Inspiration for a mid-sized country single-wall kitchen in Gloucestershire with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, wood benchtops, beige splashback, porcelain splashback, ceramic floors and grey floor.

Light Gray Cabinets with Exposed Wood Beams

Taylor Made Cabinets, Leominster MA

Photo of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped kitchen pantry in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Lakeside Craftsmen // Farmhouse

Younger Homes

This is an example of a large beach style l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Austin with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, black splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, black benchtop and wood benchtops.

Cotswold

Vandershot Photography

Inspiration for a country eat-in kitchen in West Midlands with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, wood benchtops, grey splashback, coloured appliances, no island, black floor and brown benchtop.

Doppelhaushälfte in Preetz

Home Staging JOHANNSEN

Design ideas for a transitional l-shaped kitchen in Other with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, white floor and brown benchtop.

Modern Cafe Kitchen

Madelene Ross Design Studio

The design concept of this kitchen was inspired by the client's love of France. The materials are classic but very special; the marble tile has a silk-screened pattern overlay, the butcher block island top is walnut with a furniture finish, the creamy-white cabinets are a modified shaker with a beveled edge, and the counters are durable Calcutta porcelain. The amazing over-scaled vintage pendants from France and the sleek brass and linen counter stools give the space a modern and fresh feel.

CUBRO / Lavapiés

pfronts

This is an example of a small scandinavian single-wall open plan kitchen in Madrid with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, no island, blue floor, brown benchtop and recessed.

Custom Log Retreat

Woodland Designs, Inc.

Inspiration for a country galley open plan kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, wood benchtops, grey splashback, metal splashback, coloured appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, brown benchtop and wood.

Reclaimed Backyard Cottage

Targa Homes

Inspiration for a small scandinavian galley open plan kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, cork floors and a peninsula.

Ggem Design Co Kitchens

Shannon Ggem Design

Small beach style galley separate kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, white appliances, medium hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Chester Two

Habit Studio

Photo of a transitional u-shaped kitchen pantry in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Berkshire House

Framework Architecture

Open kitchen in modern cabin
Small contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Boston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and no island.

Hermann Homestead

Integrated Resources Group

Design by Gina Rachelle Design. Photography by Max Maloney.
Design ideas for a transitional galley kitchen in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

Walker Kitchen

Longhouse Architects

Small galley separate kitchen in DC Metro with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, metallic splashback, metal splashback, white appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, black floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Greenwood

Four Blocks South

White kitchen with brass accents. Photo by Mike Chajecki.
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, blue splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, a peninsula, grey floor and white benchtop.

Cotswold country house extension and refurbishment

Verity & Beverley Ltd

Refurbishment of a Grade II* Listed Country house with outbuildings in the Cotswolds. The property dates from the 17th Century and was extended in the 1920s by the noted Cotswold Architect Detmar Blow. The works involved significant repairs and restoration to the stone roof, detailing and metal windows, as well as general restoration throughout the interior of the property to bring it up to modern living standards. A new heating system was provided for the whole site, along with new bathrooms, playroom room and bespoke joinery. A new, large garden room extension was added to the rear of the property which provides an open-plan kitchen and dining space, opening out onto garden terraces.

50's Bungalow

Shelter Residential

Amber Thrane
Design ideas for a beach style kitchen in San Diego with shaker cabinets, white cabinets and wood benchtops.

5609 Palladio Lane

Builtwell Group

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional kitchen pantry in New Orleans with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops and brown benchtop.

Kirkland

JAC Construction, LLC

Photos by Showcase Photography Staging by Shelby Mischke
Design ideas for a small modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Nashville with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, no island and white floor.

Craftsman Kitchen in Brighton, MI

Dream Kitchens

Large traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Detroit with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, wood benchtops, green splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Kitchen with Shaker Cabinets and Wood 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!