This transitional kitchen design is as elegant as it is functional. Built in 1999, this kitchen has remained nearly untouched. With the need for a more functional space and storage, our team was able to completely rethink this kitchen design within its original footprint. Here we addressed a load bearing wall, allowing for an expansion of usable space and opened up the living area to feel more warm and inviting. By far this kitchen’s most notable feature is the custom cabinetry which creates an efficient and effective use of space.

Workstation kitchen sinks

Rachiele Custom Sinks

Dual tier, tri-level custom stainless teel workstation sink featuring 316L surgical grade stainless and a whopping 18" interior bowl space above AND below the ledge system. This allows for standard half sheet pans to fit on the top tier and the floor of the sink. Our client had petrified wood quarried in Romania made into her countertops throughout the kitchen.

Calle Del Cerrito

Joseph Rodrigues Interiors

Spanish Revival Kitchen Renovation
This is an example of a large mediterranean u-shaped separate kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

COASTAL HAMPTONS LUXE HOME | Stephanie & David

INNOVATIVE KITCHENS

Photo of a large beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in Adelaide with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, metallic splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, laminate floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Boho Bungalow Kitchen

Arcata Cabinet & Design Company

Photo of a small scandinavian l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Hidden Lakes

TruKitchens

In this remodel, outdated cabinets were exchanged for modern shaker-style cabinets in a combination of finishes from Grabill Cabinets including Rift Cut White Oak Seaspray, Superwhite and a green custom paint match. EVNI matte porcelain countertops and full slab backsplash with lots of movement invite a natural texture into the space. Pops of gold and the green hidden bar cabinets bring unexpected sparkle and color into the space. The range hood with custom gold metal trim is a design-forward focal point in the space. The La Cornue CornuFé 110 White and Gold Range looks great surrounded by white cabinetry. Photos: Ashley Avila Photography

San Mateo Transitional Residence • Atelier Noël

Atelier Noël, Inc.

Contemporary open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Insta Ready

Tangerine Designs Kitchens and Baths

Mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Omaha with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

TH Full Kitchen Remodel

Adonis Kitchen & Bath

Full-gut kitchen remodel. Replaced cabinets, flooring, appliances, backsplash, lighting, etc.
Design ideas for a small modern galley separate kitchen in Cleveland with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, cement tiles, grey floor and white benchtop.

Fall city Farmhouse Remodel

Baluco

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

DUAL FAUCETS

Create Good Sinks

Our 63"drainboard workstation sink with built in ledge for cutting boards and other accessories. This large, double bowl sink with integral ledge can do double duty as a party prep and serving station. Double faucets allow two people to work at the sink together and keep one side of the sink usable if the other is occupied with accessories. Pictured with our stainless steel, foldable drying rack.

Modern Farmhouse Kitchen with a Dramatic Twist

Curtis Lumber Ballston Spa

This custom chef’s kitchen designed by Cutis Lumber Co, Inc. is designed for entertaining. A dramatic twist on the modern farmhouse style, the look was achieved by contrasting black and white with accents of gold. It features: a 12-foot long black leathered granite serving island with spectacular gold pendants, a floating cooking island with a professional range and floating contemporary hood above, as well as a mirrored front refrigerator panel that disappears into the spacious white cabinets and a built-in coffee and beverage station. The white glossy tiled wall holds black oak floating shelves. The custom cabinetry is by Crystal Cabinet Works, Regent door style; perimeter in Designer White, island in Black Red Oak. Emtek Freestone Pulls in Satin Brass add glam. Stacking cabinets vertically gave the homeowners the ample storage they desired. Photos property of Curtis Lumber Co., Inc.

California Coastal

Lindross Remodeling

This is an example of a mid-sized beach style u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Tampa with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Calming Cobalt

Mountainwood Homes

Large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Portland with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, brown cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island and grey benchtop.

Marine Grade Stainless Steel Workstation Sink

Rachiele Custom Sinks

Black and white contemporary kitchen with clean lines and maximum functionality. Our rear drain sink designs allow a double roll out trash to fit underneath the sink.

Provenance Model 36

Old Town Design Group

Take a seat at this massive granite island while you wait for dinner. This stunning kitchen also showcases two-tone cabinets, a beverage center, and stainless steel appliances.

Bevlane Project

Riki S. Design

Kitchen remodel featuring a statement island
This is an example of a large modern u-shaped separate kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Allegan Lake House

VanderMeulen Builders

Open Kitchen featuring a unique blue paint color called Capri. The kitchen has flush cabinetry provided by field stone cabinets., kitchenaid appliances, granite countertops, and extra detail on the upper trim of the cabinets.

Grand Street Kitchen

Stumpff HomeWorks, LLC

Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Kansas City with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, yellow cabinets, soapstone benchtops, black splashback, timber splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, brown floor, black benchtop and recessed.

Whole Home Renovation & Addition - Westwood, MA

J.P. Hoffman Design Build

Offering a beautiful view through a large window into the backyard, we knew we would highlight the window and design a new kitchen layout, around that window. The former kitchen felt closed in with super dark cabinets. Along with the homeowner, our team designed a light and airy kitchen, including a new pass through to the dining room. Closed off from the kitchen before, the pass through not only allows light to flow in from the beautiful bay window in the dining room, but if offers a functional countertop used for entertaining and serving guests. Not pictured is a drop zone, located immediately when you enter from the mudroom. Drop zones are fantastic for everyday items like keys, wallets, dog gear and more. We added an additional opening to the living room, right off the kitchen as well as a wet bar strategically placed outside the ever day kitchen work zone. Wet bars are fantastic for holding entertainment dishware, barware and appetizers! We finished the space with beautiful new hardwood floors throughout the entire first floor, except the tile in the mudroom.

Kitchen with an Undermount Sink and Shaker 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!