View of kitchen though to wine room from breakfast
Inspiration for an expansive traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Austin with a double-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors and multiple islands.

Barnwood Kitchens

Roughing It In Style

Photo of a country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, glass-front cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

THE PAULA DEEN NW STREET OF DREAMS HOME

Interior Motives Inc & I M Window Treatments

KITCHEN ISLAND DETAIL BY INTERIOR MOTIVES
Mid-sized traditional galley open plan kitchen in Portland with raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, coloured appliances and medium hardwood floors.

Rustic Mountain Home

Fedewa Custom Works

Another view of this lovely kitchen with green Viking appliances.
Photo of a large country l-shaped separate kitchen in Denver with coloured appliances, an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, slate splashback, slate floors, with island and multi-coloured floor.

Victorian Guest Cottage

Doyle Coffin Architecture LLC

Doyle Coffin Architecture + Dan Lenore, Photgrapher
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Golden Oak Residence-1

Ron Manzo Design

Tuscan Style Kitchen with brick niches and coffee machine.
Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean open plan kitchen in Orlando with a farmhouse sink, granite benchtops, coloured appliances, travertine floors, medium wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, cement tile splashback, with island and glass-front cabinets.

Cocina

Eleuve Interiorismo

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury single-wall open plan kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, coloured appliances, with island, grey floor and beige benchtop.

Creative Cottage Style Kitchen Remodel

Kelli Kaufer Designs

kelli kaufer
Photo of a mid-sized country separate kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass tile splashback, coloured appliances, medium hardwood floors and a peninsula.

Spring Grove

Wayneco Inc.

Photo of a small country galley separate kitchen in Baltimore with a double-bowl sink, beaded inset cabinets, yellow cabinets, granite benchtops, brown splashback, coloured appliances and dark hardwood floors.

Beach Remodel

Decorating Den Interiors -Virginia

Small beach style u-shaped separate kitchen in DC Metro with granite benchtops, grey splashback, stone tile splashback, an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, coloured appliances and a peninsula.

Shaw Row House Remodel

AllenBuilt, Inc.

Allen Russ Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional separate kitchen in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, coloured appliances, dark hardwood floors, no island and granite benchtops.

Sigma Chi Bungalow Kitchen Remodel

Juniper Ridge Designs LLC

Cletus Kuhn
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Albuquerque with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, coloured appliances, linoleum floors and a peninsula.

Janssen

New Concept 180

Design ideas for a small eclectic galley separate kitchen in Chicago with raised-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, coloured appliances, no island, a farmhouse sink and porcelain floors.

East Bay Modern Rustic

Patti Ogden Design

Large traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, limestone splashback, coloured appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, black benchtop and vaulted.

Helmsley Kitchen

Treske Ltd

A beautiful and practical kitchen was designed for a new extension sun room with a central ceiling lantern. A spacious and contemporary wooden kitchen with a comfortable feel it also sits well with the owner’s period house. A large central island placed exactly below the lantern, accommodates many appliances and the Belfast sink. The lightness of the kitchen was further enhanced with a travertine floor. A flush fitting induction hob sits opposite the AGA in the island top, the flush fit allowing the working surface to be uninterrupted and usable. Around the cream, four-oven AGA is a substantial bold pippy oak corbelled over-mantle that incorporates bespoke storage cupboards. A preparatory sink to the right side of the AGA, and a wine rack finish the run. The positioning of the handmade bespoke mantle and island give the kitchen a focal point, balance and symmetry.

Cumberland Kitchen

Ellen McKenna Design

Michael Eudenbach
Inspiration for a large mediterranean l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Salt Lake City with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Private Residence, Wyoming

Robinson Brown Design

Inspiration for a large country kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, granite benchtops, medium hardwood floors, with island, grey cabinets, blue splashback, coloured appliances and blue benchtop.

Derbyshire Cottage Kitchen

Churchwood Design

A bespoke pippy oak dining kitchen with 'Nero Impala' granite worktops.
Photo of a mid-sized traditional eat-in kitchen in Other with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors and no island.

Classic English Kitchen, Derby

Russell Hutton | Makers of Fine

This is an example of a mid-sized modern eat-in kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances, limestone floors and with island.

Chase Court

The Cabinet Connection

Photo of a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Ottawa with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, granite splashback, coloured appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Kitchen with Granite Benchtops and Coloured Appliances 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!