Alyssa Kirsten
Inspiration for a small contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, no island and light hardwood floors.

Alabaster Shaker Kitchen

Interiors 4 Living

The large drawer base and overhead mantle encapsulate this 6 ring hob to create a beautiful focal point. The units at either side create balance and symmetry. The tall oven housing and integrated fridge freezer placed along one wall creates drama and boldness, yet this is balanced by the opposing window which brings light into the soft tones of this gorgeous room!

Coastal Kitchen Blue Backsplash

Fireclay Tile

Design: JL Interior Design; Photos: Thomas Kuoh
Small beach style u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, no island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Apartment Interior Fitout by studioJLA

Justin Loe Architects

Compact Kitchen in a apartment, minimal design, with clean lines.
This is an example of a small modern u-shaped kitchen in Sydney with white cabinets, marble benchtops, no island, panelled appliances, white splashback and dark hardwood floors.

Trevaylor Cottage

Lydia Allen Interiors

Design ideas for a small eclectic u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Cornwall with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, yellow cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, terra-cotta floors, no island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Omaha, Nebraska Residence- Interior Design for New Build

Haven Design and Construction

The showstopper kitchen is punctuated by the blue skies and green rolling hills of this Omaha home's exterior landscape. The crisp black and white kitchen features a vaulted ceiling with wood ceiling beams, large modern black windows, wood look tile floors, Wolf Subzero appliances, a large kitchen island with seating for six, an expansive dining area with floor to ceiling windows, black and gold island pendants, quartz countertops and a marble tile backsplash. A scullery located behind the kitchen features ample pantry storage, a prep sink, a built-in coffee bar and stunning black and white marble floor tile.

Emerald Hills Kitchen

JBR Designs

The existing kitchen was an unfunctional galley style kitchen. In order to maximize storage and add a finished look to the new kitchen, we added two lazy susan cabinets in each of the back corners and a large bank of drawers to anchor the back wall. We also added an upper cabinet to the right of the offset window for added storage and balance to the space.

Projet Saint-Mandé

Karen Tinka Design Intérieur

Mid-sized midcentury single-wall open plan kitchen in Paris with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, brown floor, grey splashback and grey benchtop.

Transitional Green Serenity Kitchen

CairnsCraft Design & Remodel

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Diego with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, no island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Islington Maisonette

Larissa Johnston Architects

Design ideas for a modern single-wall eat-in kitchen in London with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, metallic splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, no island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Peninsula Custom Home

Kelly Hohla Interiors

Transitional Hidden Butler's Pantry Paul Dyer Photography
This is an example of a transitional galley separate kitchen in San Francisco with glass-front cabinets, medium hardwood floors, no island, white benchtop, turquoise cabinets, quartzite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, matchstick tile splashback and brown floor.

cuisine

Atelier Parallel

Photo of a small contemporary single-wall kitchen in Other with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, black splashback, panelled appliances, terrazzo floors, no island, grey floor and black benchtop.

Open and Airy Highland House

Nathan Taylor for Obelisk Home

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped kitchen pantry in Other with an undermount sink, blue cabinets, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, white benchtop, quartz benchtops, shaker cabinets, grey splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances and no island.

Rénovation d'une Maison Parisienne

Lagom architectes

This is an example of a large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Paris with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, concrete floors, no island, white floor and black benchtop.

Encino Mid Century

Pamela Leone Design, Inc.

Mid Century Kitchen
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped separate kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, white benchtop, no island and grey floor.

3 pièces - Saint Maurice

STUDIO MINT

Cuisine scandinave sous véranda. Meubles Ikea. Carreaux de ciment Bahya. © Delphine LE MOINE
Mid-sized scandinavian single-wall open plan kitchen in Paris with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, cement tiles, no island and blue floor.

NYC Kitchen Remodel

Palette Pro Painting & Renovation

Inspiration for a small contemporary kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, blue cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, white benchtop, flat-panel cabinets, quartzite benchtops, subway tile splashback and no island.

House in Harleysvillek

River Woodcraft

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional l-shaped kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, black appliances, no island, black floor and white benchtop.

Appartement Lalaland

AMOS

Joan Bracco
This is an example of an expansive contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Paris with black cabinets, marble benchtops, marble splashback, flat-panel cabinets, grey splashback, medium hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Camden Town Mews Home

Studio Schubert

Elayne Barre
Mid-sized contemporary galley separate kitchen in London with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, marble splashback, no island, grey floor, white benchtop and panelled appliances.

All Cabinet Finishes Kitchen with 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!