Murray and Murray - Designers and Makers of Bespoke Kitchens and Interiors. Photography: Kevin McCollum
Photo of a mid-sized transitional single-wall eat-in kitchen in Edinburgh with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, black appliances, with island, white splashback and medium hardwood floors.

Richmond Kitchen Remodel - University City, MO

RSI Kitchen & Bath

Anne Matheis Photography
Small country l-shaped kitchen in St Louis with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island and an undermount sink.

Kitchen Renovation In Tenleytown, Washington, DC

Four Brothers Design + Build

Large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with a farmhouse sink, blue cabinets, stone tile splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, shaker cabinets and quartz benchtops.

KAILANI HOME OFFICE

Bloomint

Margaret Stepien
Design ideas for a small mediterranean single-wall eat-in kitchen in Barcelona with a single-bowl sink, open cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors and no island.

Belle's Chateau

Jennifer Stoner Interiors

Fun wine bar and tasting nook with custom cabinetry by Prestige Custom Cabinetry. John Magor Photography
Mid-sized transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Richmond with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

The Kimberley

Raykon Construction

Photo of a mid-sized transitional kitchen in Salt Lake City with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, no island, beige splashback and light hardwood floors.

Kitchen Island w Refrigerator Drawers

Benvenuti and Stein

Transitional style kitchen has island with refrigerated drawers, gray cabinets and multi-level countertop. Norman Sizemore- Photographer
Photo of a transitional kitchen in Chicago with beaded inset cabinets, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Walnut Drawers for Glassware

Cabinet Innovations

Deep drawer storage for glassware with aluminum rods to hold glasses in place. The interior of the cabinet features a walnut finish. All cabinets are Wood-Mode 84 featuring the Linear Recessed door style on Maple with the Aqua Shade finish. Flooring by Daltile.

Bryn Mawr

TMH designs

Large transitional galley open plan kitchen in Dallas with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, an undermount sink, quartz benchtops, metallic splashback and subway tile splashback.

Mid-Century Modern Kitchen with Greenfield Cabinetry

Design Group Three

Firm: Design Group Three Designer: Alan Freysinger Cabinetry: Greenfield Cabinetry Photography: Jim Tschetter IC360 Images Veteran kitchen designer Alan Freysinger worked closely with the Fox Point, WI homeowners on this kitchen. Admittedly, not afraid of color, the homeowner loved Alan's suggestion of adding the wood veneer to the mix of cabinetry, adding an additional layer of interest and the addition of texture. Design Group Three, together with custom Greenfield Cabinetry, stepped up the living pleasure of this Fox Point family's home. When this kitchen remodel was first underway, the homeowner envisioned a blue kitchen (orange was her 2nd choice!). She went to the paint store & found blues she liked, taped those color samples to the kitchen wall & one by one she and her husband whittled down their choices to the color blue you see now! From Milwaukee to Chicago, clean lines are much desired in today's kitchen designs. Design Group Three hears many requests for Transitionally styled kitchens such as this one. Want a pop of orange? blue? red? in your kitchen? Milwaukee's Design Group Three can custom match any color in paint (or stain!) for cabinetry in your home, as we did in for this blue kitchen in Fox Point, WI. Not sure if you are up for this much color in your kitchen? Begin with remodeling a bathroom vanity with a pop of color, live with it for a while & then, if you decide it's for you too, call in Design Group Three & we'll work with you to uncover your perfect color palette. Can you imagine this same kitchen in orange? This Fox Point, WI homeowners preliminary vision for her kitchen remodel walked the line between orange & blue! Blue kitchens are completely on trend in today's kitchens! According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association, Transitionally styled kitchens, such as this blue one, are the most commonly requested design genre. In fact, in 2012, for the first time ever since the NKBA started keeping track, Transitional beat out Traditional as the most requested style by homeowners. What exactly is affordably luxury? You are witnessing it in these photos. Discover it via Milwaukee's Design Group Three & Greenfield Cabinetry. Transitional Style (also known as "updated classic", "classic with a contemporary twist", "new takes on old classics") in interior design & furniture design refers to a blend of traditional and contemporary styles, midway between old world traditional & the world of chrome & glass contemporary; incorporating lines which are less ornate than traditional designs, but not as severely basic as contemporary lines. As a result transitional designs are classic, timeless, and clean. Lucky, lucky kitchen. Greenfield Cabinetry's interpretation of Midwestern Modern. Seasoned Design Group Three designer & owner, Alan Freysinger's design details take their cues from your lifestyle, as reflected in this transitionally styled kitchen. "The general color trend is a move toward bolder, crisper colors as a reflection of the 'anything goes' culture we live in now." - Jonathan Adler, Designer

Kitchen and Outdoor Living Areas

Turnstone Custom Homes

Carolyn Watson
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, an undermount sink, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, marble floors, with island, white floor, quartz benchtops and turquoise benchtop.

Atlanta BLUE kitchen

Rosa Moreno Kitchens

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.

Back Bay, Boston, MA

Beige and Bleu Design Studio

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and brown floor.

Bright & Fresh First Floor

Unpatterned

Photo: Dustin Halleck
Photo of a beach style galley eat-in kitchen in Chicago with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, no island, white benchtop, an undermount sink and brown floor.

Modern Farmhouse

CarsonSpeer Builders

The heart of the home, this kitchen is bright and full of natural light. Floating shelves hold dishes while a large island provides work space and storage. Cambria quartz countertops. Inspiro 8

New Kitchen, Fresh Start

Drury Design

THE SETUP “You have to figure out how to rebuild a life worth living,” Basia Kozub’s client says. Her husband passed away suddenly three years ago. Holidays with family became more important, and she found herself struggling with a 37-year old kitchen that was falling apart. “I made a decision to move forward,” she says. “I went, ‘You know what? I’m redoing the kitchen.'” The big task of getting started was as easy as having a conversation – literally. Basia was on the job, helping the client sort through priorities, wishes and ideas. Basia’s client is 5′ 4″, likes keeping an eye on the kiddoes in the backyard and wanted certain things to have their own place. THE REMODEL The objectives were: Enlarge and open the space Find a classic look that incorporates blues Upgrade to easy-to-use appliances Hide an office space within the space Ample storage for dishes Design challenges: Uneven window alignment on the back wall Original kitchen smaller than desired, stuctural concerns if walls to be moved Keep folks close – figure out seating for entertaining Main sink in corner is ideal, but windows are hard to reach Lots of storage needed for dishes, glass collection, pantry items, bar bottles and office supplies Specific storage needs for oft-used spices and utensils THE RENEWED SPACE Design solutions: Replace back wall windows, establish window size continuity Take out two walls to open up the space, tall shallow cabinet and a tall filler added to conceal a new header Large island that seats six easily Custom corner sink cabinet with recessed edge allows vertically challenged homeowner to reach the windows Mindful storage planning features: plenty of cabinets, pull-out bar bottle storage, file drawers & cubbies with pocket doors for office appliances, magic corner pullouts, and appliance garages with pocket doors Shelf behind range for easy access to daily-use spices and oils. Also: spice and utensil pullouts on either side of range The clients says every priority and wish box got checked. The highly functional design absorbed everything that used to be in that area of the house, but now those things are out of the way. “In the past, we were all spread out when we gathered for the holidays, because we had to spread out. Now, we’re all in here together, including my 92-year old mother. We’re visiting, cooking, laughing… everyone is here. And I’m really learning how to use these appliances. This kitchen has given me a whole new life.”

New Kitchen, Fresh Start

Drury Design

Row House Kitchen Remodel

JuniperOats Studio

This is an example of a large transitional galley kitchen in DC Metro with quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop, shaker cabinets and blue cabinets.

Minneapolis Craftsman

Locale Design Build

Inspiration for a small arts and crafts u-shaped kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Nashville Transitional Remodel

Noble Johnson Architects

Pantry
This is an example of a large transitional kitchen in Nashville with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, white benchtop and wallpaper.

Kitchen with Blue Cabinets and Quartz Benchtops 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!