Photo of a large traditional galley open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and a peninsula.

Cherokee Triangle Kitchen

Centered Interiors

Small transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Louisville with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula and grey benchtop.

Georgetown DC Kitchen

InSite Builders & Remodeling

3x9 Star Milky Way Stellar-Gloss Square Edge Field Tile
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Colonial Road

Thyme & Place Design LLC

This small kitchen packs a powerful punch. By replacing an oversized sliding glass door with a 24" cantilever which created additional floor space. We tucked a large Reid Shaw farm sink with a wall mounted faucet into this recess. A 7' peninsula was added for storage, work counter and informal dining. A large oversized window floods the kitchen with light. The color of the Eucalyptus painted and glazed cabinets is reflected in both the Najerine stone counter tops and the glass mosaic backsplash tile from Oceanside Glass Tile, "Devotion" series. All dishware is stored in drawers and the large to the counter cabinet houses glassware, mugs and serving platters. Tray storage is located above the refrigerator. Bottles and large spices are located to the left of the range in a pull out cabinet. Pots and pans are located in large drawers to the left of the dishwasher. Pantry storage was created in a large closet to the left of the peninsula for oversized items as well as the microwave. Additional pantry storage for food is located to the right of the refrigerator in an alcove. Cooking ventilation is provided by a pull out hood so as not to distract from the lines of the kitchen.

Wolsey Drive - Kingston upon Thames

Metre Squared Architecture

Ground floor extension of an end-of-1970s property. Making the most of an open-plan space with fitted furniture that allows more than one option to accommodate guests when entertaining. The new rear addition has allowed us to create a clean and bright space, as well as to optimize the space flow for what originally were dark and cramped ground floor spaces.

The Shores at Bonnet Point

RIKB Design Build

Whole house remodel in Narragansett RI. We reconfigured the floor plan and added a small addition to the right side to extend the kitchen. Thus creating a gorgeous transitional kitchen with plenty of room for cooking, storage, and entertaining. The dining room can now seat up to 12 with a recessed hutch for a few extra inches in the space. The new half bath provides lovely shades of blue and is sure to catch your eye! The rear of the first floor now has a private and cozy guest suite.

Kitchen Remodel

RBuilder Construction Inc.

Photo of a mid-sized beach style u-shaped kitchen with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, beige floor, white splashback and white benchtop.

Fitler Square Trinity

Kaminski + Pew

Compact galley kitchen. All appliances are under-counter. Slate tile flooring, hand-glazed ceramic tile backsplash, custom walnut cabinetry, and quartzite countertop.

Artistic Home in London (7205)

Braam's Custom Cabinets

Inspiration for a small contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and white benchtop.

Serene Family Kitchen

Potter Construction Inc

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped kitchen in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, brown floor, white benchtop and medium hardwood floors.

Transitional Kitchen Remodel

Bauman Custom Woodworking

This is an example of a transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, turquoise cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and white benchtop.

Mensinger kitchen

d KISER design.construct, inc.

Colin Conces
Design ideas for a small midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Omaha with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, panelled appliances, porcelain floors, a peninsula, black floor and white benchtop.

Marta

MRB kitchen&design

Marcelino Raposo
Photo of a mid-sized modern single-wall open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula and brown floor.

Cherokee Blvd Project

Sticks 2 Stones Design, LLC

Design ideas for a large traditional galley open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and a peninsula.

Contemporary Kitchen

Inspiration for a small contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with quartzite benchtops, white splashback, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula.

Kitchen

Naples Bay Builders, Inc.

Beach style u-shaped open plan kitchen in Miami with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and a peninsula.

Paddington

Libby Winberg Interiors

Photo credit Thomas Dalhoff
Small contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sydney with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and medium hardwood floors.

Princess Margaret Residence

Carriage Lane Design-Build Inc.

Photography: Stephani Buchman Floral: Bluebird Event Design
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Toronto with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and a peninsula.

White Shaker Cabinets

Dutch Design Cabinetry - Phoenix, Arizona

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Phoenix with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, brown splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors and a peninsula.

Sterling Heights Kitchen Remodel

Kopke Remodeling & Design

Kayla Kopke
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional u-shaped separate kitchen in Detroit with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, brown splashback, stone tile splashback, white appliances, a peninsula and brown floor.

Kitchen with Quartzite Benchtops and a Peninsula 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!