Inspiration for a large midcentury eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, glass benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Rhapsody in Blue

Sycamore Kitchens & More

"We would LOVE a FUNCTIONAL Blue and White kitchen please!" stated the clients who longed for a kitchen that the whole family can cook in. Kristin, our Senior Designer was only too happy to oblige. Using an inset cabinetry selected by the client, Kristin worked her magic. She created an expansive Blue island complete with a prep sink so "no more waiting in line to use the sink!" In addition, the cooktop was relocated from the island to provide additional prep and entertaining space. Plus, an intimate seating area was created. Of course, a beautiful shade of blue was selected for the island. On the perimeter of the kitchen, the refrigeration was separated to provide easy, quick access to the abundance of fresh vegetables needed for each meal, and were paneled to be pleasing to the eye. A speed oven and a convection oven are perfect for the wonderful baked breads, cakes, cookies and casseroles created by this family. A wine area took the place of a desk creating a drink station while entertaining. A beautiful quartzite with rich blue veins was painstakingly selected to tie in the entire space and a textured subway tile completed the look. Rhapsody in Blue= Family Harmony!

The Kitchen for Entertaining

Creative Living

When knocking down the walls can change your life.
Photo of a mid-sized modern l-shaped kitchen pantry in Atlanta with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Katz Kitchen

Cabinets by RenewaBuild

This kitchen took its style cue from the owners fireplace design. Corbel details were used to echo the feel already set in motion. The peninsula was straightened out to make the work area flow and function better. Double wall oven, refrigerator and an additional pantry cabinet were put together on the same wall, where previously countertop space was chopped up and unusable. Cabinetry with glass doors was added to replace a china cabinet, bridging the space between kitchen and entertaining areas. Hardwood floors were refinished with a custom blended stain.

Amelith Road

Capital Granite Inc

We loved crafting the natural stone for this new home! Granite counters are featured throughout in several different varieties, making this a unique and welcoming place for years to come.

Calcatta Valgi Quartz

Cabinets & Granite Solutions, LLC

Photo of a mid-sized beach style u-shaped eat-in kitchen with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Custom Kitchen

ASR Interior Designs, LLC

This is an example of a small transitional l-shaped kitchen in Bridgeport with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, no island and blue benchtop.

House Renovation

APK Designs LLC

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Artistic Mix | Beaverton Kitchen Remodel

Mountainwood Homes

The kitchen island features a microwave drawer and stacking refrigerator drawers.
Photo of a large transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Oakland Township Large Kitchen Remodel

Lincorp / Borchert

Photo of a large eat-in kitchen in Detroit with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue benchtop, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Beach Cottage: An Individual Kitchen

San Luis Kitchen Co.

Inspiration for a small beach style u-shaped separate kitchen in San Luis Obispo with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and blue benchtop.

kim and Max

B Designs Interior's

Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Ocean Pearl

Top Shelf Design

photography: Paul Grdina
Inspiration for a large traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

River Hills Dream Home

Haus of Blaylock | Award-Winning Designer

The kitchen looks directly into the living room making the space seem larger. The cream shaker cabinets give the kitchen a clean look. The dark subway tiles contrast the cabinetry and add dimension. Custom window treatments elevate the room with elegant textures and style. https://www.hausofblaylock.com

The Kitchen for Entertaining

Creative Living

When knocking down the walls can change your life.
This is an example of a mid-sized modern l-shaped kitchen pantry in Atlanta with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Custom Stainless Range Hood

Great Rooms Building Group

Design ideas for a large transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, blue splashback, granite splashback, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Contemporary Cabinetry in New Construction Home

Wheatland Custom Cabinetry & Woodwork

Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

House Renovation

APK Designs LLC

Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Farmhouse Modern

Kirk Design and Construction

This is an example of a country galley open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Brown Fantasy beach home

Granite & Kitchen Studio

Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Bridgeport with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, blue splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Kitchen with Dark Hardwood Floors and Blue 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!