Double islands serve double duty for the busy residents and their large (27 grandchildren, and counting!) family. The 2” quartz tops are from Dwyer Marble & Stone, with chandeliers by Hubbardton Forge.

Topaz, Balboa Island

William Guidero Planning and Design

Builder: JENKINS construction Photography: Mol Goodman Architect: William Guidero
Mid-sized beach style open plan kitchen in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

modern beach cottage / lantern village, dana point

Moss Yaw Design studio

vaulted ceilings and clean finishes highlight the mix of contemporary design and cottage details in this light filled kitchen and dining space
Photo of a mid-sized beach style l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, grey benchtop, white floor and exposed beam.

Mid Century III - Kitchen Addition

Tali Hardonag Architect

Mountain View Kitchen addition with butterfly roof, bamboo cabinets. Photography: Nadine Priestly
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, blue splashback, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Bluejack National Cottage

Monarch & Maker

This is an example of a mid-sized country open plan kitchen in Houston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, timber and quartz benchtops.

Sharbot Lake Cottage

Dewson Architects

Dewson Architects
Large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Toronto with with island, an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and exposed beam.

Mercado District

PureBuild Inc.

Six burner stainless steel gas stove with tile detail.
Design ideas for a mediterranean l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, marble benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, brown floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

eichler in marinwood

building Lab, inc.

Eichler in Marinwood - In conjunction to the porous programmatic kitchen block as a connective element, the walls along the main corridor add to the sense of bringing outside in. The fin wall adjacent to the entry has been detailed to have the siding slip past the glass, while the living, kitchen and dining room are all connected by a walnut veneer feature wall running the length of the house. This wall also echoes the lush surroundings of lucas valley as well as the original mahogany plywood panels used within eichlers. photo: scott hargis

San Carlos Treetop

Cathie Hong Interiors

What started as a kitchen and two-bathroom remodel evolved into a full home renovation plus conversion of the downstairs unfinished basement into a permitted first story addition, complete with family room, guest suite, mudroom, and a new front entrance. We married the midcentury modern architecture with vintage, eclectic details and thoughtful materials.

Transitional Elegance

Tobias Design LLC

Photo of a large transitional galley open plan kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and timber.

Cleveland Park Renovation

MPR Architecture

Kitchen with eat-in banquette
Design ideas for a transitional galley eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, no island, brown floor, black benchtop, exposed beam, vaulted and medium hardwood floors.

Chiswick Kitchen

Alex Findlater Ltd

It is always a pleasure to work with design-conscious clients. This is a great amalgamation of materials chosen by our clients. Rough-sawn oak veneer is matched with dark grey engineering bricks to make a unique look. The soft tones of the marble are complemented by the antique brass wall taps on the splashback

情熱と聡明の家／SESSION PIECE

株式会社シーフォーデザインレーベル

Inspiration for a mid-sized scandinavian single-wall eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, grey cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, plywood floors, beige floor, white benchtop and timber.

NOB HILL | Remodel + Styling

Designology Studio LLC

Photo of a transitional single-wall open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Open Concept Kitchen

Aniko Nicholson Design

In this open concept kitchen, you'll discover an inviting, spacious island that's perfect for gatherings and gourmet cooking. With meticulous attention to detail, custom woodwork adorns every part of this culinary haven, from the richly decorated cabinets to the shiplap ceiling, offering both warmth and sophistication that you'll appreciate. The glistening countertops highlight the wood's natural beauty, while a suite of top-of-the-line appliances seamlessly combines practicality and luxury, making your cooking experience a breeze. The prominent farmhouse sink adds practicality and charm, and a counter bar sink in the island provides extra convenience, tailored just for you. Bathed in natural light, this kitchen transforms into a welcoming masterpiece, offering a sanctuary for both culinary creativity and shared moments of joy. Count on the quality, just like many others have. Let's make your culinary dreams come true. Take action today and experience the difference.

Beechwood

Jessica Koltun Home

Classic, timeless, and ideally positioned on a picturesque street in the 4100 block, discover this dream home by Jessica Koltun Home. The blend of traditional architecture and contemporary finishes evokes warmth while understated elegance remains constant throughout this Midway Hollow masterpiece. Countless custom features and finishes include museum-quality walls, white oak beams, reeded cabinetry, stately millwork, and white oak wood floors with custom herringbone patterns. First-floor amenities include a barrel vault, a dedicated study, a formal and casual dining room, and a private primary suite adorned in Carrara marble that has direct access to the laundry room. The second features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and an oversized game room that could also be used as a sixth bedroom. This is your opportunity to own a designer dream home.

Sustainable Wonder in Wilmette

Kitchen Design Partners, Inc.

Design ideas for a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and exposed beam.

Chapel Barn Cottage || Jaipur Brushed Limestone

Floors of Stone

Design ideas for a large country eat-in kitchen in Other with shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, marble benchtops, limestone floors, with island, multi-coloured floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

The Ohana Model ATU - Built By: Paradise Tiny Homes

Paradise Tiny Homes LLC

This Ohana model ATU tiny home is contemporary and sleek, cladded in cedar and metal. The slanted roof and clean straight lines keep this 8x28' tiny home on wheels looking sharp in any location, even enveloped in jungle. Cedar wood siding and metal are the perfect protectant to the elements, which is great because this Ohana model in rainy Pune, Hawaii and also right on the ocean. A natural mix of wood tones with dark greens and metals keep the theme grounded with an earthiness. Theres a sliding glass door and also another glass entry door across from it, opening up the center of this otherwise long and narrow runway. The living space is fully equipped with entertainment and comfortable seating with plenty of storage built into the seating. The window nook/ bump-out is also wall-mounted ladder access to the second loft. The stairs up to the main sleeping loft double as a bookshelf and seamlessly integrate into the very custom kitchen cabinets that house appliances, pull-out pantry, closet space, and drawers (including toe-kick drawers). A granite countertop slab extends thicker than usual down the front edge and also up the wall and seamlessly cases the windowsill. The bathroom is clean and polished but not without color! A floating vanity and a floating toilet keep the floor feeling open and created a very easy space to clean! The shower had a glass partition with one side left open- a walk-in shower in a tiny home. The floor is tiled in slate and there are engineered hardwood flooring throughout.

Higher Dorsley - view onto the beautiful kitchen

VESP Architects

A neutral palette of white walls and ceilings allow the timber structure, herringbone timber floor, and beautifully crafted timber joinery in the room to take centre stage. The kitchen island and units behind are all faced in fluted Oak panels. A brass kick plate at floor level provides a highlight of colour and visual break between the wooden floor and kitchen doors.

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!