The central T-shape island is a workhorse for preparation, yet provides a cozy spot where a line of leather-backed barstools encourage conversation. The darkly stained finish provides contrast and anchors the space to separate it from other kitchen elements. The black metal light fixture, veining of the natural quartzite countertops, and accessories provide elegant contrast to the neutral theme through pattern, contrast and pops of color.

Telluride Cabin

Artisan Builders LLC

This is an example of a mid-sized country u-shaped separate kitchen in Denver with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, distressed cabinets, concrete benchtops, brown splashback, stone tile splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and exposed beam.

House at Leeside Farm Circular Kitchen

Studio Hillier

This is an example of a large contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, black splashback, with island, solid surface benchtops, stone tile splashback, black appliances, marble floors, grey floor and wood.

Navy-Blue Curved Island with Open Storage inside a Modern Organic Kitchen

Chervin Kitchen & Bath Inc.

Discover the focal point of this Modern Organic Kitchen: a captivating Navy-Blue Curved Island with Open Storage. With its elegant curves and functional open shelving, it takes center stage, embodying both style and utility. This striking centrepiece harmonizes with warm rift-cut white oak cabinetry and fresh white accents, creating a perfect blend of form and function in this culinary haven.

Trend Forward Earthy Tones

Sea Pointe Design & Remodel

Adding trend forward greens with natural wood accents is a sure-fire way to create a look that’s fresh and organic.
Transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Nelson Park - Unit #1

Madeleine Design Group Inc.

Photo of an expansive transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Vancouver with an integrated sink, louvered cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and wood.

NW Portland Historic Condo Remodel- Archway Front View

Kraft Custom Construction

This condo remodel consisted of redoing the kitchen layout and design to maximize the small space, while adding built-in storage throughout the home for added functionality. The kitchen was inspired by art-deco design elements mixed with classic style. The white painted custom cabinetry against the darker granite and butcher block split top counters creates a multi-layer visual interest in this refreshed kitchen. The history of the condo was honored with elements like the parquet flooring, arched doorways, and picture crown molding. Specially curated apartment sized appliances were added to economize the space while still matching our clients style. In other areas of the home, unused small closets and shelving were replaced with custom built-ins that added need storage but also beautiful design elements, matching the rest of the remodel. The final result was a new space that modernized the home and added functionality for our clients, while respecting the previous historic design of the original condo.

Comforting Farmhouse Kitchen

House of L

Inspiration for a large country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Cleveland with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, beige benchtop and exposed beam.

Dripping Springs Farmhouse

Olson Defendorf Custom Homes

Expansive country open plan kitchen in Austin with grey cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor, grey benchtop, exposed beam, a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, marble benchtops and stone tile splashback.

Scripps Ranch Kitchen Expansion with Sienna Bordeaux Granite Tops and bar island

Classic Home Improvements

This gorgeous kitchen was transformed into a warm traditional design with Starmark cherrywood cabinets featuring a tapered range hood. Showcasing Thermador stainless steel appliances and Sienna Bordeaux granite countertops, this new space is a functional kitchen designed for hosting and entertaining! Scott Basile, Basile Photography. www.choosechi.com

Sustainable Farm House

Kipnis Architecture + Planning

The kitchen is located at one end of a peaked ceiling space that runs the length of the house. Large wood beams make a rhythm down the space, defining the kitchen, dining room and family room.

Private Waterfront Residence in Wardour

Purple Cherry Architects

Large beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in Baltimore with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and coffered.

Smith Residence

Paragon Custom Construction, LLC

Atlantic Archives Inc. / Richard Leo Johnson SGA Architecture
Large beach style u-shaped separate kitchen in Charleston with an undermount sink, louvered cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, multi-coloured splashback, stone tile splashback and wood.

Dark mahogany & white painted modern kitchen Watchung, NJ

WL Kitchen & Home

Besides the subtle details in the panels, cabinetry, mullion doors, and island ceiling, this modern white kitchen is more interesting through the combination of materials and colors. Like the addition of a dark mahogany stained island, shelves and drawer fronts, the stainless steel appliances and a copper hood. Plenty of details to keep you interested and engaged. For more kitchens visit our website wlkitchenandhome.com . . . . . #kitchenmanufacture #kitchenideas #luxurydesign #luxurykitchens #bespokekitchens #bespokekitchendesign #beautifulkitchens #spaciouskitchens #whitedesign #whitekitchen #designhomes #cozyhome #newjerseyhomes #mansionkitchens #njmansion #njhomes #homeremodel #luxuryhomes #luxuryinteriors #contemporarykitchen #njkitchens #kitchensnewyork #nyckitchen #njcabinets #millworkInstallation #kitchenisland #njkitchenrenovation #kitchenhoods #rangehood

Saddle Rock Ranches

Signature Designs Kitchen | Bath | Interiors

We created an exquisite kitchen that would be any chef's dream with a coffee beverage bar and large walk in pantry where there was no pantry before. This specular home has vaulted ceiling in the family room and now that we have removed all the walls surround the kitchen you will be able to advantage of the amazing mountain views. The central island completes the kitchen space beautifully, adding seating for friends and family to join the chef, plus more countertop space, sink and under counter storage, leaving no detail overlooked. The perimeter of the kitchen has leathered granite countertops and Stone backsplashes create such a unique look and bring a level of warmth to a kitchen. The Material Mix really brings the natural elements together in this home remodel.

Hudson Valley Sustainable Luxury Home

EK ARCHITECTURE, PLLC

Welcome to the Hudson Valley Sustainable Luxury Home, a modern masterpiece tucked away in the tranquil woods. This house, distinguished by its exterior wood siding and modular construction, is a splendid blend of urban grittiness and nature-inspired aesthetics. It is designed in muted colors and textural prints and boasts an elegant palette of light black, bronze, brown, and subtle warm tones. The metallic accents, harmonizing with the surrounding natural beauty, lend a distinct charm to this contemporary retreat. Made from Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and reclaimed wood, the home is a testament to our commitment to sustainability, regenerative design, and carbon sequestration. This combination of modern design and respect for the environment makes it a truly unique luxury residence.

New York City Loft Styled Kichen Addition

Mariano & Co., LLC

Photo of a large industrial l-shaped open plan kitchen in Phoenix with a farmhouse sink, black cabinets, limestone benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor, beige benchtop and exposed beam.

Warm Contemporary Kitchen

Design Moe Kitchen & Bath / Heather Moe designer

The dry-set ledgestone backsplash balanced the darker tobacco-color quartz perimeter countertops
Inspiration for a large transitional open plan kitchen in San Diego with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, brown splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor, grey benchtop and vaulted.

Harmony In Hickory

Nar Design Group

The focus of this kitchen was to open up the workflow, creating a space for the family to work comfortably while also creating a beautiful and inspiring space. Placing a large refrigerator at the edge of the kitchen, adding a beverage refrigerator, using a Galley Workstation and having the island at a slightly lower height makes it highly functional for the whole family. It is rare to achieve a long line of symmetry, but with a feature wall created around the range top we were able to do so. We created an antique armoire feel with the panel ready refrigerator and custom panel design above. A mixture of hardware was used, the gray stained hickory cabinets were paired with matte black hardware, while the designer white cabinets were paired with brass hardware. A very custom refrigerator cabinet was created that emphasized the armoire feel. A long wall of 9” deep tall cabinets created a very beautiful as well as highly functional pantry space.

Additional Dwelling Unit in Takoma Park

Ileana Schinder, PLLC

Photo of a contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, bamboo floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

All Ceiling Designs Kitchen with Stone Tile Splashback 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!