Jim Schmid
Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped kitchen in Charlotte with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, beige splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

M&V Pro Services Inc.

Mid-sized contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in Other with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Mid Century Meets Modern

Hermitage Kitchen Gallery LLC

Designer: Terri Sears Photography: Melissa M. Mills
Mid-sized midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Nashville with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, light hardwood floors, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Constantine-203

Manuel Builders, LLC

Haylei Smith
Mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in New Orleans with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island and beige benchtop.

Italian Farmhouse Custom Kitchen Remodel | Santaluz, San Diego, CA

Leanne Michael L U X E lifestyle design

Italian farmhouse custom kitchen complete with hand carved wood details, flush marble island and quartz counter surfaces, faux finish cabinetry, clay ceiling and wall details, wolf, subzero and Miele appliances and custom light fixtures.

Casper Kitchen

Norm Tessier Cabinets, Inc.

Traditional Kitchen, 2-Tone Cabinetry with Glazed Finish. Custom Finish Color hand created with client. Custom Carvings X-Lite Doors
Photo of a large mediterranean l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with with island, an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige splashback, stainless steel appliances, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Crystal Lake Craftsman

Think Design

Walnut cabinets with natural finish, Taj Mahal counters and backsplash, porcelain farmhouse sink, timber beam ceiling
Inspiration for a large arts and crafts u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Milwaukee with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, beige benchtop and exposed beam.

Appartement Bara - Paris 06

KAST DESIGN

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Paris with open cabinets, laminate benchtops, beige splashback, panelled appliances, cement tiles, with island, white floor and beige benchtop.

Gorgeous Greige

Woodharbor Custom Cabinetry

Clive door style is shown with Cobblestone stain on Walnut.
Mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, beige splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, beige benchtop and recessed.

Heirloom Estate

Ashley Campbell Interior Design

Inspiration for a large u-shaped open plan kitchen in Albuquerque with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, porcelain splashback, panelled appliances, porcelain floors, with island, beige floor, beige benchtop and wood.

Inspiring Driftwood

Kitchen Magic

Inheriting a white kitchen with glazed cabinets was not what this new homeowner expected. She is more of a shabby-chic farmhouse type. While they loved the hearth and tile work, it would be quite an expense to replace this many cabinets. The solution, reface them in a Driftwood and Portobella stain that both offer the rustic look the homeowner was going for. Maintain the new warm palette by replacing the countertops in Cambria Warm for a subtle, yet elegant kitchen design.

Prairie Village Residence II

Marc Bertolino Architect

A 2-story 1,500 SF addition to a Prairie Village residence that included a new kitchen, living room, master bedroom, master bath, and full basement.
Photo of a mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Kansas City with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, beige benchtop and exposed beam.

Purley - Contemporary Bespoke Kitchen in a Georgian Home

Simon Taylor Furniture

Simon Taylor Furniture was commissioned to design a contemporary kitchen and dining space in a Grade II listed Georgian property in Berkshire. Formerly a stately home dating back to 1800, the property had been previously converted into luxury apartments. The owners, a couple with three children, live in the ground floor flat, which has retained its original features throughout. When the property was originally converted, the ground floor drawing room salon had been reconfigured to become the kitchen and the owners wanted to use the same enclosed space, but to bring the look of the room completely up to date as a new contemporary kitchen diner. In direct contrast to the ornate cornicing in the original ceiling, the owners also wanted the new space to have a state of the art industrial style, reminiscent of a professional restaurant kitchen. The challenge for Simon Taylor Furniture was to create a truly sleek kitchen design whilst softening the look of the overall space to both complement the older aspects of the room and to be a comfortable family dining area. For this, they combined three essential materials: brushed stainless steel and glass with stained ask for the accents and also the main dining area. Simon Taylor Furniture designed and manufactured all the tall kitchen cabinetry that houses dry goods and integrated cooling models including an wine climate cabinet, all with brushed stainless steel fronts and handles with either steel or glass-fronted top boxes. To keep the perfect perspective with the four metre high ceiling, these were designed as three metre structures and are all top lit with LED lighting. Overhead cabinets are also brushed steel with glass fronts and all feature LED strip lighting within the interiors. LED spotlighting is used at the base of the overhead cupboards above both the sink and cooking runs. Base units all feature steel fronted doors and drawers, and all have stainless steel handles as well. Between two original floor to ceiling windows to the left of the room is a specially built tall steel double door dresser cabinet with pocket doors at the central section that fold back into recesses to reveal a fully stocked bar and a concealed flatscreen TV. At the centre of the room is a long steel island with a Topus Concrete worktop by Caesarstone; a work surface with a double pencil edge that is featured throughout the kitchen. The island is attached to L-shaped bench seating with pilasters in stained ash for the dining area to complement a bespoke freestanding stained ash dining table, also designed and made by Simon Taylor Furniture. Along the industrial style cooking run, surrounded by stained ash undercounter base cabinets are a range of cooking appliances by Gaggenau. These include a 40cm domino gas hob and a further 40cm domino gas wok which surround a 60cm induction hob with a downdraft extractors. To the left of the surface cooking area is a tall bank of two 76cm Vario ovens in stainless steel and glass. An additional integrated microwave with matching glass-fronted warming drawer by Miele is installed under counter within the island run. Facing the door from the hallway and positioned centrally between the tall steel cabinets is the sink run featuring a stainless steel undermount sink by 1810 Company and a tap by Grohe with an integrated dishwasher by Miele in the units beneath. Directly above is an antique mirror splashback beneath to reflect the natural light in the room, and above that is a stained ash overhead cupboard to accommodate all glasses and stemware. This features four stained glass panels designed by Simon Taylor Furniture, which are inspired by the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany from the Art Nouveau period. The owners wanted the stunning panels to be a feature of the room when they are backlit at night.

New Orleans Audubon Park Transitional Bungalow

Susan Currie Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in New Orleans with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Aurora Kitchen Remodel #2

Lonny at K and B

Photo of a mid-sized country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Cleveland with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, limestone splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, orange floor and beige benchtop.

Showroom Kitchen 1

Lazarou Joinery

This pantry unit can be used for storage, but the continuation of the solid surface bench-top into the cupboard means it can also be used for preparation work.

Radcliffe Ave Kitchen Remodel

ReVision Design/Remodeling

A large island with wide drawers and hidden storage ensures there is a place for everything, and a seat for the whole family. © Deborah Scannell Photography

Eglise I

BCOZ! Architecture d'intérieur

Inspiration for a small contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Other with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, beige splashback, timber splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Heinrich Remodel

BigFoot Concepts

Champagne Glass Backsplash, Quartz counters, and Stainless appliances
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Phoenix with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, travertine floors, with island, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Shaker Door Enamel Kitchen

gqdevelopments

Woodharbor Custom Cabinetry
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional eat-in kitchen in Miami with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Kitchen with Beige Splashback and Beige Benchtop 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!