Photo of a transitional u-shaped kitchen pantry in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, medium hardwood floors, no island, brown floor, white benchtop and beige splashback.

Kitchens with Islands

Aloha Design Innovations

Large contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Dallas with shaker cabinets, with island, white cabinets, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Sohier Kitchen

Kitchen & Bath Details

Matt Francis Photos
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Boston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and brown floor.

Navy is a Neutral Ranch Remodel & Addition

KBG Design

Design ideas for a large beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Is this the original kitchen?

Griffin Designs

Photo Credit: Whitney Kidder
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional l-shaped separate kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Downtown Columbus (Gilbert) Home Staging

Sanctuary Staging and Styling, LLC

Staged by Sanctuary Staging, Photo by Wow Video Tours
This is an example of a transitional l-shaped kitchen in Columbus with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Skyline Park at Easton Park - Avalon ll

Dream Finders Homes

Design ideas for a transitional u-shaped kitchen in Jacksonville with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

10 Burning Tree, Newport Beach

Jeri Koegel Photography

Jeri Koegel
Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped kitchen in Orange County with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Glasscock

Clearcut Construction, Inc.

Love how this kitchen renovation creates an open feel for our clients to their dining room and office and a better transition to back yard!
Inspiration for a transitional open plan kitchen in Raleigh with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey splashback, marble splashback, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, stainless steel appliances and black cabinets.

Certified Luxury Builders - Veritas Fine Homes Inc - Durango, CO - Glick Home

41 West

Photo of a country galley eat-in kitchen in Miami with shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, beige splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Saunders Village 2.0

Jordan Iverson Signature Homes

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Portland with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

A 1940’s Home Gets a New “Heart”

Medford Remodeling

We relocated the fridge to the other side of the kitchen where it is conveniently within reach. One of the rules we try to follow with every kitchen we design is to avoid placing the refrigerator at the “back” of the kitchen. The end goal is always to provide the most flowing, and functional floorplan while keeping in mind an efficient kitchen work triangle. Final photos by Impressia Photography.

Magnolia Cape Cod

Michelle Dirkse Interior Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Modern/Contemporary Spanish Kitchen in Blue and Rustic Alder

UltraCraft Cabinetry

This beautiful Spanish/Mediterranean Modern kitchen features UltraCraft's Stickley door style in Rustic Alder with Natural finish and Lakeway door style in Maple with Blue Ash paint. A celebration of natural light and green plants, this kitchen has a warm feel that shouldn't be missed!

Modern Classic

Cornerstone Builders Inc

Amy Pearman, Boyd Pearman Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Modern Spanish Revival

SDG Architects

Photo by John Merkl
Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Kitchen

Amy Kartheiser Design

Photo of a mid-sized transitional kitchen in Chicago with white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, an undermount sink, shaker cabinets and multi-coloured benchtop.

Partridge Project

Stonington Cabinetry & Designs

Transitional u-shaped kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, panelled appliances, shaker cabinets, white splashback, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Hinsdale Renovation

Black Knight Group

This 1966 contemporary home was completely renovated into a beautiful, functional home with an up-to-date floor plan more fitting for the way families live today. Removing all of the existing kitchen walls created the open concept floor plan. Adding an addition to the back of the house extended the family room. The first floor was also reconfigured to add a mudroom/laundry room and the first floor powder room was transformed into a full bath. A true master suite with spa inspired bath and walk-in closet was made possible by reconfiguring the existing space and adding an addition to the front of the house.

Baker's Kitchen

Haus Interior Design

Before renovating, this bright and airy family kitchen was small, cramped and dark. The dining room was being used for spillover storage, and there was hardly room for two cooks in the kitchen. By knocking out the wall separating the two rooms, we created a large kitchen space with plenty of storage, space for cooking and baking, and a gathering table for kids and family friends. The dark navy blue cabinets set apart the area for baking, with a deep, bright counter for cooling racks, a tiled niche for the mixer, and pantries dedicated to baking supplies. The space next to the beverage center was used to create a beautiful eat-in dining area with an over-sized pendant and provided a stunning focal point visible from the front entry. Touches of brass and iron are sprinkled throughout and tie the entire room together. Photography by Stacy Zarin

Kitchen with Shaker Cabinets 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!