This exciting ‘whole house’ project began when a couple contacted us while house shopping. They found a 1980s contemporary colonial in Delafield with a great wooded lot on Nagawicka Lake. The kitchen and bathrooms were outdated but it had plenty of space and potential. We toured the home, learned about their design style and dream for the new space. The goal of this project was to create a contemporary space that was interesting and unique. Above all, they wanted a home where they could entertain and make a future. At first, the couple thought they wanted to remodel only the kitchen and master suite. But after seeing Kowalske Kitchen & Bath’s design for transforming the entire house, they wanted to remodel it all. The couple purchased the home and hired us as the design-build-remodel contractor. First Floor Remodel The biggest transformation of this home is the first floor. The original entry was dark and closed off. By removing the dining room walls, we opened up the space for a grand entry into the kitchen and dining room. The open-concept kitchen features a large navy island, blue subway tile backsplash, bamboo wood shelves and fun lighting. On the first floor, we also turned a bathroom/sauna into a full bathroom and powder room. We were excited to give them a ‘wow’ powder room with a yellow penny tile wall, floating bamboo vanity and chic geometric cement tile floor. Second Floor Remodel The second floor remodel included a fireplace landing area, master suite, and turning an open loft area into a bedroom and bathroom. In the master suite, we removed a large whirlpool tub and reconfigured the bathroom/closet space. For a clean and classic look, the couple chose a black and white color pallet. We used subway tile on the walls in the large walk-in shower, a glass door with matte black finish, hexagon tile on the floor, a black vanity and quartz counters. Flooring, trim and doors were updated throughout the home for a cohesive look.

Bachelor Pad Remodel

A.Design, LLC

Large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, white benchtop, shaker cabinets and brown floor.

Tamarack in Greenville November 2017

Cypress Homes, Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern single-wall open plan kitchen in Other with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island and brown floor.

Refined Midcentury

Beyond Kitchens

Photographer: Marit Williams Photography
Mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

3 Tone Kitchen in Orange

WC Design Center

The before vs after on this one is unreal… believe it or not we added a soffit, which completely balanced the space. We chose to use 3 different colors just in cabinets and still added an extra pop with the custom hood. The combo couldn’t have come out better! Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to select warm tones or paint colors other than white! It brings life to a space in so many ways.

Open Concept Kitchen Living Room in Strongsville, OH

HTZ Construction

We installed a structural beam so that we could remove walls and totally open up this space! We installed new cabinets, counters, backsplash, lighting, flooring and paint for a space that is perfect for entertaining! Decorating by Colleen Primm Design.

Claremont, CA - Contemporary/Modern Kitchen Remodel

Classic Kitchens, Etc.

This beautiful kitchen remodel includes sable stained cabinets, paired with white quartz and brushed nickel pulls and knobs. The backsplash is a glossy 4x16 tile set staggered. The sink is an unequal, quartz sink, with stainless steel appliances. The island has a built-in microwave and added deep drawers and some book shelves for more space. Moving to the floor that ties the whole kitchen together is waterproof, wood-look laminate flooring.

Hatlen

Advanced Alterations & Installation

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury galley kitchen in Portland with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, grey floor and white benchtop.

Compton Lane Kitchen

Cornerstone Remodeling, LLC

Design ideas for a large beach style l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Baltimore with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Warm and Spacious Kitchen, Coffee Bar & Laundry

Greater Dayton Building & Remodeling

Warm and inviting transitional open kitchen with a large island with seating. A fantastic showcase of a large and functional kitchen with ample workspace, storage and a large island for entertaining or prep work.

Priddis Cottage kitchen

Cat Hackman

Philippe Clairo
This is an example of a small country l-shaped kitchen pantry in Calgary with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances and vinyl floors.

Medina Kitchen Remodel & Family Room Addition

Tim Englert Construction, Inc.

The kitchen is bright & spacious and opens to the new family room addition
Design ideas for a traditional kitchen in Cleveland with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

The Best of the Galley Kitchen

Creative Living

Wellborn Premier Prairie Maple Shaker Doors, Bleu Color, Amerock Satin Brass Bar Pulls, Delta Satin Brass Touch Faucet, Kraus Deep Undermount Sik, Gray Quartz Countertops, GE Profile Slate Gray Matte Finish Appliances, Brushed Gold Light Fixtures, Floor & Decor Printed Porcelain Tiles w/ Vintage Details, Floating Stained Shelves for Coffee Bar, Neptune Synergy Mixed Width Water Proof San Marcos Color Vinyl Snap Down Plank Flooring, Brushed Nickel Outlet Covers, Zline Drop in 30" Cooktop, Rev-a-Shelf Lazy Susan, Double Super Trash Pullout, & Spice Rack, this little Galley has it ALL!

Country Cottage Kitchen

Interior Enhancements

Mid-sized traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island and brown floor.

Transitional Charm

Spectrum Design Group

Cory Rodeheaver
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, quartz benchtops, brown splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors and no island.

Marine Aldana ash skinny shaker galley kitchen

A Class Kitchens of Bedford

This project was a narrow kitchen in Bromham Bedfordshire. We removed the kitchen and some small stud walls to maximise the space, and fitted this beautiful ash Aldana skinny shaker kitchen painted in Marine. The customer chose laminate worktop, LVT floor fitted in a herringbone style, brass handles and tap and a feature splashback.

House of the year entry

Fortified Homes Ltd

Design ideas for a large contemporary eat-in kitchen in Christchurch with a double-bowl sink, laminate benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island and brown floor.

Sayward Hill Condo Renovation

MAC Renovations LTD.

Photo of a small contemporary galley separate kitchen in Vancouver with an undermount sink, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, grey floor and white benchtop.

Urban Farmhouse Addition & Remodel - Long Beach, CA

Morey Remodeling Group

Inspiration for a large country single-wall eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Simple Compact Kitchen

Carpentry with Integrity, Inc.

Small traditional l-shaped separate kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Porcelain Splashback and Vinyl Floors 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!