Cosmic Black granite is shown in this project! Search the specific granite name, see more granite or other stone options: http://www.stoneaction.com Learn more about granite to see if it’s right for you: Granite countertops can last a lifetime. It contains no harmful chemicals and do not emit harmful radiation or gasses. Granite is heat resistant and is one of the most heat-resistant countertops on the market. You can place a hot pan out of the oven directly onto the countertop surface. Experts do recommend the use of a trivet when using appliances that emit heat for long periods of time, such as crockpots. Since the material is so dense, there is a small possibility heating one area of the top and not the entire thing, could cause the countertop to crack. Granite is scratch resistant. You can cut on it, but it will dull your knives! Granite scores a seven on Moh’s hardness scale. Granite countertops are considered to be a low maintenance countertop surface. The likelihood of needing to be repaired or resurfaced is low. Granite is a porous material. Most fabricators will apply a sealer to granite countertops before they are installed which will protect them from absorbing liquids too quickly. Many sealers last more than 10 years before needing to be reapplied. When they do need to be reapplied, it is something that most homeowners can do on their own as the process is similar to cleaning. Darker granites are very dense and sometimes don’t even require a sealer. When it comes to pricing, there are a lot of variables such as edge profile, total square footage, backsplash, etc. Don’t be fooled by the stereotype that all granite is expensive. Lower-range granites will cost less than high-range laminate. Though granite countertops are not considered “low range” in pricing, there are a lot of affordable options. If you are looking for something truly unique, consider an exotic granite. Some quarries are not easily accessible and/or only able to be quarried for short periods of time throughout the year. If these circumstances exist in a quarry with gorgeous stone, the price will be driven upward You won’t find a lot of solid patterns or bright colors, but both do exist. Also, watch for a large range of color and pattern within the same color of stone. It’s always a good idea to view the exact slab(s) that will be fabricated for your kitchen to make sure they are what you expected to see from the sample. Another factor is that many exotic types of granite have huge flowing waves, and a small sample will not be an accurate representation of the whole slab. Granite countertops are very resistant to chemicals. Acids and bases will not harm the material.

Our Work

Apex Custom Fabrication

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Toronto with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, dark hardwood floors, with island, an undermount sink, stone slab splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Farmhouse Kitchen

This is an example of a mid-sized country u-shaped kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, soapstone benchtops, green splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Cedarburg Transitional Kitchen

Design Tech Remodeling

The homeowner's had a small, non functional kitchen. With their desire to think outside of the box we were able to knock down a structural wall between the kitchen and dining room to give them a large island and a more functional kitchen. To keep costs down we left the sink in the existing location under the window. We provided them with a large pantry cabinet to replace their closet. In the dining room area we flanked the window with a window seat and a storage space for them to put shoes when coming in from the garage. This more open concept kitchen provides the homeowner's with a great entertaining space for their large family gatherings. Mike Kaskel

South Carolina Lake House

Katahdin Cedar Log Homes

Home by Katahdin Cedar Log Homes Photo credit: ©2015 Brian Dressler / briandressler.com
Photo of a large country galley open plan kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

British West Indies Custom Home in Naples

Simonsen-Hickok Interiors

Photo of a large tropical l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Miami with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, limestone floors, with island and beige floor.

2016 Philharmonic House of Design

WAM Interior Design

Martin King Photography
Expansive transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Orange County with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, limestone floors and with island.

226 Oglsby - Birmingham AL Architectural Photographer

Tommy Daspit Photographer

Tommy Daspit Photographer
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional galley open plan kitchen in Birmingham with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Gary Randolph House

AG&M Nashville (Architectural Granite & Marble)

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Nashville with an undermount sink, grey cabinets, stainless steel appliances, with island, flat-panel cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback and concrete floors.

Rustic oak island

Artichoke

The working side of the oak kitchen island. The oak has a specialist finish by Artichoke's specialist finishing team. Image by Marcus Peel.
Design ideas for a large country galley open plan kitchen in Gloucestershire with a single-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, marble benchtops, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, limestone floors, with island and light wood cabinets.

Mountain Modern Condo

LuxWest Interiors

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Denver with shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and an undermount sink.

Beach House on Stilts

Luigi Rosselli Architects

Light filled and open, the dining area is accented by Kyris, a paper feature light by Paris Au Mois D'Aout. © Justin Alexander
This is an example of a large beach style single-wall kitchen in Sydney with stone slab splashback and with island.

Mainland Square

W.B. Homes, Inc.

The open kitchen includes a large island and stainless steel appliances.
Design ideas for a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, granite benchtops, stone slab splashback, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Short Hills Home

PORCELANOSA Group

kitchen: Roble ahumado wood laminate and gloss cream white lacquer floor: aston acero Designer/Architect: Simonian Rosenbaum photographer: Douglas Holt

All about that brass

Robert Paige Cabinetry LLC

Photos by William Quarles. Designed by Homeowner and Robert Paige Cabinetry. Built by Robert Paige Cabinetry.
Inspiration for a large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Charleston with white cabinets, marble benchtops, white appliances, with island, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, medium hardwood floors and shaker cabinets.

Contemporary Kitchen

This is an example of a large contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Miami with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Benlamond

Marble View

Large traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

maple + steel at open kitchen

Moss Yaw Design studio

Full-height maple cabinets with painted white upper cabinets at either side frame the unique custom slatted wood and aluminum kitchen island. Jimmy Cheng Photography

Heliotrope Custom

Patterson Custom Homes

Jeri Koegel
Inspiration for an expansive contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Orange County with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Crossfields

Harvey Norman Architects

Light pours into this kitchen via a bespoke feature roof lantern. A mix of high level light wood kitchen cupboards with natural wood low level kitchen cupboards creates a nice contrast against a light and bright room.

Kitchen with Stone Slab Splashback 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!