This kitchen had not been renovated since the salt box colonial house was built in the 1960’s. The new owner felt it was time for a complete refresh with some traditional details and adding in the owner’s contemporary tastes. At initial observation, we determined the house had good bones; including high ceilings and abundant natural light from a double-hung window and three skylights overhead recently installed by our client. Mixing the homeowners desires required the skillful eyes of Cathy and Ed from Renovisions. The original kitchen had dark stained, worn cabinets, in-adequate lighting and a non-functional coat closet off the kitchen space. In order to achieve a true transitional look, Renovisions incorporated classic details with subtle, simple and cleaner line touches. For example, the backsplash mix of honed and polished 2” x 3” stone-look subway tile is outlined in brushed stainless steel strips creating an edgy feel, especially at the niche above the range. Removing the existing wall that shared the coat closet opened up the kitchen to allow adding an island for seating and entertaining guests. We chose natural maple, shaker style flat panel cabinetry with longer stainless steel pulls instead of knobs, keeping in line with the clients desire for a sleeker design. This kitchen had to be gutted to accommodate the new layout featuring an island with pull-out trash and recycling and deeper drawers for utensils. Spatial constraints were top of mind and incorporating a convection microwave above the slide-in range made the most sense. Our client was thrilled with the ability to bake, broil and microwave from GE’s advantium oven – how convenient! A custom pull-out cabinet was built for his extensive array of spices and oils. The sink base cabinet provides plenty of area for the large rectangular stainless steel sink, single-lever multi-sprayer faucet and matching filtered water dispenser faucet. The natural, yet sleek green soapstone countertop with distinct white veining created a dynamic visual and principal focal point for the now open space. While oak wood flooring existed in the entire first floor, as an added element of color and interest we installed multi-color slate-look porcelain tiles in the kitchen area. We also installed a fully programmable floor heating system for those chilly New England days. Overall, out client was thrilled with his Mission Transition.

Modern Farmhouse Kitchen

Lustig Custom Cabinets

The bi-level island displays the farmhouse cookbooks on each end. Mandi B Photography
Design ideas for an expansive country galley open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and black benchtop.

Maple St.

Arbor Haus

Mid-sized traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Kitchen

ProSource Wholesale of Buffalo

Mid-sized traditional single-wall separate kitchen in New York with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, slate splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, multiple islands, grey floor and black benchtop.

Scenic Drive Project

Mark Ashby Design

Photo of a contemporary eat-in kitchen in Austin with stainless steel appliances, a single-bowl sink, dark wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops and grey splashback.

Beautiful + Functional Family Kitchen

User

Open kitchen for a busy family of five. Custom built inset cabinetry by Jewett Farms + Co. with handpainted perimeter cabinets and gray stained Oak Island. Reclaimed wood shelves behind glass cabinet doors, custom bronze hood. Soapstone countertops by Jewett Farms + Co. Look over the projects to check out all the custom details. Photography by Eric Roth

Upper East Side Atelier

Weil Friedman Architects

A galley kitchen was reconfigured and opened up to the living room to create a charming, bright u-shaped kitchen.
Design ideas for a traditional l-shaped kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, beige cabinets, soapstone benchtops, black benchtop, recessed-panel cabinets, grey splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Vinson

Park Company Architects (parkco)

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Modern hickory kitchen Mechanicsburg PA.

Mother Hubbard's Custom Cabinetry

Carl Socolow
Inspiration for a small contemporary single-wall separate kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and no island.

Historic Mill Building Converted to Modern Condo

Haven Hill Builders, LLC

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern eat-in kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and multiple islands.

Terrible Mountain Kitchen & Home Renovation

Northshire Living

Large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Boston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Blue Lake Galley Kitchen

Arcata Cabinet & Design Company

Narrow kitchens have no fear! With a great designer, great product and motivated homeowners, you can achieve dream kitchen status. Moving the sink to the corner and the big refrigerator towards the end of the kitchen created lots of continuous counter space and storage. Lots of drawers and roll-outs created a space for everything - even a super lazy susan in the corner. The result is a compact kitchen with a big personality. Nicolette Patton, CKD

Beach Street Residence

TINEKE TRIGGS

Suzanne Scott
Mid-sized transitional l-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with with island, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and a farmhouse sink.

New Home Construction in Bonsall

Contemporary Design Builders, Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, travertine floors and with island.

CLARKSON - Denver Square 1890's

KE Interior Solutions

VIRTUANCE
Photo of a large traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors and with island.

Outdoor Kitchen

Euro Canadian Construction Corp.

-Architect & Designer: McCulloch & Associates Design Ltd.-Landscape Architect: Paul Sangha Ltd.
Large traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Vancouver with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors and with island.

Alamo, CA. Farmhouse. Full Service Design Firm. Kitchen.

LMK Interiors

Farmhouse style with an industrial, contemporary feel.
Photo of a large country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Melrose Street, Newton MA

Betsy Bassett Interiors

Recessed panel runs the length of the counter to create a finished look and to hide the dog den from guests. Photo Credit: Betsy Bassett
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Boston with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, matchstick tile splashback, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor, grey benchtop and soapstone benchtops.

Elliot Ave. Kitchen addition

Ohana Home & Design

This house had a tiny little galley kitchen. We added an addition off the back of the home which gave the family a nice sized kitchen and a family room.

Beautiful + Functional Family Kitchen

User

Built in walnut coffee station sits behind a pocket door. Pull out walnut tray makes it easy to access the coffee maker and a drawer below holds all the supplies. Photography by Eric Roth

Kitchen with Soapstone Benchtops and Grey Splashback 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!