This main work area allows the owners to cook facing outwards, so they can socialise with guests as they prepare meals in the Cockle Bay home. There is bench space to plate up for 10 or more people. A removable wood prep board is integrated into the black granite benchtop beside the induction cooktop. Photographer: Jamie Cobeldick

1041 EL

Weaver Custom Homes

Photo of a traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Columbus with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, distressed cabinets, brown splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, multi-coloured benchtop and exposed beam.

Boulevard One Residence

Mandil Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Denver with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, brown splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

High Street Residence

JK Architecture Engineering

Inspiration for a mid-sized arts and crafts single-wall open plan kitchen in Sacramento with shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, brown splashback, mosaic tile splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula and brown floor.

10920 Miami Custom Home

Pioneer Architecture, LLC.

Inspiration for a large modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Miami with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, brown splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, marble floors, with island and beige floor.

Cute as a Button

Creative Kitchen Designs, Inc.

Dave M. Davis Photography
Inspiration for a small arts and crafts galley eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, brown splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors and with island.

Brevoort Park Saskatoon - Kitchen Reno

Kitchen Designs Studio

Functional pantry with pull outs helps to make everything easily accessible.
Photo of a mid-sized arts and crafts l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, brown splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Memorial Farmhouse

Brickmoon Design

This is an example of a large country single-wall open plan kitchen in Houston with shaker cabinets, distressed cabinets, marble benchtops, brown splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors and with island.

Dorval 01

DUV Designs

Small transitional l-shaped kitchen in Montreal with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, granite benchtops, brown splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, beige floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Chandler Mediterranean Homes

User

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, brown splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and a peninsula.

Contemporary Kitchen

Contemporary eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with stainless steel appliances, a double-bowl sink, open cabinets, medium wood cabinets, mosaic tile splashback, brown splashback and multiple islands.

Natural Elegance

Kitchens By Clay

Kitchen Designer - Clay Cox - Kitchens by Clay; The Photography Institute of Naples - Frank Berna
Design ideas for a large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, brown splashback, mosaic tile splashback, panelled appliances and with island.

Dynamic Design Solutions

This is an example of a small modern u-shaped kitchen in Sydney with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, brown splashback, mosaic tile splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors and a peninsula.

Locust

Advantes Group

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped kitchen in St Louis with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, brown splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Balinese Influenced Kitchen

Robin Rigby Fisher, CMKBD/CAPS/CLIPPS

“I don’t want my kitchen to look like anyone else’s.” This was the client’s request to the designer. Influenced by the style of Bali and the client’s own design sense, the new style was dubbed “Julinese” (her name is Julie). In keeping with the Balinese style, bold design elements were chosen – 6” pyramidal columns stained with a deep java finish, support the 3” thick Purple Dunas granite countertops and the custom glass eating bar. The electrical outlets are housed in these columns. Further supporting the Balinese theme, the ceiling over the island was raised in a pyramid style – evoking an outdoor feel. Kable lighting illuminates the kitchen. Topping the cabinets along the walls and the window sill are dark grey 3” thick concrete counters. When the folding windows are open, the sill becomes a 15” deep serving bar for outdoor entertaining. For ergonomics – the dishwasher and microwave were raised to 42” and 54” comparatively. Additional Design elements: Cork floors in Autumn and Black Pepper finish Custom design cabinet doors support the strong linear lines. Stainless Steel Farm Sink Eclipse Architectural Folding window and door Cheng Design Custom Hood

Latest trends in kitchen and bathroom remodels

Karin Ross Designs

Photo of a mid-sized transitional eat-in kitchen in Kansas City with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, brown splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Burr Ridge

Lux Custom Cabinetry

This elegant kitchen was designed for a busy family that loves to entertain. This 60 x 126'' island in Jupirana Persa granite provides ample room for preparing and entertaining. The beautiful oval glass bead light fixtures are "Kendall Empire" and are classic lights with a contemporary shape. The "Arabasque" mosaic stoneware is a gorgeous back-splash, highlighting the 60'' hood. The cabinetry provides plenty of storage, including a pantry, 39'' drawers for pot and dish storage, and two large pull-outs flanking the sub-zero refrigerator with integrated panels, to name a few.

kitchen and bathrooms

Kitchen Planners

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Baltimore with shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, quartz benchtops, brown splashback, with island and brown floor.

Small Elegant kitchen

Pazzam Designs

Even a small kitchen can be elegant and feel grand when designed to perfection utilizing the perfect materials!
This is an example of a small contemporary galley separate kitchen in Orange County with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, granite benchtops, brown splashback, mosaic tile splashback, coloured appliances and porcelain floors.

Memorial Farmhouse

Brickmoon Design

Inspiration for a large country single-wall open plan kitchen in Houston with shaker cabinets, distressed cabinets, marble benchtops, brown splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors and with island.

Kitchen with Brown Splashback and Mosaic Tile 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!