Mid-sized modern open plan kitchen in Burlington with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Beverly Hills Cottage

Alison Kandler Interior Design

Bret Gum for Cottages and Bungalows
Photo of a large transitional kitchen in Los Angeles with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, glass tile splashback, white appliances, ceramic floors and with island.

Crafted Blue Kitchen & Addition

G. Christianson Construction, Inc.

We expanded this 1974 home from 1,200 square feet to 1,600 square feet with a new front addition and large kitchen remodel! This home was in near-original condition, with dark wood doors & trim, carpet, small windows, a cramped entry, and a tiny kitchen and dining space. The homeowners came to our design-build team seeking to increase their kitchen and living space and update the home's style with durable new finishes. "We're hard on our home!", our clients reminded us during the design phase of the project. The highlight of this project is the entirely remodeled kitchen, which rests in the combined footprint of the original small kitchen and the dining room. The crisp blue and white cabinetry is balanced against the warmth of the wide plank hardwood flooring, custom-milled wood trim, and new wood ceiling beam. This family now has space to gather around the large island, designed to have a useful function on each side. The entertaining sides of the island host bar seating and a wine refrigerator and built-in bottle storage. The cooking and prep sides of the island include a bookshelf for cookbooks --perfectly within reach of the gas cooktop and double ovens-- and a microwave drawer across from the refrigerator; only a step away to reheat meals.

Carmel Valley Home Remodel

Lars Remodeling & Design

This Carmel Valley complete remodel truly defines an open-concept living space that is elegant, functional, and full of beautiful finishes. Taking center stage in the kitchen is a gorgeous, large island that features cabinetry in a very on-trend jewel toned blue hue that perfectly accents the primary palette of white and grey throughout the rest of the space. Other beautiful details include the custom hood, walk-in pantry, and the unique marbled mosaic subway tiled backsplash. Subtle brass fixtures and accents accentuate the modern feel while top of the line appliances add the finishing touch for this home chef. Fortunately, one of the best benefits of living in southern California are the mild temperatures that make it possible to enjoy outdoor living spaces nearly year-round. The addition of a large sliding door in the family room expanded this client’s access to a lovely outdoor patio and eating area, complete with recessed heating for cooler months, while a beautiful custom fireplace/entertainment center created the perfect spot for the whole family to enjoy.

Carmel Valley Home Remodel

Lars Remodeling & Design

Boutique BNB Airbnb Plus Vacation Rental

LIBERTY DESIGN + BUILD

Mid-sized modern u-shaped kitchen in Denver with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, laminate benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, a peninsula and grey benchtop.

Easton New Construction

Blueprint Dreams LLC

Inspiration for a large transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with a single-bowl sink, beaded inset cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Queen Anne Kitchen Remodel

Kirk Riley Design

Photography by Jeff Beck
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional galley separate kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors and with island.

Colorful Kitchen Update

Amber Golob Interiors

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, orange floor and white benchtop.

Beverly Glen

Rande Leaman Interior Design

Blue cabinets and a gray glass backsplash in a chevron pattern set the tone in this contemporary kitchen and great room. Wood beams warm the space and accentuate the height of the kitchen and dining area. The appliances are by Thermador and the faucets, hardware and lighting fixtures are matte brass. The dining area has a large wood table and linen chairs with brass legs.

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.

Woodsy + Beach Tones

Mise en Place Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style eat-in kitchen in Seattle with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Geneva Kitchen Refresh

Bobbi Alderfer/Lifestyle Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Silver Beach House

Welcome Home Design Group

Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Perry Street

Regan Wood Photography

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, panelled appliances, a peninsula, beige floor and white benchtop.

Arlington Heights First Floor Remodel

Leader Builders

New kitchen featuring Hale Navy shaker cabinets.
Design ideas for a transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Bespoke Kitchen in Clapham

Mike Taylor Bespoke Kitchens

Frasar Marr
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional single-wall eat-in kitchen in London with an integrated sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, glass tile splashback, coloured appliances, porcelain floors and no island.

23rd Street

Wyant Architecture

Contemporary kitchen with glass tile backsplash. Photo: Jeffrey Totaro.
Photo of a small contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, a peninsula, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Hardeeville New Construction Project

Kitchen Design Solutions

Large beach style l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Atlanta with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, glass tile splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, grey floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Johnson Kitchen & Master Suite

Interior Planning Collective

Mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sacramento with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula and beige benchtop.

Kitchen with Blue Cabinets and Glass Tile Splashback 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!