Recently retired, this couple wanted and needed to update their kitchen. It was dark, lifeless and cramped. We had two constraints: a tight budget and not being able to expand the footprint. The client wanted a bright, happy kitchen, and loves corals and sea foam greens. They wanted it to be fun. Knowing that they had some pieces from the orient we allowed that influence to flow into this room as well. We removed the drop ceiling, added crown molding, light rail, two new cabinets, a new range, and an eating area. Sea foam green Corian countertop is integrated with a white corian sink. Glazzio arabesque tiles add a beautiful texture to the backsplash. The finished galley kitchen was functional, fun and they now use it more than ever.

Zandlo

Kitchens Made Simple

This is an example of a small transitional galley separate kitchen in Minneapolis with an integrated sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, laminate benchtops, beige splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors and no island.

Seaside Cottage

Lenton Company, Inc.

San Diego living is the inspiration for this coastal-style kitchen and bathrooms. It features RTA white shaker cabinets, brushed nickel finishes, arabesque shape tiles that resemble ocean blue -hues, an under-mount granite composite sink, and soft blue paint throughout the house.

Greenbrier Kitchen

Heart of the Home Kitchens LLC

Wow! We just love how dazzling this new Cambria countertop is. It really picks up the beautiful coastal color from the sleek sea glass subway tile in the backsplash. Combined with new durable Cali Vinyl longboard planks, stainless cooking appliances, sink and faucet, it really transforms the space without having to remodel the entire kitchen.

Sleek and Stylish Kitchen, Oakland

Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins, Inc.

Mike Kaskel Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped separate kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, no island, multi-coloured floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen Renovation Dunedin Beach

DCI Home Improvements

Kitchen renovation in a 1970's era condominium on Dunedin Causeway in Dunedin, FL. Upgrades include removal of walls to open the space. The addition of new Designer's Choice Cabinetry, glass tile backsplash, and new LVP floors throughout.

Modern Kitchen Remodel | Lansdale, PA

Ryann Reed Design Build

Kitchen featuring white shaker cabinets, blue glass tile, stainless steel appliances, waterproof luxury vinyl tile flooring, and quartz countertops.
Inspiration for a small modern l-shaped separate kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Nitschke - Simi Valley Bathroom and General remodeling

Pearl Remodeling

Modern Kitchen Design
This is an example of a large contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Slide in range and a chimney style hood

Sea Pointe Design & Remodel

Featuring a slide in range and a chimney style hood in chrome
Transitional l-shaped kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

The Silver Leaf

Kessler Construction LLC

Custom kitchen with quart countertops, stainless steel appliances, luxury vinyl flooring, and tile backsplash.
Photo of a mid-sized traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Whole Home Remodel- Almaden Valley

May Construction, Inc.

May Construction’s Design team drew up plans for a completely new layout, a fully remodeled kitchen which is now open and flows directly into the family room, making cooking, dining, and entertaining easy with a space that is full of style and amenities to fit this modern family's needs. Budget analysis and project development by: May Construction

Greenbrier Kitchen

Heart of the Home Kitchens LLC

Strathcona Residence

Elle Cherie | Inspired Interiors

Mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Calgary with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Modern Kitchen Remodel | Lansdale, PA

Ryann Reed Design Build

Modern apron front sink with Delta Trinsic faucet.
Small modern l-shaped separate kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

South Charlotte White kitchen remodel

Adirondack Construction

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Charlotte with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, white appliances, vinyl floors and a peninsula.

Fort Calhoun Modern Farmhouse

Coffey & Co. House of Interiors

Lisza Coffey Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Omaha with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Light & Lively Kitchen Update

Mosby Building Arts

A double undermount sink surrounded by Midnight Stone Formica countertops. The backsplash is a smoke grey glass field tile with a white glass gemstone mosaic tile racing stripe. Cabinets are Showplace maple in the Pendleton door style with a Soft Cream finish. Cabinet pulls are Heirloom Silver pulls by Liberty. Photo by Toby Weiss for Mosby Building Arts

Coastal Style

Treefrog Design

Photography by: Amy Birrer This lovely beach cabin was completely remodeled to add more space and make it a bit more functional. Many vintage pieces were reused in keeping with the vintage of the space. We carved out new space in this beach cabin kitchen, bathroom and laundry area that was nonexistent in the previous layout. The original drainboard sink and gas range were incorporated into the new design as well as the reused door on the small reach-in pantry. The white tile countertop is trimmed in nautical rope detail and the backsplash incorporates subtle elements from the sea framed in beach glass colors. The client even chose light fixtures reminiscent of bulkhead lamps. The bathroom doubles as a laundry area and is painted in blue and white with the same cream painted cabinets and countetop tile as the kitchen. We used a slightly different backsplash and glass pattern here and classic plumbing fixtures.

Contemporary kitchen for the city living.

KB Design +

A city condo needed an uplift, all finishes started to feel outdated, the kitchen's layout did not work for a dynamic couple who love to entertain and play Bridge with their friends on the regular basis. We developed a plan how to provide a luxurious experience and necessary changes in the limited space. The condo has some physical limitations as well, such as the load bearing walls could not be changed, the duct work had to stay in place, and the floor finishes had to satisfy strict sound restrictions.

An Entertainer's Dream

Home Design Solutions

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Kitchen with Glass Tile Splashback and Vinyl Floors 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!