Architecture & Interior Design: David Heide Design Studio Photography: William Wright
This is an example of an arts and crafts l-shaped kitchen in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and grey splashback.

Walnut Utensil Pull-Out

Denise Quade Design

On the left of the cooking modules, a utensil pullout was incorporated to help keep utensils organized and easy to put away. The pullout was custom made and features the walnut drawer boxes that were used throughout the space. The kitchen features both off white cabinets and dark stained maple cabinets. The cooktop area bumps out and has a toe detail applied to make it stand out.

Medfield, Ma.

color theory Boston

photo: Michael J Lee
Photo of an expansive country galley eat-in kitchen in Boston with a farmhouse sink, glass-front cabinets, distressed cabinets, brick splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, quartz benchtops, with island and red splashback.

West University - Kitchen

Edwards Interiors and Design, LLC

French Blue Photography www.frenchbluephotography.com
This is an example of a large traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Houston with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and subway tile splashback.

Modern Kitchen, Hingham MA

Hammer Architects

Peter Venderwarker
Mid-sized modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Boston with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Back in Time

Signature Homes

Signature Homes kitchen at Chace Lake in Birmingham, AL
Mid-sized country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Birmingham with stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, dark hardwood floors and with island.

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/

Monica and Nugget

AHG Interiors

Photo of a small transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Kona Renewal

Fine Design Interiors, Inc.

Ian Lindsey
Design ideas for a large tropical u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Hawaii with flat-panel cabinets, with island, brown floor, a drop-in sink, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances and dark hardwood floors.

Transitional Kitchen

Expansive transitional eat-in kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, quartzite benchtops, dark hardwood floors, grey cabinets, metallic splashback, mirror splashback and recessed-panel cabinets.

The Park Vista

Log Homes of America

Raised breakfast bar island, housing five-burner cooktop, finished with rough-cut Eldorado limestone. Note the double-oven at the entrance to the butler's pantry. Upper cabinets measure 42" for added storage. Ample lighting was added with scones, task lighting, under and above cabinet lighting too. Photo by Roger Wade Studio

Lower Whitefish Lake 8

Lands End Development - Designers & Builders

Photo of a country u-shaped kitchen in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Kitchen Island

Heirloom Wood Studio

Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped kitchen in Denver with a farmhouse sink, louvered cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor and white benchtop.

Mediterranean in Silverleaf

La Casa Builders Inc.

Mark Bosclair
Design ideas for a large mediterranean l-shaped separate kitchen in Phoenix with with island, medium wood cabinets, tile benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, a farmhouse sink, dark hardwood floors and raised-panel cabinets.

Clairemont Whole House Renovation

Terracotta Design Build

Jeff Herr
Mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Atlanta with white cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, solid surface benchtops, dark hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and shaker cabinets.

Itasca, Il -- Kitchen Design and Remodel

Design First Builders

All design and construction by DESIGNfirst Builders of Itasca, Il. Photography by Anne Klemmer.
Mid-sized traditional l-shaped separate kitchen in Chicago with raised-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, brown splashback, stone tile splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Not Just A Black & White Kitchen

Kat Nelson Designs

Lisa Konz Photography This was such a fun project working with these clients who wanted to take an old school, traditional lake house and update it. We moved the kitchen from the previous location to the breakfast area to create a more open space floor plan. We also added ship lap strategically to some feature walls and columns. The color palette we went with was navy, black, tan and cream. The decorative and central feature of the kitchen tile and family room rug really drove the direction of this project. With plenty of light once we moved the kitchen and white walls, we were able to go with dramatic black cabinets. The solid brass pulls added a little drama, but the light reclaimed open shelves and cross detail on the island kept it from getting too fussy and clean white Quartz countertops keep the kitchen from feeling too dark. There previously wasn't a fireplace so added one for cozy winter lake days with a herringbone tile surround and reclaimed beam mantle. To ensure this family friendly lake house can withstand the traffic, we added sunbrella slipcovers to all the upholstery in the family room. The back screened porch overlooks the lake and dock and is ready for an abundance of extended family and friends to enjoy this beautiful updated and classic lake home.

Star Lake Compound

Wade Weissmann Architecture

The open kitchen features highly varnished wooden countertops and charming open shelves.
Design ideas for a country kitchen in Milwaukee with a farmhouse sink, medium wood cabinets, window splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Traditional Large Island Kitchen Remodel

Classic Home Improvements

This large kitchen remodel expansion included removing a wall to create a larger space and added vaulted ceiling to make this room even more spacious. This kitchen was once an enclosed u-shape kitchen and now with the added space a large island was added and a wall of cabinets for additional space. Gorgeous granite was installed along with Thermador stainless steel appliances. Scott Basile, Basile Photography. www.choosechi.com

Telluride Cabin

Artisan Builders LLC

Inspiration for a mid-sized country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, distressed cabinets, concrete benchtops, brown splashback, stone tile splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and exposed beam.

Kitchen with 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!