Stair to second floor filters light from above and acts a backdrop and shelves to the kitchen with island and 2-story lightwell. Photo by Dan Arnold
This is an example of a large scandinavian u-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with a double-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Monterey Modern

Catherine Garrison Architect, Inc

This lovely Monterey Modern style house on Royal Blvd in Glendale had a 1980’s kitchen without good light or access to the house’s outdoor spaces. To aggravate the flow of the house further, the driveway runs directly to the back of the house where the garage is located off of a motor court. Access to the house by family and friends was naturally happened through the backyard which forced them through a carport and around the side of the house to enter the kitchen directly. The kitchen has a new exit to the side yard and a set of french doors to a new deck. The location of the deck connects the formal living room with the kitchen through exterior spaces in a more immediate way than it is connected through the interior. To create a kitchen that could accomodate a family of cooks and in-kitchen dining, one of the requests of the Client, we combined the existing kitchen, an old utility room, and small breakfast room. The small utilitarian spaces of the original rooms were remade to feel and embrace a contemporary lifestyle, while also integrating seamlessly into the style and scale of this 1930’s vintage home. When working on a kitchen of this scale in a vintage home, we make sure to layer materials and forms into the design so it does not feel out of scale or modernist. The floors are blue slate herringbone and set the color tone for many of the other finishes. We used a quartzite with many of the same colors as the floor for the perimeter counters because of its durability and a light marble with flecks of blue and gold for the eat-in island. The wood on the inside of the windows and doors was stained blue. Cabinets are a combination of white oak and painted with brass screen fronts. The Client has wanted to save some built-in niches from the original breakfast room, but in the end it would have limited the design too much and so included two small radiused end cabinets, one in each cabinet finish.

angolo cucina

Michela Chiesa Architetto

cucina ad angolo
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Milan with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, laminate benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, porcelain floors, no island, white benchtop and recessed.

St. Croix Trail

Lampert Lumber

Photo of a mid-sized arts and crafts u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Minneapolis with a double-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and black benchtop.

Knotty Hickory Kitchen

Brando's Custom Woodworking, LLC.

Large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in St Louis with a double-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Rustic Kitchen

Kitchen & Bath Design Center

Photo of a mid-sized country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Denver with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and dark hardwood floors.

Hickory Cabinet Kitchen

R. Craig Lord Construction Company, Inc.

Robert J. Laramie Photography
Inspiration for a traditional eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances and light hardwood floors.

Tenafly Modern Kitchen

Kuche+Cucina

Light walnut wood, combined with metallic lacquer, topped with porcelain counters and backsplash, this DOCA kitchen has it all. The walk in pantry, adds storage and several additional appliances.

Modern Oak Kitchen

Labra Design Build

This kitchen design features an island that extends into the old breakfast nook. It has stools on both sides to offer family style seating.
Mid-sized midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in Detroit with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Wheelchair

San Luis Kitchen Co.

Wheelchair Accessible Kitchen Custom height counters, high toe kicks and recessed knee areas are the calling card for this wheelchair accessible design. The base cabinets are all designed to be easy reach -- pull-out units (both trash and storage), drawers and a lazy susan. Functionality meets aesthetic beauty in this kitchen remodel. (The homeowner worked with an occupational therapist to access current and future spatial needs.) Remodel using Brookhaven cabinetry.

Transitional Natural Finish Stain Kitchen Remodel with Cacao cabinet Glaze

Cyr Kitchen and Bath

This kitchen remodel was designed by Gail from our Manchester showroom. This kitchen features Cabico Essence cabinets with maple wood, Cartago/K (raised panel) door style and Natural stain finish and Cacao glaze. This remodel also features Cambria quartz countertop, with Blackwood color and standard edge. The kitchen flooring is Armstrong 6”x48” vinyl plank click lock with Vivero collection and Apple Orchard color. The backsplash is Florida Tile Retro classic tile sheets with Mocha color and chocolate color grout by Mapei. Other features include Blanco double bowl sink with Anthracite color with two sink grids and basket strainers, the faucet and soap dispenser is by Moen in Flat Black finish. The cabinet hardware is knobs are by Amerock Hardware with Carmel Bronze finish. As part of the kitchen remodel, the customer added custom new French doors (60” x 80”) with weather-stripped Jam, colonial casing and brushed nickel casing hinges.

Mid Century Modern Magic (Iowa City, IA)

Cantebury Kitchens

Homecrest
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Cedar Rapids with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, laminate benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island and brown floor.

Natural Maple Kitchen

Shikles Cabinets

This is an example of a mid-sized modern galley eat-in kitchen in Kansas City with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, panelled appliances and dark hardwood floors.

South Slope Brooklyn Fixer-Upper

reBuild Workshop

custom kitchen millwork
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in New York with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

zona giorno open space

Michela Chiesa Architetto

cucina ad angolo open space
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Milan with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, laminate benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, porcelain floors, no island, white benchtop and recessed.

Mount Waverley New Home

Sketch Building Design

Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Oak Street

Rossington Architecture

Design ideas for a midcentury u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, grey floor and black benchtop.

Beaconsfield Custom Built

Putragraphy

Inspiration for a contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Perth with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, window splashback, light hardwood floors, beige floor and white benchtop.

Hello House Kitchen

Brickworks Building Products

The kitchen has a mirror splash back. Location: Richmond VIC Architect: Oof! architecture Collaborating artist: Rose Nolan Structural engineer: AM Daly Builder: Complete Builders Insight Bricklayer: R&K Fuchshofer Bricklaying Services Photographer: Nick Granleese

Transitional Kitchen in San Diego, California

StarMark Cabinetry

Photo of a transitional kitchen in San Diego with a double-bowl sink, light wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

Kitchen with a Double-bowl Sink and Light Wood Cabinets 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!