kitchen remodel
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, terra-cotta splashback, black appliances, vinyl floors, with island, beige floor, black benchtop and grey cabinets.

Navy is a Neutral Ranch Remodel & Addition

KBG Design

Photo of a large beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, brown floor and white benchtop.

Wedgewood

MMI Design

Large modern open plan kitchen in Houston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, travertine floors, multiple islands, beige floor and white benchtop.

Brooklyn Townhouse Renovation

Studio Geiger Architecture

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a peninsula, a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances and medium hardwood floors.

Kitchen Renovations

Revision LLC

This is an example of a large transitional u-shaped kitchen in Minneapolis with grey cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, raised-panel cabinets, a farmhouse sink, solid surface benchtops, brown floor, white benchtop and ceramic splashback.

Houston, Texas | Tamarron - Premier Rosewood Kitchen

Brightland Homes

Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Houston with with island, recessed-panel cabinets, solid surface benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, white benchtop, a farmhouse sink, light hardwood floors, beige floor and dark wood cabinets.

Kitchen renovation with crittall doors antique tiles

Gemma Dudgeon Interiors

A colouful kitchen in a victorian house renovation. Two tone kitchen cabinets in soft green and off-white. The flooring is antique tiles painstakingly redesigned to fit around the island. At the back of the kitchen is a pantry area separated by a crittall doors with reeded glass.

Kirkland, Kitchen

TBH Sterling Inc.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Nestledown Farm

peter c quinn architect

Lauren Rubenstein Photography
This is an example of a large country l-shaped kitchen in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, black benchtop and solid surface benchtops.

Sailing and Pailing

Morrison Interiors

Photo by Rod Foster
Photo of a large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Orange County with white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and recessed-panel cabinets.

Rothwell

Designs by Craig Veenker

Photo of a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Salt Lake City with white cabinets, a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, solid surface benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass tile splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Wallingford

Boffe Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional single-wall open plan kitchen in London with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, yellow cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, with island and black benchtop.

Full Kitchen Remodel

HRS BUILD

Full kitchen remodel with u-shaped islands and gray accented cabinetry.
Photo of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Dallas with shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, a peninsula, brown floor, white benchtop, a farmhouse sink, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and solid surface benchtops.

Modern Living in Florida

Pineapple House Interior Design

Porcelain countertop slabs continue up the walls as full height backsplashes. Thick, 2” flat edges used on the counters are repeated via 2” wide frames on the wood drawers and their surrounds.

Wedgewood

MMI Design

Photo of a large modern open plan kitchen in Houston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, travertine floors, multiple islands, beige floor and white benchtop.

Magnolia Renovation

Hawley Architects

Open concept kitchen featuring flat-panel white cabinets and dark wood accents.
Mid-sized midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop, a farmhouse sink, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback and brown floor.

Chiswick house

VORBILD Architecture

The new back extension houses a large family kitchen with shaker style cabinets in various shades. Copper pendant lights as well as other copper elements have been used throughout the space. A breakfast bar area has been created in the kitchen island and industrial style stools have been used. Photography by Chris Snook

Mission Farmhouse

AR Interiors Inc.

Mid-sized country l-shaped separate kitchen in Vancouver with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, no island, brown floor and white benchtop.

North Judson IN. Haas Signature Collection, Modern Rustic Inspired Kitchen

Bailey's Cabinets

Haas Signature Collection Wood Species: Rustic Hickory Cabinet Finish: Cottage (discontinued on Nov 30, 2018) Door Style: Shakertown V Island Cabinets: Haas Signature Collection Wood Species: Maple Cabinet Finish: Black Door Style: Shakertown V Countertop: Solid Surface Hi-macs, 1/4" Radius edge, 4" coved backsplash, Mesa Granite color

A California Cape-Cod Beauty

GDC Construction

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and beige floor.

Kitchen with a Farmhouse Sink and Solid Surface 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!