Photo: J.D. Peterson
Mid-sized modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

lavernock

Chalkhouse Kitchens

An unusual extension created the perfect space to showcase a Shaker kitchen with huge island whilst still leaving a generously sized family garden. Cladding the new steel beams in oak created a beautiful feature in this lovely light room. Keeping the main run of cabinets in a soft shade of white (Little Green Paint Company Shirting) added to this airy feel whilst a contrasting deep blue island (Little Green Paint Company Woad) gave a coastal feel. A vented induction hob on the island means there is no need for an obtrusive ceiling extractor.

Barrington Carpenter Gothic

Katie Hutchison Studio

This project for a builder husband and interior-designer wife involved adding onto and restoring the luster of a c. 1883 Carpenter Gothic cottage in Barrington that they had occupied for years while raising their two sons. They were ready to ditch their small tacked-on kitchen that was mostly isolated from the rest of the house, views/daylight, as well as the yard, and replace it with something more generous, brighter, and more open that would improve flow inside and out. They were also eager for a better mudroom, new first-floor 3/4 bath, new basement stair, and a new second-floor master suite above. The design challenge was to conceive of an addition and renovations that would be in balanced conversation with the original house without dwarfing or competing with it. The new cross-gable addition echoes the original house form, at a somewhat smaller scale and with a simplified more contemporary exterior treatment that is sympathetic to the old house but clearly differentiated from it. Renovations included the removal of replacement vinyl windows by others and the installation of new Pella black clad windows in the original house, a new dormer in one of the son’s bedrooms, and in the addition. At the first-floor interior intersection between the existing house and the addition, two new large openings enhance flow and access to daylight/view and are outfitted with pairs of salvaged oversized clear-finished wooden barn-slider doors that lend character and visual warmth. A new exterior deck off the kitchen addition leads to a new enlarged backyard patio that is also accessible from the new full basement directly below the addition. (Interior fit-out and interior finishes/fixtures by the Owners)

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.

Historic Talmadge-El Cerrito Heights Kitchen Remodel

Kaminskiy Design and Remodeling

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped separate kitchen in San Diego with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, no island, grey floor and white benchtop.

House Beautiful Whole Home Kitchen 2020

Studio Dearborn

This kitchen was designed by Sarah Robertsonof Studio Dearborn for the House Beautiful Whole Home Concept House 2020 in Denver, Colorado. Photos Adam Macchia. For more information, you may visit our website at www.studiodearborn.com or email us at info@studiodearborn.com.

Traditional Hand Painted Framed Kitchen

Tulip

Design ideas for a large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Surrey with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor, brown benchtop and exposed beam.

Ocean Grande

Archetype Design Studio, LLC

The Kitchen was a major transformation from the dark cherry cabinetry and millwork that was used previously. The cabinetry was painted in a crisp white and the countertops were replaced with a white quartz. An ice blue glass waveline tile was used as the backsplash as well as the face of the peninsula bar. The island was replaced by custom designed angled cabinetry painted in a deep indigo blue finish which is illuminated by a natural woven pendant light. A natural textured wallcovering was installed on the upper ceiling to add additional texture to the space.

Beautiful in Blue Kitchen Remodel

Karr Bick Kitchen and Bath

Photo of a mid-sized traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in St Louis with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Kitchen -- Mason Hill

Bullseye Wood Specialties, L.L.C

Custom slab modern kitchen features Metro Grey custom cabinetry with floating walnut shelves, utility closet, floor to ceiling spice pull out, double trash pull out, rear island cabinets with tip-on hardware, paneled Sub-Zero refrigerator, paneled dishwasher, drawer microwave and six-burner gas cooktop.

Colorful Contemporary

Peery Homes

Large contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, recycled glass benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Willow Glen Cottage

Arch Studio, Inc.

2019 -- Complete re-design and re-build of this 1,600 square foot home including a brand new 600 square foot Guest House located in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose, CA.

White and Blue Coastal Inspired Kitchen

SOLLiD Cabinetry

PC: Shane Baker Studios
Photo of a large modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Phoenix with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen 2

Pike Properties

Joe Purvis Photos
This is an example of a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Charlotte with a farmhouse sink, marble benchtops, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Leucadia Mid Century

DZN Partners

PixelProFoto
Design ideas for a large midcentury galley eat-in kitchen in San Diego with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, yellow floor and white benchtop.

Bridge Residence

Gainesville Kitchen & Bath

Bridge Residence Powered by CABINETWORX Before and after, complete kitchen remodel, 300 year old wooden shelves, built in coffee station, quartz counter tops, exposed brick, new back splash

Mariposa Ave

UV Designs

Deb Cochrane Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Denver with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Color Loving Ranch

Nathan Taylor for Obelisk Home

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, multi-coloured floor, shaker cabinets and dark wood cabinets.

Indian Ridge Remodel

Angela Wells Interior Design

Trent Teigen
Photo of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island and beige floor.

New River Coastal Charm

The Kitchenworks

Our most recently completed transitional kitchen draws its charm from its location on the new river. Perfectly suited for coastal living. Matthew Horton

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!