The design of this remodel of a small two-level residence in Noe Valley reflects the owner's passion for Japanese architecture. Having decided to completely gut the interior partitions, we devised a better-arranged floor plan with traditional Japanese features, including a sunken floor pit for dining and a vocabulary of natural wood trim and casework. Vertical grain Douglas Fir takes the place of Hinoki wood traditionally used in Japan. Natural wood flooring, soft green granite and green glass backsplashes in the kitchen further develop the desired Zen aesthetic. A wall to wall window above the sunken bath/shower creates a connection to the outdoors. Privacy is provided through the use of switchable glass, which goes from opaque to clear with a flick of a switch. We used in-floor heating to eliminate the noise associated with forced-air systems.

2019 Pinnacle Award | L.A. Residence

Natural Stone Institute

In the home’s interior, leather-finish Cippolino marble paving was painstakingly end-matched to create the illusion of one continuous piece of stone traveling through the whole level, under a bathtub made from a single block of Cippolino marble, and transitioning into the master bath’s shower walls. On this same level the kitchen is outfitted with a 15 foot long book-matched Lapis Lazuli island countertop shaped at its perimeter with a “knife edge,” adjacent to a countertop and sink clad in book-matched Cippolino marble. Matched vein-cut travertine paving covers the floor and seamlessly continues through the living room and out onto the exterior sundeck, terminating at the swimming pool which is completely bordered by travertine coping containing slots for drainage that allow the top edge of the pool’s water to become perfectly aligned with the top edge of the adjacent travertine paving, thus creating a level surface from the kitchen to the infinity edge of the pool.

Ijen Blue Quartzite by Allure Natural Stone

Allure Natural Stone

Ijen Blue Quartzite by Allure Natural Stone
This is an example of a modern kitchen in Dallas with quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, stone slab splashback, with island and blue benchtop.

Perfect Prospect

Epoch Solutions, Inc.

Design ideas for a large contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Tampa with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, glass benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, terrazzo floors, with island, multi-coloured floor and blue benchtop.

Emigration Overlook

Creative Design Cabinetry

A modern update to this condo built in 1966 with a gorgeous view of Emigration Canyon in Salt Lake City. Concrete structural columns and walls were an obstacle to incorporate into the design. Rev-A-Shelf double 50 quart pull-out trash. White conversion varnish finish on maple raised panel doors. Counter top is Blue Flowers granite with mitered edge. Walnut floating shelves with recessed led lighting. Professional refrigerator and freezer set next to pantry cabinet with roll-out trays.

Red Energy Kitchen

Boss Design Center

Inspiration for a large traditional kitchen in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and green benchtop.

East Hampton

Atelier Armbruster

East Hampton weekend home photograph by Francois Dischinger
Large contemporary single-wall kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and green benchtop.

Energy Efficient, Empty Nester New England Timber Frame

Designs for Living by Wendy, LLC

Eric Roth
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Jacksonville with recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, marble benchtops, cork floors, with island and green benchtop.

The Relatives Are Coming, the Relatives Are Coming...

McCabe By Design LLC

The kitchen island is multi-purposed with seating for socializing, storage, and a microwave oven shelf. An integrated panelized refrigerator gives this kitchen a tailored look.

Cherry Hills Village

HQ Architects

Photo of an expansive transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Denver with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and green benchtop.

Creek Hollow Ave Renovation

Studio Steidley

This kitchen was very 1980s and the homeowners were ready for a change. As amateur chefs, they had a lot of requests and appliances to accommodate but we were up for the challenge. Taking the kitchen back down to the studs, we began to open up their kitchen while providing them plenty of storage to conceal their bulk storage and many small appliances. Replacing their existing refrigerator with a panel-ready column refrigerator and freezer, helped keep the sleek look of the cabinets without being disrupted by appliances. The vacuum sealer drawer is an integrated part as well, hidden by the matching cabinet drawer front. Even the beverage cooler has a door that matches the cabinetry of the island. The stainless, professional-grade gas range stands out amongst the white cabinets and its brass touches match the cabinet hardware, faucet, pot-filler, and veining through the quartzite. The show-stopper of this kitchen is this amazing book-matched quartzite with its deep blues and brass veining and this incredible sink that was created out of it as well, to continue the continuity of this kitchen. The enormous island is covered with the same stone but with the dark wood, it provides a dramatic flair. The mercury glass pendants, do not distract but complete the look. Photographer: Michael Hunter Photography

Kitchen with Coloured Stone and Two Tone Cabinets

Improva

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern galley eat-in kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and green benchtop.

Open Kitchen with double islands

Purple Cherry Architects

Traditional l-shaped kitchen in Baltimore with a farmhouse sink, stainless steel appliances, green splashback, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets and green benchtop.

San Juan Spanish Revival

Concept Design, Inc.

Wine refrigerators, Coffee bar, and storage in the kitchen
Inspiration for a large mediterranean eat-in kitchen in Orange County with an integrated sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, limestone floors, with island, grey floor, green benchtop and exposed beam.

Atlanta BLUE kitchen

Rosa Moreno Kitchens

This is an example of a small eclectic l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Transitional Navy

Sanctuary Kitchen and Bath Design

Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

DeSoto Traditional Residence

Cedar Hill Home and Design

Inspiration for a traditional kitchen in Dallas with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, vinyl floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Los Angeles, CA - Complete Remodel

Luxe Remodel

This is an example of a mid-sized mediterranean l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, wood benchtops, green splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, green benchtop and vaulted.

Beckenham - Beautiful Villa

Sandy Eagle Design Ltd

Villa with Granite benchtop - Stainless steel - Linen finish benchtop to eitherside of oven and into pantry Coffee Station, Onbench corner pantry, HWA doors on main pantry by Hafele, Pressed metal splashback , Wrought Iron Feature

L Residence

Actual Architecture Company

photo by Paul Crosby
Contemporary galley kitchen in Omaha with an integrated sink, orange splashback, white appliances and blue benchtop.

Kitchen with Blue Benchtop and Green 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!