This adorable beach cottage is in the heart of the village of La Jolla in San Diego. The goals were to brighten up the space and be the perfect beach get-away for the client whose permanent residence is in Arizona. Some of the ways we achieved the goals was to place an extra high custom board and batten in the great room and by refinishing the kitchen cabinets (which were in excellent shape) white. We created interest through extreme proportions and contrast. Though there are a lot of white elements, they are all offset by a smaller portion of very dark elements. We also played with texture and pattern through wallpaper, natural reclaimed wood elements and rugs. This was all kept in balance by using a simplified color palate minimal layering. I am so grateful for this client as they were extremely trusting and open to ideas. To see what the space looked like before the remodel you can go to the gallery page of the website www.cmnaturaldesigns.com Photography by: Chipper Hatter

Inset Shaker Nordic White Kitchen

Main Line Kitchen Design

The best kitchen showroom in your area is closer than you think. The four designers there are some of the most experienced award winning kitchen designers in the Delaware Valley. They design in and sell 6 national cabinet lines. And their pricing for cabinetry is slightly less than at home centers in apples to apples comparisons. Where is this kitchen showroom and how come you don’t remember seeing it when it is so close by? It’s in your own home! Main Line Kitchen Design brings all the same samples you select from when you travel to other showrooms to your home. We make design changes on our laptops in 20-20 CAD with you present usually in the very kitchen being renovated. Understanding what designs will look like and how sample kitchen cabinets, doors, and finishes will look in your home is easy when you are standing in the very room being renovated. Design changes can be emailed to you to print out and discuss with friends and family if you choose. Best of all our design time is free since it is incorporated into the very competitive pricing of your cabinetry when you purchase a kitchen from Main Line Kitchen Design. Finally there is a kitchen business model and design team that carries the highest quality cabinetry, is experienced, convenient, and reasonably priced. Call us today and find out why we get the best reviews on the internet or Google us and check. We look forward to working with you. As our company tag line says: “The world of kitchen design is changing…”

Brooke Road Residence

Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.

Simone Photography
This is an example of a traditional l-shaped separate kitchen in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, yellow cabinets, soapstone benchtops, yellow splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Albemarle County

T.L. Herndon Ent, Inc/UpStream Construction

Jim Carpenter, photographer
Large country u-shaped separate kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Farmhouse Maple Kitchen Island

Brooks Custom

Premium Wide Plank Maple kitchen island counter top with sealed and oiled finish. Designed by Rafe Churchill, LLC
Design ideas for a mid-sized country galley eat-in kitchen in New York with beaded inset cabinets, soapstone benchtops, stainless steel appliances, with island and green cabinets.

Lynnfield Farmhouse - Cummings Architects

Cummings Architecture + Interiors

When Cummings Architects first met with the owners of this understated country farmhouse, the building’s layout and design was an incoherent jumble. The original bones of the building were almost unrecognizable. All of the original windows, doors, flooring, and trims – even the country kitchen – had been removed. Mathew and his team began a thorough design discovery process to find the design solution that would enable them to breathe life back into the old farmhouse in a way that acknowledged the building’s venerable history while also providing for a modern living by a growing family. The redesign included the addition of a new eat-in kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, wrap around porch, and stone fireplaces. To begin the transforming restoration, the team designed a generous, twenty-four square foot kitchen addition with custom, farmers-style cabinetry and timber framing. The team walked the homeowners through each detail the cabinetry layout, materials, and finishes. Salvaged materials were used and authentic craftsmanship lent a sense of place and history to the fabric of the space. The new master suite included a cathedral ceiling showcasing beautifully worn salvaged timbers. The team continued with the farm theme, using sliding barn doors to separate the custom-designed master bath and closet. The new second-floor hallway features a bold, red floor while new transoms in each bedroom let in plenty of light. A summer stair, detailed and crafted with authentic details, was added for additional access and charm. Finally, a welcoming farmer’s porch wraps around the side entry, connecting to the rear yard via a gracefully engineered grade. This large outdoor space provides seating for large groups of people to visit and dine next to the beautiful outdoor landscape and the new exterior stone fireplace. Though it had temporarily lost its identity, with the help of the team at Cummings Architects, this lovely farmhouse has regained not only its former charm but also a new life through beautifully integrated modern features designed for today’s family. Photo by Eric Roth

Ultimate Entertaining Space

Justina Auer

Tall wall of storage and built in appliances adore the main passageway between sun room and great room.
Photo of an expansive contemporary galley kitchen pantry in Boston with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and no island.

Lakefront Timber Frame Home and Pavillions

KohlMark Architects and Builders

The design of this home was driven by the owners’ desire for a three-bedroom waterfront home that showcased the spectacular views and park-like setting. As nature lovers, they wanted their home to be organic, minimize any environmental impact on the sensitive site and embrace nature. This unique home is sited on a high ridge with a 45° slope to the water on the right and a deep ravine on the left. The five-acre site is completely wooded and tree preservation was a major emphasis. Very few trees were removed and special care was taken to protect the trees and environment throughout the project. To further minimize disturbance, grades were not changed and the home was designed to take full advantage of the site’s natural topography. Oak from the home site was re-purposed for the mantle, powder room counter and select furniture. The visually powerful twin pavilions were born from the need for level ground and parking on an otherwise challenging site. Fill dirt excavated from the main home provided the foundation. All structures are anchored with a natural stone base and exterior materials include timber framing, fir ceilings, shingle siding, a partial metal roof and corten steel walls. Stone, wood, metal and glass transition the exterior to the interior and large wood windows flood the home with light and showcase the setting. Interior finishes include reclaimed heart pine floors, Douglas fir trim, dry-stacked stone, rustic cherry cabinets and soapstone counters. Exterior spaces include a timber-framed porch, stone patio with fire pit and commanding views of the Occoquan reservoir. A second porch overlooks the ravine and a breezeway connects the garage to the home. Numerous energy-saving features have been incorporated, including LED lighting, on-demand gas water heating and special insulation. Smart technology helps manage and control the entire house. Greg Hadley Photography

Eastside Street, River Oaks

Mirador Builders

Mirador Builders
This is an example of a large country u-shaped kitchen in Houston with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, turquoise cabinets, soapstone benchtops, beige splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Newton Kitchen Addition

PEGASUS Design-To-Build LLC

Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Lake House

Crisp Architects

Rob Karosis
Photo of a traditional eat-in kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback and stainless steel appliances.

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.

100 Square Foot Kitchen Remodel

David Heide Design Studio

Architecture & Interior Design: David Heide Design Studio -- Photos: Greg Page Photography
This is an example of a small arts and crafts u-shaped separate kitchen in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, recessed-panel cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, light hardwood floors, no island, soapstone benchtops and brown floor.

Eclectic Kitchen

JAS Design Build

This is an example of an eclectic kitchen in Seattle with stainless steel appliances, an integrated sink, open cabinets, yellow cabinets and soapstone benchtops.

Kitchen Remodel: Eclectic / Farmhouse Kitchen with Breakfast Nook

Penn Contractors Inc

Hub Wilson
This is an example of a mid-sized country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and no island.

New House - Wayne, PA

Peter Zimmerman Architects

Tom Crane
Inspiration for a large traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, light hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Multiple Award Winning Condo Kitchen

Eurotech Cabinetry Inc.

Sarasota, Florida
Inspiration for a large traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Miami with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, dark wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, a peninsula and beige splashback.

Wolfe Stovetop

Lasley Brahaney Architecture + Construction

The range hood is beautifully hidden within custom recessed cabinetry surrounded by white subway tile and white bead board layered surfaces.
This is an example of a large traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, soapstone benchtops, medium hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Walnut horizontal grain kitchen

Susan Brook Interiors

This amazing kitchen was a total transformation from the original. Windows were removed and added, walls moved back and a total remodel. The original plain ceiling was changed to a coffered ceiling, the lighting all totally re-arranged, new floors, trim work as well as the new layout. I designed the kitchen with a horizontal wood grain using a custom door panel design, this is used also in the detailing of the front apron of the soapstone sink. The profile is also picked up on the profile edge of the marble island. The floor is a combination of a high shine/flat porcelain. The high shine is run around the perimeter and around the island. The Boos chopping board at the working end of the island is set into the marble, sitting on top of a bowed base cabinet. At the other end of the island i pulled in the curve to allow for the glass table to sit over it, the grain on the island follows the flat panel doors. All the upper doors have Blum Aventos lift systems and the chefs pantry has ample storage. Also for storage i used 2 aluminium appliance garages. The glass tile backsplash is a combination of a pencil used vertical and square tiles. Over in the breakfast area we chose a concrete top table with supports that mirror the custom designed open bookcase. The project is spectacular and the clients are very happy with the end results.

Fort Washington, PA

Village Handcrafted Cabinetry

This is an example of a large traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, soapstone benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Kitchen with Soapstone Benchtops and Stainless Steel Appliances 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!