Design ideas for an arts and crafts u-shaped kitchen in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and grey benchtop.

Mt. Vernon

Dana Clemons

photo: garey gomez
Design ideas for a large beach style u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, ceramic floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and stainless steel appliances.

Coastal Cottage Kitchen in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Forward Design Build Remodel

Our clients had a kitchen that suffered from a lack of natural light, little connection to the dining and entertaining space, and many storage problems. With brand-new cabinetry, one less wall and more durable finishes, we were able to give them the kitchen they've always wanted.

Women's Home

Jaureguy's Design & Construction

This is an example of a large traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sacramento with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and black benchtop.

Lakeside in Leelanau

Marty Rhein, CKD, CBD - BAC Design Group

Design ideas for a beach style u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Quartersawn Oak

Oberholtzer Custom Cabinetry

Built in 1860 we designed this kitchen to have the conveniences of modern life with a sense of having it feel like it could be the original kitchen. White oak with clear coated herringbone oak floor and stained white oak cabinetry deliver the two tone feel.

South Long Springs Butte Kitchen

TVL Creative Ltd.

This kitchen took a tired, 80’s builder kitchen and revamped it into a personalized gathering space for our wonderful client. The existing space was split up by the dated configuration of eat-in kitchen table area to one side and cramped workspace on the other. It didn’t just under-serve our client’s needs; it flat out discouraged them from using the space. Our client desired an open kitchen with a central gathering space where family and friends could connect. To open things up, we removed the half wall separating the kitchen from the dining room and the wall that blocked sight lines to the family room and created a narrow hallway to the kitchen. The old oak cabinets weren't maximizing storage and were dated and dark. We used Waypoint Living Spaces cabinets in linen white to brighten up the room. On the east wall, we created a hutch-like stack that features an appliance garage that keeps often used countertop appliance on hand but out of sight. The hutch also acts as a transition from the cooking zone to the coffee and wine area. We eliminated the north window that looked onto the entry walkway and activated this wall as storage with refrigerator enclosure and pantry. We opted to leave the east window as-is and incorporated it into the new kitchen layout by creating a window well for growing plants and herbs. The countertops are Pental Quartz in Carrara. The sleek cabinet hardware is from our friends at Amerock in a gorgeous satin champagne bronze. One of the most striking features in the space is the pattern encaustic tile from Tile Shop. The pop of blue in the backsplash adds personality and contrast to the champagne accents. The reclaimed wood cladding surrounding the large east-facing window introduces a quintessential Colorado vibe, and the natural texture balances the crisp white cabinetry and geometric patterned tile. Minimalist modern lighting fixtures from Mitzi by Hudson Valley Lighting provide task lighting over the sink and at the wine/ coffee station. The visual lightness of the sink pendants maintains the openness and visual connection between the kitchen and dining room. Together the elements make for a sophisticated yet casual vibe-- a comfortable chic kitchen. We love the way this space turned out and are so happy that our clients now have such a bright and welcoming gathering space as the heart of their home!

Industrial Bachelor Pad

Nina Williams Interiors

Small industrial l-shaped kitchen in Miami with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, wood benchtops, stainless steel appliances, with island, red splashback, brick splashback, light hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Shaker Hill Kitchen Reno

Christina Wikman Interiors

Jessica Delaney
Mid-sized transitional l-shaped kitchen in Boston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Navy is a Neutral Ranch Remodel & Addition

KBG Design

Design ideas for a large beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Blue and White Kitchen in Yardley

Lang's Kitchen & Bath

This spacious kitchen design in Yardley is a bright, open plan space bathed in natural light from the large windows, doors, and skylights. The white perimeter cabinets from Koch and Company are complemented by handmade subway tile and MSI Surfaces Calcatta Venice quartz countertop. The white color scheme is beautifully contrasted by blue island cabinetry with a bi-level countertop and barstool seating. The island also includes a Task Lighting angled power strip, a narrow wine refrigerator, and a white Blanco Siligranit apron front sink with a Riobel Edge faucet and chrome soap dispenser. The kitchen cabinets are accented by Top Knobs Lydia style pulls in chrome. Bosch stainless appliances feature throughout the kitchen, including a microwave drawer and a Bosch stainless chimney hood. Dark hardwood flooring from Meridian brings depth to the style. The natural lighting is complemented by pendant lights from Wage Lighting, undercabinet lighting, and upper glass front cabinets with in cabinet lighting.

Urban Cottage Side Return and Loft Conversion

Alberts House Ltd

Nickel fittings and traditional sanitaryware were added to pull the scheme together. Marble floor tiles bring a sense of luxury and provide cohesion with the kitchen below.

All American Kitchen Remodel

LT Home Designs, LLC

Brent Rivers
Mid-sized country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Atlanta with white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, with island, a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

La Grange Park Residence - Kitchen

Phillip Harrison Interiors

Transitional white kitchen with quartz counter-tops and polished nickel fixtures. Photography: Michael Alan Kaskel
Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped kitchen in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor, multi-coloured splashback, dark hardwood floors and grey benchtop.

Ardsley Custom

M. Lahr Homes

Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped kitchen in Orlando with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, with island, shaker cabinets, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Portadown House

Blackstone Media

Andrew Vaughan
Photo of a transitional eat-in kitchen in Belfast with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, stainless steel appliances, marble floors, with island, white floor and beige benchtop.

Allentown, Pa New Build Pennsylvania Custom Farmhouse and Barn

lisa furey interiors

This is an example of a large country open plan kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, quartz benchtops, red splashback, brick splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, green cabinets, beige floor and white benchtop.

Autumn/Winter 2018

Pete Helme Photography

Pete Helme Photography
This is an example of a large traditional l-shaped kitchen in Other with shaker cabinets, marble benchtops, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop, green cabinets, green splashback and beige floor.

Fisher & Paykel Products & Projects

JD Kitchens

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall kitchen in Atlanta with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Pacific Northwest Tudor

Heidi Caillier Design

Haris Kenjar
Inspiration for a traditional u-shaped kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, coloured appliances, brick floors, with island, red floor and brown benchtop.

All Islands 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!