Countertop, Island: Brittanicca from Cambria's Marble Collection
Design ideas for a transitional kitchen in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, grey splashback, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Farmhouse Inspiration

Pamko Construction

Inspiration for a country l-shaped kitchen in Boston with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Rustic Flooring

Duncan Flooring Specialist

Inspiration for a large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with white cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, brick splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, an undermount sink, shaker cabinets and brown floor.

An Industrial Shaker Kitchen

Sustainable Kitchens

Oak shaker style kitchen painted with Farrow & Ball Down Pipe. The worktop is premium black honed granite. White metro tiles with stainless steel Smeg oven and hood add a perfect industrial touch. The high ceilings have made it possible to have narrower and taller units for extra storage in this small apartment kitchen.

Transitional Kitchen

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, grey splashback, subway tile splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Transitional Two Toned Kitchen

UB Kitchens - San Antonio

Photo of a traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Austin with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances and shaker cabinets.

Oceanfront Cottage

Whitten Architects

photography by Trent Bell
Design ideas for a traditional l-shaped separate kitchen in Portland Maine with an undermount sink, medium wood cabinets, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, green splashback, shaker cabinets and soapstone benchtops.

New Kitchen, Fresh Start

Drury Design

THE SETUP “You have to figure out how to rebuild a life worth living,” Basia Kozub’s client says. Her husband passed away suddenly three years ago. Holidays with family became more important, and she found herself struggling with a 37-year old kitchen that was falling apart. “I made a decision to move forward,” she says. “I went, ‘You know what? I’m redoing the kitchen.'” The big task of getting started was as easy as having a conversation – literally. Basia was on the job, helping the client sort through priorities, wishes and ideas. Basia’s client is 5′ 4″, likes keeping an eye on the kiddoes in the backyard and wanted certain things to have their own place. THE REMODEL The objectives were: Enlarge and open the space Find a classic look that incorporates blues Upgrade to easy-to-use appliances Hide an office space within the space Ample storage for dishes Design challenges: Uneven window alignment on the back wall Original kitchen smaller than desired, stuctural concerns if walls to be moved Keep folks close – figure out seating for entertaining Main sink in corner is ideal, but windows are hard to reach Lots of storage needed for dishes, glass collection, pantry items, bar bottles and office supplies Specific storage needs for oft-used spices and utensils THE RENEWED SPACE Design solutions: Replace back wall windows, establish window size continuity Take out two walls to open up the space, tall shallow cabinet and a tall filler added to conceal a new header Large island that seats six easily Custom corner sink cabinet with recessed edge allows vertically challenged homeowner to reach the windows Mindful storage planning features: plenty of cabinets, pull-out bar bottle storage, file drawers & cubbies with pocket doors for office appliances, magic corner pullouts, and appliance garages with pocket doors Shelf behind range for easy access to daily-use spices and oils. Also: spice and utensil pullouts on either side of range The clients says every priority and wish box got checked. The highly functional design absorbed everything that used to be in that area of the house, but now those things are out of the way. “In the past, we were all spread out when we gathered for the holidays, because we had to spread out. Now, we’re all in here together, including my 92-year old mother. We’re visiting, cooking, laughing… everyone is here. And I’m really learning how to use these appliances. This kitchen has given me a whole new life.”

Calle Del Cerrito

Joseph Rodrigues Interiors

Spanish Revival Kitchen Renovation
Large mediterranean u-shaped separate kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Kitchen renovation with crittall doors antique tiles

Gemma Dudgeon Interiors

A colouful kitchen in a victorian house renovation. Two tone kitchen cabinets in soft green and off-white. The flooring is antique tiles painstakingly redesigned to fit around the island. At the back of the kitchen is a pantry area separated by a crittall doors with reeded glass.

Contemporary Kitchen

Pineapple House Interior Design

The kitchen pantry is a camouflaged, surprising feature because its entry is created using doors fabricated from the cabinets.
Large modern u-shaped kitchen pantry in Atlanta with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor and white benchtop.

Contemporary Farmhouse

Tindall Architecture Workshop

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Other with an integrated sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Home on the Plains - Magnolia Journal Feature Project

Kelsey Leigh Design Co.

Design ideas for a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Oklahoma City with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor and black benchtop.

East Bay Kitchen

Origin Renovation

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Sherwood Eclectic Farmhouse

Northland Design & Build

Large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands and white benchtop.

Eclectic Modern Farmhouse

Wyrick Residential Design

Photo of a large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Houston with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and shaker cabinets.

Classic With a New Angle

Studio Dearborn

This expansive Victorian had tremendous historic charm but hadn’t seen a kitchen renovation since the 1950s. The homeowners wanted to take advantage of their views of the backyard and raised the roof and pushed the kitchen into the back of the house, where expansive windows could allow southern light into the kitchen all day. A warm historic gray/beige was chosen for the cabinetry, which was contrasted with character oak cabinetry on the appliance wall and bar in a modern chevron detail. Kitchen Design: Sarah Robertson, Studio Dearborn Architect: Ned Stoll, Interior finishes Tami Wassong Interiors

Adobe Falls Kitchen Remodel

M Prevost Design

kitchen remodel
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, terra-cotta splashback, black appliances, vinyl floors, with island, beige floor and black benchtop.

Georgetown DC Kitchen

InSite Builders & Remodeling

3x9 Star Milky Way Stellar-Gloss Square Edge Field Tile
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Kitchen Storage Ideas

Everingham Design

Inspiration for a traditional kitchen in Columbus with grey cabinets and shaker cabinets.

Kitchen with Shaker Cabinets 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!