Photo of a mid-sized beach style u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with a farmhouse sink, open cabinets, distressed cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, shiplap splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Ridgecrest Kitchen

Kathryn J. LeMaster Art & Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized country u-shaped kitchen pantry in Little Rock with open cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, porcelain floors, white floor and white benchtop.

Barn Door Walk-in Pantry, Transitional Kitchen Remodel

MainStreet Design Build

This beautiful Birmingham, MI home had been renovated prior to our clients purchase, but the style and overall design was not a fit for their family. They really wanted to have a kitchen with a large “eat-in” island where their three growing children could gather, eat meals and enjoy time together. Additionally, they needed storage, lots of storage! We decided to create a completely new space. The original kitchen was a small “L” shaped workspace with the nook visible from the front entry. It was completely closed off to the large vaulted family room. Our team at MSDB re-designed and gutted the entire space. We removed the wall between the kitchen and family room and eliminated existing closet spaces and then added a small cantilevered addition toward the backyard. With the expanded open space, we were able to flip the kitchen into the old nook area and add an extra-large island. The new kitchen includes oversized built in Subzero refrigeration, a 48” Wolf dual fuel double oven range along with a large apron front sink overlooking the patio and a 2nd prep sink in the island. Additionally, we used hallway and closet storage to create a gorgeous walk-in pantry with beautiful frosted glass barn doors. As you slide the doors open the lights go on and you enter a completely new space with butcher block countertops for baking preparation and a coffee bar, subway tile backsplash and room for any kind of storage needed. The homeowners love the ability to display some of the wine they’ve purchased during their travels to Italy! We did not stop with the kitchen; a small bar was added in the new nook area with additional refrigeration. A brand-new mud room was created between the nook and garage with 12” x 24”, easy to clean, porcelain gray tile floor. The finishing touches were the new custom living room fireplace with marble mosaic tile surround and marble hearth and stunning extra wide plank hand scraped oak flooring throughout the entire first floor.

Wide Open Spaces

Design Harmony

Cory Holland
Transitional u-shaped kitchen pantry in Seattle with open cabinets, white cabinets, brick splashback, light hardwood floors, no island and beige floor.

Pantry

Dwellings Design Group

Photo of a large transitional kitchen pantry in Orange County with an undermount sink, white cabinets, granite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, subway tile splashback and open cabinets.

Kitchen Transformation

Smith & Vansant Architects PC

This kitchen was formerly a dark paneled, cluttered, divided space with little natural light. By eliminating partitions and creating a more functional, open floorplan, as well as adding modern windows with traditional detailing, providing lovingly detailed built-ins for the clients extensive collection of beautiful dishes, and lightening up the color palette we were able to create a rather miraculous transformation. The wide plank salvaged pine floors, the antique french dining table, as well as the Galbraith & Paul drum pendant and the salvaged antique glass monopoint track pendants all help to provide a warmth to the crisp detailing. Renovation/Addition. Rob Karosis Photography

Chestnut Hill

J. Stewart Designs

Large country u-shaped kitchen pantry in Jackson with a farmhouse sink, open cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island and grey floor.

Rollingwood Slide House

Oliver Custom Homes

Architect: Tim Brown Architecture. Photographer: Casey Fry
This is an example of a large country u-shaped kitchen pantry in Austin with open cabinets, white splashback, concrete floors, marble benchtops, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and green cabinets.

Greenpoint Townhouse

A.Jennison Interiors

Photo - Jessica Glynn Photography
Inspiration for a large transitional galley open plan kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, open cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, black cabinets, wood benchtops and beige floor.

Elk Country Estate_French Country_Walk in Pantry

Cascade Builders & Associates Inc.

Mid-sized u-shaped kitchen pantry in Other with a drop-in sink, grey cabinets, medium hardwood floors, no island, open cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback and subway tile splashback.

Santa Cruz Spectacular Transitional Kitchen

Design Matters

Crisp, clean, lines of this beautiful black and white kitchen with a gray and warm wood twist~
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped kitchen pantry in San Francisco with white cabinets, quartz benchtops, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, an undermount sink, open cabinets, white splashback and light hardwood floors.

Contemporary Tuscan

TRG Architecture + Interior Design

Bernard Andre
Photo of a large contemporary l-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, open cabinets, medium wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, marble benchtops, mosaic tile splashback and beige floor.

Island Family Retreat

Martha's Vineyard Interior Design

Eric Roth Photography
Large country l-shaped kitchen in Boston with open cabinets, white cabinets, metallic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, a farmhouse sink, concrete benchtops, metal splashback, beige floor and grey benchtop.

Walk-in Pantry – Red Pine Farm – 2015 Model

Gonyea Custom Homes

Walk-in pantry has plenty of space for dishes, service ware, and even ingredients. Photography by Spacecrafting
Large transitional l-shaped kitchen pantry in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and open cabinets.

Crane Residence

Spore Design

Inspiration for a modern open plan kitchen in Seattle with a single-bowl sink, open cabinets, light wood cabinets, black splashback, stone slab splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Kitchen Remodel

Harbold Homes LLC

Photo of a large l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland with a drop-in sink, open cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island and multi-coloured benchtop.

Historic Piano Factory AirBnB

HouseHome

Built in 1896, the original site of the Baldwin Piano warehouse was transformed into several turn-of-the-century residential spaces in the heart of Downtown Denver. The building is the last remaining structure in Downtown Denver with a cast-iron facade. HouseHome was invited to take on a poorly designed loft and transform it into a luxury Airbnb rental. Since this building has such a dense history, it was our mission to bring the focus back onto the unique features, such as the original brick, large windows, and unique architecture. Our client wanted the space to be transformed into a luxury, unique Airbnb for world travelers and tourists hoping to experience the history and art of the Denver scene. We went with a modern, clean-lined design with warm brick, moody black tones, and pops of green and white, all tied together with metal accents. The high-contrast black ceiling is the wow factor in this design, pushing the envelope to create a completely unique space. Other added elements in this loft are the modern, high-gloss kitchen cabinetry, the concrete tile backsplash, and the unique multi-use space in the Living Room. Truly a dream rental that perfectly encapsulates the trendy, historical personality of the Denver area.

French Influences on an Urban Residence

Stalburg Design

These days, we design the Butler’s Pantry and Walk In Pantry to do the “heavy lifting” ?? for the kitchen. With undercounter refrigerators, appliance stations, built-in microwaves, these back-kitchen zones are the workhorses ? of the kitchen. And we believe they should be just as gorgeous!

Milton Home #2

Keystone Millworks Inc

Photo of a transitional u-shaped kitchen pantry in Atlanta with open cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, light hardwood floors, no island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Eclectic Blue Kitchen

Wm Ohs Showrooms

Photo of a mid-sized traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Denver with a farmhouse sink, open cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, blue floor and white benchtop.

All Backsplash Materials Kitchen with Open Cabinets 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!