stainless steel farm sink and quartz counter tops makes this kitchen easy to clean Photo: Ken Skalski
Mid-sized contemporary kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, matchstick tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, terra-cotta floors and beige floor.

Hill Street Hacienda

Carl Mattison Design

josh vick, home tour america
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional galley eat-in kitchen in Atlanta with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Tansu Home

Mikiten Architecture

Extension of the kitchen toward the back yard created space for a new breakfast nook facing the owning sun. Cookbook storage is integrated into the bench design. Photo: Erick Mikiten, AIA

Harvard Square

Pinney Designs

Renovated Kitchen in the heart of Harvard Sq. Cambridge, MA. The young couple was looking for a kitchen renovation with lots of style. Loving the look of marble counters but not the upkeep Pinney Designs recommended and designed a kitchen with a marble backsplash and durable honed black granite countertops. The Island was custom designed and utilized an Ikea butcher block surface for the island counter. Photography: Ben Gebo

NYC Small Apartment

Kamen Tall Architects, PC

Joanne Tall
Inspiration for a small traditional galley kitchen pantry in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and no island.

Professional Chef's Kitchen

Dalia Kitchen Design

Boston Home Magazine
Large traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Boston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances and medium hardwood floors.

Country Kitchen

Mid-sized country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in London with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

San Diego Kitchen Remodel - CairnsCraft Design & Remodel

CairnsCraft Design & Remodel

This adorable kitchen in Point Loma, CA is now open to the family room, small in spaces but united with a nature-inspired color palette. The kitchen went through an extensive remodel removing walls, raised ceiling, exposing the beam and a new glass door for the back entry and now this small kitchen feel open and spacious. The cabinetry features shaker elements―clean lines, plain trim, and little ornamentation― great for transitional decor. Functional fixtures and modern appliances peacefully coexist with the mosaic marble backsplash. Hidden behind the door panels is a 30” Subzero refrigerator/freezer integrated nicely to keep the kitchen plan, clean and understated. The corner sink is recessed back adding a nice detail but even more importantly a more accessible corner access to the kitchen windows. Accessories and details added to the kitchen cabinets give this chef everything she was looking for with a spice pullout, knife block pullout and rollouts to top off the new cabinets. When space is tight it is a great option for a small family to open up the walls and add a counter where the family can dine. On the walls, neutral gray painted create a soothing atmosphere. Adjacent to the kitchen was a cramped room that functioned as a workout room and laundry room. By changing some wall space, closing in a door and removing a closet the new space has great storage and is more open and functional for a quick workout. In the family room the fireplace was re-tiled with a concrete looking porcelain tile topped off with a rustic beam mantle. Combined with new home furnishings to make the most of a small space this new family room is both functional and a great place for the couple to spend time with each other on a daily basis and to entertain guest and a new space has been created with the feel of a comfortable cozy space for all to enjoy. Contractor: CairnsCraft Remodeling Designer: Bonnie Bogley Catlin Photogtapher: Jon Upson

Traditional Kitchen in Chatham, NJ

US Kitchens & Baths

Built-in stainless steel appliances and toe-kick valance on cook top base cabinet across from the u-shaped work area with white tile back splash and Bianco Rubelita Granite counter top. John McCartney, AKBD

Montana Retreat

Shannon Callaghan Interior Design

Photo of a large country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Kansas City with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

SPRING LAKE -DINING NOOK

Sheila Rich Interiors, LLC

We added a window seat to the updated renovation of this mid-century house, creating a dining nook in the kitchen. It offers additional seating and storage while taking up minimal space. Photography Peter Rymwid

Mt. Vernon Showroom Display

Jill McGlaughlin

Greg Versen
Photo of a transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, stone tile splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Massachusetts Farm House

Crisp Architects

Rob Karosis
Photo of a country kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, metallic splashback, metal splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Tashmoo Cottage

Sherman Associates

A quaint cottage set back in Vineyard Haven's Tashmoo woods creates the perfect Vineyard getaway. Our design concept focused on a bright, airy contemporary cottage with an old fashioned feel. Clean, modern lines and high ceilings mix with graceful arches, re-sawn heart pine rafters and a large masonry fireplace. The kitchen features stunning Crown Point cabinets in eye catching 'Cook's Blue' by Farrow & Ball. This kitchen takes its inspiration from the French farm kitchen with a separate pantry that also provides access to the backyard and outdoor shower.

Flynn

Marengo Morton Architects

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Diego with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, panelled appliances, with island, slate splashback, slate floors and beige floor.

Handmade In-Frame Kitchen in Old White

BP Kitchens & Interiors

This kitchen used an in-frame design with mainly one painted colour, that being the Farrow & Ball Old White. This was accented with natural oak on the island unit pillars and on the bespoke cooker hood canopy. The Island unit features slide away tray storage on one side with tongue and grove panelling most of the way round. All of the Cupboard internals in this kitchen where clad in a Birch veneer. The main Focus of the kitchen was a Mercury Range Cooker in Blueberry. Above the Mercury cooker was a bespoke hood canopy designed to be at the correct height in a very low ceiling room. The sink and tap where from Franke, the sink being a VBK 720 twin bowl ceramic sink and a Franke Venician tap in chrome. The whole kitchen was topped of in a beautiful granite called Ivory Fantasy in a 30mm thickness with pencil round edge profile.

Larchmont, New York Kitchen

Debra Kling Colour Consultant

Photo Credit: Denison Lourenco
Photo of a traditional single-wall open plan kitchen in New York with stainless steel appliances, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback and light hardwood floors.

Portland Hills Transitional

Designer's Edge Kitchen & Bath

This home in the Portland hills was stuck in the 70's with cedar paneling and almond laminate cabinets with oak details. (See Before photos) The space had wonderful potential with a high vaulted ceiling that was covered by a low ceiling in the kitchen and dining room. Walls closed in the kitchen. The remodel began with removal of the ceiling and the wall between the kitchen and the dining room. Hardwood flooring was extended into the kitchen. Shaker cabinets with contemporary hardware, modern pendants and clean-lined backsplash tile make this kitchen fit the transitional style the owners wanted. Now, the light and backdrop of beautiful trees are enjoyed from every room.

Palmetto Bluff - Private Residence

Linda McDougald Design | Postcard from Paris Home

This lovely home sits in one of the most pristine and preserved places in the country - Palmetto Bluff, in Bluffton, SC. The natural beauty and richness of this area create an exceptional place to call home or to visit. The house lies along the river and fits in perfectly with its surroundings. 4,000 square feet - four bedrooms, four and one-half baths All photos taken by Rachael Boling Photography

Aristokraft Cabinetry

Great Kitchens & Baths

These photos are credited to Aristokraft Cabinetry of Master Brand Cabinets out of Jasper, Indiana. Affordable, yet stylish cabinetry that will last and create that updated space you have been dreaming of.

Kitchen with Shaker Cabinets and Granite 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!