Interior Design: Ilana Cohen | Styling & Photos: Sarah Owen
This is an example of a transitional kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, subway tile splashback and dark hardwood floors.

Double Bay residence II

Horizon - Residential & Commercial Builders

Design by SAOTA Architects in Association TKD Architects Engineers Acor Consultants
Inspiration for a large contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sydney with flat-panel cabinets, brown benchtop, an undermount sink, medium wood cabinets, black splashback, glass sheet splashback, panelled appliances, a peninsula and beige floor.

Kitchen Renovations

Revision LLC

This is an example of a large transitional u-shaped kitchen in Minneapolis with grey cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, raised-panel cabinets, a farmhouse sink, solid surface benchtops, brown floor, white benchtop and ceramic splashback.

Oak Hill Addition

The Kingston Group - Remodeling Specialists

Design ideas for a large transitional l-shaped kitchen in Nashville with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and medium hardwood floors.

Open Floor Plan Single Family House Los Angeles

GAVIN GREEN HOME DESIGN LLC

Clean and fresh white contemporary transitional kitchen dining area stands the test of time. The space features marble backsplash, solid surface white kitchen countertop, white painted shaker style cabinets, custom-made dining chairs with contrast color welt and adjustable solid maple wood table. Blue/gray furniture and trims keep the classic white space in balance.

Easton Tudor

TRG Architecture + Interior Design

Bernard Andre
This is an example of a large traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, black appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, granite benchtops, subway tile splashback and brown floor.

Classic Coastal

Oakley Home Builders

Luxury kitchen
This is an example of a large transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and granite benchtops.

Modern Traditional

House Sprucing

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, grey floor, white benchtop, quartzite benchtops, ceramic splashback and porcelain floors.

Glasscock

Clearcut Construction, Inc.

Love how this kitchen renovation creates an open feel for our clients to their dining room and office and a better transition to back yard!
Inspiration for a transitional open plan kitchen in Raleigh with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey splashback, marble splashback, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, stainless steel appliances and black cabinets.

Kitchen Makeover

J.Holderby - Renovations

Large country l-shaped kitchen in Columbus with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and quartz benchtops.

Northgate Kitchen

CarsonSpeer Builders

This mid-century modern was a full restoration back to this home's former glory. The vertical grain fir ceilings were reclaimed, refinished, and reinstalled. The floors were a special epoxy blend to imitate terrazzo floors that were so popular during this period. The quartz countertops waterfall on both ends and the handmade tile accents the backsplash. Reclaimed light fixtures, hardware, and appliances put the finishing touches on this remodel. Photo credit - Inspiro 8 Studios

Paces Forest, Buckhead

Alan Clark Architects, LLC

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped kitchen in Atlanta with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, marble benchtops, ceramic splashback and with island.

All about Sophistication & Textures

GJ Morgan Kitchens

Muse Photography
Large contemporary galley kitchen in Newcastle - Maitland with quartz benchtops, stone slab splashback, concrete floors, with island, an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, grey floor and white benchtop.

Hudson Heights Residence

Lauren Rubin Architecture

Alyssa Kirsten
Inspiration for a small contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, no island and light hardwood floors.

Oak Kitchen Makeover

Designs by BSB

The clients believed the peninsula footprint was required due to the unique entry points from the hallway leading to the dining room and the foyer. The new island increases storage, counters and a more pleasant flow of traffic from all directions. The biggest challenge was trying to make the structural beam that ran perpendicular to the space work in a new design; it was off center and difficult to balance the cabinetry and functional spaces to work with it. In the end it was decided to increase the budget and invest in moving the header in the ceiling to achieve the best design, esthetically and funcationlly. Specific storage designed to meet the clients requests include: - pocket doors at counter tops for everyday appliances - deep drawers for pots, pans and Tupperware - island includes designated zone for baking supplies - tall and shallow pantry/food storage for easy access near island - pull out spice near cooking - tray dividers for assorted baking pans/sheets, cutting boards and numerous other serving trays - cutlery and knife inserts and built in trash/recycle bins to keep things organized and convenient to use, out of sight - custom design hutch to hold various, yet special dishes and silverware Elements of design chosen to meet the clients wishes include: - painted cabinetry to lighten up the room that lacks windows and give relief/contrast to the expansive wood floors - monochromatic colors throughout give peaceful yet elegant atmosphere o stained island provides interest and warmth with wood, but still unique in having a different stain than the wood floors – this is repeated in the tile mosaic backsplash behind the rangetop - punch of fun color used on hutch for a unique, furniture feel - carefully chosen detailed embellishments like the tile mosaic, valance toe boards, furniture base board around island, and island pendants are traditional details to not only the architecture of the home, but also the client’s furniture and décor. - Paneled refrigerator minimizes the large appliance, help keeping an elegant feel Superior cooking equipment includes a combi-steam oven, convection wall ovens paired with a built-in refrigerator with interior air filtration to better preserve fresh foods. Photography by Gregg Willett

Daw Park

Hills & City Construction

Design ideas for a large contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Adelaide with flat-panel cabinets, glass sheet splashback, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, an undermount sink, black cabinets, grey splashback, beige floor and white benchtop.

Carmina Rd SW17 - kitchen extension

Plus Rooms

Fine House Photography
Mid-sized transitional open plan kitchen in London with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, beige cabinets and beige benchtop.

Bob-O-Link | 2018

Coats Homes

Mid-sized contemporary l-shaped separate kitchen in Dallas with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and solid surface benchtops.

Palm Desert Kitchen Remodel By SnaideroUSA

Legacy Listing Photography

Design: Wendy Williams Kicthen: SnaideroUSA Photography: Ryan W. Carr
This is an example of a contemporary kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Wells Beach

Tyler Karu Design + Interiors

A beach-front new construction home on Wells Beach. A collaboration with R. Moody and Sons construction. Photographs by James R. Salomon.
Photo of a large beach style l-shaped kitchen in Portland Maine with shaker cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, black benchtop, blue cabinets and beige floor.

All Backsplash Materials Two Tone Kitchen 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!