This contemporary barn is the perfect mix of clean lines and colors with a touch of reclaimed materials in each room. The Mixed Species Barn Wood siding adds a rustic appeal to the exterior of this fresh living space. With interior white walls the Barn Wood ceiling makes a statement. Accent pieces are around each corner. Taking our Timbers Veneers to a whole new level, the builder used them as shelving in the kitchen and stair treads leading to the top floor. Tying the mix of brown and gray color tones to each room, this showstopper dinning table is a place for the whole family to gather.

Pantry

The Organized Home

Mid-sized contemporary kitchen pantry in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, slate floors, no island and grey floor.

Window Wall with Marble Sink

KraftMaster Renovations

Marble farmhouse sink is highlighted on this window wall with pendant accent lighting.
This is an example of a small u-shaped separate kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, white appliances, slate floors, no island, grey floor and black benchtop.

Tinny Cornish cottage kitchen

Kettle Co. Kitchens

This Cornish county home required a bespoke designed kitchen to maximise storage yet create a warm, fresh and open feel to the room.
Small contemporary u-shaped separate kitchen in Cornwall with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, slate floors, no island, grey floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Mid Century Modern Remodel

Chuckanut Builders

We love a nice galley kitchen! This beauty has custom white oak cabinetry, slate tile flooring, white quartz countertops and a hidden pocket door.
Mid-sized midcentury galley eat-in kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, no island, grey floor, white benchtop and medium wood cabinets.

Santa Monica Bungalow

GLYNNdesignbuild

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, medium wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, grey floor, flat-panel cabinets, no island and quartzite benchtops.

Bright & Fresh First Floor

Unpatterned

Photo: Dustin Halleck
Photo of a beach style galley eat-in kitchen in Chicago with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, no island, white benchtop, an undermount sink and brown floor.

Mid-century Modern Kitchen

Dream Kitchens, Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury galley separate kitchen in Chicago with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, no island and blue floor.

Basement Conversion in Willowbrae, Edinburgh

Fernandes-Binns Architects

Chris Humphreys Photography Ltd
Photo of a mid-sized modern single-wall eat-in kitchen in Edinburgh with solid surface benchtops, white splashback, panelled appliances, slate floors, no island, grey floor, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets and white cabinets.

Manhattan, NY Residence

Artistic Tile

Photo of a small transitional galley separate kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors and no island.

le charme parisien

atelier daaa

Photo : BCDF Studio
Design ideas for a mid-sized scandinavian u-shaped separate kitchen in Paris with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, slate floors, no island, a single-bowl sink, grey floor and beige benchtop.

Top Ridge

Wright Design

This charming European-inspired home juxtaposes old-world architecture with more contemporary details. The exterior is primarily comprised of granite stonework with limestone accents. The stair turret provides circulation throughout all three levels of the home, and custom iron windows afford expansive lake and mountain views. The interior features custom iron windows, plaster walls, reclaimed heart pine timbers, quartersawn oak floors and reclaimed oak millwork.

Wolf Ranges

Baron's Major Brands

Give your kitchen an iconic centerpiece. Wolf gas and dual fuel ranges are unmistakable heirs of the cooking instruments that have been the choice of professionals for eight decades – and are now the favorite of discerning home cooks. Dual-stacked sealed burners deliver exhilarating precision and performance, while the convection oven provides consistent heat for perfect roasting, baking and broiling.

Modern New York City Apartment – Renovation Kitchen

LAURIE BLUMENFELD DESIGN

The kitchen required inventive strategies. Knowing that new cabinets were not part of the budget and new appliances were a must, we resurfaced the cabinets in glossy gray, added contrasting hardware, and installed cabinet lighting. A new lush black slate floor and handmade Moroccan tile back splash add contrast. The industrial chic pendant is the crowning touch. | Interior Design by Laurie Blumenfeld-Russo | Tim Williams Photography

Warson Woods

Karen Korn Interiors

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in St Louis with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, no island, black floor and white benchtop.

Eastport Victorian Kitchen

Tina Colebrook Architect

The existing quirky floor plan of this 17 year old kitchen created 4 work areas and left no room for a proper laundry and utility room. We actually made this kitchen smaller to make it function better. We took the cramped u-shaped area that housed the stove and refrigerator and walled it off to create a new more generous laundry room with room for ironing & sewing. The now rectangular shaped kitchen was reoriented by installing new windows with higher sills we were able to line the exterior wall with cabinets and counter, giving the sink a nice view to the side yard. To create the Victorian look the owners desired in their 1920’s home, we used wall cabinets with inset doors and beaded panels, for economy the base cabinets are full overlay doors & drawers all in the same finish, Nordic White. The owner selected a gorgeous serene white river granite for the counters and we selected a taupe glass subway tile to pull the palette together. Another special feature of this kitchen is the custom pocket dog door. The owner’s had a salvaged door that we incorporated in a pocket in the peninsula to corale the dogs when the owner aren’t home. Tina Colebrook

Bennett Avenue

Signature Interior Designs

This is an example of a mid-sized country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, no island, multi-coloured floor and white benchtop.

Strait Lane Estate

Mary Anne Smiley Interiors

Part of an award wining kitchen project, this "Service" pantry is totally outfitted with everything a caterer will need to provide for entertaining behind the scenes so that the main kitchen can be kept clean and neat for guests who invariably end up in the kitchen. Includes beverage drawers, ice maker, glassware dishwasher, cloth lined silver cabinet, tray storage, and lots of storage for fine china and glassware, as well as food storage with sliding glass doors. the metallic auto paint on cabinets and stainless mesh inserts in doors give a cutting edge effect to a well organized and stylish pantry. Photographer:Dan Piassick

Water Mill Refurbishment

Woodford Architecture and Interiors

Photo of a large country u-shaped kitchen in Devon with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, blue cabinets, solid surface benchtops, brown splashback, stone slab splashback, slate floors, no island, grey floor, white benchtop and panelled appliances.

White Shaker Kitchen

Chiddingfold Kitchens and Interiors

Photographed by Carica Media / Barney Hindle
Photo of a mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Surrey with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, beige splashback, porcelain splashback, black appliances, slate floors, no island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Slate Floors and no Island 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!