Our clients wanted to update their kitchen and create more storage space. They also needed a desk area in the kitchen and a display area for family keepsakes. With small children, they were not using the breakfast bar on the island, so we chose when redesigning the island to add storage instead of having the countertop overhang for seating. We extended the height of the cabinetry also. A desk area with 2 file drawers and mail sorting cubbies was created so the homeowners could have a place to organize their bills, charge their electronics, and pay bills. We also installed 2 plugs into the narrow bookcase to the right of the desk area with USB plugs for charging phones and tablets. Our clients chose a cherry craftsman cabinet style with simple cups and knobs in brushed stainless steel. For the countertops, Silestone Copper Mist was chosen. It is a gorgeous slate blue hue with copper flecks. To compliment this choice, I custom designed this slate backsplash using multiple colors of slate. This unique, natural stone, geometric backsplash complemented the countertops and the cabinetry style perfectly. We installed a pot filler over the cooktop and a pull-out spice cabinet to the right of the cooktop. To utilize counterspace, the microwave was installed into a wall cabinet to the right of the cooktop. We moved the sink and dishwasher into the island and placed a pull-out garbage and recycling drawer to the left of the sink. An appliance lift was also installed for a Kitchenaid mixer to be stored easily without ever having to lift it. To improve the lighting in the kitchen and great room which has a vaulted pine tongue and groove ceiling, we designed and installed hollow beams to run the electricity through from the kitchen to the fireplace. For the island we installed 3 pendants and 4 down lights to provide ample lighting at the island. All lighting was put onto dimmer switches. We installed new down lighting along the cooktop wall. For the great room, we installed track lighting and attached it to the sides of the beams and used directional lights to provide lighting for the great room and to light up the fireplace. The beautiful home in the woods, now has an updated, modern kitchen and fantastic lighting which our clients love.

l a k e . h o u s e

birdRock Project Studio Inc.

Built in 1997, and featuring a lot of warmth and slate stone throughout - the design scope for this renovation was to bring in a more transitional style that would help calm down some of the existing elements, modernize and ultimately capture the serenity of living at the lake.

Luxury Tile Flooring Gallery

Floor Coverings International of Tampa Bay

Large contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Tampa with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island and grey floor.

Kitchen Remodel - Traditional Suburban Home

The Cleary Company

Design ideas for a large traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Columbus with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Madsen House

Laurie Yapp Design

A white kitchen is mixed with wood and black hardware for a contemporary look. A slate backsplash, grey quartz counter, mixed with a white marbled counter, grey and off white carpets runners, caramel coloured counter stools pull the kitchen together. The family room has a lively coloured carpet, a walnut sideboard, and marble side tables to add to the look. The dining room is painted in a dark blue accent wall and furnished in contemporary looking furniture to flow through the house.

Cuisine Nolte Antony, Sigma Lack

Cuisines Nolte Antony

Cuisine Nolte Antony, Sigma Lack, Cuisine Nolte, cuisiniste Antony, cuisiniste Les-Hauts-de-Seine, cuisiniste 92
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Paris with a single-bowl sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, slate splashback, panelled appliances, marble floors and with island.

Réhabilitation d'une grange de charme

l'art du plan

Photos : Emmanuel Daix. Agencement d'une cuisine ouverte dans un esprit loft. Agence L'ART DU PLAN
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Lille with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, black splashback, slate splashback, panelled appliances, concrete floors, with island and grey floor.

Rénovation appartement montagne

SCHOTT CUISINES

Rénovation complète d'un appartement réalisé par Schott Cuisines
Mid-sized country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Lyon with an integrated sink, quartz benchtops, black splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, black benchtop and wood.

Green Mountain Family Remodel

Gretchen Lyons

The transformation of this kitchen is incredible. Photographs by: Libbie Martin with Think Role
Design ideas for a large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, brown cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Paradise Living

Friedman & Shields

water fall edge, metal hood, slate backsplash, raised eating bar
Design ideas for an expansive contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Phoenix with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, beige floor and white benchtop.

21 Rd Entry, Living, Kitchen, Laundry + Guest Bath Remodel

LIBERTY DESIGN + BUILD

Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, black splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, multi-coloured floor and black benchtop.

Verona Kitchen Remodel

Stephanie Lang

Large concrete tile floors were added creating a clean streamlined look while tying intothe custom concrete floors in the living area. With the divisionary wall removed, the kitchen is flooded with light from the windows looking out to the garden. The "pass through" keeps the host connected with the conversations in the living room. Photo: S. Lang

Clever Kitchen Storage - DeWitt, MI

McDaniels Kitchen and Bath

This craftsman style kitchen design is the perfect combination of form and function. With a custom designed hutch and eat-in kitchen island featuring a CraftArt wood tabletop, the kitchen is the perfect place for family and friends to gather. The wood tone of the Medallion cabinetry contrasts beautifully with the dark Cambria quartz countertop and slate backsplash, but it is the excellent storage accessories inside these cabinets that really set this design apart. From tray dividers to magic corner pull-outs, this kitchen keeps clutter at bay and lets the design shine through.

Kitchen in the Woods

Design Perspective Interior Design, LLC

Crawford Dr.

360 Construction & Design

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, cork floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Warm Craftsman Kitchen Renovation

A la Carte Home Design

Holly Werner
This is an example of a mid-sized arts and crafts l-shaped open plan kitchen in St Louis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Kitchen, mud room and Laundry renovation

Glickman Design Build

Major kitchen Renovation in Mclean, VA Photo Credit: Felicia Evans
Inspiration for a large transitional u-shaped kitchen pantry in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and multiple islands.

Clever Kitchen Storage - DeWitt, MI

McDaniels Kitchen and Bath

Kelly

Danmar Cabinet Company

Mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island and grey floor.

Old Scugog Rd. Kitchen

Kingsmill Kitchens & Baths

Ken Solilo Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Kitchen with Quartz Benchtops and Slate 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!