This kitchen was such a joy to design! The crisp white cabinetry is flanked with stained walnut to provide a sharp contrast. Featuring Perla Venata quartzite slabs that have custom details like: waterfall ends, 2.5" mitered edge, and custom apron detail at the sink.

Williamsburg Kitchen

KSB Build

Inspiration for a small contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in New York with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Refined Farmhouse Kitchen, Laundry + Bathroom Renovation

Sharp and Grey Interiors

This kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom in Elkins Park, PA was completely renovated and re-envisioned to create a fresh and inviting space with refined farmhouse details and maximum functionality that speaks not only to the client's taste but to and the architecture and feel of the entire home. The design includes functional cabinetry with a focus on organization. We enlarged the window above the farmhouse sink to allow as much natural light as possible and created a striking focal point with a custom vent hood and handpainted terra cotta tile. High-end materials were used throughout including quartzite countertops, beautiful tile, brass lighting, and classic European plumbing fixtures.

Up-Scale Northwoods Remodel

Wood Specialties, Inc.

Photo of a large traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Omaha with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Asheville Mountain Modern Kitchen

RCJ Building Inc.

Custom Walnut Cabinetry, Accent Walls, Open Floor Plan
Design ideas for a small contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and exposed beam.

Overdale

Luckhurst Architecture

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sussex with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen and Bathroom Remodel in Bay Shore, NY

Kuhn Construction, Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional eat-in kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, brown floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Kitchen - Western Springs

Nail It Innovations, Inc.

Large transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

The Rectory Kitchen

Sustainable Kitchens

A demolition of an old rectory house creating a new eco passive house fitting in with the Georgian neighbouring houses. A sustainable kitchen with a walk-in pantry in an open plan kitchen lounge room in blue shaker style with bianco concerto worktops

Mac-a-vista lake home

ShoreStone Custom Builders, Inc.

Design ideas for a beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, black benchtop, exposed beam, timber, vaulted, quartzite benchtops, marble splashback and panelled appliances.

Shooting Star 72, Teton Village, Wyoming

KAM Designs

Mountain Modern Kitchen featuring a built-in Sub-Zero Refrigerator.
Design ideas for an expansive country l-shaped open plan kitchen with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Horsham Kitchen, Laundry and Mudroom

Harth Builders

Inspiration for a large transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Cheery Condo

b. blanton design

U-shaped kitchen remodel with light grey shaker cabinets and a teal herringbone backsplash.
Design ideas for a small transitional u-shaped kitchen in Nashville with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, green splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and white benchtop.

Medoc Lane

Clearcut Construction, Inc.

A traditional kitchen with touches of the farmhouse and Mediterranean styles. We used cool, light tones adding pops of color and warmth with natural wood.

Luxury Oceanfront. SEAclusion

SAGA Realty & Construction

This is an example of a mid-sized beach style single-wall open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop, quartzite benchtops, ceramic splashback and brown floor.

Contemporary Kitchen Design Ideas

Everingham Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Columbus with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, green splashback, terra-cotta splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Contemporary Kitchen Design Ideas

Everingham Design

Photo of a large contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Columbus with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Dauphine St

MLM INCORPORATED

Mid-sized traditional l-shaped separate kitchen in New Orleans with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Transitional Elegance

Sweet Design Studio

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Chicago Tower

Cannarsa Structure and Design

Photo of a mid-sized modern galley separate kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, black splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Kitchen with Quartzite Benchtops and Brown Floor 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!