Inspiration for a large traditional galley eat-in kitchen in Miami with glass-front cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, white appliances, with island, white benchtop, a single-bowl sink, porcelain floors, grey floor and vaulted.

Pasadena Kitchen Remodel

Lotus Construction Group

Inspiration for a large traditional single-wall separate kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

A Cabin in the Woods

Kathleen Donohue, Neil Kelly Co.

A mini bump-out provided 2' of additional width for the small kitchen. Now, more than one person can work in it, which is a must when family gathers. Clear Douglas Fir cabinets fit the rustic surroundings with sturdy bronze pulls the only decoration. Countertops are durable, worry-free quartz with a Madrona butcher block section next to the stove. The tile insert above the cooktop is a keepsake from travels in Italy. Chandler Photography

North Dighton Kitchen

RIKB Design Build

Inspiration for a large kitchen in Providence with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, beige floor and black benchtop.

Sunset Knoll House

TELFORD+BROWN STUDIO ARCHITECTURE

The sloping site for this modest, two-bedroom house provides views through an oak savanna to Oregon’s Yamhill Valley and the Coastal Mountain Range. Our clients asked for a simple, modern, comfortable house that took advantage of both close and distant views. It’s long bar-shaped plan allows for views from each space, maximum day-lighting and natural ventilation. Centered in the bar is the great room, which includes the living, dining, and kitchen spaces. To one side is a large deck and a terrace off the other. The material palette is simple: beams, windows, doors, and cabinets are all Douglas Fir and the floors are all either hardwood or slate. Josh Partee Architectural Photographer

Philadelphia Townhouse Kitchen

blcINTERIORS

Carolyn Watson
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Glen Lake Mid-Century Addition

Environment Architects

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island and an undermount sink.

East Beach

Phoebe Howard

Tria Giovan
Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style eat-in kitchen in Jacksonville with a double-bowl sink, beaded inset cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Asian Inspired

Mary Washer Designs

Kim Sargent
Photo of a large asian l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Wichita with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, granite benchtops, blue splashback, subway tile splashback and brown floor.

Clearwater Moroccan Fish Scales Kitchen

Mercury Mosaics and Tile

This very modern kitchen features our Large Moroccan Fish Scales in one of our most popular color blends. Set against white countertops and very light cabinets, the tile definitely takes center stage with its oceanic hues. Large Moroccan Fish Scales - 1015E Caribbean Blue, 12W Blue Bell, 216 Sea Glass, 1017E Sea Mist, 11 Deco White

Monterey Modern

Catherine Garrison Architect, Inc

This lovely Monterey Modern style house on Royal Blvd in Glendale had a 1980’s kitchen without good light or access to the house’s outdoor spaces. To aggravate the flow of the house further, the driveway runs directly to the back of the house where the garage is located off of a motor court. Access to the house by family and friends was naturally happened through the backyard which forced them through a carport and around the side of the house to enter the kitchen directly. The kitchen has a new exit to the side yard and a set of french doors to a new deck. The location of the deck connects the formal living room with the kitchen through exterior spaces in a more immediate way than it is connected through the interior. To create a kitchen that could accomodate a family of cooks and in-kitchen dining, one of the requests of the Client, we combined the existing kitchen, an old utility room, and small breakfast room. The small utilitarian spaces of the original rooms were remade to feel and embrace a contemporary lifestyle, while also integrating seamlessly into the style and scale of this 1930’s vintage home. When working on a kitchen of this scale in a vintage home, we make sure to layer materials and forms into the design so it does not feel out of scale or modernist. The floors are blue slate herringbone and set the color tone for many of the other finishes. We used a quartzite with many of the same colors as the floor for the perimeter counters because of its durability and a light marble with flecks of blue and gold for the eat-in island. The wood on the inside of the windows and doors was stained blue. Cabinets are a combination of white oak and painted with brass screen fronts. The Client has wanted to save some built-in niches from the original breakfast room, but in the end it would have limited the design too much and so included two small radiused end cabinets, one in each cabinet finish.

Coastal Contemporary

Sligh Cabinets Inc.

©2018 Sligh Cabinets, Inc. | Custom Cabinetry by Sligh Cabinets, Inc.
This is an example of a mid-sized beach style l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Luis Obispo with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, with island, beige floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Fresh Maple Kitchen Remodel

Powell Construction

Details: Kitchen tools are organized and stored in divided sections here with a pull-out cutting board above. Elsewhere, knives, flatware and silverware are stored in similar custom-made drawers. The range at left has an induction cooktop.

Eclectic Mid Century Modern

Davida's Kitchen & Tiles

The work-space of the kitchen has the cook-top, oven, microwave, and fridge all within arm's reach for easy meal preparation. Photo: Bob Narod
Design ideas for a small transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Warm Hickory Delight

Ambassador Home Improvement

Michael Ferrero
Inspiration for a country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, light wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, blue splashback and stainless steel appliances.

West Seattle Kitchen

CRD Design Build

Yuriy Manchick
Design ideas for a transitional galley kitchen in Seattle with recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Natural Maple Kitchen

Shikles Cabinets

This is an example of a mid-sized modern galley eat-in kitchen in Kansas City with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, panelled appliances and dark hardwood floors.

Beacon Hill Residence

grouparchitect

Architect: Grouparchitect. Builder: Barlow Construction. Photographer: AMF Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, bamboo floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Geometric + Color Pop

MSI

Backsplash Tile: Azul Scallop
Photo of a modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Orange County with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Crown Heights Limestone

Ben Herzog

Crown Heights Limestone Kitchen Photographer: Brett Beyer Tiles: Ann Sacks Savoy in Cornflower blue Perimeter counters: Everest quartzite, European Granite Island counter: stainless steel Pendant lights: vintage holophane from Brass Light Gallery, Milwaukee Cabinets: custom rift oak with limewash

Kitchen with Light Wood Cabinets and Blue 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!