Located on a partially wooded lot in Elburn, Illinois, this home needed an eye-catching interior redo to match the unique period exterior. The residence was originally designed by Bow House, a company that reproduces the look of 300-year old bow roof Cape-Cod style homes. Since typical kitchens in old Cape Cod-style homes tend to run a bit small- or as some would like to say, cozy – this kitchen was in need of plenty of efficient storage to house a modern day family of three. Advance Design Studio, Ltd. was able to evaluate the kitchen’s adjacent spaces and determine that there were several walls that could be relocated to allow for more usable space in the kitchen. The refrigerator was moved to the newly excavated space and incorporated into a handsome dinette, an intimate banquette, and a new coffee bar area. This allowed for more countertop and prep space in the primary area of the kitchen. It now became possible to incorporate a ball and claw foot tub and a larger vanity in the elegant new full bath that was once just an adjacent guest powder room. Reclaimed vintage Chicago brick paver flooring was carefully installed in a herringbone pattern to give the space a truly unique touch and feel. And to top off this revamped redo, a handsome custom green-toned island with a distressed black walnut counter top graces the center of the room, the perfect final touch in this charming little kitchen.

Private Residence Baton Rouge, LA

Allyson Hicks Design Consulting, LLC

Chad Chenier Photography
This is an example of a traditional eat-in kitchen in New Orleans with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, beige splashback, panelled appliances, brick floors, with island and travertine splashback.

Cold Springs Farm

Period Architecture Ltd.

Photo by Angle Eye Photography.
Photo of a country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with stainless steel appliances, raised-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, an undermount sink, porcelain splashback, brick floors and with island.

Adobe Casita

Design Studio 1127

Open concept small but updated kitchen. With drawer refrigerator and freezer on island.
Photo of a small galley kitchen in Phoenix with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, brick floors, with island, beige benchtop and wood.

1800s Farmhouse Full Renovation & Addition

ID.ology Interiors & Design

Country u-shaped kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, beige splashback, brick splashback, stainless steel appliances, brick floors, a peninsula and quartz benchtops.

Rustic Kitchen in Hickory and Alder

Randall Cabinets & Design, Inc.

A custom kitchen in Rustic Hickory with a Distressed Painted Alder Island. Rich wood tones pair nicely with the lovely view of the woods and creek out the kitchen windows. The island draws your attention without distracting from the overall beauty of the home and setting.

Lake Austin Kitchen with White Cabinets, Black Island

Paper Moon Painting

Updated traditional kitchen on Lake Austin, with cabinets in Sherwin Williams "Greek Villa", island in "Iron Ore", and walls in "Neutral Ground".
This is an example of an expansive traditional u-shaped kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, brick floors and with island.

Landhaustraum in historischem Stadthaus

Küchenhaus Süd

Inspiration for a mediterranean kitchen in Frankfurt with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, coloured appliances, brick floors, with island, red floor and grey benchtop.

The Ranch

Sierra Construction

Photo of a country u-shaped kitchen in Austin with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, window splashback, stainless steel appliances, brick floors, with island and brown floor.

Blue Glass Grey Stone Mosaic Kitchen Wall Tile SGMT026

My Building Shop

glass mosaic stone mosaic kitchen wall tile backsplash
Mid-sized modern galley kitchen pantry in Other with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, tile benchtops, blue splashback, mosaic tile splashback, coloured appliances, brick floors and with island.

Southwest Desert

Lynda Martin at Camelback Interior Design

This is an example of a large u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Phoenix with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, mosaic tile splashback, panelled appliances, brick floors, with island and brown floor.

Mediterranean Home

Turnstone Custom Homes

Photo of a mid-sized mediterranean l-shaped eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, yellow cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, ceramic splashback, brick floors, brown floor, quartz benchtops and white benchtop.

Just Around The Riverbend

Ourso Designs

This is an example of a large traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in New Orleans with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, brick floors, with island, red floor and grey benchtop.

Restauro Casale Falecine

Arch. Alessandra Cipriani

Cucina con isola
Country galley kitchen in Florence with a farmhouse sink, distressed cabinets, stainless steel appliances, brick floors, with island, orange floor and exposed beam.

Brooklyn Townhouse

Think Construction

This is an example of a country galley eat-in kitchen in New York with glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, brick floors, with island, an integrated sink, wood benchtops, white splashback, red floor and brown benchtop.

Tops, Floors and Backsplash

Malsnee Tile and Stone, Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, brick floors, with island, red floor and black benchtop.

Modern Kitchen Farmhouse

DM Deco Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, brick floors, with island, red floor, grey benchtop, white splashback and timber splashback.

Encino Ave

Mark Langos Interior Design

Photo: Meghan Bob Photography
Inspiration for a large traditional l-shaped separate kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, green splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, brick floors, with island, red floor and white benchtop.

New Construction On Acreage

Kevin Mauseth

Photo Credit: Al Pursley This new home features custom tile, brick work, granite, painted cabinetry, custom furnishings, ceiling treatments, screen porch, outdoor kitchen and a complete custom design plan implemented throughout.

Don Gaspar

Tierra Concepts

Photo of a large traditional galley separate kitchen in Albuquerque with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, stainless steel appliances, brick floors, with island, black floor and soapstone benchtops.

All Islands Kitchen with Brick Floors 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!