Newlyweds had just moved into their new home and immediately wanted to update their kitchen which is located in the center of the household, lacking any natural light source of its own. To make matters worse, the cabinets in place were dark red with black countertops. Not the picture of brightness they were looking for. To increase the amount of light reflected throughout the kitchen, we incorporated some of the following updates: 1. Replaced the solo ceiling light with 4 recessed cans 2. Updated the florescent undercabinet lights with new LED strips 3. Installed custom white cabinets topped with Silestone’s new Artic Ocean white countertops 4. Updated the dark glass pendants over the bar with larger, clear glass pendants that spoke more to the history of the home 5. Painted the walls a soft gray to compliment the palette The original kitchen layout was updated to eliminate the existing soffits and open the visual feel of the space. A large white farm sink now centers the natural wood bar area, inviting guests to sit and gather for ballgames and celebrations. Glass tile and USB ports at charging sites complete the space for the family to grow over the years. Photo by Stockwell Media

Custom Transitional Kitchen - St. Charles, IL

Drury Design

Arched valances above the window and on the island bookshelf, along with the curved custom metal hood above the stainless steel range, contrast nicely with the overall linear design of the space. The leaded glass cabinet doors not only create a spot to display the homeowner’s favorite glassware, but visually it helps prevent the white cabinets from being overbearing. By installing recessed can lights uniformly throughout the space instead of decorative pendants above the island, the kitchen appears more open and spacious.

Stair Solution

Richard Landon Design

Designing a new staircase to connect all three levels freed up space for this kitchen. Before, my client had to squeeze through a narrow opening in the corner of the kitchen to access an equally narrow stair to the basement. In the process of evaluating the space we discovered there was no foundation under the kitchen walls! Noticing that the entry to their home was little used--everyone came right in to the kitchen--gave me the idea that we could connect the kitchen to the entry and convert it into a pantry! Hence, the white painted brick--that wall was formerly an exterior wall. William Feemster

Large Kitchen Island

Fratantoni Interior Designers

This French Country kitchen features a large island with a butcher block countertop and bar stool seating. Black kitchen cabinets with gold hardware surround the kitchen. Open shelving is on both sides of the gas-burning stove. A floral loveseat sits against the window with an oval dining table to create a pop of color.

Antique White & Stained Cabinets

Finishing Touch Custom Woodworks, Inc.

Design ideas for a large country l-shaped kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Transitional Full Home Remodel (Hill)

Mariano & Co., LLC

Mid-sized transitional l-shaped separate kitchen in Phoenix with a single-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, no island, beige floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Rice Lake 5

Lampert Lumber

Inspiration for a mid-sized country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Minneapolis with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Beach Street Condo

BeeTree Homes

Photo of a small arts and crafts l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Jacksonville with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, vinyl floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Sinker Cypress Kitchen Island w/ Inset End Grain Cutting Board

NOLA BOARDS

Featuring hand turned legs and an integrated, inset end grain sinker cypress cutting board. Photos by Jason Kruppe
Design ideas for a large contemporary eat-in kitchen in New Orleans with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, white floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

House in the Tree Tops

Hermitage Kitchen Gallery LLC

Designed by Terri Sears Photography by Steven Long
This is an example of a large arts and crafts u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Nashville with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, matchstick tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Kitchen & Dining Remodel in Rochester

Gerber Homes

We installed now windows throughout the kitchen and dining room to increase the natural light.
Design ideas for a large transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Modern Farmhouse Kitchen and Family Room Update

HC Remodel & Design

HC Remodel & Design 2017 Tom Kessler Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized country eat-in kitchen in Omaha with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Austin, Texas | Hawkes Landing - Premier Juniper Kitchen

Brightland Homes

Design ideas for a large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, marble benchtops, beige splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Beaded Inset Kitchen in Shrewsbury

Ted Lochner, CKD of Spotlight Kitchen & Bath

Ted Lochner, CKD, Alban Gega
Photo of a mid-sized mediterranean l-shaped open plan kitchen in Boston with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, beige cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Passive Custom House

G. Christianson Construction, Inc.

This beautiful Craftsman style Passive House has a carbon footprint 20% that of a typically built home in Oregon. Its 12-in. thick walls with cork insulation, ultra-high efficiency windows and doors, solar panels, heat pump hot water, Energy Star appliances, fresh air intake unit, and natural daylighting keep its utility bills exceptionally low. Jen G. Pywell

Modern Farmhouse Kitchen

Tempting Interiors

Modern farmhouse kitchen remodel progress shot.
Photo of a small country galley kitchen in Boston with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

East Fort Myers Kitchen Remodel

O'Neil Industries Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Miami with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, no island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

House in the Tree Tops

Hermitage Kitchen Gallery LLC

Designed by Terri Sears Photography by Steven Long
Inspiration for a large arts and crafts u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Nashville with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, matchstick tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Kitchen Remodeling in Westlake Village

Fine Builders Inc.

This is an example of an expansive modern galley eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, white cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, raised-panel cabinets, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Wicklow Rd Kitchen and Bath Remodel

J&J Construction of Illinois, Inc.

This beautiful kitchen remodel incorporated dining area, bar area, island, and classic kitchen amenities all in one space.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Kitchen with Multi-Coloured Benchtop 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!