Photo of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Smith Kitchen

scout design

Arts and crafts kitchen in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, green splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors and green floor.

Jeffrey, Pittsford, NY

Brugnoni Design

Mary Anne Brugnoni
Inspiration for a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

White Lake Timber Frame Cottage

Pine Creek Homes

The natural elements this cottage uses makes it something truly special.
Inspiration for a large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, granite benchtops, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors and with island.

Kitchen, mud room and Laundry renovation

Glickman Design Build

Kitchen, pantry, mud, Laundry room
Design ideas for a large transitional u-shaped kitchen pantry in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and multiple islands.

Applecross (DDSF17)

Renovation Capital

Kabuki Black granite benches with a stained French Oak island. Shaker doors in 25% Dusty Mule. Stunning Armac Martin handles, Queslet collection. See album description for more info.

Open Concept Kitchen

Ward's Kitchens and Baths, Inc.

An Open Concept Kitchen This renovation took a small, closed-in kitchen and an adjacent family room and combined them into an inviting and functional living space. The kitchen features white painted cabinetry, black granite countertops, slate tile backsplash, exposed beams, and oak wood floors. Photos by Charles A. Ward.

Green Mountain Family Remodel

Gretchen Lyons

Now that the kitchen is open to the family room the family can be together while meal prep is happening. The cook is separated and can join in whatever the evening brings. Photographs by: Libbie Martin with Think Role

Crawford Dr.

360 Construction & Design

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, cork floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Parade of Homes - Aspen II

Titan Homes, Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

l a k e . h o u s e

birdRock Project Studio Inc.

Built in 1997, and featuring a lot of warmth and slate stone throughout - the design scope for this renovation was to bring in a more transitional style that would help calm down some of the existing elements, modernize and ultimately capture the serenity of living at the lake.

Jacksonville Beach Custom Home

Collins Builders

Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Jacksonville with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and grey splashback.

Kitchens

YORK ENTERPRISES LLC

This kitchen was reconfigured and opened up to the laundry area. The previous laundry area became a pantry/wine bar area. Pocket doors were removed and the wall reconfigured to open the kitchen up to the dining room. A slider to the deck was changed to a single door, creating wall space for additional cabinetry and moving the sink to enjoy the view.

Elegant Whole House Remodel in Berwyn

Karen Beam Architect LLC

Large transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, green splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, brick floors, with island and red floor.

Lakeside Basement transformation

Interior Re-Styling LLC.

Before this remodel the support pole seemed like it was right in the middle of traffic pattern. I moved the refrigerator from the opposite kitchenette corner and ran the counter tops in a 'U' shape and created a peninsula that added seating, increased the counter space, improved flow in and out of the kitchen and removed the nuisance of the support pole.

Jamison, PA - Kitchen Remodel with Live Edge Counter

River Woodcraft

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, slate splashback, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Punta Gorda New Kitchen

LTD Contracting LLC

Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Miami with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, travertine floors, with island and beige floor.

The Craftsman

Spirit Builders

The Craftsman started with moving the existing historic log cabin located on the property and turning it into the detached garage. The main house spares no detail. This home focuses on craftsmanship as well as sustainability. Again we combined passive orientation with super insulation, PV Solar, high efficiency heat and the reduction of construction waste.

Carmel Views Kitchen Remodel with view into Carmel Valley

T. A. Wolfson Design

Kitchen, family and living room remodel. Carbonized bamboo floors laid on the diagonal, hemlock cabinetry, slate backsplash with Anne Sacks bronze center tiles, Juperana granite. Photo by Terri Wolfson

Dalston Shaker Style Kitchen

Murray & Ball Furniture Ltd

Stunning shaker kitchen in muted tones from Farrow and Ball with bespoke Oak internals and many bespoke features including a lovely larder cupboard with solid Oak spice racks and Ladder. A freestanding island unit marks the design with a fantastic polished concrete worktop.

Kitchen with Shaker Cabinets and Slate Splashback 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!