Photo of a large traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue splashback, stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink, quartz benchtops, porcelain splashback, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Wilshire Kitchen, Portland (Photo: Matt Niebuhr)

Howells Architecture + Design

Designed for a 1930s Portland, OR home, this kitchen remodel aims for a clean, timeless sensibility without sacrificing the space to generic modernism. Cherry cabinets, Ice Stone countertops and Heath tile add texture and variation in an otherwise sleek, pared down design. A custom built-in bench works well for eat-in breakfasts. Period reproduction lighting, Deco pulls, and a custom formica table root the kitchen to the origins of the home. All photos by Matt Niebuhr. www.mattniebuhr.com

GREEN with Envy: LEED Certified Whole House Renovation

Harry Braswell Inc.

LEED Certified renovation of existing house.
Traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with stainless steel appliances, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback and glass tile splashback.

West Chop Residence Kitchen

Martha's Vineyard Interior Design

Unexpected materials and objects worked to creat the subte beauty in this kitchen. Semi-precious stone was used on the kitchen island, and can be back-lit while entertaining. The dining table was custom crafted to showcase a vintage United Airlines sign, complimenting the hand blown glass chandelier inspired by koi fish that hangs above. Photography: Gil Jacobs, Martha's Vineyard

Green Goods

Design by Heather Tissue; construction by Green Goods Kitchen remodel featuring carmelized strand woven bamboo plywood, maple plywood and paint grade cabinets, custom bamboo doors, handmade ceramic tile, custom concrete countertops

Cherry Hills

Exquisite Kitchen Design

This kitchen was designed by Mikal Otten. Interior design by Beth Armijo (www.armijodesigngroup.com). Photography by Emily Minton Redfield.
Photo of a transitional kitchen in Denver with stainless steel appliances, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue splashback and quartz benchtops.

Interpretation of a 19th Century Farm House

Knight Associates

Photo by Brian Vanden Brink A very contemporary interpretation of the connected New England farm house.
Contemporary kitchen in Boston with mosaic tile splashback, brown splashback, white cabinets, glass-front cabinets, an undermount sink and stainless steel appliances.

house L

Amitzi Architects

אמיצי אדריכלים
Small modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Tel Aviv with open cabinets, white cabinets, blue splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, a drop-in sink, quartz benchtops, limestone floors and with island.

Lake Oswego Kitchen & Family Room

Jenni Leasia Interior Design

The island is stained walnut. The cabinets are glazed paint. The gray-green hutch has copper mesh over the doors and is designed to appear as a separate free standing piece. Small appliances are behind the cabinets at countertop level next to the range. The hood is copper with an aged finish. The wall of windows keeps the room light and airy, despite the dreary Pacific Northwest winters! The fireplace wall was floor to ceiling brick with a big wood stove. The new fireplace surround is honed marble. The hutch to the left is built into the wall and holds all of their electronics. Project by Portland interior design studio Jenni Leasia Interior Design. Also serving Lake Oswego, West Linn, Vancouver, Sherwood, Camas, Oregon City, Beaverton, and the whole of Greater Portland. For more about Jenni Leasia Interior Design, click here: https://www.jennileasiadesign.com/

San Jose Res 2

Fiorella Design, LLC

farm house sink, traditional kitchen, marble counter tops, crackle subway tile, arched window Because so many people ask, the backsplash is a 2x6 ceramic tile with a crackle finish. it's by Walker Zanger- Mizu, bamboo. BUT IT has been DISCONTINUED

Lakewood Project

Round Table Design

Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped kitchen in Dallas with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, brown splashback, panelled appliances, with island, beige floor, grey benchtop, timber and vaulted.

R+S

Taylor + Taylor

Midcentury l-shaped kitchen in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, blue splashback, with island, grey floor, white benchtop, exposed beam and vaulted.

The Style Counsel - Sarah's kitchen.

Ali Attenborough

We designed a modern classic scheme for Sarah's family that would be practical everyday but also offer a social mood for evening entertaining. We blended smart prussion blue cabinetry and walls for a smart and connected feel. To lift the scheme we included soft white, ivory, warm wood, rustic surfaces and distressed tile patterns. We incorporated their existing dining furniture into a sensible layout, but up-cycled the seat pads with free coffee sacks. Sarah's collection of vintage treasures were used to beautiful effect in a curated wall shelf display. A custom built and locally sourced island created the hub that they had always wanted.

Oak Pond Home Remodel

Green Couch Design

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury galley open plan kitchen in Oklahoma City with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Pamona Lake- Kitchen

Lindy Design Build

In designing the new layout for the kitchen, we decided to remove the pantry closet and expand into the former eat-in area. This gave us the opportunity to create a beautifully functional island with plenty of seating and prep space for multiple cooks in the kitchen. We were all still in love with the walnut flooring we installed during the first phase of this project and opted to lean into the classic tones and bring them into the cabinetry scheme. To balance all those gorgeous warm grains, we cooled the space down with a spunky hand painted tile that enlivens the space.

Industrial Condo's Open Kitchen

Sarah Montgomery Interiors

This industrial condo in Roger's Park got a complete overhaul. The layout remained while all finishes, flooring and furniture were upgraded. The tall ceilings and large windows are the focal point of the space and so we kept it light and bright, while mixing textures and finishes to create interest. The client's own eclectic art and object collections pair perfectly with the pops of color in the furniture and accessories. The hand glazed kitchen backsplash tile is the perfect contrast to the white, wood and stainless steel and nods to the changing colors of the lake view across.

Cotswolds Cottage

Imperfect Interiors

We added chequerboard floor tiles, wall lights, a zellige tile splash back, a white Shaker kitchen and dark wooden worktops to our Cotswolds Cottage project. Interior Design by Imperfect Interiors Armada Cottage is available to rent at www.armadacottagecotswolds.co.uk

Short North Kitchen and Dining Room Remodel - Columbus, OH

Kitchen Kraft

Midcentury single-wall open plan kitchen in Columbus with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and dark hardwood floors.

On the Boulevard

Timber Trails Development Company

Design ideas for a transitional kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

68th Avenue

KC Interior Design

The client requested a bright, airy kitchen with wood accents. We went all out with a luxurious marble backsplash. We also added stunning wood details on the back of the island, the hood fan cover and floating shelves throughout the kitchen.

Kitchen with Blue Splashback and Brown 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!