Jed and Renee had been living in their first home together for a little over one year until the arrival of their first born child. They had been putting up with their 1990’s era kitchen but quickly realised it wasn’t up to scratch with the new demands for space and functionality that a child brings. Jed and Renee’s old kitchen was dark and imposing, lacked bench space and wasted space with inaccessible cupboards on all walls. After experimenting with a few layouts in our CAD program, our solution was to dedicate one wall for tall and deep storage, then on the adjacent and opposite walls create a long wrap-around bench with base level storage below. The bench intersects a dividing wall with an archway into the dining room, nabbing more precious surface space while ensuring the dining walkway is not hindered by rounding off the end corner. Smart storage such as a Kessebohmer pull-out pantry unit, blind corner baskets and a slide-out appliance shelf accessed by a lift-up door make the most of every nook of this kitchen. Top cupboards housing the rangehood also intersect the kitchen’s dividing wall and continue as open display shelving in the dining room for extra storage and visual balance. Simple black ‘D’ handles are a stylish, functional and affordable hardware choice, as is the grey Bettastone benchtop made from recycled glass. Jed and Renee loved the colour and grain of Blackbutt timber but realised that too much timber could be overbearing as it was in their old kitchen. Our solution was to create a mix of hand-painted light green doors to break up and provide contrast against the Blackbutt veneer panels. The result is a light and airy kitchen that opens up the room and invites you inward.

Gallatin Valley Ranch

Penny Lane Home Builders, LLC

Kitchen with custom steel cabinets and pallet wood inserts Photography by Lynn Donaldson
Large industrial galley open plan kitchen in Other with distressed cabinets, stainless steel appliances, with island, a double-bowl sink, recycled glass benchtops, metallic splashback, concrete floors and open cabinets.

Pass through and side counter and island

GlassEco Surfaces by Fisher Recycling

Manufacturer of custom recycled glass counter tops and landscape glass aggregate. The countertops are individually handcrafted and customized, using 100% recycled glass and diverting tons of glass from our landfills. The epoxy used is Low VOC (volatile organic compounds) and emits no off gassing. The newest product base is a high density, UV protected concrete. We now have indoor and outdoor options. As with the resin, the concrete offer the same creative aspects through glass choices.

Dark Gray Cabinet Kitchen

Envision Cabinetry, LLC

Photo of a large l-shaped kitchen pantry in Phoenix with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and recycled glass benchtops.

Contemporary Entertaining in Arlington Heights

Advance Design Studio, Ltd.

This kitchen is part of an entire first floor renovation performed on a condominium unit in Arlington Heights. The cramped and closed off galley kitchen was opened up by removing an entire wall situated where the new bar seating stands, allowing the newly expansive kitchen to open up directly to the great room living area directly adjacent. The renovation included all new flooring, a home office renovation, and a powder room renovation. The homeowner loved a simple contemporary style choosing clean lines, glass materials. and natural stone floors which in turn created a welcoming new space to entertain friends and family.

Oasis Blue Kitchen

White Wood Kitchens

This Diamond Cabinetry kitchen designed by White Wood Kitchens reflects the owners' love of Cape Life. The cabinets are maple painted an "Oasis" blue. The countertops are Saravii Curava, which are countertops made out of recycled glass. With stainless steel appliances and a farm sink, this kitchen is perfectly suited for days on Cape Cod. The bathroom includes Versiniti cabinetry, including a vanity and two cabinets for above the sink and the toilet. Builder: McPhee Builders.

White Pearl island with apron

IceStone

IceStone in White Pearl. This product is made in Brooklyn from three simple ingredients: recycled glass (and recycled oyster shells), cement, and non-toxic pigment. Photography by Shadowlight

Wilshire Kitchen, Portland (Photo: Matt Niebuhr)

Howells Architecture + Design

Designed for a 1930s Portland, OR home, this kitchen remodel aims for a clean, timeless sensibility without sacrificing the space to generic modernism. Cherry cabinets, Ice Stone countertops and Heath tile add texture and variation in an otherwise sleek, pared down design. A custom built-in bench works well for eat-in breakfasts. Period reproduction lighting, Deco pulls, and a custom formica table root the kitchen to the origins of the home. All photos by Matt Niebuhr. www.mattniebuhr.com

West 190th St.

KBR Design & Build

Kitchen Remodel in Upper Manhattan. Mediterranean style back splash with recycled glass counter tops. Under-mount stainless steel sink. KBR Design & Build

Kitchen countertops featuring Curava recycled glass surfaces in Savaii

Curava Recycled Glass Surfaces

Kitchen countertops featuring Curava recycled glass surfaces in Savaii. The Savaii countertops by Curava featuring recycled glass and natural golden seashells sparkle against the dark cabinetry, stainless appliances, beautiful blue tile and natural light through the kitchen window.

Swampscott Waterfront

APEX Carpentry LLC

Everything a great cook would want in their kitchen
Expansive transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, recycled glass benchtops, white splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors and with island.

lighting highlights island

GlassEco Surfaces by Fisher Recycling

Illuminating Journey - Kitchen

Griffin Design

Designed By: Robby & Lisa Griffin Photos By: Desired Photo
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Houston with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, recycled glass benchtops, grey splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors and grey floor.

20th Ave Kitchen

SunHouse Designs

Diane Moorhouse
Photo of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Vancouver with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, recycled glass benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, linoleum floors and a peninsula.

Scituate Kitchen

'g' Green Design Center

Rich Texture of Stone Backsplash Sets the Tone for a Kitchen of Color and Character - We created this transitional style kitchen for a client who loves color and texture. When she came to ‘g’ she had already chosen to use the large stone wall behind her stove and selected her appliances, which were all high end and therefore guided us in the direction of creating a real cooks kitchen. The two tiered island plays a major roll in the design since the client also had the Charisma Blue Vetrazzo already selected. This tops the top tier of the island and helped us to establish a color palette throughout. Other important features include the appliance garage and the pantry, as well as bar area. The hand scraped bamboo floors also reflect the highly textured approach to this family gathering place as they extend to adjacent rooms. Dan Cutrona Photography

Pool House

Mishi McCoy Interior Design

Mishi McCoy - Pool house complete with custom glass sculpture converted to focal point lighting. Kitchen with refrigerator drawers invite kids to refresh themselves with cold sodas, and the two burner stove is great to keep the grilled food warm while the guests stroll in from a swim. Faux finish, custom painted walls, iridescent glass mosaic backsplash make this pool house easy maintenance, fun, and welcoming.

Contemporary White Kitchen

BGI Design

An airy and light feeling inhabits this kitchen from the white walls to the white cabinets to the bamboo countertop and to the contemporary glass pendant lighting. Glass subway tile serves as the backsplash with an accent of organic leaf shaped glass tile over the cooktop. The island is a two part system that has one stationary piece closes to the window shown here and a movable piece running parallel to the dining room on the left. The movable piece may be moved around for different uses or a breakfast table can take its place instead. LED lighting is placed under the cabinets at the toe kick for a night light effect. White leather counter stools are housed under the island for convenient seating. Michael Hunter Photography

Transitional Kitchen Remodel

Michael Robert Construction

A built in storage and organization center is a great spot to store cookbooks, today's mail, and to charge the whole family's collection of electronics. Gallery lighting highlights the family's favorite objets d'art. Mike Mroz, Michael Robert Construction

Craftsman Kitchen

Small arts and crafts u-shaped separate kitchen in Other with a single-bowl sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, green splashback, stainless steel appliances, linoleum floors, no island and recycled glass benchtops.

Element 1 1/4" polished Curava Recycled Glass Surfaces

Quality Tile Company, Inc.

Countertops: Element 1 1/4" polished Curava Recycled Glass Surfaces with a 4" x 1 1/4" backsplash Supplied by Quality Tile Co., Inc.: Tile: AKDO Stacked 2″ x 4″ Icelandic Blue (Clear & Frosted) and Modern Liner Icelandic Blue (Clear) Sink: Serenity 3218 16 Gauge Faucet: Blanco America 441405 Polished Chrome

Kitchen with Recycled Glass Benchtops and Stainless Steel Appliances 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!