Troy Transitional Family Friendly Kitchen Remodel

For this young family, their existing space wasn’t working for their lifestyle. Besides the aesthetics, they felt the kitchen wasn’t living up to its full potential. A list of their wants/needs included an open, sleek design that allowed their three children to eat at the island and have a place at a nearby desk to complete homework or watch television while dinner was being prepared. With the family’s main traffic area leading directly from the garage into the kitchen, it was critical to consider a place for the kids to place their schoolwork, sports equipment, art supplies and even bring in groceries. With all of that in mind, we added lockers for each child right at the garage entry, with the idea that the cabinets could be transitioned into additional pantry storage as the family matures. With the new open space, we were able to update the room using dark and light grays, on the cabinetry and walls. Combining the elegance of traditional design with the fresh and refined look of contemporary style trends, we mixed natural wood and stone and dark oak flooring with the contemporary look of paneled cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, sleek hardware, and a glass and marble tile backsplash. By mixing these materials the home’s traditional heritage is kept intact, but the young tech savvy family now has a fantastic space where they can gather for family meals and entertainment. Kate Benjamin Photography

Lakeshore Apartment

Kuklinski + Rappe Architects

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Mid Century Revitalization

Crush Collective

Spacecrafting Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Large u-shaped kitchen with Eurostone Beige benchtops

Kiwi Kitchens Ltd

This corner area has been used to maximise storage while providing bench space. An on-bench pantry is a great place to store and use small appliances, while the under bench cupboard next to the wall oven houses an Hafele Magic Corner pullout.

Delaire Country Club H House

Ellish Builders

Inspiration for a large modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Miami with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, panelled appliances, with island, white floor and white benchtop.

Green Element

Construction by Meyer

Peter Giles Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, orange cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, yellow floor and green benchtop.

Bouldin Sisters - kitchen

Merzbau Design Collective

The linear kitchen opens to the dining/living area, and to the adjacent deck and pool. Windows below the cabinets bring in additional light and views of the grill area.

A Splash of Blue Kitchen Design in Gainesville

Haile Kitchen & Bath LLC

This transitional style kitchen design in Gainesville has an eye catching color scheme in cool shades of gray with vibrant accents of blue throughout the space. The gray perimeter kitchen cabinets coordinate perfectly with a matching custom hood, and glass front upper cabinets are ideal for displaying decorative items. The island cabinetry is a lighter shade of gray and includes open shelves at both ends. The design is complemented by an engineered quartz countertop and light gray tile backsplash. Throughout the space, vibrant pops of blue accent the kitchen design, from small accessories to the blue chevron patterned glass tile featured above the range. The island barstools and a banquette seating area also feature the signature blue tones, as well as the stunning blue sliding barn door. The design is finished with glass pendant lights, a Sub Zero refrigerator and Wolf oven and range, and a wood look tile floor.

Dallas | Lakewood | Kitchen (Revive)

Kitchen Design Concepts

Yes, you read the title right. Small updates DO make a BIG difference. Whether it’s updating a color, finish, or even the smallest: changing out the hardware, these minor updates together can all make a big difference in the space. For our Flashback Friday Feature, we have a perfect example of how you can make some small updates to revamp the entire space! The best of all, we replaced the door and drawer fronts, and added a small cabinet (removing the soffit, making the cabinets go to the ceiling) making this space seem like it’s been outfitted with a brand new kitchen! If you ask us, that’s a great way of value engineering and getting the best value out of your dollars! To learn more about this project, continue reading below! Cabinets As mentioned above, we removed the existing cabinet door and drawer fronts and replaced them with a more updated shaker style door/drawer fronts supplied by Woodmont. We removed the soffits and added an extra cabinet on the cooktop wall, taking the cabinets to the ceiling. This small update provides additional storage, and gives the space a new look! Countertops Bye-bye laminate, and hello quartz! As our clients were starting to notice the wear-and-tear of their original laminate tops, they knew they wanted something durable and that could last. Well, what better to install than quartz? Providing our clients with something that’s not only easy to maintain, but also modern was exactly what they wanted in their updated kitchen! Backsplash The original backsplash was a plain white 4×4″ tile and left much to be desired. Having lived with this backsplash for years, our clients wanted something more exciting and eye-catching. I can safely say that this small update delivered! We installed an eye-popping glass tile in blues, browns, and whites from Hirsch Glass tile in the Gemstone Collection. Hardware You’d think hardware doesn’t make a huge difference in a space, but it does! It adds not only the feel of good quality but also adds some character to the space. Here we have installed Amerock Blackrock knobs and pulls in Satin Nickel. Other Fixtures To top off the functionality and usability of the space, we installed a new sink and faucet. The sink and faucet is something used every day, so having something of great quality is much appreciated especially when so frequently used. From Kohler, we have an under-mount castiron sink in Palermo Blue. From Blanco, we have a single-hole, and pull-out spray faucet. Flooring Last but not least, we installed cork flooring. The cork provides and soft and cushiony feel and is great on your feet!

Rankin Residence

Fisher Gross Kitchen & Bath Studio

Photo of a small midcentury galley separate kitchen in San Diego with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors and a peninsula.

Summit Park House

Stephenson Design Collective

Andrew Pogue Photography
Design ideas for a large contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, panelled appliances, ceramic floors and with island.

South of South House

Terra Studio

The white cabinets, white counter, glass and mirror backsplash all combine to bring light and clarity to this Center City kitchen. Photo: Jeffrey Totaro

Shenandoah

Steve Gates Architect + E-Terra Construction

This is an example of a large modern l-shaped kitchen in Albuquerque with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, with island, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, quartz benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback and porcelain floors.

appartamento L&F in via Tasso a Roma

Franco Bernardini architetto

Franco Bernardini
Photo of a small contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Rome with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

260 PAS

Adriana Solmson

Adriana Solmson Interiors
This is an example of a large contemporary u-shaped kitchen in New York with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor, beige benchtop and dark hardwood floors.

Moor Court

Haus12 Interiors

Peter Atkinson Photography
Photo of a small modern galley separate kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, glass sheet splashback, black appliances, laminate floors, no island and grey benchtop.

Brunswick Kitchen & Wall Unit

The Kitchen Designer

Part of an addition to an existing home this kitchen, while not extra large, packs a lot of storage into a relatively small space. Home to a young family there is seating for 3. The island bench has large drawers with a bookshelf on the end for cook books. The pale grey on the island is complemented by the white cabinets elsewhere. Beautiful blue glass splashback adds an inviting splash of colour to an otherwise neutral palette. Polished timber floors throughout the room. The large wall unit on the opposite wall adds more storage to this family room. The deep blue backing complements the blue of the kitchen and makes the white shelves pop. Timber benchtop.

Shoreham House

Bryant Alsop Architects

Rhiannon Slatter
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, glass sheet splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

KraftMaid: A Kitchen That Gets Creative

KraftMaid

A kitchen can be designed to accommodate the impulses of its occupant, whether she's got a friend over, or just some free time and a project she wants to get done--transforming from social space to private place.

CODE/WAY High Gloss Reflect White & Dark Ash Wood Veener Remodel in Chicago

Studio Snaidero DC Metro

Photo of a modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, an undermount sink, grey splashback and glass sheet splashback.

Kitchen with Quartz Benchtops and Glass Sheet Splashback 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!