Photo of a large transitional galley open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Glen Road

risa boyer architecture

Photo of a midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland with a drop-in sink, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop, exposed beam, flat-panel cabinets and brown floor.

Seattle Contemporary Waterfront

H2 View

Open format kitchen includes gorgeous custom cabinets, a large underlit island with an induction cooktop and waterfall countertops. Full height slab backsplash and paneled appliances complete the sophisticated design.

Dream Kitchen Design with White Oak Cabinets

Boxwood Avenue

This beautiful custom home built by Bowlin Built and designed by Boxwood Avenue in the Reno Tahoe area features creamy walls painted with Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee and white oak custom cabinetry. With beautiful granite and marble countertops and handmade backsplash. The dark stained island creates a two-toned kitchen with lovely European oak wood flooring and a large double oven range with a custom hood above!

Transitional Navy

Sanctuary Kitchen and Bath Design

Design ideas for a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Upper West Side Duplex Combination

Ben Herzog

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional galley eat-in kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Custom Kitchen Remodel

Boyce Design + Build

Stylish, custom, beverage station with decorative glass doors and soft lighting provides additional counter space and cabinet storage in this beautiful kitchen.

Home Remodel Saratoga

HomeTech Construction & Design

This is an example of a mid-sized country u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, a farmhouse sink, stainless steel appliances and white splashback.

Lago Bungalow Kitchen

Nar Design Group

This kitchen proves small East sac bungalows can have high function and all the storage of a larger kitchen. A large peninsula overlooks the dining and living room for an open concept. A lower countertop areas gives prep surface for baking and use of small appliances. Geometric hexite tiles by fireclay are finished with pale blue grout, which complements the upper cabinets. The same hexite pattern was recreated by a local artist on the refrigerator panes. A textured striped linen fabric by Ralph Lauren was selected for the interior clerestory windows of the wall cabinets.

Houston, Texas | Tamarron - Premier Rosewood Kitchen

Brightland Homes

Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Houston with with island, recessed-panel cabinets, solid surface benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, white benchtop, a farmhouse sink, light hardwood floors, beige floor and dark wood cabinets.

Parkmeadow

Clearcut Construction, Inc.

This beautiful eclectic kitchen brings together the class and simplistic feel of mid century modern with the comfort and natural elements of the farmhouse style. The white cabinets, tile and countertops make the perfect backdrop for the pops of color from the beams, brass hardware and black metal fixtures and cabinet frames.

Franklin Park Custom Home

WINN Design+Build

This is an example of a large u-shaped open plan kitchen in DC Metro with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone tile splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Promontory- Midcentury Mountain

Hudson + Bloum Design

This is an example of a large country galley open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, with island, white benchtop, white cabinets, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Ocean City On The Bay

Diane Burgoyne Interiors

Photo of a mid-sized beach style l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with shaker cabinets, blue splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops and ceramic splashback.

Function & Style: Modern Kitchen Redesign

Interiors by Popov

Design ideas for a small modern l-shaped separate kitchen in Seattle with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Modern Farmhouse | 2019 Dry Creek Parade

Solitude Homes

Design ideas for a large country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Boise with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Happy Blue/White Home

Karen Spiritoso Designs LLC

Photos by Kris Palen
Photo of a large transitional galley open plan kitchen in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Open concept modern bungalow, Oakville ON

avenue design inc

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Toronto with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, with island, an undermount sink, quartz benchtops, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Mill Valley Sunny Scandinavian

BK Interior Design

Mill Valley Scandinavian, modern, open kitchen with skylight, simple cabinets, stone backsplash, Danish furniture, open shelves Photographer: John Merkl

Contemporary Kitchen with White & Navy Cabinets

Rainier Cabinetry & Design, Inc

Large contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, black cabinets, marble benchtops, green splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Light 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!