Photo of a mid-sized beach style u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with a farmhouse sink, open cabinets, distressed cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, shiplap splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Hidden Lake

Arcanum Architecture

Design ideas for a mid-sized country l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, quartz benchtops, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, beige benchtop and wood.

South End Kitchen

Kochman Reidt + Haigh Cabinetmakers

The kitchen's sink area let's the cook talk with his guests. The stainless steel sink is fully integrated with the counter. A higher counter of butcher block is at the end for rolling pasta and cutting cookies. KR+H's Karla Monkevich designed the glass shelving that's framed in the same machine age aesthetic as the other metal components in the kitchen. Our customer wanted large, deep drawers to hold lots of things so top quality, heavy-duty hardware was used and moveable dividers were integrated into the drawers for easy re-organization. Cutouts in the shelving above allow light to flow but keep the kitchen's clutter out of sight from the living room. Builder: DeSimone Brothers / Photography from homeowner

Division Street

Emerick Architects

Windows and door panels reaching for the 12 foot ceilings flood this kitchen with natural light. Custom stainless cabinetry with an integral sink and commercial style faucet carry out the industrial theme of the space. Photo by Lincoln Barber

Classic French Country Distressed Blue Painted Kitchen Cabinets By Darash

By Darash - Kitchen Cabinets, Vanities & Closets

Large l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Austin with an integrated sink, recessed-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, marble benchtops, blue splashback, shiplap splashback, white appliances, brick floors, no island, brown floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

HOUSE IN KENSINGTON

STEPHEN FLETCHER ARCHITECTS

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in London with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, stainless steel cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, limestone floors, with island, grey floor, multi-coloured benchtop and coffered.

Traditional Hand Carved Kitchen in New Jersey.

WL Kitchen & Home

This traditional kitchen balances decorative details with elegance, to create a timeless design that feels luxurious and highly functional.
Photo of a large traditional u-shaped separate kitchen in New York with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, distressed cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, white floor, beige benchtop and wood.

Restauro Casale Falecine

Arch. Alessandra Cipriani

Cucina con isola
Country galley kitchen in Florence with a farmhouse sink, distressed cabinets, stainless steel appliances, brick floors, with island, orange floor and exposed beam.

Purley - Contemporary Bespoke Kitchen in a Georgian Home

Simon Taylor Furniture

Simon Taylor Furniture was commissioned to design a contemporary kitchen and dining space in a Grade II listed Georgian property in Berkshire. Formerly a stately home dating back to 1800, the property had been previously converted into luxury apartments. The owners, a couple with three children, live in the ground floor flat, which has retained its original features throughout. When the property was originally converted, the ground floor drawing room salon had been reconfigured to become the kitchen and the owners wanted to use the same enclosed space, but to bring the look of the room completely up to date as a new contemporary kitchen diner. In direct contrast to the ornate cornicing in the original ceiling, the owners also wanted the new space to have a state of the art industrial style, reminiscent of a professional restaurant kitchen. The challenge for Simon Taylor Furniture was to create a truly sleek kitchen design whilst softening the look of the overall space to both complement the older aspects of the room and to be a comfortable family dining area. For this, they combined three essential materials: brushed stainless steel and glass with stained ask for the accents and also the main dining area. Simon Taylor Furniture designed and manufactured all the tall kitchen cabinetry that houses dry goods and integrated cooling models including an wine climate cabinet, all with brushed stainless steel fronts and handles with either steel or glass-fronted top boxes. To keep the perfect perspective with the four metre high ceiling, these were designed as three metre structures and are all top lit with LED lighting. Overhead cabinets are also brushed steel with glass fronts and all feature LED strip lighting within the interiors. LED spotlighting is used at the base of the overhead cupboards above both the sink and cooking runs. Base units all feature steel fronted doors and drawers, and all have stainless steel handles as well. Between two original floor to ceiling windows to the left of the room is a specially built tall steel double door dresser cabinet with pocket doors at the central section that fold back into recesses to reveal a fully stocked bar and a concealed flatscreen TV. At the centre of the room is a long steel island with a Topus Concrete worktop by Caesarstone; a work surface with a double pencil edge that is featured throughout the kitchen. The island is attached to L-shaped bench seating with pilasters in stained ash for the dining area to complement a bespoke freestanding stained ash dining table, also designed and made by Simon Taylor Furniture. Along the industrial style cooking run, surrounded by stained ash undercounter base cabinets are a range of cooking appliances by Gaggenau. These include a 40cm domino gas hob and a further 40cm domino gas wok which surround a 60cm induction hob with a downdraft extractors. To the left of the surface cooking area is a tall bank of two 76cm Vario ovens in stainless steel and glass. An additional integrated microwave with matching glass-fronted warming drawer by Miele is installed under counter within the island run. Facing the door from the hallway and positioned centrally between the tall steel cabinets is the sink run featuring a stainless steel undermount sink by 1810 Company and a tap by Grohe with an integrated dishwasher by Miele in the units beneath. Directly above is an antique mirror splashback beneath to reflect the natural light in the room, and above that is a stained ash overhead cupboard to accommodate all glasses and stemware. This features four stained glass panels designed by Simon Taylor Furniture, which are inspired by the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany from the Art Nouveau period. The owners wanted the stunning panels to be a feature of the room when they are backlit at night.

Spanish Colonial Classic

Janet Kauffman Interiors & Design LLC

Inspiration for a large mediterranean u-shaped open plan kitchen in Phoenix with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, terra-cotta splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Rustic Kitchen

Conrad Brothers Construction

Inspiration for a country l-shaped kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, distressed cabinets, beige splashback, subway tile splashback, medium hardwood floors, with island and grey benchtop.

Soft Modern

JP Malone

Design ideas for a mid-sized l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Phoenix with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, travertine splashback, stainless steel appliances, travertine floors, with island, multi-coloured floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Outdoor Kitchen in Rye

Bilotta Kitchen & Home

This client needed a place to entertain by the pool. They had already done their “inside” kitchen with Bilotta and so returned to design their outdoor space. All summer they spend a lot of time in their backyard entertaining guests, day and night. But before they had their fully designed outdoor space, whoever was in charge of grilling would feel isolated from everyone else. They needed one cohesive space to prep, mingle, eat and drink, alongside their pool. They did not skimp on a thing – they wanted all the bells and whistles: a big Wolf grill, plenty of weather resistant countertop space for dining (Lapitec - Grigio Cemento, by Eastern Stone), an awning (Durasol Pinnacle II by Gregory Sahagain & Sons, Inc.) that would also keep bright light out of the family room, lights, and an indoor space where they could escape the bugs if needed and even watch TV. The client was thrilled with the outcome - their complete vision for an ideal outdoor entertaining space came to life. Cabinetry is Lynx Professional Storage Line. Refrigerator drawers and sink by Lynx. Faucet is stainless by MGS Nerhas. Bilotta Designer: Randy O’Kane with Clark Neuringer Architects, posthumously. Photo Credit: Peter Krupenye

N. Clovis Custom Kitchen and Bath

Delerio Construction

Custom dining room nook.
Design ideas for a large mediterranean l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Cherry Creek French Country

Heirloom Wood Studio

Whether you're preparing a Thanksgiving feast or grabbing breakfast on the go as you whirl out the door to work, having a highly functional kitchen requires an upfront attention to design detail that borders on fanatical. That's why Colorado Fine Woodworks' kitchen cabinet projects include an in-depth discussion about how you actually use your kitchen. Left-handed or right-handed? Doors or drawers? Concealing or revealing? We ask all the questions, listen to your answers, take our own measurements onsite, create 3D drawings, manage installation, and collaborate with you to ensure even the smallest elements are carefully considered. And, of course, we also make it beautiful, whether your tastes tend toward traditional or contemporary, incorporating influences from elegant to rustic to reclaimed. Our work is: - exclusively custom, built EXACTLY to the specifications of your kitchen - designed to optimize every square inch, with no fillers or dead spaces - crafted to highlight or hide any feature you wish - including your appliances - thoughtfully and thoroughly plotted, from hinges to hardware

Tolendo Bend Lake Custom Home

Brickmoon Design

Kitchen
Design ideas for a country u-shaped kitchen in Houston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, distressed cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Modern Vail

Sanctuary Kitchen and Bath Design

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Everwood - Modern Ranch

Visbeen Architects

Builder: Brad DeHaan Homes Photographer: Brad Gillette Every day feels like a celebration in this stylish design that features a main level floor plan perfect for both entertaining and convenient one-level living. The distinctive transitional exterior welcomes friends and family with interesting peaked rooflines, stone pillars, stucco details and a symmetrical bank of windows. A three-car garage and custom details throughout give this compact home the appeal and amenities of a much-larger design and are a nod to the Craftsman and Mediterranean designs that influenced this updated architectural gem. A custom wood entry with sidelights match the triple transom windows featured throughout the house and echo the trim and features seen in the spacious three-car garage. While concentrated on one main floor and a lower level, there is no shortage of living and entertaining space inside. The main level includes more than 2,100 square feet, with a roomy 31 by 18-foot living room and kitchen combination off the central foyer that’s perfect for hosting parties or family holidays. The left side of the floor plan includes a 10 by 14-foot dining room, a laundry and a guest bedroom with bath. To the right is the more private spaces, with a relaxing 11 by 10-foot study/office which leads to the master suite featuring a master bath, closet and 13 by 13-foot sleeping area with an attractive peaked ceiling. The walkout lower level offers another 1,500 square feet of living space, with a large family room, three additional family bedrooms and a shared bath.

Rustic Barnwood Kitchen

SAW Creations LLC

Photo Credit: Dustin @ Rockhouse Motion
Design ideas for a small country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Wichita with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, distressed cabinets, concrete benchtops, brown splashback, timber splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island and grey floor.

Cane River Retreat

THE COTTAGE

Beautiful kitchen with Bentwood Cabinetry and Walker Zanger tile backsplash.Custom copper hood and La Cornue Range by the Kitchen & Bath Cottage in Shreveport, LA

Kitchen with Distressed Cabinets and Stainless Steel 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!