Aaron Kllc
Mid-sized modern l-shaped separate kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, limestone benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors and with island.

LEED Platinum Santa Fe Residence

Kreger Design Build LLC

Photo by Katie Johnson
This is an example of a kitchen in Albuquerque with shaker cabinets, tile benchtops, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors and with island.

FINNE Kitchen Seattle

FINNE Architects

Architect Nils Finne has created a new, highly crafted modern kitchen in his own traditional Tudor home located in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle. The kitchen design relies on the creation of a very simple continuous space that is occupied by intensely crafted cabinets, counters and fittings. Materials such as steel, walnut, limestone, textured Alaskan yellow cedar, and sea grass are used in juxtaposition, allowing each material to benefit from adjacent contrasts in texture and color. The existing kitchen was enlarged slightly by removing a wall between the kitchen and pantry. A long, continuous east-west space was created, approximately 25-feet long, with glass doors at either end. The east end of the kitchen has two seating areas: an inviting window seat with soft cushions as well as a desk area with seating, a flat-screen computer, and generous shelving for cookbooks. At the west end of the kitchen, an unusual “L”-shaped door opening has been made between the kitchen and the dining room, in order to provide a greater sense of openness between the two spaces. The ensuing challenge was how to invent a sliding pocket door that could be used to close off the two spaces when the occasion required some separation. The solution was a custom door with two panels, and series of large finger joints between the two panels allowing the door to become “L” shaped. The resulting door, called a “zipper door” by the local fabricator (Quantum Windows and Doors), can be pushed completely into a wall pocket, or slid out and then the finger joints allow the second panel to swing into the “L”-shape position. In addition to the “L”-shaped zipper door, the renovation of architect Nils Finne’s own house presented other opportunity for experimentation. Custom CNC-routed cabinet doors in Alaskan Yellow Cedar were built without vertical stiles, in order to create a more continuous texture across the surface of the lower cabinets. LED lighting was installed with special aluminum reflectors behind the upper resin-panel cabinets. Two materials were used for the counters: Belgian Blue limestone and Black walnut. The limestone was used around the sink area and adjacent to the cook-top. Black walnut was used for the remaining counter areas, and an unusual “finger” joint was created between the two materials, allowing a visually intriguing interlocking pattern , emphasizing the hard, fossilized quality of the limestone and the rich, warm grain of the walnut both to emerge side-by-side. Behind the two counter materials, a continuous backsplash of custom glass mosaic provides visual continuity. Laser-cut steel detailing appears in the flower-like steel bracket supporting hanging pendants over the window seat as well as in the delicate steel valence placed in front of shades over the glass doors at either end of the kitchen. At each of the window areas, the cabinet wall becomes open shelving above and around the windows. The shelving becomes part of the window frame, allowing for generously deep window sills of almost 10”. Sustainable design ideas were present from the beginning. The kitchen is heavily insulated and new windows bring copious amounts of natural light. Green materials include resin panels, low VOC paints, sustainably harvested hardwoods, LED lighting, and glass mosaic tiles. But above all, it is the fact of renovation itself that is inherently sustainable and captures all the embodied energy of the original 1920’s house, which has now been given a fresh life. The intense craftsmanship and detailing of the renovation speaks also to a very important sustainable principle: build it well and it will last for many, many years! Overall, the kitchen brings a fresh new spirit to a home built in 1927. In fact, the kitchen initiates a conversation between the older, traditional home and the new modern space. Although there are no moldings or traditional details in the kitchen, the common language between the two time periods is based on richly textured materials and obsessive attention to detail and craft.

Becket Additions

Uncarved Block Inc.

Inspiration for a traditional kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, tile benchtops, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances and linoleum floors.

Chelsea Kitchen

Tim Wood Limited

This light and airy kitchen was painted in a Farrow and Ball green, with raised and fielded panels throughout . All the cupboards have adjustable shelves and all the drawers have a painted Farrow and Ball cock beaded face frame surround and are internally made of European oak set on hidden under mounted soft close runners. The island has a thick solid European oak worktop, while the rest of the worktops throughout the kitchen are green limestone with bull nosed edging and have a shaped upstand with a fine line inset detail just below the top. The main oven range is a Wolf with an extractor above it individually designed by Tim Wood with the motor set in the attic in a sound insulated box. Beside the large Sub-zero fridge/freezer there is a Gaggenau oven and Gaggenau steam oven. The two sinks are classic ceramic under mounted with a Maxmatic 5000 waste disposal in one of them, with Barber Wilsons nickel plated taps above. Designed, hand built and photographed by Tim Wood

Ownby design

Ownby Design

Photo Credit: Mark Boisclair Photography
Contemporary open plan kitchen in Phoenix with stainless steel appliances, limestone benchtops, flat-panel cabinets and dark wood cabinets.

Lake Conroe Spanish

JAUREGUI Architecture Interiors Construction

California Spanish
Photo of a country kitchen in Austin with stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink, tile benchtops and multi-coloured splashback.

Victorian Dairy Conversion

Imperfect Interiors

Chris Snook
This is an example of an industrial eat-in kitchen in London with grey cabinets, limestone benchtops, concrete floors, grey floor, black benchtop, a single-bowl sink and pink splashback.

The Tate Post and Beam Barn Home

Yankee Barn Homes

Yankee Barn Homes - The post and beam kitchen has an open floor plan with easy access to both the great room and the dining room.
This is an example of a large traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Manchester with stainless steel appliances, limestone benchtops, an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, travertine floors and with island.

Dream Kitchen

Designs for Living by Wendy, LLC

Photo of a large traditional galley kitchen in Jacksonville with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, limestone benchtops, porcelain splashback, an undermount sink and beige benchtop.

Kelly Fleming Wines

Taylor Lombardo Architects

Adrián Gregorutti
Design ideas for a traditional single-wall eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, limestone benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances and concrete floors.

Lille - Hôpital de jour transformé en habitation

SPATIONAUTE DESIGN - Architecte Intérieur

Bâtiment des années 30, cet ancien hôpital de jour transformé en habitation avait besoin d'être remis au goût de ses nouveaux propriétaires. Les couleurs passent d'une pièce à une autre, et nous accompagnent dans la maison. L'artiste Resco à su mélanger ces différentes couleurs pour les rassembler dans ce grand escalier en chêne illuminé par une verrière. Les sérigraphies, source d'inspiration dès le départ de la conception, se marient avec les couleurs choisies. Des meubles sur-mesure structurent et renforcent l'originalité de chaque espace, en mélangeant couleur, bois clair et carrelage carré. Avec les rendus 3D, le but du projet était de pouvoir visualiser les différentes solutions envisageable pour rendre plus chaleureux le salon, qui était tout blanc. De plus, il fallait ici réfléchir sur une restructuration de la bibliothèque / meuble TV.

Projet Dubois

Lagom architectes

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall kitchen in Paris with open cabinets, green cabinets, tile benchtops, no island and white benchtop.

Küche im Dachgeschoss

Lignatus - Die Wohnmanufaktur

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Dortmund with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, tile benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, black appliances, ceramic floors, no island, green floor and grey benchtop.

Con vistas a la ciudad

Interiores Santos Valencia

Para aligerar el peso de las columnas, puede resultar interesante el diseño de una hornacina en el espacio central. De esta forma también se aporta un pequeño espacio de almacenaje para pequeño electrodoméstico, por ejemplo.

Westlake, TX: Modern Hill Country

PentaVia Custom Homes

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, limestone benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Our Palm Beach Color-Splosion Apartment!

Carrie Hayward Design

I wanted to paint the lower kitchen cabinets navy or teal, but I thought black would hide the dishwasher and stove better. The blue ceiling makes up for it though! We also covered the peeling particle-board countertop next to the stove with a polished marble remnant. Photo © Bethany Nauert

Spanish Remodel

Interior Archaeology

Kitchen
Expansive mediterranean u-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, limestone benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

New Luxury White Kitchen

Boxwood Cabinetry & Design

This is an example of an expansive traditional l-shaped separate kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, limestone benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback, panelled appliances, brick floors and with island.

Spanish Style Kitchen Remodel Tampa, FL

Luna En Agua Designs

This new layout maximize the counter top and cabinet storage, by moving the refrigerator to another area. This Spanish style kitchen is much more functional and spacious. Removing the wall allowed the us to create a counter height bar and a great setup for entertaining.

Kitchen with Limestone Benchtops and Tile 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!