The client requested a kitchen that would not only provide a great space to cook and enjoy family meals but one that would fit in with her unique design sense. An avid collector of contemporary art, she wanted something unexpected in her 100-year-old home in both color and finishes but still providing a great layout with improved lighting, storage, and superior cooking abilities. The existing kitchen was in a closed off space trapped between the family room and the living. If you were in the kitchen, you were isolated from the rest of the house. Making the kitchen an integrated part of the home was a paramount request. Step one, remove the wall separating the kitchen from the other rooms in the home which allowed the new kitchen to become an integrated space instead of an isolation room for the cook. Next, we relocated the pantry access which was in the family room to the kitchen integrating a poorly used recess which had become a catch all area which did not provide any usable space for storage or working area. To add valuable function in the kitchen we began by capturing unused "cubbies", adding a walk-in pantry from the kitchen, increasing the storage lost to un-needed drop ceilings and bring light and design to the space with a new large awning window, improved lighting, and combining interesting finishes and colors to reflect the artistic attitude of the client. A bathroom located above the kitchen had been leaking into the plaster ceiling for several years. That along with knob and tube wiring, rotted beams and a brick wall from the back of the fireplace in the adjacent living room all needed to be brought to code. The walls, ceiling and floors in this 100+ year old home were completely out of level and the room’s foot print could not be increased. The choice of a Sub-Zero wolf product is a standard in my kitchen designs. The quality of the product, its manufacturing and commitment to food preservation is the reason I specify Sub Zero Wolf. For the cook top, the integrated line of the contemporary cooktop and the signature red knobs against the navy blue of the cabinets added to the design vibe of the kitchen. The cooking performance and the large continuous grate on the cooktop makes it an obvious choice for a cook looking for a great cook top with professional results in a more streamlined profile. We selected a Sharp microwave drawer for the island, an XO wine refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher and Kitchen Aid double convection wall ovens to round out the appliance package. A recess created by the fireplace was outfitted with a cabinet which now holds small appliances within easy reach of my very petite client. Natural maple accents were used inside all the wall cabinets and repeated on the front of the hood and for the sliding door appliance cabinet and the floating shelves. This allows a brighter interior for the painted cabinets instead of the traditional same interior as exterior finish choice. The was an amazing transformation from the old to the new. The final touches are the honey bronze hardware from Top Knobs, Mitzi pendants from Hudson Valley Lighting group, a fabulous faucet from Brizo. To eliminate the old freestanding bottled water cooler, we specified a matching water filter faucet.

mid-century interior remodel

Lewis Greenspoon Architects

Leslie Murchie
Midcentury galley open plan kitchen in Detroit with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, an undermount sink and grey benchtop.

Contemporary Kitchen

Trevor Fulmer Design

Contemporary. Expansive. Multi-functional. An extensive kitchen renovation was needed to modernize an original design from 1993. Our gut remodel established a seamless new floor plan with two large islands. We lined the perimeter with ample storage and carefully layered creative lighting throughout the space. Contrasting white and walnut cabinets and an oversized copper hood, paired beautifully with a herringbone backsplash and custom live-edge table.

Sophisticated Furnishings & Kitchen Design in Hyde Park

Habitar Design

Our designer, Hannah Tindall, worked with the homeowners to create a contemporary kitchen, living room, master & guest bathrooms and gorgeous hallway that truly highlights their beautiful and extensive art collection. The entire home was outfitted with sleek, walnut hardwood flooring, with a custom Frank Lloyd Wright inspired entryway stairwell. The living room's standout pieces are two gorgeous velvet teal sofas and the black stone fireplace. The kitchen has dark wood cabinetry with frosted glass and a glass mosaic tile backsplash. The master bathrooms uses the same dark cabinetry, double vanity, and a custom tile backsplash in the walk-in shower. The first floor guest bathroom keeps things eclectic with bright purple walls and colorful modern artwork.

BEACH HOUSE ON THE BAY

JN Interior Spaces

COASTAL, SERENE LARGE ISLAND WITH RECLAIMED WOOD AND QUARTZITE, CUSTOM HOOD, SCONCES FLANKING HOOD, PANTRY CABINETRY, FARROW & BALL PAINT
Photo of a beach style eat-in kitchen in Boston with shaker cabinets, quartzite benchtops, green splashback, glass tile splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and exposed beam.

Fripp Island Project

Kitchen Design Solutions

Mid-sized beach style u-shaped kitchen in Atlanta with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass tile splashback, white appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and white benchtop.

Beautiful modern renovation in Silicon Valley

Spaces By Juliana Linssen, Inc.

Inspiration for a large modern u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, metallic splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, grey floor and beige benchtop.

Letting the Sunshine In!

JWH Design and Cabinetry LLC

The center Island is well-proportioned to the space, providing full depth storage in the work zone with ample overhang for seating.
Mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, grey benchtop and brown floor.

Beach Haven Coastal Cottage

Michael Pagnotta Architects pc

A quaint breakfast nook for the kids makes the perfect addition to any family beach home! This custom coastal kitchen embraces its light tones with glass tile back splash and no shortage of natural light! Bright quartz counter tops contrast the warm deep tones of the wood floor and natural wood chairs! Photography by John Martinelli

A London Town House Kitchen By Burlanes

burlanes interiors

A stunning period property in the heart of London, the homeowners of this beautiful town house have created a stunning, boutique hotel vibe throughout, and Burlanes were commissioned to design and create a kitchen with charisma and rustic charm. Handpainted in Farrow & Ball 'Studio Green', the Burlanes Hoyden cabinetry is handmade to fit the dimensions of the room exactly, complemented perfectly with Silestone worktops in 'Iconic White'.

Kitchen

BCN Homes

This is an example of a country l-shaped open plan kitchen in DC Metro with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

kitchen 126

Savvy Kitchens

Large midcentury u-shaped separate kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, cement tiles, with island and grey floor.

Transitional House in Rio Vista

Luxor Carpentry

Transitional kitchen with statement island
This is an example of a large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Miami with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island and grey floor.

Kitchen Update

Leah Luczynski Interior Design

Andy Troiano (Contractor)
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped separate kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, panelled appliances, brown floor and white benchtop.

NBG Island IMG 75

Doug Hamilton Kitchens, Inc.

Large country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Orlando with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, quartzite benchtops, brown splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island and distressed cabinets.

West Branch Residence

At Home Design LLC

Transitional lake home in Fairfield county CT. Photography by Jim Fuhrman.
Large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and multiple islands.

Modern Kitchen | Two Tone Cabinets

Kitchen Encounters Design

Meyers Builders
Inspiration for a large modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Cardiff by the Sea - Beach Kitchen remodel

Signature Designs Kitchen | Bath | Interiors

SIGNATURE DESIGNS KITCHEN BATH Medallion Cabinetry in Providence Door in White Icing the island in Islander Finish.
Inspiration for a large beach style u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and multi-coloured splashback.

Denver Kitchen Remodel

StudioHOFF Architecture

Kitchen remodel & addition in Denver.
This is an example of a mid-sized modern galley eat-in kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, green splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors and with island.

84 - Trabuco Canyon - Transitional Style White Kitchen Cabinets Remodel

APlus Interior Design & Remodeling

Design ideas for a large transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and a peninsula.

Kitchen with Quartzite Benchtops and Glass Tile 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!