This 1920 Craftsman home was remodeled in the early 80’s where a large family room was added off the back of the home. This remodel utilized the existing back porch as part of the kitchen. The 1980’s remodel created two issues that were addressed in the current kitchen remodel: 1. The new family room (with 15’ ceilings) added a very contemporary feel to the home. As one walked from the dining room (complete with the original stained glass and built-ins with leaded glass fronts) through the kitchen, into the family room, one felt as if they were walking into an entirely different home. 2. The ceiling height change in the enlarged kitchen created an eyesore. The designer addressed these 2 issues by creating a galley kitchen utilizing a mid-tone glazed finish on alder over an updated version of a shaker door. This door had wider styles and rails and a deep bevel framing the inset panel, thus incorporating the traditional look of the shaker door in a more contemporary setting. By having the crown molding stained with an espresso finish, the eye is drawn across the room rather than up, minimizing the different ceiling heights. The back of the bar (viewed from the dining room) further incorporates the same espresso finish as an accent to create a paneled effect (Photo #1). The designer specified an oiled natural maple butcher block as the counter for the eating bar. The lighting over the bar, from Rejuvenation Lighting, is a traditional shaker style, but finished in antique copper creating a new twist on an old theme. To complete the traditional feel, the designer specified a porcelain farm sink with a traditional style bridge faucet with porcelain lever handles. For additional storage, a custom tall cabinet in a denim-blue washed finish was designed to store dishes and pantry items (Photo #2). Since the homeowners are avid cooks, the counters along the wall at the cook top were made 30” deep. The counter on the right of the cook top is maple butcher block; the remainder of the countertops are Silver and Gold Granite. Recycling is very important to the homeowner, so the designer incorporated an insulated copper door in the backsplash to the right of the ovens, which allows the homeowner to put all recycling in a covered exterior location (Photo #3). The 4 X 8” slate subway tile is a modern play on a traditional theme found in Craftsman homes (Photo #4). The new kitchen fits perfectly as a traditional transition when viewed from the dining, and as a contemporary transition when viewed from the family room.

Kitchen

Emerick Architects

Open, light-filled and fresh, this kitchen puts the chef right in the middle of it all.
This is an example of a contemporary kitchen in Portland with a farmhouse sink, open cabinets and dark wood cabinets.

Huntington Beach

Michael Fullen Design Group

This is an example of a contemporary kitchen in Orange County with panelled appliances, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and brown splashback.

Rustic Kitchen

This is an example of a country u-shaped separate kitchen in Boston with stainless steel appliances, open cabinets, dark wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops and terra-cotta floors.

Mod Redux

Capoferro Design Build Group

Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen in Toronto with open cabinets, dark wood cabinets, panelled appliances, white splashback and glass sheet splashback.

contemporary kitchen

Michelle Miner Design

Photo of a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with stainless steel appliances, glass-front cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, matchstick tile splashback and multi-coloured splashback.

Casa Lluvia Blanca

House + House Architects

Nestled into the quiet middle of a block in the historic center of the beautiful colonial town of San Miguel de Allende, this 4,500 square foot courtyard home is accessed through lush gardens with trickling fountains and a luminous lap-pool. The living, dining, kitchen, library and master suite on the ground floor open onto a series of plant filled patios that flood each space with light that changes throughout the day. Elliptical domes and hewn wooden beams sculpt the ceilings, reflecting soft colors onto curving walls. A long, narrow stairway wrapped with windows and skylights is a serene connection to the second floor ''Moroccan' inspired suite with domed fireplace and hand-sculpted tub, and "French Country" inspired suite with a sunny balcony and oval shower. A curving bridge flies through the high living room with sparkling glass railings and overlooks onto sensuously shaped built in sofas. At the third floor windows wrap every space with balconies, light and views, linking indoors to the distant mountains, the morning sun and the bubbling jacuzzi. At the rooftop terrace domes and chimneys join the cozy seating for intimate gatherings.

Kitchen

Laidlaw Schultz architects

Inspiration for a midcentury kitchen in Orange County with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, wood benchtops, beige splashback and limestone splashback.

Kitchen shelving & cabinets

Andre Rothblatt Architecture

Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback and stone tile splashback.

Grand Kitchen

Bella Luna Services, Inc.

Design ideas for a mediterranean kitchen in Tampa with granite benchtops, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and multi-coloured splashback.

Santa Fe Residence

Tewes Design

This is an example of a mediterranean galley kitchen in Seattle with raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and brick floors.

Condo Kitchen

Hermitage Kitchen Gallery LLC

Designed by Melissa Sutherland, CKD, Allied ASID; Photo by Steven Long Photography
Design ideas for a contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Nashville with stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, quartz benchtops, mosaic tile splashback, white benchtop, beige floor and no island.

View of Kitchen

Rodriguez Studio Architecture PC

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in New York with stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, grey splashback, stone tile splashback, concrete benchtops, dark hardwood floors and a peninsula.

Mid Century Modern on Lake Samammish

Fradkin Fine Construction, Inc.

Looking from the dining area toward the kitchen reveals an eating bar that free spans 9 feet on steel supprts. Clean, contemporary walnut slab cabinets are paired with glass backslash and quartz counter tops for a cool, contemporary appearance. Photo by Lara Swimmer

Case Design/Remodeling, Inc.

Case Architects & Remodelers

This is an example of a traditional galley kitchen in DC Metro with granite benchtops, an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, beige splashback and travertine splashback.

Dallas Interior Renovations

Austin Interior Renovations

Contemporary kitchen with warm teak wood and high gloss wall cabinets
Photo of a contemporary kitchen in Dallas with stainless steel appliances, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, metallic splashback and metal splashback.

Kitchen

Cheryl D & Company

This is an example of a country kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Spa House

Sage Architecture, Inc.

The Spa House was designed as a modern escape from the world where the owner could "chill" after a long day's work. Designed by Sage Architecture, Inc. Dave Adams Photography

Contemporary kitchens

Eileen Kollias Design

Beautiful Bentwood contemporary rift-cut dark stained oak doors, Silestone tops and Schonbeck Geometrix pendants by Eileen Kollias Design
Design ideas for a contemporary kitchen in Boston with stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and quartz benchtops.

Kitchen corner

Andre Rothblatt Architecture

Photo of a contemporary kitchen in San Francisco with stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback and stone tile splashback.

Kitchen with Dark Wood Cabinets 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!