Expansive beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, beige splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, beige benchtop and vaulted.

North Hollywood Penthouse Full Remodel

Luxe Remodel

Design ideas for an expansive contemporary l-shaped separate kitchen in Los Angeles with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

THE PICTURE HOUSE, BALHAM

NOTO Architects

The client’s choice of a planed cedar fence provides a warm accent to the scheme, which is mirrored in the design for the freestanding BBQ and then referenced again in the warm copper tones of the internal pendants, switches, faucets and stools.

Quarry Point- Bar

LDa Architecture & Interiors

TEAM: Architect: LDa Architecture & Interiors Interior Design: LDa Architecture & Interiors Builder: Curtin Construction Landscape Architect: Gregory Lombardi Design Photographer: Greg Premru Photography

Japanese Inspired Remodel in Noe Valley

Mark Brand Architecture

The design of this remodel of a small two-level residence in Noe Valley reflects the owner's passion for Japanese architecture. Having decided to completely gut the interior partitions, we devised a better-arranged floor plan with traditional Japanese features, including a sunken floor pit for dining and a vocabulary of natural wood trim and casework. Vertical grain Douglas Fir takes the place of Hinoki wood traditionally used in Japan. Natural wood flooring, soft green granite and green glass backsplashes in the kitchen further develop the desired Zen aesthetic. A wall to wall window above the sunken bath/shower creates a connection to the outdoors. Privacy is provided through the use of switchable glass, which goes from opaque to clear with a flick of a switch. We used in-floor heating to eliminate the noise associated with forced-air systems.

Wanaka Crib Kitchen

Dunlop Builders

The kitchen is the anchor of the house and epitomizes the relationship between house and owner with details such as kauri timber drawers and tiles from their former restaurant.

Lexington Transformation, MA

G and S Installation USA, LLC.

Choosing anodized aluminum for the kitchen cabinets takes full advantage of the light, creating a luminescent sheen. In the butler’s pantry, a high-gloss sand gray lacquer with aluminum edges maximizes the reflection from the large new windows. The generous use of Calcutta marble adds the note of elegance the client desired.

Boise Passive House

User

To ensure peak performance, the Boise Passive House utilized triple-pane glazing with the A5 aluminum window, Air-Lux Sliding door, and A7 swing door. Each product brings dynamic efficiency, further affirming an air-tight building envelope. The increased air-seals, larger thermal breaks, argon-filled glazing, and low-E glass, may be standard features for the Glo Series but they provide exceptional performance just the same. Furthermore, the low iron glass and slim frame profiles provide clarity and increased views prioritizing overall aesthetics despite their notable efficiency values.

Santa Monica Canyon

DISC Interiors

Photo of a modern open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback and concrete floors.

Luxury Custom Home Build, Orange County CA

DLC Builders Inc

Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, multi-coloured benchtop and exposed beam.

LEXINGTON KITCHEN

CYNTHIA LANANH

Photo of a small modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Keowee Manor

Gabriel Builders Inc.

Lovely kitchen and dining room with custom cabinets, island, doorways, and hood. Ideal for large family. Windows over sink are steel and provide a very open view of lake. Marble countertops.

Contemporary & Tonal

Sandra Britt Interiors

This is an example of a contemporary kitchen in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, marble splashback, panelled appliances and with island.

Hillcrest

open mode

Shelf detail.
Photo of a mid-sized galley eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Greenwood Kitchen

Oliver Designs

Photo of a large contemporary kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, light hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Kitchen

Sadie & Co

This is an example of a large transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Salt Lake City with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor and white benchtop.

Transitional Family Home

Interiors by Design

Large transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, porcelain floors, with island, black floor and white benchtop.

Kensington

Cooley Custom Cabinetry

Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Columbus with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Treehouse atop Madison Valley I Seattle, Washington

Syltebo Wight Homes & Jon Syltebo Painting Company

Large contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Eclectic Potomac Kitchen

JACK ROSEN CUSTOM KITCHENS

Photo of a large contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain floors, with island and stainless steel appliances.

Kitchen with Light Wood Cabinets and Marble Benchtops 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!