Midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in Dallas with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor, white benchtop and wood.

Modern Cherry Veneer Kitchen

Studio On Cedar LLC

This is an example of an expansive modern galley eat-in kitchen in Minneapolis with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, beige floor, yellow benchtop and wood.

Chrome Finish Faucet & pneumatic swithc for garbage disposal

OC Architectural Woodwork

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall kitchen in Miami with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, multiple islands, brown floor, white benchtop and wood.

Historic Log Home Kitchen Remodel

Carriage House Custom Homes & Interiors, Inc.

Log cabin kitchen with white cabinets, black quartz countertops, black hardware, wood floors and ceiling, shiplap walls
Design ideas for a large transitional eat-in kitchen in Nashville with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, shiplap splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor, black benchtop and wood.

160 - Dana Point - Transitional Kitchen Remodel

APlus Interior Design & Remodeling

Design Build Transitional Kitchen Remodel with Custom white Cabinets wood floor lighting farmhouse sink
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, granite splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor, white benchtop and wood.

Austin Kitchen

Bentwood of Houston

This is an example of a transitional kitchen in Houston with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor, grey benchtop and wood.

CARLO LEVRIERI D2

LA Modern Kitchen by MEF

This is an example of a modern eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, cement tiles, multiple islands, black floor, grey benchtop and wood.

08109 Private Residence in The Ridges, Las Vegas Nevada

Pinnacle Architectural Studio

Pinnacle Architectural Studio - Contemporary Custom Architecture - Kitchen View from Great Room - Indigo at The Ridges - Las Vegas
Expansive contemporary eat-in kitchen in Las Vegas with an undermount sink, open cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, porcelain floors, multiple islands, turquoise floor, white benchtop and wood.

Texas Mediterranean

Becca Lea Photography

Mediterranean kitchen pantry in Austin with a farmhouse sink, marble benchtops, multiple islands and wood.

ROWAYTON, CT - Waterfront Edge

DEANE Inc | Distinctive Design & Cabinetry

This open-footprint kitchen has a modern, industrial feel. The design choices are anchored by the hot-rolled steel, open shelving display cabinetry to maximize space while allowing spectacular views of the Long Island Sound. The slab-front cabinetry with stainless steel pulls in the kitchen and dining area is Rift Oak with a grey/white cerusing and features grain-matched cabinet fronts for a cohesive visual pattern line. The counters are topped by Black Absolute Granite with a Venetian finish to add texture. The owner chose SubZero Wolf appliances and the highly popular Galley sink along with upgraded walnut drawer and cabinet inserts to make the space truly functional. The bar area showcases twin 86 bottle wine coolers with refrigeration and ice drawers, along with a linear glass tile backsplash and frame-only drawers on the upper wall cabinets for a sleek look.

Colony Project

Thermally Broken Steel USA

Custom windows, doors, and hardware designed and furnished by Thermally Broken Steel USA. Other sources: Sink fittings by Dornbracht.
Design ideas for a large modern open plan kitchen in Salt Lake City with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and wood.

Bella Vista Loft

Wyant Architecture

Kitchen, Photo: Jeffrey Totaro
Design ideas for a mid-sized industrial l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, black benchtop and wood.

Portola Warm Contemporary

Isolina Mallon Interiors

Kitchen and staircase to the basement.
Large contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, multiple islands, grey floor, white benchtop and wood.

Exhaust Stainless Steel Island Mount Range Hood vent

OC Architectural Woodwork

Mid-sized contemporary single-wall kitchen in Miami with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, multiple islands, brown floor, white benchtop and wood.

Waterfront Post and Beam

Doyle Coffin Architecture LLC

Design ideas for a large country u-shaped separate kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor, grey benchtop and wood.

160 - Dana Point - Transitional Kitchen Remodel

APlus Interior Design & Remodeling

Design Build Transitional Kitchen Remodel with Custom white Cabinets wood floor lighting farmhouse sink
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, granite splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor, white benchtop and wood.

Modern Rustic Kitchen

Spectrum Design Group

The existing peninsula was converted into a second island. This allowed us to keep the main sink in its original location and create better access to the family room space. Custom flooring was made to match the existing floor and blended in where the wall section was removed. Great care was taken to select finish materials that reflected understated luxury. Lighting was moved and added to the beaded ceiling that ran throughout most of the first floor.

Austin Kitchen

Bentwood of Houston

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen in Houston with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor, grey benchtop and wood.

GDM House - Vicenza

ThoDes Interior Design Studios

Grande e spaziosa cucina, caratterizzata dalla grande isola centrale con piano ad induzione e lavabo, grandi colonne dietro con forno e microonde e zona laterale di lavoro con frigorigero free standing

Colony Project

Thermally Broken Steel USA

An open plan and large windows for this space creates expansive views for the combined kitchen, dining room, and fireplace den/hearth room. Custom windows, doors, and hardware designed and furnished by Thermally Broken Steel USA. Other sources: Custom cooking suite by Morrone. Cooking range by Molteni. Sink fittings by Dornbracht. Western Hemlock walls and ceiling, Oak floors by reSAWN TIMBER Co.

Kitchen with multiple Islands and Wood 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!