Hanging in Balance Kitchen Design | Astro Design Centre | Ottawa, Canada

This old tiny kitchen now boasts big space, ideal for a small family or a bigger gathering. It's main feature is the customized black metal frame that hangs from the ceiling providing support for two natural maple butcher block shevles, but also divides the two rooms. A downdraft vent compliments the functionality and aesthetic of this installation. The kitchen counters encroach into the dining room, providing more under counter storage. The concept of a proportionately larger peninsula allows more working and entertaining surface. The weightiness of the counters was balanced by the wall of tall cabinets. These cabinets provide most of the kitchen storage and boast an appliance garage, deep pantry and a clever lemans system for the corner storage. Design: Astro Design Centre, Ottawa Canada Photos: Doublespace Photography

Bordenkircher Residence

Kircher Design & Build

Dan Feldkamp
This is an example of a large transitional single-wall open plan kitchen in Cincinnati with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island and grey floor.

Modern Traditional Expansion

Vision Design

Addition that included expand the dining room and kitchen as well as expanding to the back to create a second master and laundry room. In the course of the project, we improved the indoor/outdoor feel of the front and back of the house.

Small cottage kitchen

SoKipling

This small cottage had a small kitchen and very little storage space. To accommodate a large fridge freezer, a washing machine, a dishwasher and an oven and still have useful storage space and worksurface was tricky. A tall and deep larder cupboard beside the fridge was the answer to storing food and the well designed corner cabinet accommodates all pots and pans. The pull-out shelf under the sink allows easy access to all the cleaning products. Other features such as plinth drawer, a small wall cupboard and wall shelves on brackets for kiln jars added valuable storage space without making the room too small. The freestanding washing machine was hidden behind a curtain for added colour and a bit of extra worktop above.

Creek Hollow Ave Renovation

Studio Steidley

This kitchen was very 1980s and the homeowners were ready for a change. As amateur chefs, they had a lot of requests and appliances to accommodate but we were up for the challenge. Taking the kitchen back down to the studs, we began to open up their kitchen while providing them plenty of storage to conceal their bulk storage and many small appliances. Replacing their existing refrigerator with a panel-ready column refrigerator and freezer, helped keep the sleek look of the cabinets without being disrupted by appliances. The vacuum sealer drawer is an integrated part as well, hidden by the matching cabinet drawer front. Even the beverage cooler has a door that matches the cabinetry of the island. The stainless, professional-grade gas range stands out amongst the white cabinets and its brass touches match the cabinet hardware, faucet, pot-filler, and veining through the quartzite. The show-stopper of this kitchen is this amazing book-matched quartzite with its deep blues and brass veining and this incredible sink that was created out of it as well, to continue the continuity of this kitchen. The enormous island is covered with the same stone but with the dark wood, it provides a dramatic flair. The mercury glass pendants, do not distract but complete the look. Photographer: Michael Hunter Photography

Gamekeeper's Kitchen

Anya Rice Photography

Kitchen design: Winfreys www.winfreys.co.uk
Mid-sized country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with grey cabinets, panelled appliances, slate floors, with island, grey floor, an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets and black benchtop.

Mid Century Modern Remodel

Chuckanut Builders

We love a nice galley kitchen! This beauty has custom white oak cabinetry, slate tile flooring, white quartz countertops and a hidden pocket door.
Mid-sized midcentury galley eat-in kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, no island, grey floor, white benchtop and medium wood cabinets.

10th Street Renovation

West End Interiors

Kitchen Renovation, concrete countertops, herringbone slate flooring, and open shelving over the sink make the space cozy and functional. Handmade mosaic behind the sink that adds character to the home.

Cozy Cabin with Rustic Charm

Angelica Henry Design

Small country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Phoenix with a farmhouse sink, distressed cabinets, granite benchtops, brown splashback, black appliances, slate floors and grey floor.

Courtyard House

actLAB

Open plan kitchen with sliding doors to enclose the kitchen when the owners decide to have catering done for parties.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with flat-panel cabinets, quartzite benchtops, with island, grey floor, an undermount sink, white cabinets, window splashback, white appliances, slate floors and white benchtop.

Barry

Threshold Design Lab

This was a dream kitchen job. This mid-century townhouse was asking for a compelling, modern kitchen, and the owners were excited about doing something interesting. Modeled after that aesthetic, we designed an exquisite walnut kitchen with base cabinets that stood on a steel frame, much like a piece of furniture. Photo by Mike Schwartz

Eastport Victorian Kitchen

Tina Colebrook Architect

The existing quirky floor plan of this 17 year old kitchen created 4 work areas and left no room for a proper laundry and utility room. We actually made this kitchen smaller to make it function better. We took the cramped u-shaped area that housed the stove and refrigerator and walled it off to create a new more generous laundry room with room for ironing & sewing. The now rectangular shaped kitchen was reoriented by installing new windows with higher sills we were able to line the exterior wall with cabinets and counter, giving the sink a nice view to the side yard. To create the Victorian look the owners desired in their 1920’s home, we used wall cabinets with inset doors and beaded panels, for economy the base cabinets are full overlay doors & drawers all in the same finish, Nordic White. The owner selected a gorgeous serene white river granite for the counters and we selected a taupe glass subway tile to pull the palette together. Another special feature of this kitchen is the custom pocket dog door. The owner’s had a salvaged door that we incorporated in a pocket in the peninsula to corale the dogs when the owner aren’t home. Tina Colebrook

Highland's home in Bend, OR

Norman Building & Design

This custom designed and crafted serving island also showcases the owners stemware and also provides added serving area for the dining room. The cabinet also incorporates a wine refrig that is accessed from the dining room. www.ButterflyMultimedia.com

Hearthstone Farm - Kitchen

Frank Shirley Architects

Photo by Randy O'Rourke
Photo of a large traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Boston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island and grey floor.

Studio Transformation

DAS Studio

This is an example of a small scandinavian u-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, grey splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, a peninsula, grey floor and brown benchtop.

Duboce Triangle Flat - Kitchen

Noz Design

Colin Price Photography
Mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Blue, White, Orange Kitchen

Tracey Stephens Interior Design Inc

Wing Wong/Memories TTL
Mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, brick splashback, panelled appliances, slate floors, a peninsula and grey floor.

Myrtle

McClellan | Tellone

Mitchell Kearney Photography
Design ideas for a large modern u-shaped open plan kitchen in Charlotte with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, brown splashback, timber splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen Renovations

WORKS by Jesse DeBenedictis, LLC

A beach house kitchen with an open concept, modern lighting, stainless appliances and a large wood island.
Photo of a large transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island and grey floor.

Granite, Marble and Quartz Countertops

Onyx Marble and Granite

David Fox
Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped separate kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, multiple islands, recessed-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, slate floors and grey floor.

Kitchen with Slate Floors and Grey Floor 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!