When we drove out to Mukilteo for our initial consultation, we immediately fell in love with this house. With its tall ceilings, eclectic mix of wood, glass and steel, and gorgeous view of the Puget Sound, we quickly nicknamed this project "The Mukilteo Gem". Our client, a cook and baker, did not like her existing kitchen. The main points of issue were short runs of available counter tops, lack of storage and shortage of light. So, we were called in to implement some big, bold ideas into a small footprint kitchen with big potential. We completely changed the layout of the room by creating a tall, built-in storage wall and a continuous u-shape counter top. Early in the project, we took inventory of every item our clients wanted to store in the kitchen and ensured that every spoon, gadget, or bowl would have a dedicated "home" in their new kitchen. The finishes were meticulously selected to ensure continuity throughout the house. We also played with the color scheme to achieve a bold yet natural feel.This kitchen is a prime example of how color can be used to both make a statement and project peace and balance simultaneously. While busy at work on our client's kitchen improvement, we also updated the entry and gave the homeowner a modern laundry room with triple the storage space they originally had. End result: ecstatic clients and a very happy design team. That's what we call a big success! John Granen.

Anchorage

Katharine Jessica Interior Design, LLC

Kimberly Muto
This is an example of a large country eat-in kitchen in New York with with island, an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors and black floor.

Winoka Kitchen/Hearth/Pantry

Before and After Builders, Inc.

Beautiful Bianco Superior Quartzite countertop! Emser Sterlina Asphalt 12 x 24 floor tile in matte finish!
This is an example of a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, black floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Olathe MCM

Stumpff HomeWorks, LLC

Photo of a midcentury single-wall eat-in kitchen in Kansas City with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, granite splashback, panelled appliances, slate floors, with island, black floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Maybell

Jay Andre Construction, Inc.

This is an example of a transitional l-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, with island, black floor, grey benchtop and exposed beam.

Lincoln Towers Combination

Studio ST Architects, P.C.

Renovated kitchen with custom cabinetry and quartzite countertops
Large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, a peninsula, black floor and grey benchtop.

Japandi Interior with Curves and Cladding

Western Cabinets

An unrecognisable kitchen transformation. Curvaceous, enriched with warmed oak doors and velvet beige hues, the clouded concrete benches that cascade into a matte black framed bay window lined with large fluted textured wall paneling.

Modern living in Adam's Hill, Glendale

Metropolis Drafting and Construction Inc

Modernizing a mid-century Adam's hill home was an enjoyable project indeed. The kitchen cabinets are modern European frameless in a dark deep gray with a touch of earth tone in it. The golden hard integrated on top and sized for each door and drawer individually. The floor that ties it all together is 24"x24" black Terrazzo tile (about 1" thick). The neutral countertop by Cambria with a honed finish with almost perfectly matching backsplash tile sheets of 1"x10" limestone look-a-like tile.

Bungalow Kitchen Remodel

Side by Side Interiors LLC

This small 1910 bungalow was long overdue for an update. The goal was to lighten everything up without sacrificing the original architecture. Iridescent subway tile, lighted reeded glass, and white cabinets help to bring sparkle to a space with little natural light. I designed the custom made cabinets with inset doors and curvy shaped toe kicks as a nod to the arts and crafts period. It's all topped off with black hardware, countertops and lighting to create contrast and drama. The result is an up-to-date space ready for entertaining!

Reforma parcial - Black & White

ESTUDI A L'ÀTIC. Benvinguts al Slow Design!

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped separate kitchen in Barcelona with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, a peninsula, black floor and black benchtop.

Hollywood Actor's Off Grid Tiny Home

Tru Form Tiny

Designed by Malia Schultheis and built by Tru Form Tiny. This Tiny Home features Blue stained pine for the ceiling, pine wall boards in white, custom barn door, custom steel work throughout, and modern minimalist window trim. The Cabinetry is Maple with stainless steel countertop and hardware. The backsplash is a glass and stone mix. It only has a 2 burner cook top and no oven. The washer/ drier combo is in the kitchen area. Open shelving was installed to maintain an open feel.

West Hollywood - New Construction

Luxe Remodel

Large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, panelled appliances, marble floors, with island, black floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Bungalows & Butcherblock

Jones Design Group LLC

Inspiration for a small country u-shaped separate kitchen in Indianapolis with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, black floor and brown benchtop.

Church Rd Project

Jess Hunter Interior Design

This 90's home received a complete transformation. A renovation on a tight timeframe meant we used our designer tricks to create a home that looks and feels completely different while keeping construction to a bare minimum. This beautiful Dulux 'Currency Creek' kitchen was custom made to fit the original kitchen layout. Opening the space up by adding glass steel framed doors and a double sided Mt Blanc fireplace allowed natural light to flood through.

Eclectic Kitchen Design

Karr Bick Kitchen and Bath

This is an example of a transitional l-shaped kitchen in St Louis with an undermount sink, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, shaker cabinets, with island, black floor and black benchtop.

NC Countertops Projects

NC Countertops llc

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional single-wall kitchen in Raleigh with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, black floor and black benchtop.

Full Solar Home with Open Layout

Tru Form LLC

Photo of a country galley open plan kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, black floor and grey benchtop.

Interior's

The Studio of Christopher Phelps

Country eat-in kitchen in Charlotte with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, timber splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, black floor and grey benchtop.

Lakeland Cottage, Cumbria

User

Photo of a small country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Cornwall with recessed-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, wood benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, bamboo floors, no island and black floor.

Greenwich Village

Megan Grehl

Inspiration for a small contemporary galley kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, open cabinets, stainless steel cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback and black floor.

All Backsplash Materials Kitchen with Black Floor 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!