The kitchen is open to the living room. A central island offers a casual space to cook together, have a drink and socialize while preparing dinner
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Portland Maine with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, terrazzo benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Surfside Farmhouse

interiorstyle

Tile: ARTO BRICK Custom Mix RANGE TILE: MICHAEL ARAM MOLTEN BRONZE Gloss 6" X 12" X 5/8" Ceramic Field Tile WHITE FIELD TILE: A TRAIN WHITE Gloss 5" X 10" X 3/8" Ceramic Field Tile Custom Island with Walnut wood top Perimeter Countertops: Black Soapstone

Transitional Kitchen

Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Indianapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, soapstone benchtops, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Walk Street Manhattan Beach

Norman Design Group, Inc.

Large beach style u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and black benchtop.

White Kitchen with Reclaimed Wood Accents and Dash of Blue

Normandy Remodeling

This white painted kitchen features a splash of color in the blue backsplash tile and reclaimed wood beams that add more character and a focal point to the entire kitchen.

Modern Farmhouse Kitchen and Home Bar

Leslie Hutchison Interiors, LLC

This is an example of a large country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Сталинка на Курской

Buro 19.23

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, blue splashback, medium hardwood floors, no island, brown floor, grey benchtop and terrazzo benchtops.

Tops, Floors and Backsplash

Malsnee Tile and Stone, Inc.

Photo of a mid-sized country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, brick floors, with island, red floor and black benchtop.

Saucon Valley Classic

Jarrett Design

This is an example of a large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and grey benchtop.

Kitchen-Living Portfolio

Ziebart Construction

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional l-shaped separate kitchen in Portland with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, brick floors, with island, red floor and black benchtop.

1902 Historic Kitchen & Pantry Alamo Heights Remodel

Haven Design and Construction

This 1902 San Antonio home was beautiful both inside and out, except for the kitchen, which was dark and dated. The original kitchen layout consisted of a breakfast room and a small kitchen separated by a wall. There was also a very small screened in porch off of the kitchen. The homeowners dreamed of a light and bright new kitchen and that would accommodate a 48" gas range, built in refrigerator, an island and a walk in pantry. At first, it seemed almost impossible, but with a little imagination, we were able to give them every item on their wish list. We took down the wall separating the breakfast and kitchen areas, recessed the new Subzero refrigerator under the stairs, and turned the tiny screened porch into a walk in pantry with a gorgeous blue and white tile floor. The french doors in the breakfast area were replaced with a single transom door to mirror the door to the pantry. The new transoms make quite a statement on either side of the 48" Wolf range set against a marble tile wall. A lovely banquette area was created where the old breakfast table once was and is now graced by a lovely beaded chandelier. Pillows in shades of blue and white and a custom walnut table complete the cozy nook. The soapstone island with a walnut butcher block seating area adds warmth and character to the space. The navy barstools with chrome nailhead trim echo the design of the transoms and repeat the navy and chrome detailing on the custom range hood. A 42" Shaws farmhouse sink completes the kitchen work triangle. Off of the kitchen, the small hallway to the dining room got a facelift, as well. We added a decorative china cabinet and mirrored doors to the homeowner's storage closet to provide light and character to the passageway. After the project was completed, the homeowners told us that "this kitchen was the one that our historic house was always meant to have." There is no greater reward for what we do than that.

Ramsey Ave

Sarah Stacey Interior Design

Photo by Molly Culver
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern l-shaped kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Sandy House- Kitchen

LDa Architecture & Interiors

TEAM Architect: LDa Architecture & Interiors Builder: 41 Degrees North Construction, Inc. Landscape Architect: Wild Violets (Landscape and Garden Design on Martha's Vineyard) Photographer: Sean Litchfield Photography

Kitchen

Alair Homes Dallas

Ken Vaughn
Transitional u-shaped kitchen in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, grey cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, dark hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor and black benchtop.

Bell Mountain

Amity Worrel & Co.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional galley kitchen pantry in Austin with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, black cabinets, soapstone benchtops, black splashback, porcelain splashback, light hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Las Tortugas

Laura Juarez Baggett Studio, PLLC

Charles Davis Smith, AIA
This is an example of an expansive modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Dallas with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Classic design. Timeless elegance.

User

Keeping electronics and charger cords out of the way this shallow cabinet makes use of unused space to create a charging station. Classic white kitchen designed and built by Jewett Farms + Co. Functional for family life with a design that will stand the test of time. White cabinetry, soapstone perimeter counters and marble island top. Hand scraped walnut floors. Walnut drawer interiors and walnut trim on the range hood. Many interior details, check out the rest of the project photos to see them all.

Loft

Royalty Construction

Inspiration for a large industrial l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white splashback, brick splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and soapstone benchtops.

Quaint Victorian Kitchen with Dramatic Metal Range Hood

Amazing Spaces

Small traditional u-shaped separate kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Modern Craftsman

Sogno Design Group

Michele Lee Wilson
This is an example of a mid-sized arts and crafts l-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and soapstone benchtops.

Kitchen with Soapstone Benchtops and Terrazzo Benchtops 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!