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.

City: Hollingsworth Park

Linda McDougald Design | Postcard from Paris Home

Large traditional galley eat-in kitchen in Other with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, dark hardwood floors, with island, glass tile splashback, marble benchtops and an undermount sink.

Harborview Renovation

Mass Architect, LLC

open concept renovation with new kitchen and great room
Photo of a mid-sized beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in Boston with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, green splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Fabulous Foursquare Whole House Remodel

Maughan Design & Remodel

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, beige floor and white benchtop.

Del Ray Sears Bungalow

WINN Design+Build

Stacy Zarin-Goldberg
This is an example of a mid-sized arts and crafts single-wall open plan kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, glass tile splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Kitchen Remodel - Cabinets

Glassting Impressions, LLC

During a complete kitchen remodel, the client elected to replace the cabinet doors with stained glass. Glassting Impressions created eight matching cabinet door inserts, a complementary transom over the window and the stove back splash. The design was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's "Brown Bookstore" window design.

Hacienda del Sueño - Kitchen

Drewett Works

Positioned at the base of Camelback Mountain this hacienda is muy caliente! Designed for dear friends from New York, this home was carefully extracted from the Mrs’ mind. She had a clear vision for a modern hacienda. Mirroring the clients, this house is both bold and colorful. The central focus was hospitality, outdoor living, and soaking up the amazing views. Full of amazing destinations connected with a curving circulation gallery, this hacienda includes water features, game rooms, nooks, and crannies all adorned with texture and color. This house has a bold identity and a warm embrace. It was a joy to design for these long-time friends, and we wish them many happy years at Hacienda Del Sueño. Project Details // Hacienda del Sueño Architecture: Drewett Works Builder: La Casa Builders Landscape + Pool: Bianchi Design Interior Designer: Kimberly Alonzo Photographer: Dino Tonn Wine Room: Innovative Wine Cellar Design Publications “Modern Hacienda: East Meets West in a Fabulous Phoenix Home,” Phoenix Home & Garden, November 2009 Awards ASID Awards: First place – Custom Residential over 6,000 square feet 2009 Phoenix Home and Garden Parade of Homes

Airport Rd

Melissa Morgan, CKD, Allied ASID

Pure One Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped kitchen in Nashville with marble benchtops, white splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, brown floor, grey cabinets, with island and recessed-panel cabinets.

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.

From Pandora's Box to Jewel Box - Kitchen/Dining Room

McCabe By Design LLC

A Sapele buffet with wine storage provides a physcial separation between the kitchen and the dining area while maintaining access to the beautiful view beyond the dining room. A Kitchen That Works LLC

Transitional Style - Plymouth, MA

Kitchen & Bath Gallery

This whole house remodel included a kitchen & 3 baths for a young growing family. They were going for a transitional style with a coastal twist. The kitchen was designed using Fieldstone Cabinetry with a light-colored perimeter and a darker island for contrast. The traditional farmhouse style sink is contrasted with a contemporary single control faucet in polished chrome. Kyle J Caldwell Photography

Kitchen

Kate @ The-Hall-Way

www.KatieLynnHall.com
This is an example of a mid-sized beach style u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and a peninsula.

Tile Back splash. Henry's Job

Dunne Wright Construction Group

Install tile backsplash for customer
Inspiration for a modern kitchen in Chicago with recessed-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, onyx benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Seaside Cottage

Coastal Home Design Studio

Great room with full re-design of kitchen and great room. New appliances, countertops, tile wood floors, new pendants, chandelier, new furniture, glass tile and all new hardware.

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.

Brooktree Ranch Remodel

Crafted Custom Homes + Renovations

Photos by Curtis Lawson
Design ideas for a large tropical galley kitchen in Houston with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors and with island.

Beverly Hills Cottage

Alison Kandler Interior Design

Bret Gum for Cottages and Bungalows
This is an example of a large transitional kitchen in Los Angeles with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, glass tile splashback, white appliances, ceramic floors and with island.

French Country Kitchen

John McClain Design

This kitchen was updated while bringing in our client’s love for France. We decided the best approach was an updated French feel while modernizing the kitchen with a new layout and sophisticated finishes. New GE Café appliances, granite countertops and custom cabinetry round out this inviting kitchen. Another twist: Moroccan pendant lights to add a touch of glamour to the otherwise neutral room. Harvey Smith Photography

Kitchen With A View

Schulte Design Build

Inspiration for a large arts and crafts eat-in kitchen in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors and with island.

1888 Kitchen

LLG Residential Design LLC

Microwave, cookbooks and even a coffee station have a home in this compact space. Open shelves for baskets create easy to use storage for coffee items.

Kitchen with Recessed-panel Cabinets 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!