Large kitchen with island and vaulted ceiling.
This is an example of an expansive beach style eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, beige splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, beige benchtop and vaulted.

Open Concept Kitchen

Laura Lee Home

An open concept kitchen overlooks the pool area. Dramatic herringbone wood look tile holds up to the high humidity and heavy traffic. Metallic faux leather barstools are detailed with nickel nailhead trim. Large double iron pendants over the island provide a delineation of the kitchen space.

Spacious Dual Island Kitchen

Henrietta Heisler Interiors Inc

This kitchen was designed for a client who has a passion for cooking and baking, and spends a lot of time there. The original kitchen had a wall at the end of the left cabinets, separating it from an unused music room. After demoing the wall, the kitchen was expanded into this space and the dining room was moved into the new open plan kitchen. Two small spaced windows were turned into a new double window above a wide farmhouse sink, flooding the kitchen with light. Simple, modern pendants over islands, plus recessed and under cabinet lighting provide ample lighting. To achieve a clean, timeless look we paired white shaker style cabinets with a pop of the “new neutral”, blue, on two islands. The island closest to the stove and sink is the main workstation, with plenty of storage on one side and an overhang with seating (for hanging out while cooking or just eating) on the other. Thoughtfully designed features include a vertical cabinet to store sheet pans, and a mixer installed inside the cabinet that swings up when the door is opened - no lifting or bending required. The second island is also multi-use - serving as a versatile work space as well. Additional unique features include lit upper cabinets, and (one of our favorites) to the right of the range wall, under drawers, is a built-in step stool that can be pulled out to assist with reaching higher shelves. This kitchen went through a remarkable transformation to become highly functional, bright, beautiful and perfect for our client!

Appartement Martyrs

Source Architecture

Mid-sized transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Paris with marble benchtops, marble splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, grey splashback, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

501 Oak Summit

Micah & Co.

One of a kind luxury kitchen with creative and timeless touches.
Photo of a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Oklahoma City with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and black benchtop.

East Vancouver Home - Transitional Design

Kitchen Art Design

Classic white shaker paired with rift cut white oak accented island. Beautiful modern marble back splash helps marry the West Coast and transitional design styles.

Cole Road

the Design Studio, LLC

Design ideas for an expansive l-shaped kitchen pantry in Boston with beaded inset cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands and white benchtop.

"O.A.R" Contemporary

Brownhouse Design, Los Altos, CA

Inspiration for an expansive contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Quince Project

Stonington Cabinetry & Designs

Transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, multi-coloured benchtop and white floor.

Lawrence

AHD&Co

This is an example of a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with a drop-in sink, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, white benchtop, recessed-panel cabinets and with island.

Bondi Project

Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms

Putting cabinetry along the back wall of our Condo project would have looked clumsy butted up against the window. Instead we made this otherwise awkward corner shine with a striking marble splash back to the ceiling. Keeping the upper cabinets white (which keeps the space open and spacious) adding a splash of colour below and hint of timber and brass means that this small kitchen is not small on style.

Chestnut Hill

Diane Murphy Interiors, LLC.

Kitchen, Chestnut Hill, MA
Design ideas for a large transitional kitchen in Boston with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and black benchtop.

Kitchen Renovation in South Tampa Bayshore

DCI Home Improvements

Full kitchen renovation in South Tampa including new cabinetry by Desginer's Choice Cabinetry, quartz countertops, gold fixtures, accent lighting, and flooring.

Wright

INNOVATIVE KITCHENS

Japandi inspired Kitchen with dark stained American Oak veneer doors, Zenolite inserts and Dekton Benchtops
This is an example of a mid-sized asian l-shaped kitchen pantry in Adelaide with a drop-in sink, dark wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass sheet splashback, panelled appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and black benchtop.

South Loop: Federal St

Lugbill Designs

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Chicago with medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Pasadena Showcase House Kitchen 2019

Samantha Williams Interior Design

Inspiration for a transitional eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, beige floor and white benchtop.

Mediterranean Modern

Cheryl Weckesser Design

A view from the island end provides a linear perspective of the custom coffer ceiling design with elegantly placed modern pendants in gold and black.
Expansive mediterranean galley eat-in kitchen in Baltimore with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, marble floors, with island and multi-coloured floor.

The Moody Farmhouse

Kelsey Leigh Design Co.

Dark Farmhouse marble subway tile backsplash quartz countertops
Design ideas for a large country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Oklahoma City with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

White Appliances

Christine Rosario Kitchen and Bath Galleries

Mid-sized modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Raleigh with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, white appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Highlands Ranch Sleek Transitional Kitchen

JM Kitchen & Bath Design

Omega Cabinets: Puritan door style, Pearl White Paint, Paint MDF door Heartwood: Alder Wood, Stained with Glaze (floating shelves, island, hood)
Design ideas for a large transitional galley open plan kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Glass Sheet Splashback and Marble Splashback 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!