Photo of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall kitchen in Devon with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, beige floor and white benchtop.

Perfect Harmony

ZEN Associates, Inc.

Maxwell MacKenzie
Contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Santaluz 36

CHPT Construction

This is an example of a mediterranean kitchen in San Diego with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, with island, white splashback, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Woodbury Modern Farmhouse

St. Croix Custom Homes and Renovation

Design ideas for a country u-shaped kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, shaker cabinets, white splashback, beige floor, black benchtop and timber.

Arlington Ridge Modern Remodel

Atlas Moran Construction

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, porcelain floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop, an undermount sink, panelled appliances and stone slab splashback.

Two Doors Down

Romina Black Interiors

This is an example of a large transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Austin with a farmhouse sink, white splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop, quartzite benchtops, ceramic splashback, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets and panelled appliances.

Logan Square Single Family Home Renovation

Dan Rak Design

Large professional-grade kitchen with white and black cabinetry and open shelving in a naturally finished walnut wood.
Large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, black cabinets, quartzite benchtops, black splashback and cement tile splashback.

Courtyard House

actLAB

Open plan kitchen with sliding doors to enclose the kitchen when the owners decide to have catering done for parties.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with flat-panel cabinets, quartzite benchtops, with island, grey floor, an undermount sink, white cabinets, window splashback, white appliances, slate floors and white benchtop.

Smokey Hues

Freestyle Interiors

Mid-sized transitional single-wall eat-in kitchen in Miami with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, brown splashback, subway tile splashback, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Kitchen

Avec Interiors

Amy Bartlam Photographer
Small arts and crafts u-shaped kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, medium hardwood floors, grey benchtop, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and brown floor.

Greenwich Project

Looks Lovely Limited

Mid-sized contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in London with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, cement tiles, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and white splashback.

Fairmount 2019 (Lakeville, MN)

Robert Thomas Homes

Spacecrafting
Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, quartzite benchtops, subway tile splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, grey splashback, beige floor and white benchtop.

Quail West 2

Kunstlerstone dba Coastal Stone

Traditional u-shaped kitchen in Other with quartzite benchtops, travertine floors, a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, beige splashback, panelled appliances, with island, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Lowden Rd SE24 - kitchen extension

Plus Rooms

Fine House Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary galley kitchen in London with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and white cabinets.

Cool & Contemporary Kitchen

Chamber Furniture

This large open plan kitchen features a combination of stunning textures as well as colours from natural wood grain, to copper and hand painted elements creating an exciting Mix & Match style. An open room divider provides the perfect zoning piece of furniture to allow interaction between the kitchen and cosy relaxed seating area. A large dining area forms the other end of the room for continued conversation whilst entertaining and cooking. Photography credit: Darren Chung

Cool Transition

Vine Street Design

Mike Kaskel
Photo of a large transitional u-shaped kitchen in Chicago with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Kildare painted

Dillons Kitchens & Bedrooms

Bespoke solid ash cabinetry with oak internals, dovetail drawers and subtle decorative beaded door detail – handpainted in Light Grey with Lava on the island. The cabinetry has been designed to look as though it’s part of the room’s architecture with the ceiling coving around the top of the cabinets to make it look as though the kitchen has always been there. Appliances include Fisher & Paykel freestanding fridge freezer, Prima dual zone wine cooler and Rangemaster Nexus 110cm range cooker. Work surfaces are Silestone Snowy Ibiza. Images Infinity Media

Stratford Whole House Renovation

Audino Construction, Inc.

Tommy Kile Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Austin with recessed-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, with island, quartzite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

A masterclass in family-friendly living

Roy Brooks Estate Agents Ltd

Home Exposure
Photo of a large contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in London with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, matchstick tile splashback, black appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Modern Santiago

Chelsea Lauren Interiors

Mid-sized contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartzite benchtops, black splashback, stone tile splashback, panelled appliances, cement tiles, multiple islands, grey floor, black cabinets and grey benchtop.

Two Tone Kitchen Cabinets Kitchen with Quartzite Benchtops 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!