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.

Scullery

Pike Properties

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional l-shaped kitchen in Charlotte with a farmhouse sink, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Georgetown Row House

Sarah Kahn Turner

John Cole
Inspiration for a transitional galley kitchen in DC Metro with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Birmingham Urban Style Kitchen Remodel

MainStreet Design Build

The homeowner's favorite part of this kitchen remodel was a gorgeous walk-in pantry, highlighted with opaque glass doors, a beverage center and quartz countertops. Light Fixture: Elegant Lighting, Toureag Collection, Ceiling Flush, 8000D12 Door Hardware: Same throughout kitchen but different sizes (Topex Stainless Steel Collection, Rectangle) Glass Shelves: OpiWhite Low Iron Glass Pantry Door Glass: Starphire Low Iron Glass (Frosted) Kate Benjamin Photography

Contemporary Mid Century Kitchen Remodel

J. Bryant Boyd, Design-Build

Inspiration for a traditional u-shaped kitchen in Austin with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, stainless steel appliances, no island, white splashback, subway tile splashback and solid surface benchtops.

Winden Estate - Ourimbah

Penman Brown Interior Design

Photo of an expansive country open plan kitchen in Sydney with shaker cabinets, stainless steel appliances, with island, an undermount sink, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, painted wood floors, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

T&P Loft Remodel - Kitchen

Paxton Place Design

Mid-sized industrial l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Dallas with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, multi-coloured floor and black benchtop.

Manor Makeover: Kitchen

Tamara Day Design

Large transitional galley open plan kitchen in Kansas City with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

CASA VD

Interni 19 | Studio di Architettura

cucina con isola
Mid-sized contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Milan with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Northwest Hills Remodel and Addition

Remodel Boutique

This is an example of a large scandinavian l-shaped open plan kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and white benchtop.

Colourful Kitchen Project Tivoli

Contour

The U-shape kitchen in Fenix, Midnight Blue, and Synthia, Limes Oak enabled the client to retain a dining table and entertaining space. A purposefully placed parapet discreetly conceals the kitchen's working area and hob when approaching from the hallway. The Vero cabinet's soft lighting and the play on heights are a modern interpretation of a traditional dresser, creating an ambience and space for a choice of personalised ornaments. Additionally, the midi cabinet provided additional storage. The result was a playfully bright kitchen in the daylight and an atmospherically enticing kitchen at night.

Myrtle House

Regarding Design

Built in the iconic neighborhood of Mount Curve, just blocks from the lakes, Walker Art Museum, and restaurants, this is city living at its best. Myrtle House is a design-build collaboration with Hage Homes and Regarding Design with expertise in Southern-inspired architecture and gracious interiors. With a charming Tudor exterior and modern interior layout, this house is perfect for all ages.

Mid-Century Modern Highland Park West Home

Mosier Luxury Homes

Photo of a large midcentury galley eat-in kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and white benchtop.

Pleasanton Custom Home

Ridgecrest Designs

Kitchen featuring white oak lower cabinetry, white painted upper cabinetry with blue accent cabinetry, including the island. Custom steel hood fabricated in-house by Ridgecrest Designs. Custom wood beam light fixture fabricated in-house by Ridgecrest Designs. Steel mesh cabinet panels, brass and bronze hardware, La Cornue French range, concrete island countertop and engineered quartz perimeter countertop. The 10' AG Millworks doors open out onto the California Room.

Alhambra Spanish Renovation

Julia Chasman Design

These vintage window sashes replaced the early 60's garden window that would never have been in a 1920's house! Farmhouse sink and Bridge faucet from Vintage Tub & Bath.

Mid-Century Modern Rehabilitation

Herron Horton Architects, Inc.

Kitchen with walnut cabinets and screen constructed by Woodunique.
This is an example of a large midcentury galley eat-in kitchen in Little Rock with an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, no island, white benchtop, exposed beam, vaulted, flat-panel cabinets and brown floor.

Rustic Cabin Kitchen Interior Design Shoot

Envision Home Photos

Inspiration for a country l-shaped kitchen in Seattle with panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, exposed beam, vaulted, wood, a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, green splashback and with island.

Colonial Road

Thyme & Place Design LLC

This small kitchen packs a powerful punch. By replacing an oversized sliding glass door with a 24" cantilever which created additional floor space. We tucked a large Reid Shaw farm sink with a wall mounted faucet into this recess. A 7' peninsula was added for storage, work counter and informal dining. A large oversized window floods the kitchen with light. The color of the Eucalyptus painted and glazed cabinets is reflected in both the Najerine stone counter tops and the glass mosaic backsplash tile from Oceanside Glass Tile, "Devotion" series. All dishware is stored in drawers and the large to the counter cabinet houses glassware, mugs and serving platters. Tray storage is located above the refrigerator. Bottles and large spices are located to the left of the range in a pull out cabinet. Pots and pans are located in large drawers to the left of the dishwasher. Pantry storage was created in a large closet to the left of the peninsula for oversized items as well as the microwave. Additional pantry storage for food is located to the right of the refrigerator in an alcove. Cooking ventilation is provided by a pull out hood so as not to distract from the lines of the kitchen.

Two-Tone Kitchen in Rollingwood, TX

Paper Moon Painting

We painted the upper cabinets in Benjamin Moore's "Stonington Gray", and the lowers in Benjamin Moore "Hale Navy", in this updated kitchen in Rollingwood, TX.

Bright Blue & White Kitchen

Haus Interior Design

Traditional kitchen in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Blue Cabinets and Dark Wood Cabinets 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!