Fotografía: David Zarzoso
Photo of a contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Valencia with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, beige splashback, panelled appliances, a peninsula, brown floor and white benchtop.

Modern Apartment for a Movie Fan

Lisa Pyshneva Studio

This is an example of a small contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Other with green cabinets, concrete floors, flat-panel cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, grey floor and white benchtop.

Tribeca II

Regan Wood Photography

This is an example of a scandinavian kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, marble benchtops, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, a peninsula and white benchtop.

2018 Berkeley Raw Wood Kitchen Remodel

HDR Remodeling Inc.

Honest expression of materials was important to the homeowners Photo Credit: Michael Hospelt
Photo of a mid-sized modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and black benchtop.

Howard kitchen

Wood Wise Design & Remodeling

Stuart Jones Photograph
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Raleigh with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and white benchtop.

Fullerton -Farmhouse

Design Studio on 2nd

Mid-sized country u-shaped kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, white benchtop, quartz benchtops and brown floor.

Eleventh Street Apartment

kimberly peck architect

photo by Pedro Marti The goal of this renovation was to create a stair with a minimal footprint in order to maximize the usable space in this small apartment. The existing living room was divided in two and contained a steep ladder to access the second floor sleeping loft. The client wanted to create a single living space with a true staircase and to open up and preferably expand the old galley kitchen without taking away too much space from the living area. Our solution was to create a new stair that integrated with the kitchen cabinetry and dining area In order to not use up valuable floor area. The fourth tread of the stair continues to create a counter above additional kitchen storage and then cantilevers and wraps around the kitchen’s stone counters to create a dining area. The stair was custom fabricated in two parts. First a steel structure was created, this was then clad by a wood worker who constructed the kitchen cabinetry and made sure the stair integrated seamlessly with the rest of the kitchen. The treads have a floating appearance when looking from the living room, that along with the open rail helps to visually connect the kitchen to the rest of the space. The angle of the dining area table is informed by the existing angled wall at the entry hall, the line of the table is picked up on the other side of the kitchen by new floor to ceiling cabinetry that folds around the rear wall of the kitchen into the hallway creating additional storage within the hall.

Transitional Kitchen with light Maple cabinets

HEP Sales

Transitional Bridgeport Maple cabinets from Starmark, in compact kitchen with plenty of cupboard and counter space. Elegant black countertops accent white appliances.

Kitchen Refresh Fall 2018

Terry S.

After: Nabi Glacier White subway tile with crackle finish for kitchen backsplash, Caesarstone Symphony Grey quartz countertop, Kraus undermount stainless sink, Kraus Bolden faucet, Kichler Everly pendant lights, new backless saddle-seat counter stools, wall paint Benjamin Moore Atmospheric AF-500. All other items original to Year-built 2000 home: cabinets, floor, appliances, shelving, track-lighting. Photo by T. Spies

CASA EUR MONTAGNOLA

Officine Norma

Photo of a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Rome with white cabinets, grey splashback, a peninsula, grey benchtop, a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, wood benchtops and multi-coloured floor.

Our Work

Sunflower Life Projects

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue splashback, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, beige floor, grey benchtop, an undermount sink and stainless steel appliances.

Hawthorne Hills Residence

Tammara Stroud Design

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.

Bohemian Abode

Mountainwood Homes

Oak hardwoods were laced into the existing floors, butcher block countertops contrast against the painted shaker cabinets, matte brass fixtures add sophistication, while the custom subway tile range hood and feature wall with floating shelves pop against the dark wall. The best feature? A dishwasher. After all these years as a couple, this is the first time the two have a dishwasher. The new space makes the home feel twice as big and utilizes classic choices as the backdrop to their unique style. Photo by: Vern Uyetake

Valle Vista House

Giulietti Schouten Weber Architects

Sally Painter
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Portland with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, window splashback, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Kitchen Remodel With Feature Wall

Waunakee Remodeling

Marlena Cavanaugh
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury eat-in kitchen in Other with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and white benchtop.

Kings Cross Studio Flat

Philip Raymond Photography

Philip Raymond
This is an example of a small contemporary kitchen in London with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, brick splashback, a peninsula, brown benchtop, a drop-in sink, wood benchtops and black appliances.

Somerville Project

User

Photography: Lisa Atkinson
Photo of a mid-sized u-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, a peninsula and white benchtop.

Kirkland Kitchen Renovation

Northwest Interiors & Design

WE Studio Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, a peninsula, grey floor and white benchtop.

Hewitt street, Marquette

Christina Richardson Interiors

Walnut wrap around shelves is the natural focal point in this Scandinavian / Asian kitchen
Small scandinavian u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Charleston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, beige floor and white benchtop.

Modern Farm House

Right Angle Kitchens

Photos By: David West of Born Imagery Designer:Katie Fitzgerald of Right Angle Kitchens and Design Inc.
Photo of a large country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Boston with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and white benchtop.

All Islands Kitchen with a Peninsula 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!