Jane Beiles
Design ideas for a contemporary eat-in kitchen in New York with recycled glass benchtops, with island, open cabinets, stainless steel cabinets, panelled appliances, metallic splashback and metal splashback.

Cape Home Addition - Expanding Home and Lifestyle

'g' Green Design Center

Cabinet Detail - Roll out Trays - Green Home Remodel – Clean and Green on a Budget – with Flair Close up shows roll out trays to keep pots and pans close at hand. Today many families with young children put health and safety first among their priorities for their homes. Young families are often on a budget as well, and need to save in important areas such as energy costs by creating more efficient homes. In this major kitchen remodel and addition project, environmentally sustainable solutions were on top of the wish list producing a wonderfully remodeled home that is clean and green, coming in on time and on budget. ‘g’ Green Design Center was the first and only stop when the homeowners of this mid-sized Cape-style home were looking for assistance. They had a rough idea of the layout they were hoping to create and came to ‘g’ for design and materials. Nicole Goldman, of ‘g’ did the space planning and kitchen design, and worked with Greg Delory of Greg DeLory Home Design for the exterior architectural design and structural design components. All the finishes were selected with ‘g’ and the homeowners. All are sustainable, non-toxic and in the case of the insulation, extremely energy efficient. Beginning in the kitchen, the separating wall between the old kitchen and hallway was removed, creating a large open living space for the family. The existing oak cabinetry was removed and new, plywood and solid wood cabinetry from Canyon Creek, with no-added urea formaldehyde (NAUF) in the glues or finishes was installed. Existing strand woven bamboo which had been recently installed in the adjacent living room, was extended into the new kitchen space, and the new addition that was designed to hold a new dining room, mudroom, and covered porch entry. The same wood was installed in the master bedroom upstairs, creating consistency throughout the home and bringing a serene look throughout. The kitchen cabinetry is in an Alder wood with a natural finish. The countertops are Eco By Cosentino; A Cradle to Cradle manufactured materials of recycled (75%) glass, with natural stone, quartz, resin and pigments, that is a maintenance-free durable product with inherent anti-bacterial qualities. In the first floor bathroom, all recycled-content tiling was utilized from the shower surround, to the flooring, and the same eco-friendly cabinetry and counter surfaces were installed. The similarity of materials from one room creates a cohesive look to the home, and aided in budgetary and scheduling issues throughout the project. Throughout the project UltraTouch insulation was installed following an initial energy audit that availed the homeowners of about $1,500 in rebate funds to implement energy improvements. Whenever ‘g’ Green Design Center begins a project such as a remodel or addition, the first step is to understand the energy situation in the home and integrate the recommended improvements into the project as a whole. Also used throughout were the AFM Safecoat Zero VOC paints which have no fumes, or off gassing and allowed the family to remain in the home during construction and painting without concern for exposure to fumes. Dan Cutrona Photography

Periscope House - Transformational Addition

Nicholas Design Collaborative

Kitchen Photo: Van Inwegen Digital Arts
Mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, recycled glass benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, concrete floors and with island.

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

Schuler Cabinetry: Sugar Creek Maple Harbor Mist Sheer

User

After: 1940's Kitchen Remodel utilized Schuler Cabinetry (exclusively at Lowe's), Curava Recycled Glass Countertops, 12" x 24" Porcelain Floor Tile (Leona Silver Glazed), Whirlpool Stainless Steel Appliances.

Village Park Eco Home

BGI Design

This galley sink is a cook's dream! Any board or bowl imaginable comes as an integrated piece so that cooking and serving are easy. Placed in front of the window with a park nearby, this is the perfect location for the sink. The countertops are made from recycled glass bottles and have specs of blue/green in them, perfectly enhanced by the glass backsplash. Michael Hunter Photography

Green Goods

Design by Heather Tissue; construction by Green Goods Kitchen remodel featuring carmelized strand woven bamboo plywood, maple plywood and paint grade cabinets, custom bamboo doors, handmade ceramic tile, custom concrete countertops

Centerville Green Beats Blue Kitchen

Murphy's Design

This Beautifully warm and inviting kitchen in rich green beats blue anyday. The painted cabients are a custom sherwin williams color and the warm and "toasty" cherry accents add a classic feel. Not too traditional or coastal this kitchen fits perfectly into the Fairfax Virginia Vibe.

Scituate Kitchen

'g' Green Design Center

Storage Pantry - 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

Upper West Side Apartment

Shenton Architects LLP

The design of this four bedroom Upper West Side apartment involved the complete renovation of one half of the unit and the remodeling of the other half. The main living space includes a foyer, lounge, library, kitchen and island. The library can be converted into the fourth bedroom by deploying a series of sliding/folding glass doors together with a pivoting wall panel to separate it from the rest of the living area. The kitchen is delineated as a special space within the open floor plan by virtue of a folded wooden volume around the island - inviting casual congregation and dining. All three bathrooms were designed with a common language of modern finishes and fixtures, with functional variations depending on their location within the apartment. New closets serve each bedroom as well as the foyer and lounge spaces. Materials are kept to a limited palette of dark stained wood flooring, American Walnut for bathroom vanities and the kitchen island, white gloss and lacquer finish cabinetry, and translucent glass door panelling with natural anodized aluminum trim. Lightly veined carrara marble lines the bathroom floors and walls. www.archphoto.com

Contemporary Shingle Style

Brooks and Falotico Associates, Inc.

Jane Beiles
This is an example of a contemporary u-shaped kitchen in New York with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, recycled glass benchtops, metallic splashback, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island and dark hardwood floors.

Broken Top contemporary craftsman

Norman Building & Design

The home's kitchen is crafted in Pervian walnut with beams to highlight and define the space. The cabinets flanking the kitchen highlight a furniture like section for china storage.

West 190th St.

KBR Design & Build

Kitchen Remodel in Upper Manhattan. Mediterranean style back splash with recycled glass counter tops. KBR Design & Build
Photo of a small mediterranean u-shaped separate kitchen in New York with raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, recycled glass benchtops, porcelain floors and an undermount sink.

Village Park Eco Home

BGI Design

This kitchen includes some of the latest trends in both kitchen appliances and tile. The accent tile over the induction cooktop is a glass organic leaf design that compliments the glass subway field tile. Michael Hunter Photography

Windowed Oyster

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. Aqua glass and oysters 50% each

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.

Kitchen with Skylight Detail

RemodelWest

The need for natural light drove the design of this space. The skylight detail became integral part of the design to satisfy the need the of natural light while creating a modern aesthetic as well as a stunning architectural detail. To keep the lights and pendants centered on the island, we designed a pattern of openings and blocking to allow fixtures to mount at the correct spots along the island span. Photo Credit: Ali Atri Photography

Groovy '60s Ranch

Howells Architecture + Design

This midcentury-inspired kitchen, breakfast nook, dining + living room revamps a tired old '60s ranch for a family with three kids. A bright backsplash evokes Italian modernism and gives a playful vibe to a family-friendly space. Custom cherry cabinets match the living room built-ins and unify the spaces. An open, easy plan allows for free flow between rooms, and a view of the garden for the cook.

Whitewater lake #2

Ruebl Builders LLC

Rustic Elegant kitchen with Cherry Cabinets, Ice-stone counter tops and Hickory floors with a copper range hood.
Design ideas for a mid-sized country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Milwaukee with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, recycled glass benchtops, blue splashback, terra-cotta splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, yellow floor and blue benchtop.

The Angled Kitchen

Minosa | Design Life Better

The walk in laundry features a large work surface, under bench appliances, under shelf task lighting and tall storage for utilities and bulk goods. The timber shelves are a lovely detail adding warmth to the space. Image: Nicole England

Kitchen with Recycled Glass 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!