Jared Kuzia Photography
Beach style l-shaped kitchen in Boston with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, a farmhouse sink, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, white benchtop and dark hardwood floors.

Mettawa Illinois French Country Kitchen with Art Tile Backsplash

Orren Pickell Building Group

Chef's kitchen with white perimeter recessed panel cabinetry. In contrast, the island and refrigerator cabinets are a dark lager color. All cabinetry is by Brookhaven. Kitchen back splash is 3x6 Manhattan Field tile in #1227 Peacock with 4.25x4.25 bullnose in the same color. Niche is 4.25" square Cordoba Plain Fancy fIeld tile in #1227 Peacock with fluid crackle finish and 3.12 square Turkistan Floral Fancy Field tile with 2.25x6 medium chair rail border. Design by Janet McCann. Photo by Mike Kaskel.

Bohn's Point Artisan

Stonewood, LLC

Photo of a beach style kitchen in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Houghton Remodel

European Stone Tile & Design, Inc.

Modern Kitchen Reface from cherry cabinet to a darker, shaker modern door style set up. Homeowner selected Sparkling White Quartz for the perimeter and a gray mid tone quartz for her opposing peninsula piece. Using 4x16 White ceramic tiles gave this traditional kitchen a modern clean pop.

Classic Kitchen that Pops

Smith & Smith Kitchens

Photos by Tim Turner Photography
Photo of a transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

O'Brien Harris Transitional

O'Brien Harris LLC

Inspiration for a traditional l-shaped kitchen pantry in Chicago with recessed-panel cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, timber splashback, white benchtop, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and grey cabinets.

Stair Solution

Richard Landon Design

Designing a new staircase to connect all three levels freed up space for this kitchen. Before, my client had to squeeze through a narrow opening in the corner of the kitchen to access an equally narrow stair to the basement. In the process of evaluating the space we discovered there was no foundation under the kitchen walls! Noticing that the entry to their home was little used--everyone came right in to the kitchen--gave me the idea that we could connect the kitchen to the entry and convert it into a pantry! Hence, the white painted brick--that wall was formerly an exterior wall. William Feemster

Geneva Transitional Home with Farmhouse Kitchen

Havlicek Builders Inc.

Double island kitchen with 2 sinks, custom cabinetry and hood. Brass light fixtures. Transitional/farmhouse kitchen.
This is an example of an expansive traditional l-shaped kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, quartz benchtops, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multi-coloured splashback and mosaic tile splashback.

Small galley kitchen reconfiguration in Los Angeles

Metropolis Drafting and Construction Inc

A small galley kitchen in a standard LA home is a common sight in Los Angeles. The wall between the laundry room and the kitchen was removed to create one big open space. The placement of all large appliances ( Fridge, Washer\Dryer and Double oven) on a single full height built-in cabinets wall opened up all the rest of the space to be more airy and practical. The custom made cabinets are in a traditional manner with white finish and some glass doors to allow a good view of the good chinaware. The floors are done with wood looking tile and color matched to the dark oak floors of the rest of the house to create a continuality of colors. The backsplash is comprised of two different glass tiles, the larger pieces as the main tile and a small brick glass as the deco line. The counter top is finished with a beveled edge for a touch of modern look.

Dilworth New Build - Living & Kitchen Design

House of Nomad

Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in Charlotte with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, marble benchtops and ceramic splashback.

Maple Glen Bathroom

J Wiley Designs

This is an example of a large midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Dallas with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island and white floor.

Contrasting Grey Island & White Perimeter Cabinetry

User

This clean profile, streamlined kitchen embodies today's transitional look. The white painted perimeter cabinetry contrasts the grey stained island, while perfectly blending cool and warm tones.

Vintage Revival

BK Interior Design

Photography by: Airyka Rockefeller
Photo of a large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with grey splashback, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, wood benchtops, stainless steel appliances and blue cabinets.

Family Friendly Kitchen in Hoffman Estates

Insignia Kitchen

Built-in dog bowls created a space for the family's bull dog featuring easy to clean Cambria countertops and even ceramic subway tile walls.
Photo of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors and with island.

Barn Door Walk-In Pantry, Transitional Kitchen Remodel

MainStreet Design Build

This beautiful Birmingham, MI home had been renovated prior to our clients purchase, but the style and overall design was not a fit for their family. They really wanted to have a kitchen with a large “eat-in” island where their three growing children could gather, eat meals and enjoy time together. Additionally, they needed storage, lots of storage! We decided to create a completely new space. The original kitchen was a small “L” shaped workspace with the nook visible from the front entry. It was completely closed off to the large vaulted family room. Our team at MSDB re-designed and gutted the entire space. We removed the wall between the kitchen and family room and eliminated existing closet spaces and then added a small cantilevered addition toward the backyard. With the expanded open space, we were able to flip the kitchen into the old nook area and add an extra-large island. The new kitchen includes oversized built in Subzero refrigeration, a 48” Wolf dual fuel double oven range along with a large apron front sink overlooking the patio and a 2nd prep sink in the island. Additionally, we used hallway and closet storage to create a gorgeous walk-in pantry with beautiful frosted glass barn doors. As you slide the doors open the lights go on and you enter a completely new space with butcher block countertops for baking preparation and a coffee bar, subway tile backsplash and room for any kind of storage needed. The homeowners love the ability to display some of the wine they’ve purchased during their travels to Italy! We did not stop with the kitchen; a small bar was added in the new nook area with additional refrigeration. A brand-new mud room was created between the nook and garage with 12” x 24”, easy to clean, porcelain gray tile floor. The finishing touches were the new custom living room fireplace with marble mosaic tile surround and marble hearth and stunning extra wide plank hand scraped oak flooring throughout the entire first floor.

Richmond Kitchen Remodel - University City, MO

RSI Kitchen & Bath

Anne Matheis Photography
Small country l-shaped kitchen in St Louis with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island and an undermount sink.

Award Winning Yorkville Condo

Keystone Ridge Developments Ltd.

Mid-sized modern l-shaped kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and white cabinets.

Pacific Heights Residence

Martinkovic Milford Architects

©Scott Hargis Photo
Traditional galley eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Ocean Front

Brooke Wagner Design

Inspiration for a beach style eat-in kitchen in Orange County with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, with island and dark hardwood floors.

Puritan

AMW Design Studio

Large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Detroit with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, black splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Kitchen with Dark Hardwood Floors and Porcelain 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!