Large traditional l-shaped kitchen pantry in Phoenix with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, coloured appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Open, airy kitchen in Rutland, UK

Hill Farm Furniture Ltd

Bright, open and airy Knocking through a few rooms to create a large open-plan area, the owners of this sleek kitchen wanted to create a free, fluid space that made the kitchen the unequivocal hub of the home whilst at the same time stylistically linking to the rest of the property. We were tasked with creating a large open-plan kitchen and dining area that also leads through to a cosy snug, ideal for relaxing after a hard afternoon over the Aga!! The owners gave us creative control in the space, so with a loose rein and a clear head we fashioned a faultless kitchen complete with a large central island, a sunken sink and Quooker tap. For optimum storage (and a dash of style) we built a number of large larders, one of which cleverly conceals a television, as well as a false chimney surround to frame the Aga and a bespoke drinks unit. All the units are hand-crafted from Quebec Yellow Timber and hand-painted in Zoffany ‘Smoke’ and ‘Elephant Gray’ Walnut worktops, with Silestone ‘Lagoon’ Worktops around the outside and American Black Walnut on the island. Photo: Chris Ashwin

Gathering Place

Structures, Inc.

KITCHEN AND DEN RENOVATION AND ADDITION A rustic yet elegant kitchen that could handle the comings and goings of three boys as well as the preparation of their mom's gourmet meals for them, was a must for this family. Previously, the family wanted to spend time together eating, talking and doing homework, but their home did not have the space for all of them to gather at the same time. The addition to the home was done with architectural details that tied in with the decor of the existing home and flowed in such a way that the addition seems to have been part of the original structure. Photographs by jeanallsopp.com.

Masculine Minimalism

Sandra Britt Interiors

Modern kitchen in Miami with dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, porcelain floors, with island and brown benchtop.

Moody Point Project

Mandeville Canyon Designs

Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped kitchen in Other with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, wood benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Rénovation totale RdC Paris XV

Desjoconception

Inspiration for a small contemporary single-wall kitchen in Paris with black cabinets, laminate benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, no island, shaker cabinets, black appliances, multi-coloured floor and brown benchtop.

Bouchardon - 30m²

NEVA Architecture Intérieure - Interior Design

La cuisine toute en longueur, en vert amande pour rester dans des tons de nature, comprend une partie cuisine utilitaire et une partie dînatoire pour 4 personnes. La partie salle à manger est signifié par un encadrement-niche en bois et fond de papier peint, tandis que la partie cuisine elle est vêtue en crédence et au sol de mosaïques hexagonales rose et blanc.

Coastal Modern

Hugo Landa Photography

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary galley kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, glass tile splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and brown benchtop.

Квартира в ЖК Виз-Правобережный

Юлия Родионова

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Yekaterinburg with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, brown splashback, timber splashback, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, black appliances, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Wellesely Residence

Koncerted - Home Automation & Home Media

Keitaro Yoshioka Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Boston with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, stainless steel appliances, wood benchtops and brown benchtop.

Bespoke Kitchen Storage Solutions

Paramount Bespoke Furniture

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional l-shaped kitchen pantry in London with dark hardwood floors, black floor, recessed-panel cabinets and brown benchtop.

Rosslyn Cabin

Studio Miel

Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Photo of a small contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in DC Metro with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, porcelain floors, with island, brown floor, white appliances and brown benchtop.

Farm Cottage

Rosewood Custom Cabinetry & Millwork

Colonial Kitchen by David D. Harlan Architects
Photo of a large traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, wood benchtops, medium hardwood floors, with island, white splashback, timber splashback, stainless steel appliances, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Chestnut Street Kitchen

Venegas and Company

Foley Fiore Architecture
Inspiration for a traditional kitchen in Boston with recessed-panel cabinets, a farmhouse sink, wood benchtops, beige cabinets and brown benchtop.

Cuisine Marly le Roi

Olivia Martin / Architecte d'Intérieur

Cuisine style campagne chic un peu British
Mid-sized country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Paris with a farmhouse sink, glass-front cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Character for a New Kitchen

Lampert Lumber - Rice Lake

Homeowner did a complete overhaul remodel of their home, after the area surrounding it was devastated by a straight-line winds & a tornado. Their contractor custom-made the island top, wood hood and farm sink base out of the downed trees from their property.

Joffre

SINGER BIEDER Architecture

Inspiration for a large contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Paris with an integrated sink, beaded inset cabinets, green cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, ceramic floors, with island, multi-coloured floor and brown benchtop.

Country Home, Gloucestershire

Justin Van Breda London

This is an example of a country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Gloucestershire with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, wood benchtops, black appliances, a peninsula, multi-coloured floor, brown benchtop and exposed beam.

Simple and clean one bedroom apartment

Maxim Maximov

На небольшом пространстве удалось уместить полноценную кухню с барной стойкой. Фартук отделан терраццо
Inspiration for a small scandinavian l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Saint Petersburg with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, pink cabinets, wood benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and brown benchtop.

家族みんなが快適に暮らせるお家

株式会社An.d you

Inspiration for a modern galley kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Kitchen with Brown Benchtop 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!