Floor to Ceiling Maple Book Matched Cabinets in White Quartz Kitchen

This is an example of a contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sacramento with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, cement tiles, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Natural Elegance - Custom Home

Cuthbertson Homes

Country eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and exposed beam.

Bluff Overlook

AOME Architects

The kitchen provides an on-axis counterpoint to the fireplace in the great room. // Image : Benjamin Benschneider Photography
This is an example of a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, beige benchtop, exposed beam, wood, solid surface benchtops and granite splashback.

Classic Black and White kitchen

Vision Design

A small but very functional kitchen remodel makes a small house live much larger
Design ideas for a small transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, black benchtop and exposed beam.

Classic & Inviting Custom Home: Naperville, IL

Charleston Building and Development

Large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Wyndham Beach House

Sky Architect Studio

We created a practical, L-shaped kitchen layout with an island bench integrated into the “golden triangle” that reduces steps between sink, stovetop and refrigerator for efficient use of space and ergonomics. Instead of a splashback, windows are slotted in between the kitchen benchtop and overhead cupboards to allow natural light to enter the generous kitchen space. Overhead cupboards have been stretched to ceiling height to maximise storage space. Timber screening was installed on the kitchen ceiling and wrapped down to form a bookshelf in the living area, then linked to the timber flooring. This creates a continuous flow and draws attention from the living area to establish an ambience of natural warmth, creating a minimalist and elegant kitchen. The island benchtop is covered with extra large format porcelain tiles in a 'Calacatta' profile which are have the look of marble but are scratch and stain resistant. The 'crisp white' finish applied on the overhead cupboards blends well into the 'natural oak' look over the lower cupboards to balance the neutral timber floor colour.

Red Hill House

Bella Vie Interiors

This classic Queenslander home in Red Hill, was a major renovation and therefore an opportunity to meet the family’s needs. With three active children, this family required a space that was as functional as it was beautiful, not forgetting the importance of it feeling inviting. The resulting home references the classic Queenslander in combination with a refined mix of modern Hampton elements.

Custom Kitchen Range Hoods

Bauer Metal

Design ideas for a country u-shaped kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, black benchtop, exposed beam and vaulted.

Tween Attic Hangout Space

Two Hands Interiors

A teen hangout destination with a comfortable boho vibe - with custom snack station. This custom dry bar in a custom blue is completed with Top Knobs hardware and retail accessories. Design by Two Hands Interiors. See the rest of this cozy attic hangout space on our website. #tweenroom #teenroom

Magnolia Tudor Remodel

H2D Architecture + Design

Tudor style kitchen with copper details, painted cabinets, and wood beams above. Architecture and Design: H2D Architecture + Design www.h2darchitects.com Built by Carlisle Classic Homes Interior Design: KP Spaces Photography by: Cleary O’Farrell Photography

Mid Century Chic

NUMI Build

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, terrazzo benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, marble floors, a peninsula, beige floor, brown benchtop and exposed beam.

CLASSIC MODERN KITCHEN

Home Dot Designs

The only thing that stayed was the sink placement and the dining room location. Clarissa and her team took out the wall opposite the sink to allow for an open floorplan leading into the adjacent living room. She got rid of the breakfast nook and capitalized on the space to allow for more pantry area.

Boston Beauty

Threetrees Interiors LLC

Design ideas for a transitional u-shaped kitchen in Boston with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, black benchtop, coffered and timber.

Fernlea

Visbeen Architects

Large beach style l-shaped kitchen in Grand Rapids with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, white benchtop, shaker cabinets, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and timber.

Elk Creek Manor House

Tera Janelle Design

Inspiration for a country galley kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Kitchen In Oak Hill

Oak Hill Building & Remodeling

Photo of a traditional l-shaped kitchen in DC Metro with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and timber.

Stewart Modern Spanish

Alison White Homes

Inspiration for a mediterranean l-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

はぐくむ家

バークレーの風一級建築士事務所

70年という月日を守り続けてきた農家住宅のリノベーション建築当時の強靭な軸組みを活かし、新しい世代の住まい手の想いのこもったリノベーションとなった夏は熱がこもり、冬は冷たい隙間風が入る環境から開口部の改修、断熱工事や気密をはかり夏は風が通り涼しく、冬は暖炉が燈り暖かい室内環境にした空間動線は従来人寄せのための二間と奥の間を一体として家族の団欒と仲間と過ごせる動線とした北側の薄暗く奥まったダイニングキッチンが明るく開放的な造りとなった

Classic Traditional

Distinctive Drywall & Painting

This is an example of a transitional l-shaped kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, light wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and exposed beam.

My Houzz: Modernized Tudor-Inspired Family Home in Chicago

Rachel Loewen Photography

Photo: Rachel Loewen © 2019 Houzz
This is an example of a scandinavian open plan kitchen in Chicago with black cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop, exposed beam and shaker cabinets.

Kitchen with Timber and Exposed Beam 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!