Design ideas for a traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Charlotte with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, beige splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, a farmhouse sink, quartz benchtops and porcelain splashback.

White Hill

SRC Interiors Inc.

Inspiration for a country l-shaped kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Alabaster Shaker Kitchen

Interiors 4 Living

The large drawer base and overhead mantle encapsulate this 6 ring hob to create a beautiful focal point. The units at either side create balance and symmetry. The tall oven housing and integrated fridge freezer placed along one wall creates drama and boldness, yet this is balanced by the opposing window which brings light into the soft tones of this gorgeous room!

New-World Traditional Home

Atelier Interior Design

This is an example of a transitional l-shaped kitchen in Denver with shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, blue splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Rhoads Residence

J 3 Architects

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, metallic splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

The Fish Camp

Perrone Construction Custom Homes

This is an example of a mid-sized beach style u-shaped open plan kitchen in Tampa with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, limestone benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, grey benchtop and an integrated sink.

Industrial Kitchen

This is an example of a mid-sized industrial galley separate kitchen in Sussex with shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartzite benchtops, slate floors, white benchtop, brown splashback, brick splashback, panelled appliances, a peninsula and brown floor.

Zesty Zinc Shaker

Treyone

Country u-shaped kitchen in Devon with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, white splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Mt Baker Kitchen

Pamela Allen Architecture

Design ideas for a large traditional u-shaped kitchen pantry in Seattle with an undermount sink, white splashback, panelled appliances, slate floors, coffered, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, with island and black benchtop.

Franklin, TN Estate

Noble Johnson Architects

Photography: Garett + Carrie Buell of Studiobuell/ studiobuell.com
Design ideas for a large country l-shaped kitchen in Nashville with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Crystal Bay

Studio M Interiors

Scott Amundson Photography
Photo of a mid-sized country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Minneapolis with dark hardwood floors, a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

When Three Become One

Square Footage Inc.

Photos by Valerie Wilcox
Photo of an expansive transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Painted Bunting

peter c quinn architect

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, brown splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, beige floor and brown benchtop.

Brass & Blue Classic

w.b. builders

Photo Cred: Seth Hannula
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, no island and brown floor.

Pinecrest

Euroline Steel Windows

Architect: Anders Lasater Architects www.AndersLasaterArchitects.com
Inspiration for a beach style l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Acrylic and Brass at Island with Brass Legs

Boss Design Center

This is an example of a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, beige floor, white benchtop and with island.

Westover Hill Renovation

Shirley Meisels

Photograph ©Stephani Buchman
This is an example of a contemporary kitchen in Toronto with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Light & Bright Georgian Villa Extension

Westbury Garden Rooms

This is an example of a mid-sized country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Essex with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, mirror splashback, with island, grey floor, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, beige splashback and panelled appliances.

Harringay Victorian Flat

Emilie Fournet Interiors

Kasia Fiszer
Inspiration for a small eclectic l-shaped separate kitchen in London with an integrated sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, green splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, cement tiles, no island and white floor.

Kitchens

Michael Alan Kaskel

Design ideas for a country l-shaped kitchen in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, with island and multi-coloured floor.

Kitchen with Shaker Cabinets and Panelled 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!