Design ideas for a large traditional open plan kitchen in Manchester with beaded inset cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops and multiple islands.

Fantasy kitchen

Woodmaster Kitchens

The stone surround sets off this range niche, guarded by an arched front. Tile niches serve as storage spots for oils and spices, as do the adjacent cabinetry. Easy access to the prep island behind facilitates cooking. A potfiller faucet makes the fill-up easy, and the plugs let small appliances work near the cooking surface.

Atlanta Estate Home

Joel Kelly Design

Emily Followill
Large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Atlanta with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, green splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, grey floor and green benchtop.

Atlanta Estate Home

Joel Kelly Design

Contemporary Modern Kitchen, Bocaire Country Club, Boca Raton

Concept Kitchen & Bath

Concept Kitchen and Bath Boca Raton, FL 561-699-9999
Inspiration for an expansive contemporary kitchen in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances and multiple islands.

Mauna Lani Resort

Blue Phoenix Construction

Photo of a large contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in Hawaii with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, marble floors and multiple islands.

Magnificent Kitchen Remodel Provides Space to Entertain

T.W. Ellis LLC

A lot of detail went into the remodeling of our client’s kitchen. The high-end custom wood cabinets by Kountry Kraft were hand painted. Some of the cabinet doors open and slide back into a small internal pocket built into the side of the cabinet for convenience. The cabinet door above the refrigerator flips up and rolls back to give easy access.

McGrath - Kitchen

Birkholz Homes

large, open kitchen with perpendicular kitchen islands as well as plenty of counter top space
Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Edmonton with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, multiple islands and grey floor.

Ivory Pearl and Titanium Granite Kitchen

Evolution Design Granite, Quartz Countertops

Expansive country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Salt Lake City with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, black splashback, stainless steel appliances and multiple islands.

Transitional Kitchen in West Seattle

Remix Design Co.

This dysfunctional kitchen was in need of an update to increase both function and style. By moving some key elements, we were able to add a lot of additional counter space. We also solved a lack of natural light by adding three large skylights. The natural stone quartzite countertops are the star of this kitchen and we ran them up the backsplash for a clean look that really makes a statement.

Spacious Kitchen for Entertaining

Drury Design

Entertaining and bringing people together is what this family is all about. Birthdays involve amazing cakes like you see on those TV shows, and groups of 30 people or more. Their ideal kitchen needed to accommodate that level of baking and hosting, but also support the daily rhythms of life. Our collaborative design was guided by Vastu Shastra, an ancient architectural tradition that predates feng shui. Based on Vedic traditions that harmonize human behavior with natural forces in the world, Vastu Shanstra basically suggests how to inhabit a place in the best way possible. The objectives were: -Relocate the entire kitchen so the home’s heat source (oven) is in the southeast -Incorporate symmetry into the overall design -Create a large space for entertaining – open and airy with lots of light -Simultaneously separate but join cooking and gathering spaces, allowing the cook to have a cook-specific zone that is still a part of any gathering -Individual storage for small appliances – making them easier to use -Simplicity – the space should be easy to use and maintain Design challenges we solved for: -Incorporate three load bearing points of the house -Provide structural support that was not obvious -Reconfigure kitchen utilities to another part of the home -Maximize storage space Design solutions and mindful innovations became an exciting motivation that drove the project: -Double-horseshoe design features two symmetrical islands that seat 18 people comfortably -Downdraft ventilation behind rangetop allows unobstructed views -Overhead beams for structural support -Equip nearby dining room with locking bar and wine cabinet -Roll-out appliance shelves on back of cooking island are powered for easy use -Symmetrical fridge and freezer columns separated by oven -Cabinets along back of the cooking area for everyday items -Tall pantry cabinet has four drawers for paperwork -Spacious walk-in storage pantry has a counter with power outlets -Coffee station has a trash can directly below for easy clean up -Two sinks and dishwashers for easy cleanup “A lot of relationships are built over food,” the homeowner told us. “This [kitchen] keeps our family close because we all love food. My kids sit in the kitchen all evening long every day – and I’m right there cooking. That’s life –to be together.” We also collaborated with the homeowners to remodel their primary bathroom, primary bedroom closet and an additional bathroom.

Upper East Site

Grandeur Hills Group,Inc.

Thanks to the convenient U shape as well as a large window, the kitchen looks spacious and light. Sparkling surfaces of all the kitchen cabinets and countertops add light to the kitchen interior. All pieces of kitchen furniture, as well as contemporary household appliances are placed around the perimeter of the kitchen. The right arrangement of all the cabinets provides the owners with quick and easy access to any kitchen utensils. Large free space makes cooking, washing dishes, storing food and eating convenient and pleasant processes. Don’t hesitate to order one of the best interior design services in one of the leading NYC design studios! We are sure to help you find the way to success!

Breakfast Knook with Granite Table and Custom Built-In Banquette

Marcelle Guilbeau, Interior Designer

Gieves Anderson Photography
Design ideas for an expansive eclectic l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Nashville with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, multiple islands and beige floor.

Kitchen Remodel

Dani Homes Ltd.

This is an example of a large contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Columbus with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, wood benchtops, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, multiple islands, beige floor, multi-coloured splashback and ceramic splashback.

SANDPIPER

Zach Building co inc

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped separate kitchen in Milwaukee with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, an undermount sink, solid surface benchtops and brown floor.

Hacienda Retreat- Rancho Santa Fe Kitchen

Design Studio West

Designer: Margaret Dean Design Studio West and Brady Architectural Photography
Inspiration for an expansive traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, granite benchtops, panelled appliances, limestone floors, recessed-panel cabinets, beige splashback, dark wood cabinets, ceramic splashback and multiple islands.

Traditional Kitchen

Inspiration for a traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and multiple islands.

Grant Park Cottage - Renovation

New Mood Design LLC

The new kitchen includes custom-built, floor-to-ceiling cabinets in cherry wood, a versatile island with workspace, a wine cooler, and seating areas, new appliances and porcelain tile flooring. Visit New Mood Design's "before and after" album on Facebook to see how we transformed this home: http://on.fb.me/xWvRhv Photography © David Humphreys

Leslie Lane Residence

Assembledge

Michael Weschler Photography
Design ideas for an expansive midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, panelled appliances, multiple islands and white floor.

Kitchen

Kitchen Kreators Ltd

Inspiration for a large traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Jackson with raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, wood benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors and multiple islands.

Kitchen with Dark Wood Cabinets and multiple Islands 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!