This residence was a complete gut renovation of a 4-story row house in Park Slope, and included a new rear extension and penthouse addition. The owners wished to create a warm, family home using a modern language that would act as a clean canvas to feature rich textiles and items from their world travels. As with most Brooklyn row houses, the existing house suffered from a lack of natural light and connection to exterior spaces, an issue that Principal Brendan Coburn is acutely aware of from his experience re-imagining historic structures in the New York area. The resulting architecture is designed around moments featuring natural light and views to the exterior, of both the private garden and the sky, throughout the house, and a stripped-down language of detailing and finishes allows for the concept of the modern-natural to shine. Upon entering the home, the kitchen and dining space draw you in with views beyond through the large glazed opening at the rear of the house. An extension was built to allow for a large sunken living room that provides a family gathering space connected to the kitchen and dining room, but remains distinctly separate, with a strong visual connection to the rear garden. The open sculptural stair tower was designed to function like that of a traditional row house stair, but with a smaller footprint. By extending it up past the original roof level into the new penthouse, the stair becomes an atmospheric shaft for the spaces surrounding the core. All types of weather – sunshine, rain, lightning, can be sensed throughout the home through this unifying vertical environment. The stair space also strives to foster family communication, making open living spaces visible between floors. At the upper-most level, a free-form bench sits suspended over the stair, just by the new roof deck, which provides at-ease entertaining. Oak was used throughout the home as a unifying material element. As one travels upwards within the house, the oak finishes are bleached to further degrees as a nod to how light enters the home. The owners worked with CWB to add their own personality to the project. The meter of a white oak and blackened steel stair screen was designed by the family to read “I love you” in Morse Code, and tile was selected throughout to reference places that hold special significance to the family. To support the owners’ comfort, the architectural design engages passive house technologies to reduce energy use, while increasing air quality within the home – a strategy which aims to respect the environment while providing a refuge from the harsh elements of urban living. This project was published by Wendy Goodman as her Space of the Week, part of New York Magazine’s Design Hunting on The Cut. Photography by Kevin Kunstadt

White Sails Mid-Century Modern

Patterson Custom Homes

This is an example of a midcentury kitchen in Orange County with marble benchtops, multiple islands, white benchtop, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Modern Spanish Revival

SDG Architects

Photo by John Merkl
Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Kitchen

brwarchitects

Photo credit: Virginia Hamrick
Photo of a large traditional u-shaped kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, stainless steel appliances, with island, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Modern Transitional Remodel in Cherry Hills

Haley Custom Homes

Modern Transitional home with Custom Steel Hood as well as metal bi-folding cabinet doors that fold up and down
Large modern l-shaped kitchen in Denver with flat-panel cabinets, with island, an undermount sink, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances and medium hardwood floors.

Rénovation d'un moulin à huile

Ml-h design

This is an example of a large country galley separate kitchen in Montpellier with with island and light wood cabinets.

Mary Fisher Designs

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern kitchen in Phoenix with flat-panel cabinets and light wood cabinets.

Contemporary Kitchen

Small contemporary u-shaped separate kitchen in Detroit with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, black splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances and laminate floors.

Las Canoas Remodel Kitchen

Allen Construction

Architect: Richard Warner General Contractor: Allen Construction Photo Credit: Jim Bartsch Award Winner: Master Design Awards, Best of Show
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Santa Barbara with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, panelled appliances and beige floor.

Modern Kitchen

Jordan Iverson Signature Homes

Mid-sized traditional l-shaped kitchen in Portland with laminate benchtops, a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, bamboo floors and with island.

Boho Bungalow Kitchen

Arcata Cabinet & Design Company

Small scandinavian l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

NICOLLET

Kate Roos Design LLC

With the wall between the kitchen and living room removed, the hood surround with it's subtle curves becomes a commanding focal point. Two islands, one for work and one for socializing, help define the space. The new oak floors throughout the first floor add a casual and inviting feel.

Transitional White Oak Kitchen & Island

Chervin Kitchen & Bath Inc.

A transitional kitchen where the marriage of white oak and warm white cabinetry, adorned with elegant bronze accents, sets the stage. The grand island, featuring a soapstone waterfall end on one side and an inviting open side on the other, takes center stage. Completing the ensemble are the striking black metal hutch doors, chic open shelving, and the warm glow of pendant lighting.

Dahlia St

Factor Design Build

Photo of a transitional l-shaped kitchen in Denver with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Symphony on the Hill

Vela Interior Design

Modern kitchen with rift-cut white oak cabinetry and a natural stone island.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary kitchen in Minneapolis with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Bedford Village

Erika Jayne Design Build

Tired of the original, segmented floor plan of their midcentury home, this young family was ready to make a big change. Inspired by their beloved collection of Heath Ceramics tableware and needing an open space for the family to gather to do homework, make bread, and enjoy Friday Pizza Night…a new kitchen was born. Interior Architecture. Removal of one wall that provided a major obstruction, but no structure, resulted in connection between the family room, dining room, and kitchen. The new open plan allowed for a large island with seating and better flow in and out of the kitchen and garage. Interior Design. Vertically stacked, handmade tiles from Heath Ceramics in Ogawa Green wrap the perimeter backsplash with a nod to midcentury design. A row of white oak slab doors conceal a hidden exhaust hood while offering a sleek modern vibe. Shelves float just below to display beloved tableware, cookbooks, and cherished souvenirs.

El Segundo Beach House

popix designs

Photo of a beach style l-shaped kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Moore II Residence

Hsu McCullough

Tiled kitchen with birch cabinetry opens to outdoor dining beyond windows. Entry with stair to second floor and dining room.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and beige benchtop.

Kitchen at NoPA Revival

Denise Maloney Interior Design

Large contemporary l-shaped kitchen with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Cuisine style industriel

Mon Plan Ma Cuisine

Inspiration for a mid-sized industrial u-shaped open plan kitchen in Lyon with a peninsula, an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, light wood cabinets, wood benchtops, panelled appliances, ceramic floors, grey floor and beige benchtop.

Kitchen with Light Wood Cabinets 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!