A grand staircase sweeps the eye upward as soft shades of creamy white harmoniously highlight the simply elegant woodwork. The crisp white kitchen pops against a backdrop of dark wood tones. Floor: 7” wide-plank Smoked Black French Oak | Rustic Character | Black Oak Collection | smooth surface | square edge | color Pure | Satin Poly Oil. For more information please email us at: sales@signaturehardwoods.com

Stunning dark and moody kitchen

Broswick Builders Ltd

A kitchen of contrasts. Superwhite granite is teamed with dark cabinetry as the focal point at the front and on splashback, then white cabinetry with Silestone Statuario stone at the rear.

Pewter cup handles

Kettle Co. Kitchens

This is an example of a large traditional u-shaped kitchen in Cornwall with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, black splashback, granite splashback, black appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and black benchtop.

Post WWII Rambler Kitchen Remodel

McCabe By Design LLC

A wall separating the kitchen and dining room was removed to open up the space and allow the natural light to flow. French doors to the back yard patio were added to the dining area, providing easy access to the BBQ. Custom white painted cabinetry, dark stained oak flooring and stainless steel appliances provide a fresh but timeless update to this post WWII rambler. Photo: A Kitchen That Works LLC

Kitchen Cabinet Pantry

Great Rooms Building Group

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

Piedmont Park Kitchen

Landed Interiors & Homes

Photography by Haris Kenjar
Inspiration for a large traditional kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, black splashback, granite splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and black benchtop.

Bethesda Bungalow

WINN Design+Build

Photo of a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, granite splashback, black appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Luxurious Bungalow

Florida Design Studio

Light, airy and inviting. The style of this kitchen works seamlessly with the craftsman style of the exterior.
Large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Tampa with a drop-in sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, brown splashback, granite splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, brown benchtop and coffered.

Stone Canyon III

Juxtaposed Interiors

This kitchen went through an extensive re-vamp. After completely gutting the original kitchen, we began to move appliances and plumbing around. We moved the sink in the island to under the window, We moved the dishwasher to be next to the sink, we moved the refrigerator over and created an opening so you can walk directly to the dining room from the kitchen, where before you could not do this. All the appliances are panel ready, except the microwave drawer that is now located in the island. This kitchen was unrecognizable once we finished.

165 – Coto De Caza - Design Build Transitional kitchen remodel

APlus Interior Design & Remodeling

Design Build Transitional kitchen remodel in Coto De Caza Orange County
Large transitional l-shaped kitchen pantry in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, granite splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and vaulted.

A Sense of Zen

Complete Kitchens

The minimal shaker profile cabinet doors and shadowline detailing under the stone bench even the waterfall ends introduce beautiful texture into this neutral grey kitchen. The luxurious Dolomite Granite stone bench and splashback add a touch of glamour and a sense of Zen to this stunning space.

A Sense of Zen

Complete Kitchens

Tuxedo Park

Virtual Studio Innovations

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Atlanta with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, grey splashback, granite splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Stone Canyon III

Juxtaposed Interiors

Light Grey Cothele and Oak kitchen

Kettle Co. Kitchens

Large traditional u-shaped kitchen in Cornwall with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, black splashback, granite splashback, black appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and black benchtop.

Beckwith Road

Sheraton Interiors

Small traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in London with a farmhouse sink, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, granite splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop, coffered and beaded inset cabinets.

Luxurious Kitchen Expansion

Wiles Design Group

This beautiful kitchen design with a gray-magenta palette, luxury appliances, and versatile islands perfectly blends elegance and modernity. Elegant gray tones, opulent Sub-Zero Wolf appliances, and a striking hood design form captivating focal points in the kitchen. --- Project by Wiles Design Group. Their Cedar Rapids-based design studio serves the entire Midwest, including Iowa City, Dubuque, Davenport, and Waterloo, as well as North Missouri and St. Louis. For more about Wiles Design Group, see here: https://wilesdesigngroup.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://wilesdesigngroup.com/cedar-rapids-luxurious-kitchen-expansion

Custom Home Steel Grey Granite

iDesign Granite

Inspiration for a mid-sized l-shaped open plan kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, white cabinets, granite benchtops, black splashback, granite splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Project Photos

FRANCO Multiservices LLC

New Kitchen
Expansive modern l-shaped kitchen pantry in New York with an integrated sink, louvered cabinets, beige cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, granite splashback, coloured appliances, dark hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor, turquoise benchtop and vaulted.

The Farm - Kitchen & Island

Michelle Leslie Studio

This is an example of an expansive country single-wall open plan kitchen in Central Coast with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, black cabinets, onyx benchtops, black splashback, granite splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Kitchen with Granite Splashback and Dark 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!