Small transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, no island, shaker cabinets, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and black benchtop.

2017 ARDA - Custom Homes - Royal Oaks Design

AIBD - American Institute of Building Design

The client’s coastal New England roots inspired this Shingle style design for a lakefront lot. With a background in interior design, her ideas strongly influenced the process, presenting both challenge and reward in executing her exact vision. Vintage coastal style grounds a thoroughly modern open floor plan, designed to house a busy family with three active children. A primary focus was the kitchen, and more importantly, the butler’s pantry tucked behind it. Flowing logically from the garage entry and mudroom, and with two access points from the main kitchen, it fulfills the utilitarian functions of storage and prep, leaving the main kitchen free to shine as an integral part of the open living area. An ARDA for Custom Home Design goes to Royal Oaks Design Designer: Kieran Liebl From: Oakdale, Minnesota

Tour of Homes / HBA Home

Wind River Homes

Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, black benchtop, exposed beam and vaulted.

Woodbury Modern Farmhouse

St. Croix Custom Homes and Renovation

Design ideas for a country u-shaped kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, shaker cabinets, white splashback, beige floor, black benchtop and timber.

c. 1720 Residence | Kennett Square, PA

Period Architecture Ltd.

Angle Eye Photography
Large country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, wood benchtops, brown floor, black benchtop and beaded inset cabinets.

Kitchen

Echelon Custom Homes

Inspiration for a beach style eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with stainless steel appliances, subway tile splashback, a farmhouse sink, granite benchtops, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback and black benchtop.

Past Meets Present

Judith Wright Design

Saving the original stained glass picture window from 1916, we created a focal point with a custom designed arch alcove with dentil molding. Leaded glass upper cabinets add ambiance and sparkle to the compact kitchen.

Willow Glen Ranch Remodel

Brad Cox, Architect, Inc.

A two-tiered island anchors the center of this gourmet kitchen and provides seating for guests to visit with the cooks. And who doesn't love a window over a sink?

County Chic Kitchen Remodel

Phases + Design

Photo of a small country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, black appliances, porcelain floors, a peninsula, beige floor and black benchtop.

Ocean Views Condo | Small Luxury Kitchen

Liza Nicole Interiors

Small kitchen big on storage and luxury finishes. When you’re limited on increasing a small kitchen’s footprint, it’s time to get creative. By lightening the space with bright, neutral colors and removing upper cabinetry — replacing them with open shelves — we created an open, bistro-inspired kitchen packed with prep space.

White Modern Kitchen with a Country twist

KB Studios

Our client enjoy mix & match the old with the new. White shakers cabinet with a black granite counter top.
This is an example of a large transitional u-shaped kitchen in Dallas with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, beige floor and black benchtop.

2020 NARI CotY Award-Winning Residential Interiors

National Association of the Remodeling Industry

EBCON Corporation, Redwood City, California, 2020 Regional CotY Award Winner, Residential Interior Over $500,000
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and black benchtop.

Wellington Parkway Kitchen Remodel in Bethany Beach DE

Sea Light Design-Build

Kitchen in Wellington Parkway, Bethany Beach DE with White Cabinets, Black Granite Countertop and White Tile Backsplash
Design ideas for a large modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and black benchtop.

Charming On Arden

Jarrett Design

Design ideas for a large transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Contemporary Cottage

Lisa Carlisle Architect

Design ideas for a large contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Providence with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, black floor, black benchtop and quartz benchtops.

Santa Teresita

Madison Nicole Design

Photo of a large country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Santa Barbara with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, terra-cotta floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

HIllsdale Kitchen

Northland Design & Build

This is an example of a transitional u-shaped kitchen in Portland with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and black benchtop.

Tops, Floors and Backsplash

Malsnee Tile and Stone, Inc.

Photo of a mid-sized country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, brick floors, with island, red floor and black benchtop.

Tops, Floors and Backsplash

Malsnee Tile and Stone, Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, brick floors, with island, red floor and black benchtop.

Project- Bent Annexe

Brickworks Building Products

Project // BENT Annexe Architects // BENT Architecture Photographer // Tatjana Plitt Product // Austral Bricks La Paloma in Gaudi
Photo of a contemporary kitchen in Sydney with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, grey floor and black benchtop.

Kitchen with Subway Tile Splashback 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!