milgard Window + Door - https://goo.gl/fYU68l Style Line Series - https://goo.gl/ISdDZL Supplied by TroyCo - https://goo.gl/wihgo9 Lighting by Destination Lighting - https://goo.gl/mA8XYX Kichler Lighting - Modern Pendants - https://goo.gl/RcOqsa Feiss Lighting - Prairielands Island Light - https://goo.gl/16Rxi5 Appliances by Frigidaire - https://goo.gl/qAjcCr BEST Range Hoods - https://goo.gl/ZYo0wP Jenn-Air - https://goo.gl/JwvSKX U-Line - https://goo.gl/LZ4xUg Plumbing Fixtures by Delta Faucets - https://goo.gl/6LUyJ5 Interior Design by Creative Interiors & Design - https://goo.gl/zsZtj6 Partially Furnished by Uttermost Lighting & Furniture - https://goo.gl/46Fi0h All Root Company - https://goo.gl/4oTWJS Built by Cascade West Development Inc Cascade West Facebook: https://goo.gl/MCD2U1 Cascade West Website: https://goo.gl/XHm7Un Photography by ExposioHDR - Portland, Or Exposio Facebook: https://goo.gl/SpSvyo Exposio Website: https://goo.gl/Cbm8Ya Original Plans by Alan Mascord Design Associates - https://goo.gl/Fg3nFk Plan 2476 - The Thatcher - https://goo.gl/5o0vyw

El Dorado Hills Modern Art Home

Nar Design Group

This gorgeous European Poggenpohl Kitchen is the culinary center of this new modern home for a young urban family. The homeowners had an extensive list of objectives for their new kitchen. It needed to accommodate formal and non-formal entertaining of guests and family, intentional storage for a variety of items with specific requirements, and use durable and easy to maintain products while achieving a sleek contemporary look that would be a stage and backdrop for their glorious artwork collection. Solution: A large central island acts as a gathering place within the great room space. The tall cabinetry items such as the ovens and refrigeration are grouped on the wall to keep the rest of the kitchen very light and open. Luxury Poggenpohl cabinetry and Caesarstone countertops were selected for their supreme durability and easy maintenance. Warm European oak flooring is contrasted by the gray textured Poggenpohl cabinetry flattered by full width linear Poggenphol hardware. The tall aluminum toe kick on the island is lit from underneath to give it a light and airy luxurious feeling. To further accent the illuminated toe, the surface to the left of the range top is fully suspended 18” above the finished floor. A large amount of steel and engineering work was needed to achieve the floating of the large Poggenpohl cabinet at the end of the peninsula. The conversation is always, “how did they do that?” Photo Credit: Fred Donham of PhotographerLink

North Shore

Middlefork Development LLC

Middlefork was retained to update and revitalize this North Shore home to a family of six. The primary goal of this project was to update and expand the home's small, eat-in kitchen. The existing space was gutted and a 1,500-square-foot addition was built to house a gourmet kitchen, connected breakfast room, fireside seating, butler's pantry, and a small office. The family desired nice, timeless spaces that were also durable and family-friendly. As such, great consideration was given to the interior finishes. The 10' kitchen island, for instance, is a solid slab of white velvet quartzite, selected for its ability to withstand mustard, ketchup and finger-paint. There are shorter, walnut extensions off either end of the island that support the children's involvement in meal preparation and crafts. Low-maintenance Atlantic Blue Stone was selected for the perimeter counters. The scope of this phase grew to include re-trimming the front façade and entry to emphasize the Georgian detailing of the home. In addition, the balance of the first floor was gutted; existing plumbing and electrical systems were updated; all windows were replaced; two powder rooms were updated; a low-voltage distribution system for HDTV and audio was added; and, the interior of the home was re-trimmed. Two new patios were also added, providing outdoor areas for entertaining, dining and cooking. Tom Harris, Hedrich Blessing

ASID San Diego Design Excellence Awards 2014

ASID San Diego Chapter

1st Place Kitchen Design Kristianne Watts, ASID KW Designs
Mid-sized contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in San Diego with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Misty Valley

Wright Design

This eclectic mountain home nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains showcases an unexpected but harmonious blend of design influences. The European-inspired architecture, featuring native stone, heavy timbers and a cedar shake roof, complement the rustic setting. Inside, details like tongue and groove cypress ceilings, plaster walls and reclaimed heart pine floors create a warm and inviting backdrop punctuated with modern rustic fixtures and vibrant splashes of color. Meechan Architectural Photography

British West Indies Inspired Custom Home in Winter Park Florida

Element Home Builders

Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in Orlando with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, white benchtop, stone tile splashback, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Cape Cod in Bellport, NY

A Direct Cabinet Distributor Corp

Another beautiful home, featuring a kitchen and bathrooms completed by A Direct Distributor Corp. This Bellport, New York home is currently on the market for $2.1. This Cape Code affords sweeping views of Bellport bay, marina and Fire Island. The renovation was done last year, including the brand new kitchen done with yours truly! The kitchen was updated using Masterbrand Cabinets; A shaker door with a dark gray stain, a Rococo quartz countertop by Viatera USA, Copper hardware by Jako Hardware Aventura Inc., Ruvati oil rubbed bronze faucet and Dawn Kitchen & Bath Products, Inc. kitchen sink with all the accessories!

Boulevard Remodel

The Jack + Mare | Portland Design & Build

When the clients first contacted us about their 1926 home, they stated "We want to make better use of the space and open it up a little. This seems right up your alley." That's right...we live on that alley, we love that alley! Terah Beth designed a few schemes ranging from leaving all walls in place... to removing all walls that separated the dining, living, and the back nook from the kitchen. The clients decided to go big and knock 'em all down! This 'open concept' scheme created an airy and zen-like space filled with beautiful custom cabinetry with walnut accents including a huge peninsula countertop, floating shelves and range hood accent band. The walnut was sourced from a local fallen tree and crafted by a local artisan. So Crafty! Photo: Jason Quigley

Kirkland Waterfront Penthouse

Bjorck Design

Custom cabinets made by Kitchen Plus. Maple wood with a hazelnut stain. Giallo Santa Cecilia granite countertops with a bricklay porcelain tile backsplash. Bamboo wood flooring.

Monte Sereno Kitchen

European Cabinets & Design Studios

We profiled this home and it's owner on our blog: http://europeancabinets.com/efficient-modern-home-design-traditional-comforts/ ARAN Cucine cabinets from the Penelope collection in Ash Larch and Doga collection in White glossy. Countertop by Caesarstone in Blizzard. Appliances: Refrigerators: Thermador Microwave: Sharp with roll-out drawer Hood: FuturoFuturo CoffeMaker: MIELE SpeedOven: MIELE Dishwasher: Thermador Cooktop: Bertazzoni

Transitional Kitchen

Kevin Mauseth

Kevin Mauseth: Neil Kelly Company, Neil Kelly Cabinets; Carerra Marble; Painted Cabinetry; Paneled Appliances. This kitchen got expanded by adding on to the house, got a new island, new cabinetry, a new layout with new paneled appliances, a new farmhouse sink, and was designed to blend in seamlessly with the rest of the house. It is light and bright with marble countertops and backsplash.

Hinsdale

Signature Innovations LLC

Step into this West Suburban home to instantly be whisked to a romantic villa tucked away in the Italian countryside. Thoughtful details like the quarry stone features, heavy beams and wrought iron harmoniously work with distressed wide-plank wood flooring to create a relaxed feeling of abondanza. Floor: 6-3/4” wide-plank Vintage French Oak Rustic Character Victorian Collection Tuscany edge medium distressed color Bronze. For more information please email us at: sales@signaturehardwoods.com

Portland Heights Neely House

The Works

Inspiration for a large transitional galley open plan kitchen in Portland with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Kemper Taro and Troxel

Standard Kitchens

Sleek, modern kitchen created using two Kemper cabinet styles for a unique look. The white cabinets are Kemper Taro with a high gloss white laminate while the gray cabinets are Kemper Troxel featuring their "Obsidian" textured laminate. Custom touches include built-in faux fireplace insert and glass door display cabinets.

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!