Photo of a contemporary galley kitchen in Miami with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, grey benchtop, recessed and wood.

Bright and Bold Kitchen Design

Drury Design

The architect’s plans had a single island with large windows on both main walls. The one window overlooked the unattractive side of a neighbor’s house while the other was not large enough to see the beautiful large back yard. The kitchen entry location made the mudroom extremely small and left only a few design options for the kitchen layout. The almost 14’ high ceilings also gave lots of opportunities for a unique design, but care had to be taken to still make the space feel warm and cozy. After drawing four design options, one was chosen that relocated the entry from the mudroom, making the mudroom a lot more accessible. A prep island across from the range and an entertaining island were included. The entertaining island included a beverage refrigerator for guests to congregate around and to help them stay out of the kitchen work areas. The small island appeared to be floating on legs and incorporates a sink and single dishwasher drawer for easy clean up of pots and pans.

SOGGIORNO CON CUCINA OPEN SPACE

Andrea Vertua Architetto

Soggiorno open space con cucina. Penisola divisoria con sgabelli. Elementi in laminato rovere nordico e basi in laminato laccato bianco lucido. Divano ad angolo e parete giorno su misura.

Modern Moorings

Design West

Inspiration for a contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Miami with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and recessed.

Forest Lake Renovation

YAMINI DESIGNS

A family friendly kitchen renovation in a lake front home with a farmhouse vibe and easy to maintain finishes.
Photo of a mid-sized country galley eat-in kitchen in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, black benchtop and coffered.

Church Rd Project

Jess Hunter Interior Design

This 90's home received a complete transformation. A renovation on a tight timeframe meant we used our designer tricks to create a home that looks and feels completely different while keeping construction to a bare minimum. This beautiful Dulux 'Currency Creek' kitchen was custom made to fit the original kitchen layout. Opening the space up by adding glass steel framed doors and a double sided Mt Blanc fireplace allowed natural light to flood through.

Beautiful Santa Barbara Residential Remodel

DesignArt Studios

Beautiful grand kitchen, with a classy, light and airy feel. Each piece was designed and detailed for the functionality and needs of the family.
This is an example of an expansive transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Santa Barbara with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and coffered.

The Woodlands- Hinsdale

Plain & Posh

This stunning home is a combination of the best of traditional styling with clean and modern design, creating a look that will be as fresh tomorrow as it is today. Traditional white painted cabinetry in the kitchen, combined with the slab backsplash, a simpler door style and crown moldings with straight lines add a sleek, non-fussy style. An architectural hood with polished brass accents and stainless steel appliances dress up this painted kitchen for upscale, contemporary appeal. The kitchen islands offers a notable color contrast with their rich, dark, gray finish. The stunning bar area is the entertaining hub of the home. The second bar allows the homeowners an area for their guests to hang out and keeps them out of the main work zone. The family room used to be shut off from the kitchen. Opening up the wall between the two rooms allows for the function of modern living. The room was full of built ins that were removed to give the clean esthetic the homeowners wanted. It was a joy to redesign the fireplace to give it the contemporary feel they longed for. Their used to be a large angled wall in the kitchen (the wall the double oven and refrigerator are on) by straightening that out, the homeowners gained better function in the kitchen as well as allowing for the first floor laundry to now double as a much needed mudroom room as well.

Marble Double Islands

Fratantoni Interior Designers

The Modern Chic kitchen has a custom floating ceiling, double islands with marble waterfall edge countertops, pendant lighting, and white kitchen cabinets.

Весна-Туманы

АР-КА бюро - Илона Болейшиц, Игорь Орлов

архитектор Илона Болейшиц. фотограф Меликсенцева Ольга
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Moscow with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, engineered quartz splashback, grey floor, grey benchtop and recessed.

Belmore Abode

Tempus Design Studio Pty Ltd

Kath Heke - Real Estate Photography
Inspiration for a large contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and coffered.

Crafers Living Renovation

Plush Design Interiors

Three small rooms were demolished to enable a new kitchen and open plan living space to be designed. The kitchen has a drop-down ceiling to delineate the space. A window became french doors to the garden. The former kitchen was re-designed as a mudroom. The laundry had new cabinetry. New flooring throughout. A linen cupboard was opened to become a study nook with dramatic wallpaper. Custom ottoman were designed and upholstered for the drop-down dining and study nook. A family of five now has a fantastically functional open plan kitchen/living space, family study area, and a mudroom for wet weather gear and lots of storage.

Huntington Harbor on the water

Brion Jeannette Architecture

Inspiration for a traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, beige benchtop, timber and recessed.

Shuffling The Decks

Jaffe Architecture + Interiors

Design ideas for a large contemporary eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and recessed.

VERDE URBANO

Annalisa Carli Architetto

Cucina verde comodoro con pensili bianchi di dimensioni contenute ma molto funzionale. Top in HPL grigio effetto marmo. Foto di Simone Marulli
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Milan with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, beige floor, grey benchtop and recessed.

Summer

Cabinets 4 You

Photo of a mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Atlanta with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and recessed.

RHOC Interior Design, Kitchen & Gardens | Coto de Caza, CA

Leanne Michael L U X E lifestyle design

Spanish Mediterranean with subtle Moroccan glazed clay tile influences, custom cabinetry and subzero custom fridge panels in a creamy white and gold hand faux finish with quartz counter tops in Taupe grey, brushed gold hardware and faux succulent arrangements. The island was designed in double length as one side is for much needed enclosed storage and the other is for open barstool seating designed to resemble an antique refectory table and then topped with stunning calacata macchia vecchia marble and three impressive custom solid hand forged iron & glass lantern light fixtures sparkling from above. Wolf Range Subzero Miele Coffee Machine Waterstone Faucets

FRANKLIN KITCHEN

Kate Roos Design LLC

The original space felt dark and closed off. In the updated kitchen, wall cabinetry is consolidated to either end of the space and new, large windows bring in ample natural light. Open shelves provide additional storage for everyday use items.

CASA B

doppiozero

Photo of a small modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Florence with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, laminate benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, a peninsula, beige floor, white benchtop and recessed.

Adirondack Style Custom Home

Howell Custom Building Group

The homeowners of this wanted to create an informal year-round residence for their active family that reflected their love of the outdoors and time spent in ski and camping lodges. The result is a luxurious, yet understated, comfortable kitchen/dining area that exudes a feeling of warmth and relaxation. The open floor plan offers views throughout the first floor, while large picture windows integrate the outdoors and fill the space with light. A door to the three-season room offers easy access to an outdoor kitchen and living area. The dark wood floors, cabinets with natural wood grain, leathered stone counters, and coffered ceilings offer the ambiance of a 19th century mountain lodge, yet this is combined with painted wainscoting and woodwork to brighten and modernize the space. A blue center island in the kitchen adds a fun splash of color, while a gas fireplace and lit upper cabinets adds a cozy feeling. A separate butler’s pantry contains additional refrigeration, storage, and a wine cooler. Challenges included integrating the perimeter cabinetry into the crown moldings and coffered ceilings, so the lines of millwork are aligned through multiple living spaces. In particular, there is a structural steel column on the corner of the raised island around which oak millwork was wrapped to match the living room columns. Another challenge was concealing second floor plumbing in the beams of the coffered ceiling.

Kitchen with Recessed and Coffered 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!