The simple use of black and white…classic, timeless, elegant. No better words could describe the renovation of this kitchen, dining room and seating area. First, an amazing wall of custom cabinets was installed. The home’s 10’ ceilings provided a nice opportunity to stack up decorative glass cabinetry and highly crafted crown moldings on top, while maintaining a considerable amount of cabinetry just below it. The custom-made brush stroke finished cabinetry is highlighted by a chimney-style wood hood surround with leaded glass cabinets. Custom display cabinets with leaded glass also separate the kitchen from the dining room. Next, the homeowner installed a 5’ x 14’ island finished in black. It houses the main sink with a pedal style control disposal, dishwasher, microwave, second bar sink, beverage center refrigerator and still has room to sit five to six people. The hardwood floor in the kitchen and family room matches the rest of the house. The homeowner wanted to use a very selective white quartzite stone for counters and backsplash to add to the brightness of their kitchen. Contemporary chandeliers over the island are timeless and elegant. High end appliances covered by custom panels are part of this featured project, both to satisfy the owner’s needs and to implement the classic look desired for this kitchen. Beautiful dining and living areas surround this kitchen. All done in a contemporary style to create a seamless design and feel the owner had in mind.

White Kitchen Cabinetry with Pull Out Spice Racks St. Louis, MO

Karr Bick Kitchen and Bath

Denash Photography, Designed by Jenny Rausch, C.K.D. View of Wolf range with adjacent pull out spice rack. Granite countertop and slab backplash. Wood hood with corbels. Hardwood flooring.

The Country Mansion

Alvarez Homes

Photography by Jorge Alvarez.
This is an example of a large traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Tampa with a farmhouse sink, dark wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, recessed-panel cabinets, marble benchtops, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island and beige floor.

Manakin Sabot Kitchens

European Stone Concepts

Inspiration for a traditional kitchen in Richmond with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances and medium hardwood floors.

East Meets West

User

A 19th century Japanese Mizuya is wall mounted and split into two sections to act as upper and lower cabinets. Custom cabinetry mimic the style of the client's prized tonsu chest in the adjacent dining room

Spanish Colonial Revival Hacienda

Allen Construction

Architect: Peter Becker General Contractor: Allen Construction Photographer: Ciro Coelho
Photo of a mid-sized mediterranean l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Santa Barbara with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Modern Lacquer with island in Swiss Cottage

Kitchens Continental

A beautiful modern, yet practical, lacquer door kitchen with a white speckled quartz and working / breakfast island.
This is an example of a mid-sized modern single-wall open plan kitchen in London with a drop-in sink, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone slab splashback, black appliances, with island and multi-coloured benchtop.

Cherry Kitchen with Contrast Island in Bethesda, MD

Kitchen Saver

This kitchen was refaced with cherry wood in two different stains. The island has an espresso stain, and the kitchen around it has a more traditional cherry color on its doors and veneer. The raised center panels on the doors and the crown moulding combine for a traditional look. The sinks have two tip out trays for added functionality.

Farmhouse Kitchen Reveries

Geneva Cabinet Company, LLC

Geneva Cabinet Company, LLC., Lake Geneva, WI Plato Woodwork, Inc., Open kitchen concept with oversized island and casual dining area. Diamond White finish, glass door display cabinets to each side of Scathain hood. Recessed television, serving buffet area, recessed television,

Spanish Colonial Revival Hacienda

Allen Construction

Architect: Peter Becker General Contractor: Allen Construction Photographer: Ciro Coelho
Photo of a mid-sized mediterranean eat-in kitchen in Santa Barbara with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Custom Kitchen with Heavy Timber accents

Barna Log Homes Of PA

This is an example of a mid-sized country l-shaped separate kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, wood benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and recessed-panel cabinets.

Kitchen in Sterling Road, Armonk

Amazing Spaces

The stainless steel double oven and range hood compliment the white cabinetry and metal hardware. Warm tones in the stonewood granite backsplash and island countertop add interest and coordinate with the furnishings in the adjacent sunroom. Dark hardwood floors ground the space. Warm neutral paint on the walls and ceiling help the large space feel warm and inviting. Ilir Rizaj

IRG Kitchens

Integrated Resources Group

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and beige floor.

Anthem, Stonemark

Aaron Vry Designer Kitchens & Baths

This is an example of a large contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Las Vegas with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, travertine floors, with island, beige floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Contemporary Kitchen

Photo of a small contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Holly - Kitchen Renovation

Legal Eagle Contractors

Notice the end panel detailing on the Shaker-style, custom cabinets. A legrand electrical outlet (three-prong) that pops out with light pressure can be seen at the end of the peninsula - its' finish is consistent with other surfaces and fixtures. The outlet's location allows users of any height and ability to access it, which equates with proper universal design. Photo: Dan Bawden.

Modern Luxe

AVID Associates LLC

Modern hi-gloss veneered cabinetry ground the dramatic veining in the quartzite stone waterfall edged countertops. Sculptural tile accents the bar front for interest and durability. Dan Piassick

Craftsman Kitchen

Vision Interiors

Lisa Webb
Inspiration for a small arts and crafts l-shaped separate kitchen in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors and no island.

Wimbledon Renovation

Randell Design Group

Complete renovation of Wimbledon townhome. Features include: vintage Holophane pendants Stone splashback by Gerald Culliford custom cabinetry Artwork by Shirin Tabeshfar

Luxury House in Buckinghamshire

Lida Cucina

Beautiful drawer inserts in crocodile photo by Jonathon Little
This is an example of an expansive contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Buckinghamshire with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, multiple islands, multi-coloured splashback, stone slab splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Kitchen with Multi-Coloured Splashback and Stone Slab 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!