These homeowners requested a complete makeover of their dated lake house with an open floor plan that allowed for entertaining while enjoying the beautiful views of the lake from the kitchen and family room. We proposed taking out a loft area over the kitchen to open the space. This required moving the location of the stairs to access the basement bedrooms and moving the laundry and guest bath to new locations, which created improved flow of traffic. Each bathroom received a complete facelift complete with the powder bath taking a more polished finish for the lone female of the house to enjoy. We also painted the ceiling on the main floor, while leaving the beams stained to modernize the space. The renovation surpassed the goals and vision of the homeowner and allowed for a view of the lake the homeowner stated she never even knew she had.

2013Faith Refuge Decorator Show House

Eastern Treasures

Frances Sims
Design ideas for a traditional kitchen in Dallas with tile benchtops, a drop-in sink, blue splashback, white cabinets and blue benchtop.

Expanded Red Stripe Kitchen

Tenhulzen Residential

Corner sink takes advantage of natural light and views, lots of storage and improved functionality.
Photo of a large contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, red splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Kitchens and Great Rooms

Next Stage Design + Build

Designer: Ramona Tan Photo: CasaMokio (Nate Lewis) The peninsula wall cabinets were designed with glass fronted doors on both sides and a taller pass-thru space below. The glass doors provided openness to the space that gave the illusion of a larger kitchen. Meanwhile the countertop overhang provides an informal eating bar which also doubles as a place for guests to sit during dinner parties.

highland park

User

counter kitchen stove lighting
Design ideas for a contemporary kitchen in Chicago with light wood cabinets, metallic splashback, stainless steel appliances and blue benchtop.

Jamiaca Plain, Boston Kitchen Renovation

Lee Kimball

This 1940’s Colonial style home in Boston’s Jamaica Plain had strong bones and rich character but lacked the space, modern conveniences, and storage that our clients desired. While they wished to retain the look of the exterior, as well as some of the home’s unique original features,, the kitchen and dining room needed to be reimagined in design, layout, and functionality. Key considerations were the compact size of the home and a smaller lot that didn’t give our client the flexibility of an addition. Without adding on to the existing floor plan, we needed to find a way to gain vital extra space in the kitchen, which, with walls enclosing it on all sides, was dark and disconnected from the rest of the house. Our design team coordinated with our client to reconfigure the space by opening up the wall between the dining room and the kitchen to add a few extra inches – just enough to create an open flow between the two rooms. With the removal of that wall, the formerly dark kitchen was flooded with the natural light coming from the existing dining room windows, making the entire space feel brighter and more cohesive. The original kitchen dated back to the mid-20th century and lacked, among other conveniences, a dishwasher, enough storage, or even countertop space for food prep. In redesigning the kitchen, we visually expanded the space by incorporating white upper cabinetry, open shelving, and white subway tiles extending from the backsplash to the ceiling. A new, larger window featuring a deep stone sill brought in even more light, and the appliances and apron sink were selected to retain the traditional look of the home while delivering modern functionality. Considering how our client would use this space, we focused on creating a purposeful workspace and storage, ensuring that there was ample countertop space and cabinetry between the sink and range. A multi-purpose cabinet and countertop which serves as a microwave station and food service area were added to the backside of the dining room wall, packing a lot of utility into a small space. Prior to this renovation, our client had painted the dining room in Mount Saint Anne by Benjamin Moore, a tranquil blue-gray that suited the room well and allowed the original built-in corner cabinetry to stand out, highlighting the home’s charm. With the newly opened floor plan extending into the kitchen, we selected a deep custom color for the base cabinets, Yorktowne Green by Benjamin Moore, to complement the dining room and pull all of the elements together in a cohesive space. This transformation was remarkable, both functionally and visually. The kitchen is now a bright and inviting space that flows seamlessly into the rest of the house. The homeowners are thrilled with the results, and the small changes we incorporated that made a big difference in the overall feel and functionality of the space.

White and Blue Cabinet Kitchen with Cambria Portrush Quartz

Village Home Stores

A remodeled kitchen in Kewanee Illinois. Featured: Koch Classic Cabinetry in the Bristol door and White and Charcoal Blue painted finishes. Portrush Cambria Quartz tops, Mannington Hardwood Mountain View Hickory flooring in "Fawn" finish, KitchenAid appliances, and Kuzco LED lighting also featured. Start to finish kitchen remodel by Village Home Stores.

Side Street Suite

CHRISTOPHER STROM ARCHITECTS

Side Street Suite is a contemporary 640-square-foot accessory dwelling unit (ADU) that sits perched among trees in Minneapolis. The homeowner is an empty nester who no longer desired to inhabit a 2,700 square feet home. A unique solution was to build a one-bedroom ADU in the backyard of his rental duplex. The ADU feels much larger than would seem possible thanks to strategically placed glass on all exterior walls and roof. The home is expanded with unique views which in turn create a dynamic experience of the path of sunlight over the course of the day. The kitchen is compact yet well-appointed, offering most of the amenities of a larger home, albeit in more compact form. The bedroom is flanked by a walk-in closet and a full bathroom containing a combination washer/dryer. Playful, bold colors enliven the interiors: blue stair treads and wood handrail and blue quartz countertop. Exterior materials of composite wood siding and cement board panels were chosen for low-maintenance and durability. Bikers passing by the property often give the owner a thumbs-up, indicative of neighborhood enthusiasm and support for “building small.”

2023 Decorators' Show House

Cabinetry Ideas

Custom kitchen mixes walnut and painted cabinetry. A cooks dream with professional appliances. Seating at island is great for family life or entertaining.

Traditional Kitchen Remodel Done With Painted White Shaker Door

Kitchen Solvers of Miami

Check out this beautiful kitchen remodeling project we just completed in Miami, FL. The homeowners wanted to give their kitchen a more updated traditional look so they decided to install all new cabinets. They went with a shaker door profile from the Kitchen Solvers Classic Collection line done in painted white. We next installed a stunning Blue Macaubas countertop and backsplash. To complete the new look we also added staked glass door cabinets to some of the upper cabinets.

Havana at Sovereign Hills

McDonald Jones Homes

The Havana Executive, part of our NextGen Collection, is an all-round family favourite. Smartly designed, the Havana Executive has all members of the family in mind, cleverly providing multiple living spaces to be enjoyed.

White & Wonderful

Plato Woodwork, Inc.

Everything about this traditional combination kitchen / dining area says fresh and modern. Crisp, pure white painted inset cabinetry from Plato Woodwork form the perfect foundation for walls of glass and bountiful light.

Morton Street

Ben The Builder Inc

Reclaimed historic Jacksonville beam shelf dog feeding station. Reclaimed historic Chicago brick. Knotty hickory shelves hung on patinaed copper supports. Oak floors.

Industrial Style Modern London House

Artline Joinery Ltd

Texture combination of wood and micro cement. This moody deep navy kitchen demonstrates the uniqueness that dark finishes can add to a space.
Photo of a small industrial eat-in kitchen in London with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, black appliances, with island and blue benchtop.

P&BR

Amandine Mazella

Rénovation d'une maison de vacances sur la côte d'azur. Cahier des charges : se retrouver en famille dans espace ouvert sur la nature, contemporain et coloré.

Contemporary Cabinetry in New Construction Home

Wheatland Custom Cabinetry & Woodwork

Photo of a large contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Hilton British Cottage

Aeris Home

If I were to explain the atmosphere in this home, I’d say it’s happy. Natural light, unbelievable view of Lake Murray, the mountains, the green hills, the sky – I used those natural colors as inspiration to come up with a palette for this project. As a result, we were brave enough to go with 3 cabinet colors (natural, oyster and olive), a gorgeous blue granite that’s named Azurite (a very powerful crystal), new appliance layout, raised ceiling, and a hole in the wall (butler’s window) … quite a lot, considering that client’s original goal was to just reface the existing cabinets (see before photos). This remodel turned out to be the most accurate representation of my clients, their way of life and what they wanted to highlight in a space so dear to them. You truly feel like you’re in an English countryside cottage with stellar views, quaint vibe and accessories suitable for any modern family. We love the final result and can’t get enough of that warm abundant light!

Beverly One

Ventura Custom Homes

Inspiration for a large modern l-shaped kitchen in Dallas with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and turquoise benchtop.

Kitchen

Harrell Design + Build

This is an example of a contemporary eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, panelled appliances and blue benchtop.

White and Blue Cabinet Kitchen with Cambria Portrush Quartz

Village Home Stores

Kitchen with Blue Benchtop and Turquoise 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!