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.

City Beach

Glenda Roff

Photo of a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Perth with an integrated sink, white cabinets, limestone benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

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

Whitefish Bay Tudor Kitchen

Angela Westmore, LLC.

Mid-sized traditional u-shaped separate kitchen in Milwaukee with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, with island, grey floor, marble benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, panelled appliances, porcelain floors and multi-coloured benchtop.

Project Cool Coastal

Amy Fox Interiors

Design ideas for a large beach style u-shaped kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, multiple islands, brown floor and white benchtop.

Sherwood Eclectic Farmhouse

Northland Design & Build

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.

Galena

Carol Faccinetti Interior Design

Expansive modern u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Квартира в ЖК Виз-Правобережный

Юлия Родионова

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Yekaterinburg with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, brown splashback, timber splashback, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, black appliances, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Modern Farmhouse-Upstate

Crisp Architects

Kitchen with concrete countertop island and pendant lighting.
Design ideas for a large country u-shaped kitchen in New York with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Philadelphia Custom Kitchen and Laundry

Airy Kitchens

Design ideas for a large modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, orange floor and white benchtop.

HGTV Big City Digs

Mary Rossi Designs

Urban Loft Kitchen Features Industrial and Contemporary Style. Light maple cabinets and vertical batten board used for the backsplash add contemporary style to this urban loft kitchen. Industrial touches, including copper pendant lights and wood-and-metal barstools, add welcome contrast and texture to the neutral space.

Coopers Hawk

Reece Homes, LLC

Ryan Price Studio
Photo of a mid-sized country single-wall open plan kitchen in Austin with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, black splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Maison à Puteaux, 180m²

Fanny Prat - Architecte d'intérieur

Studio Chevojon
Inspiration for a contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Paris with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, brown splashback, timber splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Contemporary Kitchen

Small contemporary galley separate kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, cement tile splashback, marble floors, no island, white floor, white benchtop and panelled appliances.

Kitchen

SINGLEPOINT DESIGN BUILD INC.

Large contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, brown splashback, timber splashback, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Boise Residence

Hsu McCullough

Kitchen window seat. Photo by Clark Dugger
Small contemporary galley kitchen in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, an undermount sink, wood benchtops, brown splashback, timber splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, no island and brown floor.

Private Residence Pebble Beach

Andrea Bartholick Pace Interior Design

Rick Pharaoh
Design ideas for a large mediterranean open plan kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors and with island.

Winchester renovation

Michael Kim Associates

Large traditional u-shaped kitchen pantry in Boston with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback, medium hardwood floors and no island.

Union Pier Lakehouse

Devon Grace Interiors

This is an example of a large contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, cement tile splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, grey benchtop, shaker cabinets and beige floor.

Great Britain Apartments

Globarch Group Design&Architecture

Small modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, cement tile splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, beige floor and black benchtop.

Kitchen with Cement Tile Splashback and Timber 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!