Photo of a transitional open plan kitchen in Atlanta with shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, with island, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances and white benchtop.

Market Townhouse Kitchen

SieMatic Seattle/ Summers Studio

SieMatic Pure design, Natural Walnut with Matt Graphite Grey lacquer cabinetry, Natural Walnut wood wall panels, SieMatic Basalt Grey island countertop, Carrara stone countertop, Tile backsplash, Gaggenau appliances, Julien stainless steel sink, Dornbracht Dark Platinum matt faucet, SieMatic storage cabinets.

Anaheim Hills

Benedict August

This is an example of a mid-sized country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Robinhood Residence

Clark Richardson Architects

Modern and sleek, the kitchen is both functional and attractive. Flat panel cabinets, luxurious finishes and integrated high-end appliances provide the perfect space for both daily use and entertaining.

Church Rd Project

Jess Hunter Interior Design

This 90's home received a complete transformation. A renovation on a tight timeframe meant we used our designer tricks to create a home that looks and feels completely different while keeping construction to a bare minimum. This beautiful Dulux 'Currency Creek' kitchen was custom made to fit the original kitchen layout. Opening the space up by adding glass steel framed doors and a double sided Mt Blanc fireplace allowed natural light to flood through.

Handmade Kitchen in Crouch End, London

WILLIAMS RIDOUT

Open-plan living made simple with a deep blue colour scheme running throughout this rear extension in Crouch End, London. Traditionally styled with contemporary features, this handmade kitchen is hand painted with our specialist finish and boasts curved ends on both sides, dovetailed oak drawers and a mirrored splashback.

High Dr.

bootlace design and build

Photo of an expansive transitional galley open plan kitchen in Kansas City with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, panelled appliances, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Fletcher Hills Home Remodel

M Prevost Design

California casual kitchen remodel showcasing white oak island and off white perimeter cabinetry
Large beach style kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, solid surface benchtops, porcelain splashback, with island, grey benchtop, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances and beige floor.

Brick House

Kimball Modern Design + Interiors

Modern l-shaped kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Stylish Cheltenham Living

Contour

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern galley eat-in kitchen in Gloucestershire with flat-panel cabinets, solid surface benchtops, black appliances, marble floors, with island, white benchtop, an undermount sink, black cabinets and grey floor.

Greenacres Kitchen & Sunroom

Bearded Builders

Photo of a mid-sized transitional galley separate kitchen in Omaha with shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, no island, brown floor, white benchtop, an undermount sink, solid surface benchtops, white splashback and subway tile splashback.

Петербургский джаз

Дизайн интерьеров Оnik design

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary eat-in kitchen in Saint Petersburg with beige cabinets, solid surface benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic floors, with island, white floor, white benchtop, flat-panel cabinets and stone slab splashback.

Квартира на Ленинском проспекте

TWO SIDES | Архитектурная студия

Design ideas for a mid-sized scandinavian single-wall eat-in kitchen in Moscow with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, porcelain floors, no island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Loews

Floor Envy

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Vancouver with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, white appliances, vinyl floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Braeburn Mid Century Modern, Houston, TX

Victoria Sheffield

Midcentury modern kitchen with white kitchen cabinets, solid surface countertops, and tile backsplash. Open shelving is used throughout. The wet bar design includes teal grasscloth. The floors are the original 1950's Saltillo tile. A flush mount vent hood has been used to not obstruct the view.

Rancho Palos Verdes Complementary Kitchen

South Bay Design Center

Design ideas for a large contemporary galley separate kitchen with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, marble floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen Remodel

IDB Construction

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

SieMatic Cabinetry URBAN

SieMatic Seattle/ Summers Studio

SieMatic Cabinetry in Graphite Grey Matte Lacquer and Ivory Oak open drawers.
Design ideas for a small modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, solid surface benchtops, black appliances, concrete floors, grey floor, grey benchtop, a single-bowl sink and a peninsula.

Woodlands Kitchen Addition

Paul Bialowas Architect

Photo of a transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, with island and white benchtop.

True handless monochrome panel door kitchen with Corian worktop

Kettle Co. Kitchens

This is an example of a small modern u-shaped separate kitchen in Cornwall with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, black appliances, no island and white benchtop.

All Cabinet Finishes Kitchen with 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!