Photo of a country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Jackson with quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, stone slab splashback, light hardwood floors, with island and beige benchtop.

Brighton Road Residence

William Guidero Planning and Design

Realtor: Casey Lesher, Contractor: Robert McCarthy, Interior Designer: White Design
Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, multiple islands, medium wood cabinets, beige splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, an integrated sink, stainless steel benchtops, beige benchtop and brown floor.

Richmond Hill Main Floor Renovation

Sosna Inc

Design ideas for a small transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Toronto with beige floor, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, stone slab splashback and a peninsula.

Past Projects

The Kitchen Man - Granite and Quartz Countertops

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island and beige floor.

A French Country Kitchen Design in McLean, Virginia

Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes

A family of five, who lives in a prestigious McLean neighborhood, was looking to renovate and upgrade their 20-year-old kitchen. Goals of the renovation were to move the cooktop out of the island, install all professional-quality appliances, achieve better traffic flow and update the appearance of the space. The plan was to give a French country look to this kitchen, by carrying the overall soft and creamy color scheme of main floor furniture in the new kitchen. As such, the adjacent family room had to become a significant part of the remodel. The back wall of the kitchen is now occupied by 48” professional range under a custom wood hood. A new tower style refrigerator covered in matching wood panels is placed at the end of the run, just create more work space on both sides of the stove. The large contrasting Island in a dark chocolate finish now offers a second dishwasher, a beverage center and built in microwave. It also serves as a large buffet style counter space and accommodate up to five seats around it. The far wall of the space used to have a bare wall with a 36” fireplace in it. The goal of this renovation was to include all the surrounding walls in the design. Now the entire wall is made of custom cabinets, including display cabinetry on the upper half. The fireplace is wrapped with a matching color mantel and equipped with a big screen TV. Smart use of detailed crown and trim molding are highlights of this space and help bring the two rooms together, as does the porcelain tile floor. The attached family room provides a casual, comfortable space for guest to relax. And the entire space is perfect for family gatherings or entertaining.

Full Home Family Remodel

Jaureguy's Design & Construction

Photo of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sacramento with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Hill Country kitchen

S Thomas Design and Build, LLC

A greatly expanded kitchen with a country feel. The contrasting island with cookbook storage and translucent pantry door continue the relaxed feel of this kitchen. A commercial grade gas range with stainless backsplash completes the family friendly design.

Warm Mission Style Kitchen with Wood Cabinets and White Taj Mahal Quartzite

DANIELLE Interior Design & Decor

The Bay Window of this kitchen adds life, light, and space to the kitchen sink area. This offset sink with Taj Mahal Quartzite countertops and warm wood cabinetry is a family friendly and welcoming kitchen for entertaining. Designed by Danielle Perkins @ DANIELLE Interior Design & Decor. Photography by Taylor Abeel Photography.

Downtown Condo Remodel

Allison Smith Design

Photos by Allison Smith
Small modern galley open plan kitchen in Portland with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Let's Eat- Kitchens

User

Design ideas for a small modern galley open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, beige splashback, stone slab splashback and medium hardwood floors.

Saucon Valley Stunner

Jarrett Design

Large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Contemporary Kitchen

Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, granite benchtops, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, terrazzo floors, with island, beige floor, light wood cabinets, beige splashback and beige benchtop.

Bold and Navy Blue Kitchen

J&J Carpet One Floor & Home

Countertop: Granite in Mont Bleu
Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Orlando with an undermount sink, blue cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, a peninsula, white floor and beige benchtop.

Contemporary Kitchen with Contrasting Cabinetry and Waterfall Edge Countertop

Orren Pickell Building Group

Brookhaven I Vista in horizontal rift cut veneer in champagne finish. Cabinet door pulls by Richelieu (7-7/8") in nickel. Island features 1-3/8" black walnut butcher block with waterfall edge.

Alabama

Leland Construction Inc

Mid-sized galley eat-in kitchen in San Diego with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, terra-cotta floors and no island.

Kitchens

Sky General Contractors

Design ideas for a large l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Phoenix with raised-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, solid surface benchtops, beige splashback, stone slab splashback, white appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Contemporary and Compact - Naperville, IL

PB Kitchen Design

The vignette within Barrett Technology’s Design Center is one of its kind in the industry. Built to inspire and inform, this kitchen showcases today’s most innovative solutions in real world settings. All the technology (video, audio, lighting, security and HVAC) is controlled through a single app on the iPad. Even the motorized window shades, task & accent lighting are controlled via the Lutron Lighting Control System. It allows for lighting scene selection at the touch of a single button – including a “Cook” scene which when pressed will activate the lighting to an optimal 100% over the kitchen sink & island areas and will also drop the motorized spice rack from behind the wall cabinet. Project specs: Thermador appliances, Caesarstone countertops in honed Pebble. Single app control system by Savant. Photographer - Bruce Van Inwegen

Cream & Khaki Contemporary

Scavolini Store Detroit

This warm contemporary kitchen is set in a home with an open layout. Kitchen, den and dining room are all a part of the grand space (not all is visible in the photograph). The Scavolini cabinets are a combination of khaki textured melamine and porcelain glossy lacquer. The aluminum channel replaces the handles to maintain a sleek look on the slab doors. Stainless steel appliances are easy to clean, and perfect for this family that likes to cook. The stainless steel toe kick brings it all together. The island has Scavolini khaki melamine back panels for a beautiful presentation. The white natural quartzite has enough hang over to sit three stools comfortably. The waterfall edge over the cabinets is a current trend, and adds a lovely touch of stone. Dark hard wood floors warm up the space and bring the whole 1st floor together. Photographer Martin Vecchio.

La Casa De Piedra

Carmel Realty Company

This is an example of an expansive mediterranean open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, limestone benchtops, beige splashback, stone slab splashback, medium hardwood floors and light wood cabinets.

Fullerton - Modern Remodel

Pacific Coast Builders, Inc.

Large contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Orange County with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Kitchen with Beige Splashback and Stone Slab 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!