Small midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and timber.

The Beam House

Tano Studio

Large modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Calgary with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, black benchtop and vaulted.

Rustic/industrial style kitchen

My Planning Drawings

Industrial style kitchen with led feature lighting, recessed ceiling lights and pendant lights, granite island worktop, quartz side worktops, reclaimed scaffold board shelving and tower unit surrounds, exposed brick and flint walls, integrated ovens and microwave, home automation system

Blue Serenity - A Refreshing Kitchen Renovation

Reno Maryland

Photo of a mid-sized modern u-shaped kitchen pantry in Baltimore with a single-bowl sink, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Chelan Cove Residence. Manson, Wahington

Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects

View from kitchen to dining room. Overlooking Lake Chelan
This is an example of a large modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

IceHouse

Distinctive Design Interiors

Loft residence complete kitchen remodel. Client desired large working island with integral dining space. Combination of metal finishes against a dramatic backdrop of black stained hickory cabinetry. Custom vent hood and brass ladder rail.

Luxury Sunfish Serene

TreHus Architects+Interior Designers+Builders

Inspiration for a large modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, grey floor, grey benchtop and vaulted.

White Kitchen with Blue Bar Area

CabAve

Design ideas for a large transitional galley eat-in kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Blue Whole House

Vision Design

Built in entry bench, shelf and coat hooks
Large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, black splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and coffered.

Complete Additional Dwelling Unit Build

ING Construction

Complete Accessory Dwelling Unit Build Kitchen area with Cabinets, Countertops and Appliances
Design ideas for a small scandinavian l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with grey cabinets, stainless steel appliances, no island, white splashback, granite benchtops, a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, laminate floors, brown floor, beige benchtop and engineered quartz splashback.

Soulful Contemporary Kitchen

French Cabinetry

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, multiple islands, white floor and black benchtop.

Blue Whole House

Vision Design

New great room kitchen
Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, black splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and coffered.

Chalk Ridge

Emily Roose Interiors

An open kitchen and dining room with high ceilings and a sleek modern aesthetic. Suspended over the island is a semi-custom multi-port fixture. Cabinets are all flat paneled in a dark walnut with a light walnut accent to frame out the cabinets in a more visually interesting way. The perimeter countertops are in an engineered quartz and the island and dry bar are covered in a stunning granite that waterfalls to the floor. High end appliances and a large single basin sink create a gourmet cook's dream kitchen. Off of the kitchen is a large walk-in pantry with roll-out storage drawers and lots of counter space. The kitchen opens to the dining room and the great room with two large sliders that open up to the large patio deck with a built-in BBQ, outdoor dining table and lounge seating with a custom concrete firepit.

Upper Divide 2

Black Rock Design | Build

Wonderful U shaped kitchen with wood highlights and engaging island lighting.
Design ideas for a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

Charming Kitchen and Living Remodel in Sterling, VA

Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes

This single-family home purchased by a young family in Sterling, Virginia needed a kitchen and living space remodel. This family did not want separate kitchen and family spaces separated by a bearing wall. Our expert team got to work redesigning the spaces. By removing the wall and placing a large-scale island in place of the previous island, both kitchen and living spaces were opened up. The refrigerator and other tall elements were relocated to a north wall and covered with closet doors. By eliminating a window on one side, we enlarged the west wall of the kitchen to allow for new features such as a large-scale gas stove, custom-made metal hood surrounded by floating shelves, a full backsplash of granite covers up this entire wall. The previous north wall had a large-sized refrigerator and freezer, built-in coffee maker, microwave along with plenty of pantry and storage space. The new island sitting at the center of the kitchen, includes a farmhouse sink, dishwasher, and other amenities with plenty of seating. A new wood floor was installed across the entire space with a new stain color complimenting the island cabinet finish. The family room closet was converted to feature a wet bar area including a beverage center with display glass cabinets, a wine cooler, ice maker and decorated with waterjet backsplash & sconce lights. The high-end professional appliances and unique contrast between the stone top and cabinet finish make this kitchen remodel an award-winning project.

Ideal Space, Lavish Lifestlye

Prime Realty

Inspiration for a small midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and timber.

Kitchen Remodel - Carmel Valley Rental

Shea Builders, Inc

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, black splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, brick floors, with island and multi-coloured benchtop.

Avondale

Art & Stone Group

Design ideas for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen pantry in Ottawa with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Blue Whole House

Vision Design

New great room kitchen
Photo of a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, black splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and coffered.

Kitchen Remodel - Carmel Valley Rental

Shea Builders, Inc

Reframed and widens entry point to kitchen.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, black splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, brick floors, with island and multi-coloured benchtop.

Kitchen with Granite Benchtops and Engineered Quartz 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!