Our clients wanted to update their kitchen and create more storage space. They also needed a desk area in the kitchen and a display area for family keepsakes. With small children, they were not using the breakfast bar on the island, so we chose when redesigning the island to add storage instead of having the countertop overhang for seating. We extended the height of the cabinetry also. A desk area with 2 file drawers and mail sorting cubbies was created so the homeowners could have a place to organize their bills, charge their electronics, and pay bills. We also installed 2 plugs into the narrow bookcase to the right of the desk area with USB plugs for charging phones and tablets. Our clients chose a cherry craftsman cabinet style with simple cups and knobs in brushed stainless steel. For the countertops, Silestone Copper Mist was chosen. It is a gorgeous slate blue hue with copper flecks. To compliment this choice, I custom designed this slate backsplash using multiple colors of slate. This unique, natural stone, geometric backsplash complemented the countertops and the cabinetry style perfectly. We installed a pot filler over the cooktop and a pull-out spice cabinet to the right of the cooktop. To utilize counterspace, the microwave was installed into a wall cabinet to the right of the cooktop. We moved the sink and dishwasher into the island and placed a pull-out garbage and recycling drawer to the left of the sink. An appliance lift was also installed for a Kitchenaid mixer to be stored easily without ever having to lift it. To improve the lighting in the kitchen and great room which has a vaulted pine tongue and groove ceiling, we designed and installed hollow beams to run the electricity through from the kitchen to the fireplace. For the island we installed 3 pendants and 4 down lights to provide ample lighting at the island. All lighting was put onto dimmer switches. We installed new down lighting along the cooktop wall. For the great room, we installed track lighting and attached it to the sides of the beams and used directional lights to provide lighting for the great room and to light up the fireplace. The beautiful home in the woods, now has an updated, modern kitchen and fantastic lighting which our clients love.

Old Scugog Rd. Kitchen

Kingsmill Kitchens & Baths

Ken Solilo Photography
Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Une cuisine de Chef à la maison

JOA France

Expansive scandinavian galley eat-in kitchen in Paris with an integrated sink, beaded inset cabinets, light wood cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, black splashback, slate splashback, panelled appliances, slate floors, with island and black floor.

Amalfi Road

Dressed Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional single-wall open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, black splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

Clever Kitchen Storage - DeWitt, MI

McDaniels Kitchen and Bath

This craftsman style kitchen design is the perfect combination of form and function. With a custom designed hutch and eat-in kitchen island featuring a CraftArt wood tabletop, the kitchen is the perfect place for family and friends to gather. The wood tone of the Medallion cabinetry contrasts beautifully with the dark Cambria quartz countertop and slate backsplash, but it is the excellent storage accessories inside these cabinets that really set this design apart. From tray dividers to magic corner pull-outs, this kitchen keeps clutter at bay and lets the design shine through.

Kitchen in the Woods

Design Perspective Interior Design, LLC

Island seating with a curved apron

Dovetail Kitchen Designs

Todd Myra Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with raised-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey splashback and slate splashback.

EXTENSION-MIDTOWN TORONTO

Rhonda Moscoe Interior Design

Simon Tanenbaum Photography
Design ideas for a small contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and yellow floor.

Luxury Kitchen Remodel

Bella Cucina West, LLC

Inspiration for a mid-sized industrial l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors and with island.

Marin Bay Kitchen Designed by Rich Dicola

Gilmans Kitchens and Baths

Treve Johnson Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped separate kitchen in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, an undermount sink, light wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback and slate splashback.

Modern L-Shaped Kitchen with White Cabinets and Black Countertops

Westside Remodeling, Inc.

The stainless steel appliances complement the modern look and simple but bold color scheme in this large kitchen remodel. You can see that the taillon black granite countertops and dark hardwood floors bring a vibrant contrast to the cabinets. The cabintes are from the Bria line of Dura Supreme cabinetry, and they were finished with a simple white.

New Park Road

Granit Architects + Interiors

Our clients wanted to create more space and re-configure the rooms they already had in this terraced house in London SW2. The property was just not big enough to accommodate their busy family life or for entertaining family and friends. They wanted a usable back garden too. One of the main ambitions was to create enough space downstairs for an additional family room combined with a large kitchen dining area. It was essential to be able to divide the different activity spaces too. The final part of the brief was to create something different. The design had to be more than the usual “box stuck on the back of a 1930s house.” Our solution was to look at several ambitious designs to deliver under permitted development. This approach would reduce the cost and timescale of the project significantly. However, as a back-up, we also applied to Lambeth Council for full planning permission for the same design, but with different materials such as a roof clad with zinc. Internally we extended to the rear of the property to create the large family-friendly kitchen, dining and living space our client wanted. The original front room has been divided off with steel framed doors that are double glazed to help with soundproofing. We used a hedgehog glazing system, which is very effective. The extension has a stepped plan, which helps to create internal zoning and to separate the different rooms’ functions. There is a non-symmetrical pitched roof, which is open internally up to the roof planes to maximise the feeling of space. The roof of the extension is clad in zinc with a concealed gutter and an overhang to provide shelter. Black bricks and dark grey mortar give the impression of one material, which ties into the colour of the glazing frames and roof. This palate brings all the elements of the design together, which complements a polished concrete internal floor and a stylish contemporary kitchen by Piqu.

Reforma de apartamento en Barcelona

Xavi Pérez

Mid-sized modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, limestone benchtops, black splashback, slate splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Macy Kitchen Remodel

The Burke Company

Ken Vaughn
Mid-sized traditional u-shaped kitchen in Dallas with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, slate splashback, black appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Cherry Kitchen with Contrast Island in Bethesda, MD

Kitchen Saver

This kitchen was refaced with cherry wood in two different stains. The island has an espresso stain, and the kitchen around it has a more traditional cherry color on its doors and veneer. The raised center panels on the doors and the crown moulding combine for a traditional look. The sinks have two tip out trays for added functionality.

Cozy Rustic Lakeside Kitchen

Michelle Lecinski

Project by Advance Design Studio Kitchen Design by Michelle Lecinski Photography NOT professional, just snap shots for now ;)
Photo of a large country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, green splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Kitchen Remodel - Traditional Suburban Home

The Cleary Company

This is an example of a large traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Columbus with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

ARREDAMENTO COUNTRY ELEGANTE

JFD - Juri Favilli Design

Photo of a large country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Milan with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, grey splashback, slate splashback, white appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, brown benchtop and exposed beam.

Ecocuisine Vannes

Large modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an integrated sink, beaded inset cabinets, grey cabinets, laminate benchtops, grey splashback, slate splashback, panelled appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Marin Bay Kitchen Designed by Rich Dicola

Gilmans Kitchens and Baths

Treve Johnson Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, stainless steel appliances, with island, an undermount sink, light wood cabinets, slate floors, multi-coloured splashback and slate splashback.

Kitchen with Slate Splashback and with Island 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!