In 1949, one of mid-century modern’s most famous NW architects, Paul Hayden Kirk, built this early “glass house” in Hawthorne Hills. Rather than flattening the rolling hills of the Northwest to accommodate his structures, Kirk sought to make the least impact possible on the building site by making use of it natural landscape. When we started this project, our goal was to pay attention to the original architecture--as well as designing the home around the client’s eclectic art collection and African artifacts. The home was completely gutted, since most of the home is glass, hardly any exterior walls remained. We kept the basic footprint of the home the same—opening the space between the kitchen and living room. The horizontal grain matched walnut cabinets creates a natural continuous movement. The sleek lines of the Fleetwood windows surrounding the home allow for the landscape and interior to seamlessly intertwine. In our effort to preserve as much of the design as possible, the original fireplace remains in the home and we made sure to work with the natural lines originally designed by Kirk.

Frank Lloyd Wright Inspired Remodel

SKP Design

This family arrived in Kalamazoo to join an elite group of doctors starting the Western Michigan University School of Medicine. They fell in love with a beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright inspired home that needed a few updates to fit their lifestyle. The living room's focal point was an existing custom two-story water feature. New Kellex furniture creates two seating areas with flexibility for entertaining guests. Several pieces of original art and custom furniture were purchased at Good Goods in Saugatuck, Michigan. New paint colors throughout the house complement the art and rich woodwork. Photographer: Casey Spring

Cottage Kitchen Remodel

Linette Dai Design

Photo of a small country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Orange County with raised-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, with island, a farmhouse sink, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, beige floor and white benchtop.

Inspired Shingle Style

Christopher Hall Architect, Inc.

In the kitchen looking toward the living room. Expansive window over kitchen sink. Custom stainless hood on soap stone. White marble counter tops. Combination of white painted and stained oak cabinets. Tin ceiling inlay above island. Greg Premru

Farmhouse Style

Studio KW Photography

Studio KW Photography Designed by: Masterpiece Design Group
Photo of a country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Orlando with white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and shaker cabinets.

Elevated Farmhouse Kitchen

Signature Designs Kitchen | Bath | Interiors

Our client desired a bespoke farmhouse kitchen and sought unique items to create this one of a kind farmhouse kitchen their family. We transformed this kitchen by changing the orientation, removed walls and opened up the exterior with a 3 panel stacking door. The oversized pendants are the subtle frame work for an artfully made metal hood cover. The statement hood which I discovered on one of my trips inspired the design and added flare and style to this home. Nothing is as it seems, the white cabinetry looks like shaker until you look closer it is beveled for a sophisticated finish upscale finish. The backsplash looks like subway until you look closer it is actually 3d concave tile that simply looks like it was formed around a wine bottle. We added the coffered ceiling and wood flooring to create this warm enhanced featured of the space. The custom cabinetry then was made to match the oak wood on the ceiling. The pedestal legs on the island enhance the characterizes for the cerused oak cabinetry. Fabulous clients make fabulous projects.

Dean Estates | Cranston, RI - Kitchen | Dining | Living Remodel

INSPERIORS, LLC

Complete Open Concept Kitchen/Living/Dining/Entry Remodel Designed by Interior Designer Nathan J. Reynolds. phone: (401) 234-6194 and (508) 837-3972 email: nathan@insperiors.com www.insperiors.com Photography Courtesy of © 2017 C. Shaw Photography.

Elliott Bay View Condo

Schultz Miller

PHOTO: Aaron Leitz
Design ideas for a modern l-shaped kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Juno Beach, Private Residence

Blue Ladder Studio

custom kitchen with full height cabinets and glass inserts, accent color at island, modern swivel bar stools, metallic pendant lighting. stone backsplash with glass accent. open kitchen to dining and family room

Blue Steel Kitchen, Portland, Maine

Block Brothers Custom Cabinets

Photo of a transitional l-shaped kitchen in Portland Maine with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, no island and beige floor.

Whitefish Bay Tudor Kitchen

Angela Westmore, LLC.

Mid-sized traditional u-shaped separate kitchen in Milwaukee with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, with island, grey floor, marble benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, panelled appliances, porcelain floors and multi-coloured benchtop.

Prairie Village Retro Kitchen

Kitchen Studio: Kansas City

This tiny kitchen was barely usable by a busy mom with 3 young kids. We were able to remove two walls and open the kitchen into an unused space of the home and make this the focal point of the home the clients had always dreamed of! Hidden on the back side of this peninsula are 3 cubbies, one for each child to store their backpacks and lunch boxes for school. The fourth cubby contains a charging station for the families electronics.

Mid-Century Makeover

Wiedemann Architects LLC

Photography: Anice Hoachlander, Hoachlander Davis Photography.
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in DC Metro with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, marble splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, a double-bowl sink, white splashback, stainless steel appliances and brown floor.

St. Charles estate residence

SeBern Custom Homes

This is an example of a large transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, multiple islands and brown floor.

Stone Interiors & Exteriors

Eagle Stone & Brick, Inc.

Photo of a large transitional open plan kitchen in St Louis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, brick splashback, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Palm Harbor Coastal Kitchen

S&W Kitchens

Beautiful Coastal Style kitchen with beverage bar.
This is an example of a large beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in Tampa with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Pacific Heights Residence

RHC Construction & Management

Scott Hargis Photography
Design ideas for a traditional kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Kitchen Remodels

Ocala Kitchen and Bath, Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized industrial l-shaped open plan kitchen in Orlando with brick splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, an undermount sink, brown cabinets, concrete benchtops, red splashback, ceramic floors, beige floor and raised-panel cabinets.

Rustic Modern Farmhouse Remodel

Kisha Gianni Designs

Photo of a mid-sized country single-wall kitchen in Santa Barbara with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island and medium hardwood floors.

Transitional Interiors Greenwich, CT

Georgio Home

Photo of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped kitchen in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, an undermount sink, solid surface benchtops, porcelain floors and mosaic tile splashback.

All Backsplash Materials 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!