Three small rooms were demolished to enable a new kitchen and open plan living space to be designed. The kitchen has a drop-down ceiling to delineate the space. A window became french doors to the garden. The former kitchen was re-designed as a mudroom. The laundry had new cabinetry. New flooring throughout. A linen cupboard was opened to become a study nook with dramatic wallpaper. Custom ottoman were designed and upholstered for the drop-down dining and study nook. A family of five now has a fantastically functional open plan kitchen/living space, family study area, and a mudroom for wet weather gear and lots of storage.

Adobe Casita

Design Studio 1127

Open concept small but updated kitchen. With drawer refrigerator and freezer on island.
Photo of a small galley kitchen in Phoenix with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, brick floors, with island, beige benchtop and wood.

Natural Textures Throughout

Esslinger Design Company

Cabinets were updated with an amazing green paint color, the layout was reconfigured, and beautiful nature-themed textures were added throughout. The bold cabinet color, rich wood finishes, and warm metal tones featured in this kitchen are second to none! Cabinetry Color: Rainy Afternoon by Benjamin Moore Walls: Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore Island and shelves: Knotty Alder in "Winter" stain Photo credit: Picture Perfect House

Granite Bay Design/Build

K Squared

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sacramento with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, marble benchtops and brown floor.

| garden home |

Amy Pearson Design

Relocating to Portland, Oregon from California, this young family immediately hired Amy to redesign their newly purchased home to better fit their needs. The project included updating the kitchen, hall bath, and adding an en suite to their master bedroom. Removing a wall between the kitchen and dining allowed for additional counter space and storage along with improved traffic flow and increased natural light to the heart of the home. This galley style kitchen is focused on efficiency and functionality through custom cabinets with a pantry boasting drawer storage topped with quartz slab for durability, pull-out storage accessories throughout, deep drawers, and a quartz topped coffee bar/ buffet facing the dining area. The master bath and hall bath were born out of a single bath and a closet. While modest in size, the bathrooms are filled with functionality and colorful design elements. Durable hex shaped porcelain tiles compliment the blue vanities topped with white quartz countertops. The shower and tub are both tiled in handmade ceramic tiles, bringing much needed texture and movement of light to the space. The hall bath is outfitted with a toe-kick pull-out step for the family’s youngest member!

Sherwood Eclectic Farmhouse

Northland Design & Build

Inspiration for a large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands and white benchtop.

Balinese style house

Anna Design LLC

House in Balinese Style, complete remodel
This is an example of a large beach style l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, beige splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

Mid Century Modern Meets 2020

Fox Interiors

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped separate kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, cement tiles, no island, grey floor and black benchtop.

The Alameda

Sogno Design Group

Photo by: Michele Lee Wilson
Design ideas for a transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, cement tile splashback, white benchtop, an undermount sink, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and beige floor.

South Long Springs Butte Kitchen

TVL Creative Ltd.

This kitchen took a tired, 80’s builder kitchen and revamped it into a personalized gathering space for our wonderful client. The existing space was split up by the dated configuration of eat-in kitchen table area to one side and cramped workspace on the other. It didn’t just under-serve our client’s needs; it flat out discouraged them from using the space. Our client desired an open kitchen with a central gathering space where family and friends could connect. To open things up, we removed the half wall separating the kitchen from the dining room and the wall that blocked sight lines to the family room and created a narrow hallway to the kitchen. The old oak cabinets weren't maximizing storage and were dated and dark. We used Waypoint Living Spaces cabinets in linen white to brighten up the room. On the east wall, we created a hutch-like stack that features an appliance garage that keeps often used countertop appliance on hand but out of sight. The hutch also acts as a transition from the cooking zone to the coffee and wine area. We eliminated the north window that looked onto the entry walkway and activated this wall as storage with refrigerator enclosure and pantry. We opted to leave the east window as-is and incorporated it into the new kitchen layout by creating a window well for growing plants and herbs. The countertops are Pental Quartz in Carrara. The sleek cabinet hardware is from our friends at Amerock in a gorgeous satin champagne bronze. One of the most striking features in the space is the pattern encaustic tile from Tile Shop. The pop of blue in the backsplash adds personality and contrast to the champagne accents. The reclaimed wood cladding surrounding the large east-facing window introduces a quintessential Colorado vibe, and the natural texture balances the crisp white cabinetry and geometric patterned tile. Minimalist modern lighting fixtures from Mitzi by Hudson Valley Lighting provide task lighting over the sink and at the wine/ coffee station. The visual lightness of the sink pendants maintains the openness and visual connection between the kitchen and dining room. Together the elements make for a sophisticated yet casual vibe-- a comfortable chic kitchen. We love the way this space turned out and are so happy that our clients now have such a bright and welcoming gathering space as the heart of their home!

Zilker Contemporary

Skelly Build

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, cement tiles, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen Remodels

Spanjer Homes

Stoneybrook Photos
Photo of a mid-sized traditional galley kitchen pantry in Denver with an undermount sink, distressed cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, cement tiles, grey floor, white benchtop and raised-panel cabinets.

SANTA FE'S HISTORIC EASTSIDE

Tierra Concepts

Design ideas for a large eclectic l-shaped kitchen in Albuquerque with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, grey splashback and cement tile splashback.

San Juan Capistrano

McRae Lambert Dunn

Mid-sized transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, with island, white benchtop, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and beige floor.

Studio apartment

Insight Vision GmbH

Modern studio apartment for the young girl.
Design ideas for a small modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Frankfurt with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, cement tile splashback, ceramic floors, no island, grey floor, stainless steel appliances and grey benchtop.

Logan Square Single Family Home Renovation

Dan Rak Design

Large professional-grade kitchen with white and black cabinetry and open shelving in a naturally finished walnut wood.
Large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, black cabinets, quartzite benchtops, black splashback and cement tile splashback.

Transitional Kitchen

Design ideas for a transitional kitchen in Atlanta with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Rolling Hills

Ottolia & Barnes Architecture

Photo of a large country galley open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, cement tile splashback, brown floor, white benchtop and recessed-panel cabinets.

Spanish Modern Kitchen

Savvy Interiors

Mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Diego with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, an undermount sink and quartzite benchtops.

Hillwood Pool House

WINN Design+Build

Stacy Zarin-Goldberg
Design ideas for a small country galley open plan kitchen in DC Metro with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Kitchen with Cement Tile Splashback 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!