Two islands made of teak and granite, with accompanying alder cabinets, concrete floor, cedar ceiling, and floor to ceiling windows comprise this kitchen.

Everydayz a Holiday

Studio Dearborn

A renovation of a waterfront colonial that was prompted by a severe flood resulted in a completely reinvented home. The kitchen overlooks the water, and is designed to maximize light and views. Sarah Robertson of Studio Dearborn helped her client renovate their kitchen to capture the views and vibe they were after. An appliance wall takes care of the business in this kitchen, and a pantry door was designed to seamlessly integrate into the cabinetry. The range was placed between two windows that overlook the covered porch, and the homeowners collection of artisan pieces are displayed on shelving across the windows. The custom zinc hood gives the kitchen a feeling of age and patina. Thoughtful storage is everywhere in this kitchen, including charging drawers, pullouts for cookware, trays, utensils and condiments, and a customized dog feeding station! Photos Adam Macchia. For more information, you may visit our website at www.studiodearborn.com or email us at info@studiodearborn.com.

Pisgah Forest Luxury Log Home

Judd Builders

Inspiration for a small country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback, coloured appliances, with island, beige floor, beige benchtop and wood.

Beach Drive Modern, Camano Island WA

Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects

View of great room looking out to Port Susan Bay.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor, grey benchtop and wood.

Antiqued Elegance in Willowcreek Ranch

By Design Interiors, Inc.

A blend of transitional design meets French Country architecture. The kitchen is a blend pops of teal along the double islands that pair with aged ceramic backsplash, hardwood and golden pendants. Mixes new with old-world design.

Complete Home Remodel

American Home Improvement Inc.

This modern contemporary kitchen offers continuous countertops and ample cabinet storage creating an easy and convenient flow. It is made out of solid white cabinets with bronze hardware and accessories, white marble slab and matching backsplash to compliment the overall look of the kitchen.

Traditional Kitchen cabinetry and island with granite top and chevron marble bac

Integral Design Interiors

This open kitchen includes an island for prep and cooking plus and an island for entertaining guests. There is also an adjacent bar height table with bar stools for additional serving and eating. A set of custom storage benches are designed to be pulled into the room for overflow seating when needed. The tile faced entertainment island has the unique ability to be rolled around via hidden rubber wheels recessed underneath. The wheels can be locked through a clever locking system. That island features a contrasting Blue Pearl granite top which compliments the secondary blue tones in the tile, barstools and benches. The central axis of the kitchen has a copper finished embossed tin-faced inset on a 4 x 10 foot tray from which 3 pendants are hung. Cabinet interiors are fully fitted out with the newest inserts and space saving technology. Although not shown, there is a microwave drawer and warming drawer facing the high end 48" gas range. Oil rubbed bronze handles and accents contrast nicely with the stainless steel appliances.

Untergiesing A 7

Lebensraum Holz GmbH

Design ideas for a contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Munich with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, multi-coloured benchtop and wood.

Staged to Sell for Client

Verlene's Staging Studio

Two-Story home with full unfinished basement, 4 bdrms, 3 full bthrms, 1/2 bthrm, 2-car garage, side yard.
This is an example of a mid-sized arts and crafts u-shaped kitchen pantry in Denver with recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey benchtop, a double-bowl sink, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, grey floor and wood.

Before & After Shaker White Kitchen

Bliss Cabinets

Large kitchen remodel using Shaker White Cabinets & ZLINE appliances from Bliss Cabinets. Homeowner saved over $35,000 by using Bliss
Expansive modern u-shaped kitchen in Cleveland with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, with island, grey floor, grey benchtop and wood.

Mid-Century Dream

Monarch Kitchen Design Studio

This beautiful Mid-Century was in desperate need of updating in both form and function. Keeping the original ceilings (which had a slope we needed to mind) helped keep the 50's style. The two tone made it so that the kitchen was broken up instead of being one very long white kitchen. Adding the windows on the exterior wall completely brightened up the space too.

Alphington

Jasmine McClelland Design

Warm earthy tones, organic mixed coloured Fibonacci stone benchtop and beige mosaic splashback tile from Academy tiles compliment the feature timber surrounds of this family kitchen.

Sylvan Lake House

Hy-Tec Construction Inc

After years of spending the summers on the lake in Minnesota lake country, the owners found an ideal location to build their "up north" cabin. With the mix of wood tones and the pop of blue on the exterior, the cabin feels tied directly back into the landscape of trees and water. The covered, wrap around porch with expansive views of the lake is hard to beat. The interior mix of rustic and more refined finishes give the home a warm, comforting feel. Sylvan lake house is the perfect spot to make more family memories.

Kitchen Remodel

Horizon Interior Design

As a busy family of four with two boys and three cats, this client was ready for a kitchen remodel that made family life easier. With dated finishes, appliances, cabinetry, counters, and an oversized laundry room that could be better used as kitchen space, there were many aspects they wanted to change. They had five different flooring surfaces within the line of sight, kept bumping into each other in the congested hallway, wanted to move their cooktop to the perimeter of their island rather than in the middle, hated their refrigerator location, and didn’t like having an island with two heights. Good thing they came to Horizon Interior Design, where we developed solutions for every problem! We ran hardwood flooring throughout the main level to make it feel uniform and cohesive, opened up the hallway, and decreased the size of the laundry room to significantly extend their kitchen space and remove congestion in their hallway. We added more functional pull-out shelves to their pantry to replace the original rickety, narrow shelving and placed their refrigerator and cooktop on the perimeter wall, allowing for a large island with a solid surface and a decorative range hood. We reduced the size of their kitchen windows to allow for more upper cabinetry space and added a granite waterfall feature on the island for a wow factor while placing the counter stools in such a way that they didn't block up main walkways. Dark cabinetry tied in nicely with the knots in the pine ceiling, and white tile backsplash brightened up the space beautifully. Our new kitchen layout meant the family had a nicer view while walking down the stairs, rather than staring at the top of kitchen cabinets. Gugel Photography

Glasgow Suburban Home

Bauen Design

This Poggenpohl handleless kitchen is set within a stunning detached property on a lakeside setting. The kitchen area looks onto a large living space surrounded by glass with views over the lake. Using nature as an inspiration we decided to use a natural granite worktop to complement the minimalist style of the Poggenpohl kitchen units. Again in contrast to the clean lines of the units and island the granite back panel edge detail is rough cut rather than a smooth polish. The ceiling is clad in stainless steel however above the island we have a suspended bulkhead in white to help reflect light onto the island surface. This feature also shows off caged black lighting by Buster and Punch. Wall sockets also by Buster and Punch in matt black. The central island is very functional housing both the sink and hob. The Miele hob has integrated extraction which is efficient as well as aesthetically pleasing. No need for a bulky overhead cooker hood interrupting the sensational lake view.

West Okoboji Harbor 02

Kleen Kitchen Design

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, black benchtop and wood.

Authentic Rustic Reproduction

JFK Design-Build, LLC

A modern replica of the ole farm home. The beauty and warmth of yesterday, combined with the luxury of today's finishes of windows, high ceilings, lighting fixtures, reclaimed flooring and beams and much more.

Conroe Lake House

Kennedy Architecture

Photo of a mid-sized modern single-wall open plan kitchen in Houston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, metallic splashback, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island, black floor, black benchtop and wood.

Custom Residence - Holly Springs, GA

Caldwell-Cline Architects & Designers

Kitchen with seating area looking out at pool courtyard.
Inspiration for a large country open plan kitchen in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and wood.

Modern Farmhouse Kitchen

Camden Grace LLC

Custom blue/gray island with mitred quartz counter meets fresh white perimeter cabinets with jet mist granite and counter to ceiling tile to create illusion of height.

Kitchen with Granite Benchtops and Wood 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!