Photo of a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Milwaukee with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and timber.

Custom Kitchen

Forest City Cabinets

Aged Red Oak cabinets accented by a gray island.
Mid-sized traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Milwaukee with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, porcelain splashback, panelled appliances, vinyl floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and timber.

Farmhouse Kitchen and Laundry Room Remodel in Naperville, Illinois

Hyland Homes

Design ideas for a mid-sized country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, orange floor, beige benchtop and timber.

New Recycled Brick House

Baker Drofenik Architects Pty Ltd

Contemporary home for young family in inner city
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and timber.

Peterborough Kitchen Renovation

Lakeshore Designs

Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a double-bowl sink, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and timber.

Kitchen: San Juan Capistrano Casual, Orange County, CA

KK Design Concepts

The kitchen now expands into an area where the nook used to be. Photo: Sabine Klingler Kane, KK Design Koncepts, Laguna Niguel, CA
Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style l-shaped kitchen in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, black benchtop, multiple islands and timber.

Kitchen: San Juan Capistrano Casual, Orange County, CA

KK Design Concepts

This kitchen almost doubled in space without adding to the footprint by completely re-arranging it. There used to be a wall where the peninsula with the undercounter refrigerators is as well as where the glass cabinet is that separates the dining area. Photo: Sabine Klingler Kane, KK Design Koncepts, Laguna Niguel, CA

Needham II

Michelle Markert Interiors

Needham Spec House. Eating room: Nickel Gap wall paneling and nickel gap cathedral ceiling. Trim color Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace. Shaws flooring Empire Oak in Vanderbilt finish selected by BUYER. Wall color and lights provided by BUYER. Photography by Sheryl Kalis. Construction by Veatch Property Development.

Rich Artisan

Smithwood Builders Inc.

With two teen daughters, a one bathroom house isn’t going to cut it. In order to keep the peace, our clients tore down an existing house in Richmond, BC to build a dream home suitable for a growing family. The plan. To keep the business on the main floor, complete with gym and media room, and have the bedrooms on the upper floor to retreat to for moments of tranquility. Designed in an Arts and Crafts manner, the home’s facade and interior impeccably flow together. Most of the rooms have craftsman style custom millwork designed for continuity. The highlight of the main floor is the dining room with a ridge skylight where ship-lap and exposed beams are used as finishing touches. Large windows were installed throughout to maximize light and two covered outdoor patios built for extra square footage. The kitchen overlooks the great room and comes with a separate wok kitchen. You can never have too many kitchens! The upper floor was designed with a Jack and Jill bathroom for the girls and a fourth bedroom with en-suite for one of them to move to when the need presents itself. Mom and dad thought things through and kept their master bedroom and en-suite on the opposite side of the floor. With such a well thought out floor plan, this home is sure to please for years to come.

Kitchen Refresh Inspires Homeowner

Geneva Cabinet Company, LLC

Geneva Cabinet Company, LLC, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin., kitchen remodel replaces island with peninsula for more open space and more convenient operation. Shiloh Cabinetry,

Caledon Country Home

marcon KITCHEN + BATH STUDIO

Design and photos by Uli Rankin
This is an example of a large country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and timber.

Peterborough Kitchen Renovation

Lakeshore Designs

Large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a double-bowl sink, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and timber.

Банный домик

Анна Иванова

Мини кухня выполнена из массива дуба, дополнена декоративными элементами, текстилем.
Inspiration for a small traditional single-wall separate kitchen in Other with an integrated sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, porcelain floors, no island, blue floor, blue benchtop and timber.

Farmhouse Kitchen at Plantation - Florida

OC Architectural Woodwork

Design ideas for a large country open plan kitchen in Miami with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and timber.

Kitchen with a View

Waterview Kitchens

Gorgeous all blue kitchen cabinetry featuring brass and gold accents on hood, pendant lights and cabinetry hardware. The stunning intracoastal waterway views and sparkling turquoise water add more beauty to this fabulous kitchen.

Open Kitchen with Carrara Quartz Countertop and Island in Fairfax VA

KBR Kitchen & Bath

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and timber.

Sturgeon County Silverchief Estates - Main Floor Renovation

Four Elements Construction

Our clients with an acreage in Sturgeon County backing onto the Sturgeon River wanted to completely update and re-work the floorplan of their late 70's era home's main level to create a more open and functional living space. Their living room became a large dining room with a farmhouse style fireplace and mantle, and their kitchen / nook plus dining room became a very large custom chef's kitchen with 3 islands! Add to that a brand new bathroom with steam shower and back entry mud room / laundry room with custom cabinetry and double barn doors. Extensive use of shiplap, open beams, and unique accent lighting completed the look of their modern farmhouse / craftsman styled main floor. Beautiful!

Peterborough Kitchen Renovation

Lakeshore Designs

Photo of a large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a double-bowl sink, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and timber.

Rich Artisan

Smithwood Builders Inc.

Entertainer's Kitchen Remodel

Geneva Cabinet Company, LLC

Kitchen remodeled with an open and fresh concept for daily living and special entertaining. Plato Prelude cabinetry is used in a combination of colors featuring Arctic on the perimeter and Raindrop blue on the island and custom range hood. Countertops are Cambria Quartz in color Brittanica and hardware is from Top knobs in brushed satin nickel. The entire remodel was completed by the team at Geneva Cabinet Company.

Kitchen with Porcelain Splashback and Timber 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!