Painted cabinets from Bishop, with a glazed finish lighten the area. The wall with the hood and cooktop was originally an entrance into a cramped galley style kitchen. Photo by Brian Walters

Elegantly detailed kitchen work area

Erotas Custom Building

Grand architecturally detailed stone family home. Each interior uniquely customized. Architect: Mike Sharrett of Sharrett Design Interior Designer: Laura Ramsey Engler of Ramsey Engler, Ltd.

West Chop Residence Kitchen

Martha's Vineyard Interior Design

Unexpected materials and objects worked to creat the subte beauty in this kitchen. Semi-precious stone was used on the kitchen island, and can be back-lit while entertaining. The dining table was custom crafted to showcase a vintage United Airlines sign, complimenting the hand blown glass chandelier inspired by koi fish that hangs above. Photography: Gil Jacobs, Martha's Vineyard

Contemporary Suburban Kitchen 2

Sarah Frost

Another view of this great, open, expansive kitchen, with a wonderful view of the backyard and golf course. Photo by Valerie Desjardins
Design ideas for a contemporary kitchen in Minneapolis with mosaic tile splashback, brown splashback, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and multiple islands.

Mill Valley, CA

Urrutia Design

URRUTIA DESIGN Photography by Matt Sartain
Design ideas for an expansive transitional galley open plan kitchen in San Francisco with stainless steel appliances, subway tile splashback, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, marble benchtops, brown splashback, a farmhouse sink, beige floor, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Lorraine Vale

LORRAINE G VALE, Allied ASID

Inspiration for a traditional kitchen in Charleston with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, brown splashback and subway tile splashback.

Danenberg Design

Custom Wet Bar Idea
Contemporary kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, light wood cabinets, brown splashback, matchstick tile splashback and flat-panel cabinets.

Kitchen

Harrell Design + Build

Design ideas for a traditional kitchen in San Francisco with raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, yellow splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

San Francisco Kitchen

User

Originally asked to resurface custom kitchen cabinets, Michael Merrill Design Studio finished this project with a completely new, crisp and ultra-modern design for the entire 815 square-foot home. Photos © John Sutton Photography

Spruceleigh Remodel 2

Deffenbaugh Homes

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, brown splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Sydenham Kitchen

piqu

A lovely mix of materials in this long galley kitchen. The German manufactured handle less kitchen furniture is a mix of matt lacquer in light pepper grey and diamond oak effect. This has been coupled with a dramatic dark stone – Dekton Laurent, which has been used for the worktops and a full height stone backsplash. We’ve broken up the length with a small peninsular island to add interest, extra storage, more worktop space, and a seating area that overlooks the garden.

Diesel Kitchen

Scavolini Kitchen, Living and Bathroom

Diesel Social Kitchen Design by Diesel with Scavolini Diesel’s style and know-how join forces with Scavolini’s know-how to create a new-concept kitchen. A kitchen that becomes a complete environment, where the pleasure of cooking naturally combines with the pleasure of spending time with friends. A kitchen for social life, a space that expands, intelligently and conveniently, surprising you not only with its eye-catching design but also with the sophistication and quality of its materials. The perfect place for socialising and expressing your style. - See more at: http://www.scavolini.us/Kitchens/Diesel_Social_Kitchen

Cape Cod Refresh

Marvista Design + Build

The ambitious reconfiguration of the first floor brought forth a remarkable transformation, shaping a space that seamlessly blends convenience and modern aesthetics. Walls were expertly repurposed to carve out a generous, open kitchen adorned with a sprawling island, becoming the vibrant heart of the home. This culinary haven, complete with ample seating, serves as a gathering point for cherished moments. Adjacent stands a walk-in pantry and a thoughtfully integrated laundry room, offering practicality without compromising elegance. Abundant shelving adorns the walls and island, creating a sanctuary for books and treasured items, while cleverly concealed storage solutions ensure a clutter-free environment. An expanded powder bath with the addition of a shower and tub is now conveniently connected to the guest room with a hallway entrance as well for easy access. This reimagined layout not only maximizes functionality but also breathes new life into the home, fostering an inviting and harmonious living space for both relaxation and entertainment.

Lakewood Project

Round Table Design

Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped kitchen in Dallas with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, brown splashback, panelled appliances, with island, beige floor, grey benchtop, timber and vaulted.

Earthy Greens, Shimmering Golds, and Warm Wood in a Modern Farmhouse Kitchen

Dura Supreme Cabinetry

Dramatic and moody never looked so good, or so inviting. Beautiful shiplap detailing on the wood hood and the kitchen island create a sleek modern farmhouse vibe in the decidedly modern kitchen. An entire wall of tall cabinets conceals a large refrigerator in plain sight and a walk-in pantry for amazing storage. Two beautiful counter-sitting larder cabinets flank each side of the cooking area creating an abundant amount of specialized storage. An extra sink and open shelving in the beverage area makes for easy clean-ups after cocktails for two or an entire dinner party. The warm contrast of paint and stain finishes makes this cozy kitchen a space that will be the focal point of many happy gatherings. The two-tone cabinets feature Dura Supreme Cabinetry’s Carson Panel door style is a dark green “Rock Bottom” paint contrasted with the “Hazelnut” stained finish on Cherry. Design by Danee Bohn of Studio M Kitchen & Bath, Plymouth, Minnesota. Request a FREE Dura Supreme Brochure Packet: https://www.durasupreme.com/request-brochures/ Find a Dura Supreme Showroom near you today: https://www.durasupreme.com/request-brochures Want to become a Dura Supreme Dealer? Go to: https://www.durasupreme.com/become-a-cabinet-dealer-request-form/

Sierra Madre Renovation

SoCal Canyon Builders

Updated kitchen with custom green cabinetry, black countertops, custom hood vent for 36" Wolf range with designer tile and stained wood tongue and groove backsplash.

Adirondack Style Custom Home

Howell Custom Building Group

The homeowners of this wanted to create an informal year-round residence for their active family that reflected their love of the outdoors and time spent in ski and camping lodges. The result is a luxurious, yet understated, comfortable kitchen/dining area that exudes a feeling of warmth and relaxation. The open floor plan offers views throughout the first floor, while large picture windows integrate the outdoors and fill the space with light. A door to the three-season room offers easy access to an outdoor kitchen and living area. The dark wood floors, cabinets with natural wood grain, leathered stone counters, and coffered ceilings offer the ambiance of a 19th century mountain lodge, yet this is combined with painted wainscoting and woodwork to brighten and modernize the space. A blue center island in the kitchen adds a fun splash of color, while a gas fireplace and lit upper cabinets adds a cozy feeling. A separate butler’s pantry contains additional refrigeration, storage, and a wine cooler. Challenges included integrating the perimeter cabinetry into the crown moldings and coffered ceilings, so the lines of millwork are aligned through multiple living spaces. In particular, there is a structural steel column on the corner of the raised island around which oak millwork was wrapped to match the living room columns. Another challenge was concealing second floor plumbing in the beams of the coffered ceiling.

Carter-B

Apex Design & Drafting

Spacious kitchen with wooden upper cabinets & island, open shelving, and dark wood & tile accents.
Photo of a mid-sized country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, brown splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Sala da pranzo

Valeriano

sala da pranzo
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in Rome with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, laminate benchtops, yellow splashback, porcelain splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Cucina e sala da pranzo

Valeriano

Design ideas for a large contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in Rome with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, laminate benchtops, yellow splashback, porcelain splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Brown Splashback and Yellow 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!