This kitchen in a 1911 Craftsman home has taken on a new life full of color and personality. Inspired by the client’s colorful taste and the homes of her family in The Philippines, we leaned into the wild for this design. The first thing the client told us is that she wanted terra cotta floors and green countertops. Beyond this direction, she wanted a place for the refrigerator in the kitchen since it was originally in the breakfast nook. She also wanted a place for waste receptacles, to be able to reach all the shelves in her cabinetry, and a special place to play Mahjong with friends and family. The home presented some challenges in that the stairs go directly over the space where we wanted to move the refrigerator. The client also wanted us to retain the built-ins in the dining room that are on the opposite side of the range wall, as well as the breakfast nook built ins. The solution to these problems were clear to us, and we quickly got to work. We lowered the cabinetry in the refrigerator area to accommodate the stairs above, as well as closing off the unnecessary door from the kitchen to the stairs leading to the second floor. We utilized a recycled body porcelain floor tile that looks like terra cotta to achieve the desired look, but it is much easier to upkeep than traditional terra cotta. In the breakfast nook we used bold jungle themed wallpaper to create a special place that feels connected, but still separate, from the kitchen for the client to play Mahjong in or enjoy a cup of coffee. Finally, we utilized stair pullouts by all the upper cabinets that extend to the ceiling to ensure that the client can reach every shelf.

Solid Oak and Recycled Glass

Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, glass benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass tile splashback, white appliances, terra-cotta floors, no island, orange floor and green benchtop.

South-of-the-Boarder, Brookhaven

San Luis Kitchen Co.

We wanted a kitchen that had the flavor of old Mexico and the convenience of modern American-made cabinetry. Natural maple doors paired with red-stained trim give the design its foundation. Next we added a yellow tile splash with a colorful decorative liner and brick red grout. We then completed the look with green Corian counters, black appliances, and southwestern accessories. Wood-Mode Fine Custom Cabinetry, Brookhaven's Andover Recessed

black is beautiful

Küchen Am Wall GmbH

This is an example of a small modern u-shaped open plan kitchen in Bremen with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, laminate benchtops, grey splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and green benchtop.

Glenview Classic

Dual Concept Design

A mix of white painted and stained walnut cabinetry, with brass accents in the hardware and lighting - make this kitchen the showstopper in the house. Cezanne quartzite brings in color and movement to the countertops, and the brass mosaic backsplash adds texture and great visual interest to the walls.

Sausalito Mid Century Modern

AlterECO, Inc.

Refresh of a modern eco-friendly kitchen that is perfectly-fitted to a mid-century modern home in Sausalito, California.
Photo of a small midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor, green benchtop and exposed beam.

Canal Terrace House

Christopher Simmonds Architect

The open stairwell immediately welcomes visitors into the main floor living area where the kitchen, living and dining areas are located, and washes the space with southern light. The fireplace surround of concrete tile is at the centre of the space.

Perthshire Kitchen

Peden & Pringle Ltd

Douglas Gibb
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional open plan kitchen in Other with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, purple cabinets, granite benchtops, metallic splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, grey floor and green benchtop.

Garden View Kitchen Remodel

Signature Designs Kitchen | Bath | Interiors

This adorable couple has spent a lifetime making other peoples homes around San Diego feel special through their inspired and delightful placement of natural plants for interior, creating each space in which they live, work, and play. They have also made their home an oasis where anyone visiting feels comfortable and yet excited by all the beautiful flowers and planting everywhere around their home. We were honored to be selected to help Andrea and Winston bring the heart of their home to life. When you have waited for years to have the kitchen of your dreams you want everything you could have possibility thought about. One thing the client wanted was when she walked into the front door of your home was to feel like she was not looking into her kitchen. We achieved that by creating a breakfast bar section with a distressed grayish green cabinetry.

Custom inset kitchen

Cutting Edge Design

Design ideas for a traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, green splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and green benchtop.

Traditional Kitchen

This is an example of a traditional kitchen in Other with panelled appliances, white cabinets and green benchtop.

Urban Edge Kitchen

Archipelago Hawaii Luxury Home Designs

Photographer: Augie Salbosa
Inspiration for a contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Hawaii with flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel appliances, glass benchtops, a double-bowl sink, medium wood cabinets and green benchtop.

Cornwall Holiday Home

Lomax & Chi

Stunning Pluck Kitchen in soft green with marble worktops and feature lighting.
This is an example of a large midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in London with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, marble benchtops, green splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, green benchtop and exposed beam.

Chicago Bungalow

User

©Amy Braswell
Arts and crafts eat-in kitchen in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, green splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and green benchtop.

Paseo Del Mar, Palos Verdes Estates

Dannielle Albrecht Designs

Photo of a mid-sized transitional kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, marble benchtops, green splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island and green benchtop.

Full Kitchen remodel with Custom Flat Panel cabinets

Blues Brothers Construction Inc.

In this luxury kitchen we finished with custom stained grey flat panel cabinets, high end appliances, large island with a center range and hood, bright floor and paint

A Haberdasher's Hideaway In Skåne, Sweden by deVOL

deVOL Kitchens

This is an example of a large midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a double-bowl sink, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, pink splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, painted wood floors, multiple islands, white floor, pink benchtop and wood.

Retirement Dreams - Kitchen Pedal Faucet

Urbana Design Studio

The hands free pedal Faucet by Principle Faucets.
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and green benchtop.

Historic Takoma Park Addition

Grossmueller's Design Consultants

This is an example of a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, green splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island, black floor and green benchtop.

Kitchen Countertops

Classic Marble & Granite Inc

This is an example of a large modern l-shaped separate kitchen in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, ceramic floors, with island, an undermount sink, green splashback, stone slab splashback, white appliances, white floor and green benchtop.

Kitchen with Green Benchtop and Pink Benchtop 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!