A small galley kitchen with quartz waterfall countertops, LED undercabinet lighting, slab door navy blue cabinets, and brass/gold hardware, panel ready appliances, walnut shelves, and marble backsplashes.

HAMPTONS LIVING

Aspect Cabinetmakers

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional u-shaped kitchen in Brisbane with recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, quartz benchtops, window splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, an undermount sink, white benchtop and no island.

5,100 Sq. Ft. Modern Farmhouse Showcase Home

Wendy O'Brien Interior Planning & Design

The spacious modern farmhouse kitchen boasts a blend of timeless and modern materials from the dramatically veined quartz countertops to the custom hand-made herringbone patterned tile. Open shelving and cubbies provide an opportunity to display accessories and dishes and the slate grey cabinet bases ground the space while the creamy white upper cabinets feel light as air.

For more photos of this project visit our website: https://wendyobrienid.com.

West Falls Church Renovation

WINN Design+Build

Small contemporary l-shaped separate kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and brown floor.

Contemporary Rolling Hills Kitchen

In the Deets

Light and bright contemporary kitchen featuring white custom cabinetry, large island, dual-tone gray subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and a matching laundry room.

East Passyunk Residence

Cherie Stein Interiors

Elena Jasic
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, dark hardwood floors, white benchtop and a peninsula.

Brass & Blue Classic

w.b. builders

Photo Cred: Seth Hannula
Mid-sized transitional kitchen in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, a single-bowl sink and white benchtop.

Whitehorse Custom Home

Younger Brothers Door and Trim

Large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Phoenix with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Dark and Dramatic Ukrainian Village Townhouse

Elizabeth Krueger Design

Mike Schwartz
Design ideas for a large contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Chicago with with island, a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback and white benchtop.

Transitional Kitchen Remodel and Addition in Birmingham, MI

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.

Cupboard Kitchen and Bath Discounter

Cupboards Kitchen Bath Discounters

This is an example of a large modern u-shaped separate kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Open Concept Remodel in Edina

MA Peterson Design Build, Inc.

This kitchen remodel is an entertainers dream! The new open floor plan is surrounded by dark wall cabinets with a contrasting white island. Custom touches such as brass cabinet hardware, custom range hood, brass pendants, roman shades, and so much more!

Custom white kitchen design

Monarch & Maker

Photo of a large transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Houston with white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, stone slab splashback, brown floor, recessed-panel cabinets, a double-bowl sink, quartz benchtops and white benchtop.

Connecticut Kitchen

Susan Anderson Design, White Birch Studio

Custom lighting over the kitchen island marries the sloped ceiling with the fine lines of the rest of the kitchen.
Mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, with island, white splashback, a farmhouse sink, solid surface benchtops, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

AyA Fairfax Oyster and Pacifica Slate Grey Maple

AyA Kitchens and Baths

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Toronto with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, dark hardwood floors, an undermount sink, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

East Hampton Beach house

ds Interiors

Joseph D'Arco
Photo of a transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, a peninsula, solid surface benchtops, brown floor and white benchtop.

Lake Oswego Kitchen & Family Room

Jenni Leasia Interior Design

The island is stained walnut. The cabinets are glazed paint. The gray-green hutch has copper mesh over the doors and is designed to appear as a separate free standing piece. Small appliances are behind the cabinets at countertop level next to the range. The hood is copper with an aged finish. The wall of windows keeps the room light and airy, despite the dreary Pacific Northwest winters! The fireplace wall was floor to ceiling brick with a big wood stove. The new fireplace surround is honed marble. The hutch to the left is built into the wall and holds all of their electronics. Project by Portland interior design studio Jenni Leasia Interior Design. Also serving Lake Oswego, West Linn, Vancouver, Sherwood, Camas, Oregon City, Beaverton, and the whole of Greater Portland. For more about Jenni Leasia Interior Design, click here: https://www.jennileasiadesign.com/

Waialae Residence

WhiteSpace Architects

Inspiration for a large tropical l-shaped open plan kitchen in Hawaii with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, matchstick tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and solid surface benchtops.

ENUGU

Wood Works Brighton

We were commissioned to design and build a new kitchen for this terraced side extension. The clients were quite specific about their style and ideas. After a few variations they fell in love with the floating island idea with fluted solid Utile. The Island top is 100% rubber and the main kitchen run work top is recycled resin and plastic. The cut out handles are replicas of an existing midcentury sideboard. MATERIALS – Sapele wood doors and slats / birch ply doors with Forbo / Krion work tops / Flute glass.

Streeterville Residence

Phillip Harrison Interiors

Large contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Dark Hardwood Floors and White 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!