Three small rooms were demolished to enable a new kitchen and open plan living space to be designed. The kitchen has a drop-down ceiling to delineate the space. A window became french doors to the garden. The former kitchen was re-designed as a mudroom. The laundry had new cabinetry. New flooring throughout. A linen cupboard was opened to become a study nook with dramatic wallpaper. Custom ottoman were designed and upholstered for the drop-down dining and study nook. A family of five now has a fantastically functional open plan kitchen/living space, family study area, and a mudroom for wet weather gear and lots of storage.

Dark Blue Geometric Kitchen

Sustainable Kitchens

Shaker kitchen cabinets painted in Farrow & Ball Hague blue with antique brass knobs, pulls and catches. The worktop is Arabescato Corcia Marble. A wall of tall cabinets feature a double larder, double integrated oven and integrated fridge/freezer. A shaker double ceramic sink with polished nickel mixer tap and a Quooker boiling water tap sit in the perimeter run of cabinets with a Bert & May Majadas tile splash back topped off with a floating oak shelf. An induction hob sits on the island with three hanging pendant lights. Two moulded dark blue bar stools provide seating at the overhang worktop breakfast bar. The flooring is dark oak parquet. Photographer - Charlie O'Beirne

The Alameda

Sogno Design Group

Photo by: Michele Lee Wilson
Design ideas for a transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, cement tile splashback, white benchtop, an undermount sink, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and beige floor.

Modern Farmhouse

House Sprucing

Photo of a large country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, cement tile splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

HGTV Modern Farmhouse Marine Blue Kitchen

SH interiors

We completely renovated this space for an episode of HGTV House Hunters Renovation. The kitchen was originally a galley kitchen. We removed a wall between the DR and the kitchen to open up the space. We used a combination of countertops in this kitchen. To give a buffer to the wood counters, we used slabs of marble each side of the sink. This adds interest visually and helps to keep the water away from the wood counters. We used blue and cream for the cabinetry which is a lovely, soft mix and wood shelving to match the wood counter tops. To complete the eclectic finishes we mixed gold light fixtures and cabinet hardware with black plumbing fixtures and shelf brackets.

Ranch House Kitchen & Living Renovation

SpiritOceans

Opened galley style kitchen to family room. Custom and purchased cabinet combo.
Design ideas for a small eclectic l-shaped open plan kitchen in Dallas with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors and with island.

Modern Mediterranean

Model Remodel

Encaustic cement tile backsplash with Moroccan pendant lights and built-in island seating.
Mid-sized mediterranean l-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, with island, an undermount sink, multi-coloured splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, white benchtop and vaulted.

Wellington

Clearcut Construction, Inc.

Large traditional galley open plan kitchen in Raleigh with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartzite benchtops, green splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Dupont Circle Rowhouse Addition

Landis Architects | Builders

We completely gutted and renovated this DC rowhouse and added a three-story rear addition and a roof deck. On the main floor the kitchen has cabinetry on both sides and an L-shaped island in the center. A section of mirrored cabinet doors adds drama. A comfortable sitting room off the kitchen is flooded with light from the large windows and full-lite rear door.

Modern Farmhouse Kitchen

Carmit Oron Interior Design

This is an example of a small country galley separate kitchen in San Francisco with a drop-in sink, raised-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and white benchtop.

Sherwood Eclectic Farmhouse

Northland Design & Build

Large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands and white benchtop.

A LAURELHURST MID-CENTURY FOR ILLUSTRATOR IRWIN CAPLAN

LEICHT SEATTLE

An original Sandy Cohen design mid-century house in Laurelhurst neighborhood in Seattle. The house was originally built for illustrator Irwin Caplan, known for the "Famous Last Words" comic strip in the Saturday Evening Post. The residence was recently bought from Caplan’s estate by new owners, who found that it ultimately needed both cosmetic and functional upgrades. A renovation led by SHED lightly reorganized the interior so that the home’s midcentury character can shine. LEICHT Seattle cabinet in frosty white c-channel in alum color. Wrap in custom VG Fir panel. DWELL Magazine article Design by SHED Architecture & Design Photography by: Rafael Soldi

Hancock Park Modern Organic Renovation

SHAPESIDE

Contemporary kitchen, concrete floors with light wood cabinetry accents with bold black and white tile backsplash. Kitchen island features seating on two sides.

Reston Kitchen

Catherine Vivas

This is an example of a small modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, a peninsula, grey floor and white benchtop.

Net Zero Home

Imery Group

Small modern galley eat-in kitchen in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Naples Color Mix

Kitchens By Clay

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional open plan kitchen in Miami with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Naples Color Mix

Kitchens By Clay

Photo of a mid-sized transitional open plan kitchen in Miami with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Transitional Kitchen

This is an example of a large transitional open plan kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, multi-coloured floor, grey benchtop and an undermount sink.

Menlo Park Farmhouse - Kitchen

Arch Studio, Inc.

Arch Studio, Inc. Architecture & Interiors 2018
Mid-sized transitional u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and beige floor.

The Pink Kitchen

Minosa | Design Life Better

Clean lines conceal a cleverly hidden appliance cabinet. Image: Nicole England
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, white cabinets, recycled glass benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and grey benchtop.

All Islands Kitchen with Cement 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!