Classic White kitchen in Hinsdale, IL. A large space with tall ceilings and an open floor plan, PB designers responded with a design of appropriate scale.

Smithtown Artisan Home

Aspect Design Build

Photo of a mid-sized modern single-wall open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Springlake Ave. Hinsdale Kitchen

Plain & Posh

When these homeowners first approached me to help them update their kitchen, the first thing that came to mind was to open it up. The house was over 70 years old and the kitchen was a small boxed in area, that did not connect well to the large addition on the back of the house. Removing the former exterior, load bearinig, wall opened the space up dramatically. Then, I relocated the sink to the new peninsula and the range to the outside wall. New windows were added to flank the range. The homeowner is an architect and designed the stunning hood that is truly the focal point of the room. The shiplap island is a complex work that hides 3 drawers and spice storage. The original slate floors have radiant heat under them and needed to remain. The new greige cabinet color, with the accent of the dark grayish green on the custom furnuture piece and hutch, truly compiment the floor tones. Added features such as the wood beam that hides the support over the peninsula and doorway helped warm up the space. There is also a feature wall of stained shiplap that ties in the wood beam and ship lap details on the island.

Midwestern Coastal Custom Home- Burr Ridge, IL

Charleston Building and Development

Mid-sized transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Chicago with beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and a farmhouse sink.

European Farmhouse

Edmond Kitchen & Bath LLC

To replace an Old World style kitchen, we created a new space with farmhouse elements coupled with our interpretation of modern European detailing. With our focus on improving function first, we removed the old peninsula that closed off the kitchen, creating a location for conversation and eating on the new cantilevered countertop which provides interesting, yet purposeful design. A custom designed European cube shelf system was created, incorporating integrated lighting inside Rift Sawn oak shelves to match our base cabinetry. After building the shelf system, we placed it in front of the handmade art tile backsplash, bringing a very modern element to contrast with our custom inset cabinetry. Our design team selected the Rift sawn oak for the base cabinets to bring warmth into the space and to contrast with the white upper cabinetry. We then layered matt black on select drawer fronts and specific cabinet interiors for a truly custom modern edge. Custom pull outs and interior organizers fulfill our desire for a kitchen that functions first and foremost, while our custom cabinetry and complete design satisfies our homeowners’ desire for wow. Farmhouse style will never be the same.

Frost Built-In Bar with Beverage Refrigerator

Kitchen Intuitions

Built-in bar area with under counter beverage fridge, floating shelves and glass cabinets to store decorative items and glasses for entertaining.
Inspiration for a large transitional kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, panelled appliances, with island and white benchtop.

BURLINGAME KITCHEN

Dyer Studio Inc.

Meagan Larsen Photography
This is an example of a small midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, terrazzo floors, black floor and white benchtop.

Eterno Style - Kitchen and Dining Room

TAPIA + DESIGN

Shown in the Eterno Style
This is an example of an expansive single-wall open plan kitchen in Hawaii with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Island Focused Modern Kitchen in Naperville, IL

Adam Hartig

Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, panelled appliances, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and dark hardwood floors.

CONTEMPORARY GLAM

Eridel Construction & Design

Ryan Gamma
Design ideas for a large l-shaped open plan kitchen in Tampa with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Modern Highland Escape

SGDI - Sarah Gallop Design Inc.

This modern kitchen features wood valances and gables to capture tall cabinet walls as well as fridges, pantries and wall ovens integrated for a streamlined contemporary look. Two work triangles allow for collaborative cooking, and the span of a 10’4 Island with waterfall edge, makes the space very comfortable. The sleek shark-nose edge applied to the quartz tops extends to the perimeter counters and throughout the spice kitchen as well. The modern look of this unique finish is complimented by a statement making natural marble chevron backsplash tile. Combination of painted white perimeter, wood valance and gable details, and painted blue island crowned with gold finished cabinet hardware and lighting fixture details lend warmth and contrast to the contemporary artistic space. photo: Paul Grdina Photography

Allentown, Pa New Build Pennsylvania Custom Farmhouse and Barn

lisa furey interiors

Design ideas for a large country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, red splashback, brick splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and grey benchtop.

Furman Farm

Max Crosby Construction

Design ideas for a beach style l-shaped kitchen in Charleston with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Furman

Widney Pierson Interior Design

Beach style l-shaped kitchen in Charleston with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, porcelain splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, shaker cabinets and beige splashback.

Monochromatic Luxury

Tailored Spaces, Natalie Spiniolas

Shanna Wolf
Mid-sized transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Milwaukee with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Transitional Updates - Naperville, IL

TKS Design Group

Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW Our clients had been in their home since the early 1980’s and decided it was time for some updates. We took on the kitchen, two bathrooms and a powder room. The layout in the kitchen was functional for them, so we kept that pretty much as is. Our client wanted a contemporary-leaning transitional look — nice clean lines with a gray and white palette. Light gray cabinets with a slightly darker gray subway tile keep the northern exposure light and airy. They also purchased some new furniture for their breakfast room and adjoining family room, so the whole space looks completely styled and new. The light fixtures are staggered and give a nice rhythm to the otherwise serene feel. The homeowners were not 100% sold on the flooring choice for little powder room off the kitchen when I first showed it, but now they think it is one of the most interesting features of the design. I always try to “push” my clients a little bit because that’s when things can get really fun and this is what you are paying for after all, ideas that you may not come up with on your own. We also worked on the two upstairs bathrooms. We started first on the hall bath which was basically just in need of a face lift. The floor is porcelain tile made to look like carrera marble. The vanity is white Shaker doors fitted with a white quartz top. We re-glazed the cast iron tub. The master bath was a tub to shower conversion. We used a wood look porcelain plank on the main floor along with a Kohler Tailored vanity. The custom shower has a barn door shower door, and vinyl wallpaper in the sink area gives a rich textured look to the space. Overall, it’s a pretty sophisticated look for its smaller fooprint. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Scandinavian Kitchen

Design ideas for a mid-sized scandinavian eat-in kitchen with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, grey benchtop and panelled appliances.

Two-tone Transitional Kitchen

Tesi Design, Inc. Interiors and Cabinetry

Two-tone raised panel kitchen. White with a blue/grey edge glazing on the perimeter cabinetry and a wedgewood blue on the center island. Photography: Vic Wahby Photography

Snell Aisle - St. Petersburg, FL

Debra Ackerbloom, Inc.

The open concept living space extends through the dining room, kitchen and great room with a clear view of pool and lanai, which overlook a large deep water canal seconds from the open water

Balmes -240m²-, Barcelona -in progress-

GokoStudio

Bluetomatophotos
Photo of a large contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Barcelona with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, brown splashback, panelled appliances, cement tiles, with island, multi-coloured floor and brown benchtop.

Kitchen with Quartz Benchtops and Panelled Appliances 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!