Mid-sized mediterranean l-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, grey benchtop and wood.

Casual Waterfront Summer Home

Covenant Kitchens & Baths, Inc.

Small country u-shaped separate kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, beige cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass sheet splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Ultimate Contemporary

DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen

WoodMode Cabinets, Birds Eye Maple Drawer Fronts, Maple Slab Cabinets, Maple Natural Finish, Cherry Cabinets, Cherry Island, Spice Drawers, Glass Doors, Wine and Beverage Refrigerator, Quartz Countertops, Pull Out Drawers, Glass Electric Cooktop, Modern Stainless Steel Hood, Black Appliances, Large Island, Abundant Countertops, Undermount Sink, Structural Changes, Open Plan, Engineered, Pull Out Spice Drawers

Grand Street Kitchen

Stumpff HomeWorks, LLC

Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Kansas City with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, yellow cabinets, soapstone benchtops, black splashback, timber splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, brown floor, black benchtop and recessed.

Modern St. Michaels Farmhouse

Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Inc.

Photo of a large country eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with a farmhouse sink, light wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and grey benchtop.

Cherry Craftsman Bungalow

Westgate Hardwoods + Old Durham Floors

Thomas Del Brase
Design ideas for a mid-sized arts and crafts u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, stone tile splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Marshall Manor House Kitchen

User

Inspiration for an expansive country kitchen in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and coffered.

Mid-Century Revival

Powell Construction

This 1960’s home underwent a striking transformation--remodeling the kitchen, hall bathroom and laundry room. These homeowners dreamed of an open floor plan that would unite the kitchen and adjacent living areas. To accomplish this, we removed an imposing chimney that separated the kitchen from the living room. Additionally, we eliminated a weight-bearing wall that was between the kitchen and dining room. What a change! The spaces that formerly felt dark and confined are now bright and connected, comfortably accommodating larger gatherings. When considering the specifics of design, we wanted to stay true to the home’s mid-century roots, while updating it with today’s style elements. Embracing the mid-century aspects, we played off some of the existing features of the home by mirroring them in the spaces we redesigned. To introduce today’s style, we thoughtfully incorporated the finishes and touches that would aptly reflect that component. The resulting design is beautifully juxtaposed by the homeowners’ treasured antique furniture pieces. In the kitchen, we enhanced the open and airy feel by choosing a light greige color for the inset cabinetry paired with a tonal light-colored, blue-veined quartz for the countertops. These tones are perfectly complemented by the gold finishes of the cabinet hardware, faucets, and mid-century modern pendants. To maximize the storage potential of this kitchen, we customized the cabinetry with a convenient utensil organizer and a blind corner “cloud” pullout. A full height zellige-style tile backsplash with custom floating shelves makes for an impressive statement wall. With family get togethers in mind, we added an additional bar/prep sink and a spacious breakfast nook with a good deal of bench storage. A vertically-slatted wood half-wall separates the kitchen and breakfast nook, replicating the original mid-century wall detail at the entry. Between the living room and kitchen, we designed a semi-open bar-height peninsula, accenting the bar front with a vertical shiplap kickplate in a bold blue. Carrying this color statement through the kitchen, the homeowner selected a “Navy Steel” Samsung Bespoke refrigerator and an AGA Mercury range, in “Blueberry.” These colors are also echoed in the multi-tonal quartz. In the hall bathroom, we were aiming for the bright ambiance we’d achieved in the living areas. The penny round tile flooring and full height zellige-look tile combine for a classy, elevated look. In keeping with the kitchen, we installed similar gold fixtures and inset cabinetry and the same beautiful quartz countertop. The vanity towers provide these happy homeowners with additional room to store all their necessities. Through the design process, we were able to gain square footage in the laundry room which allowed for the extra cabinet space the homeowners were looking for. Of course, a remodel is never complete without conveniences for the pets. The kitty’s litter box is neatly tucked in the cabinet behind a custom cat-cutout--a cute and tidy idea! Kitchen Selections: Cabinet color-Farrow & Ball Ammonite No. 274; Countertops-Silestone Pietra; Cabinet hardware-Top Knobs Barrington collection in Honey Bronze; Pendants-Rejuvenation Palo Alto; Faucets- Delta Trinsic in Champagne Bronze; Tile-Tilebar Portmore 4x4 in White; Island bar shiplap color-Farrow and Ball Wine Dark No. 308 Bathroom Selections: Floor tile-Cepac Classic Rounds in Cloud; Tile-Tilebar Portmore 4x4 in White; Cabinet color-Farrow & Ball Purbeck Stone No. 275; Countertop-Silestone Pietra; Faucet-Delta Trinsic in Champagne Bronze

Meadowood

3rd Street Custom Homes

This is an example of a mediterranean u-shaped separate kitchen in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, black splashback, engineered quartz splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Steel and Glass Kitchen

Nicola Manning Design

Photo of a mid-sized industrial galley kitchen in Auckland with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Charlotte Street - Shoreditch

Roushka Boyd

Photographer - Billy Bolton
Photo of an eclectic u-shaped kitchen in London with flat-panel cabinets, yellow cabinets, brick splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Vineland Ave

High Touch Remodeling

Custom Kitchen Design
Photo of a large scandinavian l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

1920 Colonial Kitchen

Craftsman Design and Renovation

This kitchen was designed with family in mind. With prep, clean-up, cooking, and baking zones, this functional layout allows for multiple family members to pitch in without getting under foot. Stunning custom tiles spice up the white back splash and the Blue Star range adds a pop of color. Photos: Eckert & Eckert Photography

Lex Farm

Marcus DiPietro, Architect

AGA 5 range oven, white oak rift sawn, white oak quarter sawn, brick backsplash, stainless steel range hood, home bar
Mid-sized industrial u-shaped open plan kitchen in Nashville with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Kitchen at 6015 Lansing by Pike Properties - Charlotte Custom Home Builder

Pike Properties

In this kitchen, you'll find a beautiful classic white kitchen with a monochromatic color palette for the cabinets and appliances. The pristine white cabinets and appliances create a clean and timeless look, while the monochromatic scheme adds a touch of elegance. We also incorporated folding windows above the sink allowing a pass-through from the indoor kitchen to the outdoor kitchen.

Neutral Cottage

Studio M Kitchen & Bath

It was important for these clients to have a design that included ample storage but not one that would be weighed down by too many upper cabinets. A cabinet with textured wire mesh doors and an additional open shelf provide visual interest between the upper cabinets.

Backsplash Gone Plaid

Fireclay Tile

Design: Camille Henderson Davis // Photos: Jenna Peffley
Photo of a large midcentury u-shaped kitchen in Los Angeles with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Atlantic Beach Remodel

Studio M Interior Design, Inc

Photo of a mid-sized beach style u-shaped kitchen in Jacksonville with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, no island and beige floor.

Concrete farm sink

Atmosphyre

James Gardiner
Mid-sized country galley separate kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, distressed cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, coloured appliances and light hardwood floors.

Center Hall Colonial Remodel

Kitchen Cove Design Studio

Photography by Lauren Currie
Mid-sized traditional eat-in kitchen in Portland Maine with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Coloured Appliances and Light Hardwood 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!