For a client with an enthusiastic appreciation of retro design, this sunny ode to kitchens of the past is a cheerful and comforting retreat for today. The client wanted a kitchen that creatively expressed her fun, unconventional taste while providing all the modern conveniences of a contemporary home. Space was borrowed from an existing office to provide more open area and easier navigation in the kitchen. Bright, optimistic yellow sets the tone in the room, with retro-inspired appliances in buttery yellow chosen as key elements of the design. A generous apron-front farm sink gleams with clean white enameled cast iron and is outfitted with a rare retro faucet with spray and scrub brush attachments. Black trim against the yellow ceramic tile countertops defines the kitchen’s lines. Simple maple cabinetry painted white with black ceramic knobs provides a modern level of storage. Playful positioning of contrasting tiles on the floor presents a modern, quirky interpretation of the traditional checkerboard pattern in this classic kitchen with an original point of view.

Biltmore Forrest Kitchen Remodel

Hearth and Home: Interiors & Antiques

Photo of a transitional l-shaped kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, white splashback, coloured appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Kitchen Design

O'Connell Designs

Design ideas for a mid-sized country l-shaped kitchen in Houston with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Historic White Kitchen Remodel w/ Color Pop & Modern Accents

The Cleary Company

Marshall Skinner - Marshall Evan Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped kitchen in Columbus with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, coloured appliances, medium hardwood floors, metallic splashback, metal splashback, a peninsula and brown floor.

Atlantic Beach Remodel

Studio M Interior Design, Inc

Photo of a mid-sized beach style u-shaped kitchen in Jacksonville with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, beige floor, marble benchtops and subway tile splashback.

The Surrey Kitchen by deVOL

deVOL Kitchens

deVOL Kitchens
Mid-sized country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, brick splashback, coloured appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Tiny Chalet

STEINER Art & Design

Günter Standl
Design ideas for a small country single-wall kitchen in Frankfurt with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, brown splashback, timber splashback, coloured appliances, dark hardwood floors and no island.

Kitchen

Claude C. Lapp Architects, LLC

Maryland Photography, Inc.
Expansive country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, wood benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, porcelain splashback, coloured appliances, medium hardwood floors and multiple islands.

Midcentury Atomic Ranch Kitchen Remodel

Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins, Inc.

Mid-sized midcentury u-shaped separate kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances, porcelain floors and a peninsula.

Eclectic Kitchen

Inspiration for a traditional single-wall eat-in kitchen in New Orleans with a farmhouse sink, green cabinets, coloured appliances, dark hardwood floors and no island.

Del Mar Coastal Mediterranean Custom Remodel

Inplace Studio

Wood-Mode and Brookhaven kitchen with a Walnut Spekva island and travertine floors
Transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback and coloured appliances.

Fairoak Kitchens

Fairoak Kitchens Ltd

This is an example of a country l-shaped kitchen with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, grey cabinets, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

1850's Townhouse

Schrock's Woodworking

This is an example of a large traditional u-shaped separate kitchen in Cleveland with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, coloured appliances, ceramic floors, no island, white floor and brown benchtop.

Pepper

Yellow House

This is an example of a mid-sized country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and beige benchtop.

English Farmhouse Kitchen Unfitted British

Robinson Interiors

A British client requested an 'unfitted' look. Robinson Interiors was called in to help create a space that appeared built up over time, with vintage elements. For this kitchen reclaimed wood was used along with three distinctly different cabinet finishes (Stained Wood, Ivory, and Vintage Green), multiple hardware styles (Black, Bronze and Pewter) and two different backsplash tiles. We even used some freestanding furniture (A vintage French armoire) to give it that European cottage feel. A fantastic 'SubZero 48' Refrigerator, a British Racing Green Aga stove, the super cool Waterstone faucet with farmhouse sink all hep create a quirky, fun, and eclectic space! We also included a few distinctive architectural elements, like the Oculus Window Seat (part of a bump-out addition at one end of the space) and an awesome bronze compass inlaid into the newly installed hardwood floors. This bronze plaque marks a pivotal crosswalk central to the home's floor plan. Finally, the wonderful purple and green color scheme is super fun and definitely makes this kitchen feel like springtime all year round! Masterful use of Pantone's Color of the year, Ultra Violet, keeps this traditional cottage kitchen feeling fresh and updated.

Riverview Park

Hagaman Construction Company

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional l-shaped separate kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

The Chester Kitchen by deVOL

deVOL Kitchens

deVOL Kitchens
Large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Addition & Renovation | West Chester, PA

Period Architecture Ltd.

Angle Eye Photography
Photo of a large traditional u-shaped kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, white splashback, coloured appliances, with island, recessed-panel cabinets, medium hardwood floors, marble benchtops, subway tile splashback, brown floor and black benchtop.

Classic Coach house Kitchen

Bath Kitchen Company

This is an example of a country eat-in kitchen in Other with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, terra-cotta floors, a farmhouse sink, orange splashback and coloured appliances.

The Point

Graham Architects

Beach style l-shaped kitchen in Portland Maine with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, blue splashback, coloured appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Kitchen with a Farmhouse Sink and Coloured Appliances 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!