Rufty Homes was recognized by the National Association of Home Builders with its “Room of the Year” award, as well as a platinum award for “Interior Design: Kitchen”, in the 2012 Best in American Living Awards (BALA). For the past 6 years, Rufty Homes has been named top custom home builder by Triangle Business Journal.

Glastonbury Residence_Kitchen

FACET Design

Transitional u-shaped kitchen in Nashville with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, beige splashback, mosaic tile splashback, white appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Groves Ave Kitchen Renovation

Jordan Design-Build Group

With Craftsman details throughout the rest of the home, our clients wanted their new kitchen to have transitional elements such as Shaker style doors, a farmhouse sink, warm wood tones, and other timeless features such as a custom hood and natural stone counters. The beautiful Glorious White marble counters have a soft honed finish and the stunning marble backsplash ties everything together to complete the look. The two-toned cabinets pair a rich stained cherry island with soft white perimeter cabinets. Brushed brass accents on the appliances pulls, cabinet hardware, lights and plumbing fixtures add another layer of sophistication. An induction range, dishwasher drawers, undercounter microwave, and four-door smart refrigerator amp up the functionality of this cook’s kitchen.

Classic Newburyport

B&G Cabinet, LLC

Photo of a large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Mackinac 2

Southern Oak Custom Homes

This is an example of a transitional galley kitchen in Oklahoma City with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

The Courthouse Kitchen by Shere Kichens

Shere Kitchens

Designed with family in mind for kitchen extension. Custom made kitchen, handcrafted at our workshop in Guildford, Surrey. Every inch of storage was thought through. There are 24 drawers, a breakfast pantry and glazed drinks bar cabinet. The oak table was designed and stained to bring the whole scheme together with the vintage Barristers Bookcases, a much loved family heir loom.

Franklin Park Custom Home

WINN Design+Build

This is an example of a large u-shaped open plan kitchen in DC Metro with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone tile splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island 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.

Fresh Berkshire Farmhouse

Jess Cooney Interiors

Custom kitchen with Danby Marble and Pietra Cardosa Counters
Photo of a country u-shaped kitchen in Boston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Modern Farmhouse

Old Hillsboro Building Company

This is an example of a large country single-wall kitchen pantry in Nashville with wood benchtops, a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Two Time Award Winning Kitchen

Normandy Remodeling

Normandy Designer Vince Weber, worked closely with the homeowners to create an open and spacious floorplan with timeless beauty and appeal. “The existing kitchen was isolated from the rest of the house,” says Weber. “One of the redesign goals of the homeowners was to tie the kitchen with the living room to create a ‘living kitchen’ that would function as the central gathering space for the family.” The resulting design paired timeless colors and classic inset cabinetry to give the kitchen a casual elegance. The island was designed to feel like a furniture piece, which creates a visual divide between functioning kitchen, and the informal eating and living space. Learn more about Vince Weber, the award winning designer who created this kitchen and addition: http://www.normandyremodeling.com/designers/vince-weber/ To learn more about this award-winning Normandy Remodeling Kitchen, click here: http://www.normandyremodeling.com/blog/2-time-award-winning-kitchen-in-wilmette

Creswell Residence

Prevot Design Services, APAC

Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, granite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, black benchtop, beige cabinets, beige splashback, stone slab splashback and brown floor.

Painted Cabinets

Everingham Design

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Columbus with a farmhouse sink, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor, white benchtop and shaker cabinets.

Magnificent Transition Kitchen

CairnsCraft Design & Remodel

Large transitional kitchen in San Diego with an undermount sink, white cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop, quartz benchtops, glass tile splashback and shaker cabinets.

Bundy: Brentwood Modern Farmhouse

Boswell Construction

Cabinet paint color - Gray Huskie by Benjamin Moore Floors - French Oak from California Classics, Mediterranean Collection Pendants - Circa Lighting Suspended Shelves - Brandino www.brandinobrass.com

Vermilion 3

Geoff Chick & Associates

Derek Makekau
Inspiration for a beach style open plan kitchen in Miami with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Modern Elements Blend with Classic Acadian Style

Ourso Designs

This is an example of a transitional l-shaped kitchen pantry in New Orleans with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island and white benchtop.

Kitchen Remodel - Gaithersburg, MD

Case Architects & Remodelers

Project Developer John Audet Designer Kate Adams Photography by Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, brown floor and grey benchtop.

North Lincoln Hinsdale

Plain & Posh

The homeowners wanted to open up their living and kitchen area to create a more open plan. We relocated doors and tore open a wall to make that happen. New cabinetry and floors where installed and the ceiling and fireplace where painted. This home now functions the way it should for this young family!

Wonderfully Walnut

Studio M Kitchen & Bath

Trimming out the hood with the walnut is a great way to tie the island and perimeter together.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, quartz benchtops, with island, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and white 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!