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.

Modern Farmhouse

Chad Hemphill Construction

Design by Aline Designs
This is an example of a country kitchen pantry in Oklahoma City with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, black floor and grey benchtop.

Inset Face Frame - Vaughan

Devix Kitchens

Inset face frame kitchen cabinets
Design ideas for a large modern u-shaped open plan kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, porcelain splashback, panelled appliances, ceramic floors, with island, black floor, beige benchtop and wallpaper.

eclectic green and alder kitchen

M&M Interiors

This couples small kitchen was in dire need of an update. The homeowner is an avid cook and cookbook collector so finding a special place for some of his most prized cookbooks was a must! we moved the doorway to accommodate a layout change and the kitchen is now not only more beautiful but much more functional.

Transitional with a Twist Kitchen

Robinwood Kitchens

Mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, white benchtop and black floor.

Steel Windows & Doors by FireRock

FireRock Building Materials

This is an example of a large country l-shaped kitchen in Dallas with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, with island, multi-coloured splashback, black floor, white benchtop, a farmhouse sink, quartz benchtops, stainless steel appliances, slate floors and window splashback.

Williams & Sons Handmade Kitchen

Kettle Co. Kitchens

This is an example of a large country single-wall kitchen in Cornwall with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, concrete benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island and black floor.

Hale Hano Hano a Kala

Pu'uwai Design & Construction

In the kitchen the plantation style detailing is seen in the traditional style sconce lights and oil rubbed bronze hardware. The white shaker cabinets make the kitchen feel light and airy while the ebony island adds contrast. The wicker stools and blinds add warmth to the otherwise white pallet. The glass pendants are seeded glass with hemp rope detailing, we continued the use of seeded glass on the glass cabinet doors to create a sense of continuity to the space.

Hamptons meets Rustic

Impala Kitchens and Bathrooms

Photo of a mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, marble splashback, with island, black floor and white benchtop.

Shaw Row House Remodel

AllenBuilt, Inc.

Allen Russ Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional galley separate kitchen in DC Metro with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, dark hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, with island and black floor.

North Curl Curl Renovation

LJW Design

A Hamptons inspired design for Sydney's northern beaches.
Large open plan kitchen in Sydney with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, black appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, black floor and exposed beam.

Franklin Project

Studio H Designs, Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized eclectic galley eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances, vinyl floors, no island, black floor and white 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.

eclectic green and alder kitchen

M&M Interiors

This couples small kitchen was in dire need of an update. The homeowner is an avid cook and cookbook collector so finding a special place for some of his most prized cookbooks was a must!

A Kitchen Renovation by Donna DuFresne Interior Design

Bertazzoni

A 30" matte black Master Series Range pairs with matte black tiling, forest green cabinetry, and marble countertops in a newly renovated contemporary kitchen. Originally built in 1903 in Portland, Oregon, this kitchen displays a dramatic and timeless aesthetic at the heart of the home. (Design: Donna DuFresne Interior Design / Photography: Chris Dibble)

Mimosa Open Floor Plan

Before and After Builders, Inc.

Kohler Apron Front single basin sink, Newport Brass Gooseneck faucet, Atrium Garden Window, Soapstone countertop, Sophia 2" x6" Subway tile backsplash, and Nuvo Antebellum Mini Pendant light above kitchen sink!

Bel Air Contemporary

Black Lacquer Design

Design ideas for an expansive transitional u-shaped kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, black floor and white benchtop.

Pelham Manor Farm Kitchen

Karen Berkemeyer Home

This is an example of a large country galley open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, coloured appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, black floor and grey benchtop.

A Chef's Kitchen

Scovell Remodeling, Inc.

This is an example of a transitional kitchen in Kansas City with wood benchtops, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, black floor and brown benchtop.

Ethernal Calacatta Gold Kitchen

Simon Adamczyk

Raquel Langworthy
This is an example of a transitional kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, marble splashback, white appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, black floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Shaker Cabinets and 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!