Designer Sarah Robertson of Studio Dearborn helped a neighbor and friend to update a “builder grade” kitchen into a personal, family space that feels luxurious and inviting. The homeowner wanted to solve a number of storage and flow problems in the kitchen, including a wasted area dedicated to a desk, too-little pantry storage, and her wish for a kitchen bar. The all white builder kitchen lacked character, and the client wanted to inject color, texture and personality into the kitchen while keeping it classic.

Adobe Falls Kitchen Remodel

M Prevost Design

kitchen remodel
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, terra-cotta splashback, black appliances, vinyl floors, with island, beige floor and black benchtop.

Modern Renovation

The Interior Collection

Design ideas for a transitional u-shaped kitchen in Dallas with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, grey splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Mid Century Modern Meets 2020

Fox Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped separate kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, cement tiles, no island, grey floor and black benchtop.

Kitchen-Living Portfolio

Ziebart Construction

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional l-shaped separate kitchen in Portland with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, brick floors, with island, red floor and black benchtop.

Ramsey Ave

Sarah Stacey Interior Design

Photo by Molly Culver
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern l-shaped kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Hampstead

Mark Lewis Interior Design

The original fireplace was opened up and a brick arch added to surround the cooker. Photography by Rory Gardiner
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional single-wall kitchen in London with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, black appliances, black benchtop, grey splashback and dark hardwood floors.

Custom kitchen renovation

Piperbear Designs

This is an example of a large country l-shaped kitchen in Wilmington with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, with island, quartz benchtops, black appliances, marble floors, grey floor and black benchtop.

Baseview Cottage

Forward Design Build Remodel

Mid-sized traditional kitchen in Detroit with recessed-panel cabinets, beige splashback, medium hardwood floors, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, brown floor, blue cabinets and black benchtop.

Stately Colonial

Teakwood Builders, Inc.

Expansive traditional l-shaped kitchen pantry in Boston with blue cabinets, soapstone benchtops, black splashback, medium hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and black benchtop.

The Chicken Loft

Anya Rice Photography

Kitchen design: Winfreys www.winfreys.co.uk
Large country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, granite benchtops, black splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, black benchtop, an undermount sink, blue cabinets and no island.

Zilker || Remodel || Austin, TX

Etch Design Group

Inspiration for a large transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor and black benchtop.

Bay Island Kitchen

B&T Kitchens and Baths

Ramone Photography
Large beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, blue cabinets, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, mosaic tile splashback, brown floor and black benchtop.

Willow Remodel

Urbane Design

Traditional u-shaped kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, black splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and black benchtop.

LARGE FUNCTIONAL SINK

Molly J Littlejohn Design

Large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and black benchtop.

Diesel Social Kitchen

Scavolini

Le ante telaio acciaio dei pensili sono personalizzate e personalizzabili ogni giorno grazie alle superfici “effetto lavagna”. Da un progetto Diesel, nasce “Air conduit two”, cappa camino di aspirazione con finitura drip metal. Esclusiva finitura tempera Indigo per le ante legno laccate a poro aperto. L’effetto rimanda al “denim wash”. The steel frame doors of the wall units can be customised afresh every day thanks to the “blackboard slate effect” surfaces. “Air conduit two”, a ducted chimney hood with drip metal finish, has been created to a Diesel design. Exclusive Indigo tempera finish for the open-pore lacquered wood doors. The effect is similar to washed denim.

Blue coastal-inspired kitchen with rattan and wicker décor

Stoneham Kitchens

The owner of a detached seafront property in Sandgate, Folkestone, was looking for a new kitchen that would be sympathetic to the picturesque coastal location of the property. The owner wanted the space to be welcoming and relaxing, taking inspiration from the look and feel of a traditional bright beach hut. Having had a Stoneham Kitchen before, and impressed by the quality, the owner wanted her new kitchen to be of the same craftsmanship. She therefore approached kitchen designer Philip Haines at Stoneham Kitchens for her second kitchen project. To get the natural feel of the beachfront, the owner opted for Stoneham’s Bewl range with in-frame flush doors, finished in a rustic oak enhanced grain and painted in Crown’s Starry Host – a sea inspired shade of blue. In contrast to the deep ocean blue hue, part of the kitchen cupboards were finished in Crown Mussel – a soft cream tone.

The Party's At Our House

Studio Dearborn

FALCON LEDGE

Lindsey Hanna Design

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional galley open plan kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and black benchtop.

Window Wall with Marble Sink

KraftMaster Renovations

Marble farmhouse sink is highlighted on this window wall with pendant accent lighting.
This is an example of a small u-shaped separate kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, white appliances, slate floors, no island, grey floor and black benchtop.

Kitchen with Blue Cabinets and Black 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!