Photo of a large mediterranean galley open plan kitchen in Austin with dark wood cabinets, grey splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop, an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark hardwood floors and exposed beam.

Marmon Project 2019

Freestyle Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary eat-in kitchen in Miami with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, brown cabinets and dark hardwood floors.

Dallas | Avalon | Kitchen & Living

Kitchen Design Concepts

Avid cooks and entertainers purchased this 1925 Tudor home that had only been partially renovated in the 80's. Cooking is a very important part of this hobby chef's life and so we really had to make the best use of space and storage in this kitchen. Modernizing while achieving maximum functionality, and opening up to the family room were all on the "must" list, and a custom banquette and large island helps for parties and large entertaining gatherings. Cabinets are from Cabico, their Elmwood series in both white paint, and walnut in a natural stained finish. Stainless steel counters wrap the perimeter, while Caesarstone quartz is used on the island. The seated part of the island is walnut to match the cabinetry. The backsplash is a mosaic from Marble Systems. The shelving unit on the wall is custom built to utilize the small wall space and get additional open storage for everyday items. A 3 foot Galley sink is the main focus of the island, and acts as a workhorse prep and cooking space. This is aired with a faucet from Waterstone, with a matching at the prep sink on the exterior wall and a potfiller over the Dacor Range. Built-in Subzero Refrigerator and Freezer columns provide plenty of fresh food storage options. In the prep area along the exterior wall, a built in ice maker, microwave drawer, warming drawer, and additional/secondary dishwasher drawer helps the second cook during larger party prep.

Timeless Traditional White Kitchen

Noah & Lilly Kitchen Design

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Modern Farmhouse Kitchen and Home Bar

Leslie Hutchison Interiors, LLC

This is an example of a large country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Modern Kitchen and Mudroom Addition - Atlanta

Innovative Design Build

Our clients had outgrown their kitchen/laundry space and had a rough idea of how to expand their kitchen. Our team worked closely with them to design a new layout that would convert a covered carport area into their new kitchen, mudroom and powder room. The addition of these bright open spaces has already changed how this wonderful family functions on a daily basis, especially with the addition of a mudroom and storage cubbies for all the girls. A fantastic transformation!

Small Timeless Glam

Classic Kitchens Design Studio

Matt Kocourek Photography
Small country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Kansas City with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, a peninsula and grey benchtop.

Chatham Circle

Valia Design

paneled fridge, pantry, glass pendants, quartzite, skinny island, narrow island, thermador
Design ideas for a country u-shaped kitchen in Detroit with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Eastchester Kitchen

A&B Contracting Co.

Chastity Cortijo
Inspiration for a small transitional u-shaped kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Large U-Shaped Kitchen Perfect for Prepping and Entertaining

KraftMaster Renovations

Transitional style U-shaped kitchen has all the counter space you could ever want with two-toned cabinet colors. This kitchen has two dishwashers and two full size sinks for all your food prep and clean-up needs. Photos by Chris Veith

Gorgeous Kitchens

Universal Services Of Li, Inc.

Large transitional u-shaped kitchen pantry in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Clean & Simple, Maximize Space

Kleppinger Design Group, Inc.

Photographed by: Bob Narod
Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped kitchen in DC Metro with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, with island, white benchtop, an undermount sink, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Compact Modern Kitchen with Entertaining Island

Adam Hartig

This is an example of a small transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and dark hardwood floors.

Hampstead

Mark Lewis Interior Design

The original fireplace was opened up and a brick arch added to surround the cooker. Photography by Rory Gardiner
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional single-wall kitchen in London with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, black appliances, black benchtop, grey splashback and dark hardwood floors.

Rustic Manor

Black Rock Construction Inc.

Large country l-shaped kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, beige benchtop, subway tile splashback, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Transitional Kitchen and First Floor Flock Remodel - Naperville

Redstart Construction, Inc.

Picture Perfect House
Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Bindley

Burdge & Associates Architects

Mediterranean Home designed by Burdge and Associates Architects in Malibu, CA.
Photo of a l-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, matchstick tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Yacht Haven Kitchen Remodel

St. Clair Kitchens

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional kitchen in DC Metro with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and dark hardwood floors.

Chestermere Kitchen Renovation Before & After Pictures

True Carpentry

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Calgary with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Renovations and Additions to a Historic Tudor Estate in Pasadena

JAMES V. COANE & ASSOCIATES, ARCHITECTS

Inspiration for a traditional galley kitchen pantry in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, grey splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Kitchen with Grey Splashback and Dark Hardwood 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!