Custom fir cabinets with bay window breakfast nook. The nook has a built in fir table with a slate inlay, and flip top bench seats for extra storage. Photo by CAST architecture

Kitchen

Andre Rothblatt Architecture

Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with stainless steel appliances, granite benchtops, shaker cabinets and light wood cabinets.

Modern arts & crafts kitchen with painted shaker style cabinets

MN Builders

This is an example of a contemporary kitchen in San Francisco with stainless steel appliances, white cabinets, granite benchtops and shaker cabinets.

Contemporary Home Interior

Rhoads Estate Homes, LLC

Photo of a large transitional kitchen in Cincinnati with an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and shaker cabinets.

Modern-Industrial Kitchen

Next Stage Design + Build

Inspiration for a large industrial l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, granite benchtops, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Beautiful Kitchen Remodel w/Neutral Grey Tones

Tranquility Builders, Inc.

Mid-sized country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

KITCHEN STORAGE

HAVEN design+building llc

Deep drawer dividers organize pots and pans.
Inspiration for a small transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Burlington with shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula.

Coronado New Home Construction

Construction Wonders

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Diego with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and beige floor.

La Vista Dr.- Dallas

Montgomery Custom Homes

Shoot 2 Sell
Design ideas for a large transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Kitchens

Greater Pacific Construction

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and beige floor.

Wellesley, MA

CHARLES STREET DESIGN, LLC

This space was once two rooms: A little-used, formal dining room adjacent to a small kitchen in the rear of the home. We removed the wall in-between the spaces to create a much larger kitchen perfect for a growing family. The new, cozy banquette is now placed in the original location of the kitchen, offering a more casual setting for family dining. Eric Roth Photography

Beaded Shaker Kitchen

Sustainable Kitchens

Nestled away in the countryside, this dark green and oak Shaker kitchen features a subtly crafted beaded detail. Using oak drawers and antique brass hardware to complement the deep shade, with a natural granite worktop. With the existing brick wall tying the room together adding additional textures and a traditional feel.

Synterra Loop Project

First Choice Custom Builders

Open kitchen/living space design. Walk-in pantry, large island, natural stained knotty alder drawers and cabinets. Subway tile backsplash and mudroom entry with pocket door off to side.

West Dulwich Family Home

Imperfect Interiors

This detached home in West Dulwich was opened up & extended across the back to create a large open plan kitchen diner & seating area for the family to enjoy together. We added oak herringbone parquet in the main living area, a large dark green and wood kitchen and a generous seating area

Eclectic Kitchen

This is an example of a mid-sized eclectic l-shaped kitchen in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, painted wood floors, with island, multi-coloured floor and grey benchtop.

Aberdeen Model

Old Town Design Group

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Indianapolis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, white appliances, vinyl floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Brighton Bathroom & Kitchen

Richard Rothmore - Interior Photography

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional open plan kitchen in London with blue cabinets, granite benchtops, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop, a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets and black appliances.

New Construction Home

Harmonious Interiors by Tiffini

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Detroit with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Layered Luxury Living

Toronto Interior Design Group

A sweet breakfast area off a daring green kitchen space featuring bistro chairs, a marble round table and wall plate accent art
Inspiration for a small transitional eat-in kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, granite benchtops, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Highcroft Home Remodel

Studio M Kitchen & Bath

The open layout of this kitchen in addition to its big bright windows makes this space a light and airy oasis. It's such a beautiful place to cook and entertain guests!

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!