This 400 s.f. studio apartment in NYC’s Greenwich Village serves as a pied-a-terre for clients whose primary residence is on the West Coast. Although the clients do not reside here full-time, this tiny space accommodates all the creature comforts of home. Bleached hardwood floors, crisp white walls, and high ceilings are the backdrop to a custom blackened steel and glass partition, layered with raw silk sheer draperies, to create a private sleeping area, replete with custom built-in closets. Simple headboard and crisp linens are balanced with a lightly-metallic glazed duvet and a vintage textile pillow. The living space boasts a custom Belgian linen sectional sofa that pulls out into a full-size bed for the couple’s young children who sometimes accompany them. Efficient and inexpensive dining furniture sits comfortably in the main living space and lends clean, Scandinavian functionality for sharing meals. The sculptural handrafted metal ceiling mobile offsets the architecture’s clean lines, defining the space while accentuating the tall ceilings. The kitchenette combines custom cool grey lacquered cabinets with brass fittings, white beveled subway tile, and a warm brushed brass backsplash; an antique Boucherouite runner and textural woven stools that pull up to the kitchen’s coffee counter puntuate the clean palette with warmth and the human scale. The under-counter freezer and refrigerator, along with the 18” dishwasher, are all panelled to match the cabinets, and open shelving to the ceiling maximizes the feeling of the space’s volume. The entry closet doubles as home for a combination washer/dryer unit. The custom bathroom vanity, with open brass legs sitting against floor-to-ceiling marble subway tile, boasts a honed gray marble countertop, with an undermount sink offset to maximize precious counter space and highlight a pendant light. A tall narrow cabinet combines closed and open storage, and a recessed mirrored medicine cabinet conceals additional necessaries. The stand-up shower is kept minimal, with simple white beveled subway tile and frameless glass doors, and is large enough to host a teak and stainless bench for comfort; black sink and bath fittings ground the otherwise light palette. What had been a generic studio apartment became a rich landscape for living.

Pine Street Renovation

Space Craft, LLC

The owners bought this 1970s 'Colorado Lodge Style' student rental in central Boulder to turn it into a home for their family of four. The existing interior layout was awkward and inefficient. Thus, the first floor was reorganized to create more usable, family-friendly spaces and to create a relationship with the well-used backyard. The barn lumber and wood floor were salvaged from the existing house to create a softened contrast for the light-filled, full-height spaces. The kitchen and two bathrooms were completely renovated using modern finishes to tie the house together. The result is a modern home that functions effortlessly for a family of four. Chris Nyce, Nyceone Photography

Brittannica Island, Shadow Gray Perimeter

Counter Culture

Amendolara Photography
Large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, quartz benchtops, with island, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, metallic splashback, metal splashback and white benchtop.

Stunning stencil

Jonathan Dade Photo Video

Jonathan Dade
Inspiration for a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, wood benchtops, metallic splashback, mirror splashback, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Loft House apartments

Ascui & Co. Architects

Fraser Marsden Photography
Small contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, metallic splashback, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and a peninsula.

Réhabilitation d’un studio, Clermont-Ferrand - Arch. A/K Architectures

benoit alazard photographe

Arch. A/K Architectures Photo. Benoît Alazard
Inspiration for a small contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Other with a drop-in sink, white cabinets, wood benchtops, metallic splashback, metal splashback, light hardwood floors and no island.

Gallatin Valley Ranch

Penny Lane Home Builders, LLC

Kitchen with custom steel cabinets and pallet wood inserts Photography by Lynn Donaldson
Large industrial galley open plan kitchen in Other with distressed cabinets, stainless steel appliances, with island, a double-bowl sink, recycled glass benchtops, metallic splashback, concrete floors and open cabinets.

Cocina abierta

Markham Stagers

Open concept kitchen. Cocina abierta Urban Home Staging. Fotografía profesional
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Barcelona with white cabinets, metallic splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances and light hardwood floors.

Arlington, Virginia - Modern - Kitchen and Bathroom

Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath

Arlington, Virginia Modern Kitchen and Bathroom #JenniferGilmer http://www.gilmerkitchens.com/

New Modern Farmhouse

Koch Architects

U-shaped industrial style kitchen with stainless steel cabinets, backsplash, and floating shelves. Restaurant grade appliances with center worktable. Heart pine wood flooring in a modern farmhouse style home on a ranch in Idaho. Photo by Tory Taglio Photography

Lobster Cove

Carpenter & MacNeille

Michael J. Lee Photography
Mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, white cabinets, granite benchtops, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, metallic splashback and beige floor.

Kitchen Renovation Balmain Terrace House

Annie Bowen Design

A contemporary kitchen for homeowners who love to cook and entertain. A polished concrete island bench, timber veneer and white polyurethane cupboards and stainless steel bench with splash back. Beautiful copper pendant lights. Photo by Cameron Bloom.

South Beach Exquisite House

2id Interiors

Large country galley separate kitchen in Miami with metallic splashback, dark hardwood floors, a farmhouse sink, open cabinets, medium wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island and black floor.

Contemporary Eco Kitchen in the Cotswolds

Sustainable Kitchens

A further close up of the four drawer cabinet treated with lye with routed drawers. Showing off how effortlessly the stainless steel worktop meets the wood. Photo credit: Brett Charles

Orange Slice Mid-Century Modern

Moderne Builders

Large midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, metallic splashback, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Barn Conversion Project

Yiangou Architects

Photo of a country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Gloucestershire with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, medium wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, metal splashback, coloured appliances, with island and metallic splashback.

Eclectic Stoke Newington Apartment

User

The heart of this converted school house is a glorious open-plan kitchen where bespoke colander lights in aubergine, tango and lime pair with a vivid vintage gramophone for a colour injection. Photography by Fisher Hart

New Modern Farmhouse

Koch Architects

Contemporary Kitchen

Design ideas for a large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, metallic splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, glass sheet splashback, with island and beige floor.

Modern Kitchens

Mu-2 Inc.

We hired Mu-2 Inc in the fall of 2011 to gut a house we purchased in Georgetown, move all of the rooms in the house around, and then put it back together again. The project started in September and we moved in just prior to Christmas that year (it's a small house, it only took 3 months). Ted and Geoff were amazing to work with. Their work ethic was high - each day they showed up at the same time (early) and they worked a full day each day until the job was complete. We obviously weren't living here at the time but all of our new neighbors were impressed with the regularity of their schedule and told us so. There was great value. Geoff and Ted handled everything from plumbing to wiring - in our house both were completely replaced - to hooking up our new washer and dryer when they arrived. And everything in between. We continue to use them on new projects here long after we moved in. This year they built us a beautiful fence - and it's an 8,000 sq foot lot - that has an awe inspiring rolling gate. I bought overly complicated gate locks on the internet and Ted and Geoff figured them out and made them work. They basically built gates to work with my locks! Currently they are building a deck off our kitchen and two sets of stairs leading down to our patio. We can't recommend them highly enough. You could call us for more details if you like. Michael & David in Georgetown

Kitchen with Metallic 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!