From Pandora's Box to Jewel Box - Kitchen

A Bosch induction range and Zephyr chimney style hood make for a sleek cooking zone. A Kitchen That Works LLC
Photo of a mid-sized transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Seattle with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, grey floor and blue benchtop.

Southlake Remodel

Le Belle Maison Interiors Inc.

Desiree Roberts
Photo of a large traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Southlake Remodel

Le Belle Maison Interiors Inc.

Desiree Roberts
Inspiration for a large traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Southlake Remodel

Le Belle Maison Interiors Inc.

Desiree Roberts
This is an example of a large traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor and blue benchtop.

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.

Southlake Remodel

Le Belle Maison Interiors Inc.

Desiree Roberts
Large traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor and blue benchtop.

I've got the Blues

Meredith Hayward Richard

Do you have the blues? Well this kitchen design certainly does! Incorporated in the design is the Schuler cherry cabinetry, with door style Sugar Creek, has been paired with Sensa’s Blue Pearl granite. To fully capture the “blue theme”, we added Elida’s Skylight Glass Subway tile throughout the walls and Elida’s Skylight Glass Hexagon Mosaic, where the range hood and stove is located. All appliances in the kitchen are Samsung’s in color Black Stainless Steel. The cabinetry pulls are color Black Bronze provided from Schuler. All in all, the client is not in the blues when it comes to their newly remodeled

I've got the Blues

Meredith Hayward Richard

The Kitchen for Entertaining

Creative Living

When knocking down the walls can change your life.
Inspiration for 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.

Tim's personal kitchen

Tim Kulin Cabinetry & Mountain Aspen Granite

Design ideas for a mid-sized country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, matchstick tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Tim's personal kitchen

Tim Kulin Cabinetry & Mountain Aspen Granite

Mid-sized country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, matchstick tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Tim's personal kitchen

Tim Kulin Cabinetry & Mountain Aspen Granite

Inspiration for a mid-sized country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, matchstick tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Enclosed Kitchen to Great Room Transformation

Design Perspective Interior Design, LLC

I have been working with this client for a few years and we finally made her dream of a new kitchen come true with Thayer Construction LLC. Her kitchen used to be closed off from the dining and family rooms and she wanted to open up the space creating a great room. We were able to remove the walls and install a skylight to bring more natural light into the kitchen area. Cherry cabinets with two different countertops were selected. Cambria Sky was selected for the island to provide a special pop of color to the space and make it truly special and unique like my client. Cabinets at the end of the outer side of the island were designed to hide dog bowl and to store food. Beautiful hardwood floors were installed throughout the home to make the transition from space to space seemless. Although it took some time to get this project started, it was well worth the wait. She now has a beautiful kitchen to cook and entertain in as she starts a new chapter in her life!! Thayer Construction LLC

Aptos Beach House

Vision Design

The family needed some new appliances and the sink needed to be replaced. But such a gorgeous setting needed to be supported by an equally gorgeous and easy to cook in kitchen. We chose a countertop that mimicked the mood of the ocean outside, sometimes bright and happy, sometimes stormy in its iridescence.

Aptos Beach House

Vision Design

The Kitchen for Entertaining

Melanie Tollemache
Mid-sized l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Auckland with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, laminate benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Bungalow Extension

Organon Architecture

Melanie Tollemache
This is an example of a mid-sized l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Auckland with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, laminate benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Luxury Classic Solid Wood Design For Toronto Canada House Improvement

VOVO Kitchen l Design

Factory pre-assemble in China
Photo of a mid-sized traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Toronto with raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, with island, blue benchtop and wood.

Kitchen with Dark Wood Cabinets 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!