Photo of a mid-sized modern l-shaped kitchen pantry in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, stone slab splashback, black appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and blue benchtop.

Transitional Navy

Sanctuary Kitchen and Bath Design

Design ideas 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.

Blue and White Kitchen in Yardley

Lang's Kitchen & Bath

This spacious kitchen design in Yardley is a bright, open plan space bathed in natural light from the large windows, doors, and skylights. The white perimeter cabinets from Koch and Company are complemented by handmade subway tile and MSI Surfaces Calcatta Venice quartz countertop. The white color scheme is beautifully contrasted by blue island cabinetry with a bi-level countertop and barstool seating. The island also includes a Task Lighting angled power strip, a narrow wine refrigerator, and a white Blanco Siligranit apron front sink with a Riobel Edge faucet and chrome soap dispenser. The kitchen cabinets are accented by Top Knobs Lydia style pulls in chrome. Bosch stainless appliances feature throughout the kitchen, including a microwave drawer and a Bosch stainless chimney hood. Dark hardwood flooring from Meridian brings depth to the style. The natural lighting is complemented by pendant lights from Wage Lighting, undercabinet lighting, and upper glass front cabinets with in cabinet lighting.

When Three Become One

Square Footage Inc.

Photos by Valerie Wilcox
Photo of an expansive transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Transitional Elegance

Tobias Design LLC

Inspiration for a large transitional galley kitchen pantry in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, blue benchtop and timber.

Atlanta BLUE kitchen

Rosa Moreno Kitchens

Inspiration for 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.

Rays of Light

Aspen Leaf Interiors

For this ski-in, ski-out mountainside property, the intent was to create an architectural masterpiece that was simple, sophisticated, timeless and unique all at the same time. The clients wanted to express their love for Japanese-American craftsmanship, so we incorporated some hints of that motif into the designs. This kitchen design was all about function. The warmth of the walnut cabinetry and flooring and the simplicity of the contemporary cabinet style and open shelving leave room for the gorgeous blue polished quartzite slab focal point used for the oversized island and backsplash. The perimeter countertops are contrasting black textured granite. The high cedar wood ceiling and exposed curved steel beams are dramatic and reveal a roofline nodding to a traditional pagoda design. Striking bronze hanging lights span the space. Vertically grain-matched large drawers provide plenty of storage and the compact pantry’s strategic design fits a coffee maker and Mila appliances.

Parade 2019

Micah & Co.

Navy kitchen cabinets and kitchen island. Brown and gold bar stools. White marble countertops and backsplash, large white and gold pendants over the kitchen island. Exposed wood floating shelves with gold sconces over.

Perfect Prospect

Epoch Solutions, Inc.

Mid-sized modern galley open plan 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.

A Classic Blue-Gray Farmhouse Kitchen

Cambria

A Parys island is a stunning focal point, offering gleaming blue and gray natural quartz tones in this classic farmhouse. Swanbridge perimeter countertops and white cabinetry brighten the space, complemented by light gray subway tile and dark gray walls. Silver lantern pendants highlight the blue-gray island focal point.

Modern Swedish Kitchen in Dark Blue

Sola Kitchens

Lind-Cummings Design Photography
Design ideas for a large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in London with a single-bowl sink, glass benchtops, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, blue cabinets, white splashback, with island, flat-panel cabinets and blue benchtop.

Historical Fremont Remodel

TreHus Architects+Interior Designers+Builders

This is an example of an expansive transitional single-wall eat-in kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, blue cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, blue benchtop and shaker cabinets.

Fossil Creek Kitchen

Haven Design and Construction

The focal point of this beautiful kitchen is the stunning stainless range hood accented with antique gold strapping. The marble backsplash was the inspiration for the gray and white cabinets and the two islands add drama and function to the space. Quartzite countertops provide durability and compliment the marble backsplash. This transitional kitchen features a coffee center, two sinks, a potfiller, 48" Wolf gas range, 36" Subzero refrigerator column, 24" Subzero freezer column, dishwasher drawers, a warming drawer, convection microwave and a wine refrigerator. It's truly a chef's dream kitchen.

Les Hogues

CP Design Interieur

Les niches ouvertes apportent la couleur chaleureuse du chêne cognac et allègent visuellement le bloc de colonnes qui aurait été trop massif si entièrement fermé!

Park Circle

Kitchen Cove Design Studio

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland Maine with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and blue benchtop.

Park Circle

Kitchen Cove Design Studio

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland Maine with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and blue benchtop.

Fresh Modern Coastal Style New Home

Spaces By Juliana Linssen, Inc.

Design ideas for a large beach style u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Farmhouse Sink

Christine Lakas, The Designer, LLC

Custom cabinetry with two tone countertops. The island is oversized with a 3" mitered edge. The custom range hood has warm brass accents layered on the navy geometric tile for contrast.

Open Living Spaces in a Palo Alto Bungalow

EASA Architecture

Open kitchen with small island
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, blue benchtop and recessed.

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.

All Islands Kitchen with Blue 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!