The open plan kitchen with a central moveable island is the perfect place to socialise. With a mix of wooden and zinc worktops, the shaker kitchen in grey tones sits comfortably next to exposed brick works of the chimney breast. The original features of the restored cornicing and floorboards work well with the Smeg fridge and the vintage French dresser.

42 m2 coloré

Emilie Melin architecte DPLG

Small contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Paris with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, terrazzo floors, multi-coloured floor and brown benchtop.

Projet NATIONALE | 19m² | Paris 13e

NEVA Architecture Intérieure - Interior Design

Des jolis détails pour cette cuisine! Une crédence qui ne monte pas toute hauteur pour changer, dans les tons vert sauge, en quinconce style carreaux de métro plats, surmontés de barres murales et accessoires de rangement et décoration totalement rétro et renforçant l'effet campagne à Paris. Et enfin une étagère dans les mêmes tons, créant une belle horizontalité.

Mid-Century Renovation

Wendy Wilson & Associates

This mid-century ranch-style home in Pasadena, CA underwent a complete interior remodel and renovation. The kitchen walls separating it from the dining and living rooms were removed creating a sophisticated open-plan entertainment space.

Three Arch Cottage

Nate Fischer Interiors

Bright and airy cottage kitchen with natural wood accents and a pop of blue.
Photo of a small beach style single-wall open plan kitchen in Orange County with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, terra-cotta splashback, panelled appliances, with island, white benchtop and vaulted.

Rustic-Modern Finnish Kitchen

CairnsCraft Design & Remodel

Rustic-Modern Finnish Kitchen Our client was inclined to transform this kitchen into a functional, Finnish inspired space. Finnish interior design can simply be described in 3 words: simplicity, innovation, and functionalism. Finnish design addresses the tough climate, unique nature, and limited sunlight, which inspired designers to create solutions, that would meet the everyday life challenges. The combination of the knotty, blue-gray alder base cabinets combined with the clean white wall cabinets reveal mixing these rustic Finnish touches with the modern. The leaded glass on the upper cabinetry was selected so our client can display their personal collection from Finland. Mixing black modern hardware and fixtures with the handmade, light, and bright backsplash tile make this kitchen a timeless show stopper. This project was done in collaboration with Susan O'Brian from EcoLux Interiors.

California Beach Home

Eve Mode Design

Although small in size, the kitchen feels open and airy, with an ocean view. The white cabinets and beveled glass wall tile reflects the water and beach feeling in a contemporary and sophisticated style.

2020 NARI CotY Award-Winning Residential Interiors

National Association of the Remodeling Industry

EBCON Corporation, Redwood City, California, 2020 Regional CotY Award Winner, Residential Interior Over $500,000
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and black benchtop.

Modern Farm Style

Mike Blake Custom Homes

This masterfully designed kitchen is fit for entertaining every type of gathering from dinner parties to cocktail receptions. Plenty of natural light abound in the open-concept floor plan, seamlessly connecting the family room, morning room and kitchen. Tucked away behind the traditional kitchen, lies a professional catering kitchen and butler’s pantry fully loaded with a secondary set of stainless-steel appliances, wine refrigerator, separate ice maker, broom closet and a custom rolling ladder to access the abundance of storage. Shaker style cabinetry, swinging cafe doors to the caterer’s kitchen and intricate detail on the wooden vent hood set a tone for being on trend without being trendy. A chef’s dream, this kitchen has all the bells and whistles—like an oversized island, expansive side-by-side freezer and refrigerator, dual dishwashers to beverage center, slide out dog bowls, pop out steps to access upper cabinets, filtered water station, LED lighting and hidden outlets in the upper cabinets. This home has left nothing to be desired.

Davis Square Kitchen

Annie Hall Interiors

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped separate kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and white benchtop.

Glamour White Shaker Carlsbad Kitchen Remodel

Signature Designs Kitchen | Bath | Interiors

Simple kitchen gets a sprinkle of glamour. We like to think of this simple kitchen remodel as an elevated white shaker kitchen. We incorporated old and new into this space. The plan was to keep the existing appliances and then due to the age of the existing appliance which were failing in the old kitchen, we upgraded with a wolf flush induction cooktop, a cove dishwasher that we paneled and subzero columns. The finishing touch was the elegant chandelier and island in quartzite. The result is a kitchen that is loved by the family and by us! . . .

Contemporary Cottage

Lisa Carlisle Architect

Design ideas for a large contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Providence with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, black floor, black benchtop and quartz benchtops.

Irvington Kitchen

Howells Architecture + Design

This kitchen and breakfast room was inspired by the owners' Scandinavian heritage, as well as by a café they love in Europe. Bookshelves in the kitchen and breakfast room make for easy lingering over a snack and a book. The Heath Ceramics tile backsplash also subtly celebrates the author owner and her love of literature: the tile pattern echoes the spines of books on a bookshelf...All photos by Laurie Black.

Hickory Hill - Cozy Lake Cottage

Visbeen Architects

This cozy lake cottage skillfully incorporates a number of features that would normally be restricted to a larger home design. A glance of the exterior reveals a simple story and a half gable running the length of the home, enveloping the majority of the interior spaces. To the rear, a pair of gables with copper roofing flanks a covered dining area that connects to a screened porch. Inside, a linear foyer reveals a generous staircase with cascading landing. Further back, a centrally placed kitchen is connected to all of the other main level entertaining spaces through expansive cased openings. A private study serves as the perfect buffer between the homes master suite and living room. Despite its small footprint, the master suite manages to incorporate several closets, built-ins, and adjacent master bath complete with a soaker tub flanked by separate enclosures for shower and water closet. Upstairs, a generous double vanity bathroom is shared by a bunkroom, exercise space, and private bedroom. The bunkroom is configured to provide sleeping accommodations for up to 4 people. The rear facing exercise has great views of the rear yard through a set of windows that overlook the copper roof of the screened porch below. Builder: DeVries & Onderlinde Builders Interior Designer: Vision Interiors by Visbeen Photographer: Ashley Avila Photography

Bright and Bold Kitchen

Beachy Boheme Interiors

This kitchen got a facelift with the help of new paint, counters, backsplash and fixtures. We updated the cabinets with contrasting paint, dark island and light along the walls. New pale blue tile give the walls texture, depth and a hint of color. Floating white oak shelves are mounted with iron brackets that compliment the dark pendant lights.

Bethesda Sommerset

Sarah Kahn Turner

Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped kitchen pantry in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances and with island.

2018 Berkeley Raw Wood Kitchen Remodel

HDR Remodeling Inc.

The owners of this Berkeley home wanted a kitchen that fit their personalities, something industrial and modern with natural materials to add warmth. Photo Credit: Michael Hospelt

Coastal Kitchen

Mid-sized beach style galley kitchen in Cornwall with a farmhouse sink, grey cabinets, solid surface benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen renovation

FCM Remodelings

Large country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Houston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, beige floor and black benchtop.

Hope Ranch Spanish Colonial

Allen Construction

Kitchen Architect: Thompson Naylor Interior Design: Shannon Scott Design Photography: Jason Rick
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional galley separate kitchen in Santa Barbara with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Kitchen with Blue 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!