Matt Harrer Photography
Inspiration for a traditional kitchen in St Louis with granite benchtops, glass-front cabinets, green cabinets and white appliances.

A 1990’s Kitchen Gets a Modern Refresh

Medford Remodeling

To the right of the sink, a luxury Café brand built-in dishwasher with a brushed-stainless handle was installed alongside a stack of deep storage drawers. Final photos by www.impressia.net The upper cabinets were extended up all the way to the ceiling to create the illusion of taller ceilings. Our designers wanted to include both open shelving and glass-front cabinets for a truly custom look, complete with LED backlighting for an even more dramatic effect. What a beautiful way to display decor and glassware!

Coastal Bungalow - Jackon's Grant on Williams Creek

Old Town Design Group

Mid-sized transitional single-wall kitchen in Indianapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, white appliances, vinyl floors, with island, multi-coloured floor and white benchtop.

#31, Rénovation en Secteur sauvegardé.

L'ATELIER 2

Emmy Martens
This is an example of a small contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Bordeaux with granite benchtops, concrete floors, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, white appliances, a peninsula, beige floor and white benchtop.

Rustic Wood Kitchen

Miller Woodworks

This is an example of a mid-sized country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Cincinnati with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, metallic splashback, ceramic splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and grey benchtop.

McDreamy Kitchen

Custom Cabinet Source Inc

Tricia Koning Photography
This is an example of a large traditional u-shaped kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, white appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Small Mission Beach Studio

Small Interior Solutions

Taylor Abeel Photography
Design ideas for a small beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Diego with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, glass sheet splashback, white appliances and vinyl floors.

kitchen (removed wall)

Archangel Remodeling

Photo of a mid-sized traditional l-shaped separate kitchen in Baltimore with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, white appliances, medium hardwood floors and no island.

A White Haven In Greenwich

Palette Pro Painting & Renovation

Doors and trims were painted using Benjamin Moore: Advanced Satin Decorator's White. Walls were painted using Benjamin Moore: Regal Flat Decorator's White. Ceiling was painted using Benjamin Moore: Regal Flat Super White.

Transitional Kitchen with Wood Ceiling & Desk Area

Caves Kitchens

We were inspired by the homeowners love for plants and wanted the kitchen to reflect that with wood cabinets and ceiling. The cabinets are made of cherry wood coated with a black glaze to enrich the red hue in the cherry. Our Caves Millwork Custom Cabinetry Brand handcrafted the two pullout drawers in between the appliance garage and microwave to perfectly fit the space and provide more storage. -Allison Caves, CKD Caves Kitchens

Beverage Center near Kitchen for Entertaining Fun

Bowers Design Build

Included in the renovation was a new kitchen with separate beverage area for entertaining. This 1961 Cape Cod was well-sited on a beautiful acre of land in a Washington, DC suburb. The new homeowners loved the land and neighborhood and knew the house could be improved. Inside, the owners wanted to achieve a feeling of warmth and comfort. The family does a lot of casual entertaining and they wanted to achieve lots of open spaces that flowed well, one into another. So, circulation on the main living level was important. They wanted to use lots of natural materials, like reclaimed wood floors, stone, and granite. In addition, they wanted the house to be filled with light, using lots of large windows where possible. When all was said and done, the homeowners got a home they love on the land they cherish. The kitchen is separated from the family room by a two-sided, stone, fireplace. The after space now houses the beverage center, a powder room (behind the cabinetry wall) and a hallway transition space from the kitchen to the sunroom. This project was truly satisfying and the homeowners LOVE their new residence.

6 Via Aragon - San Antonio Parade of Homes

K. Miller Interiors

SilverLeaf Custom Homes' San Antonio 2012 Parade of Homes Entry. Interior Design by Interiors by KM. Photos Courtesy: Siggi Ragnar.
Inspiration for a large contemporary eat-in kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, white appliances, dark hardwood floors and multiple islands.

Auroral Alaska

Signature Kitchen & Bath Remodeling

Small transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Phoenix with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, travertine splashback, white appliances, ceramic floors, with island and beige floor.

Great Falls Farmhouse

MGM Builders

A bright white modern farmhouse with an open concept floorplan and rustic decor details. Photo by Tessa Manning
Design ideas for a country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland Maine with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, white appliances, vinyl floors and with island.

Fairway Elegance

A. Perry Homes

Traditional kitchen with white granite countertops and white cabinetry. Also has paneled appliances, bowl pendant lighting, antique mirror panels, and crown molding

Hit the Slopes

Brunarhans

Narrow with a sloped roof presents a bit a challenge for this kitchen. The island seating moves people out of the way, giving the cook plenty of room. Clever storage space and tall pantry cabinets makes everything available in a small space.

Contemporary Kitchen

This is an example of a contemporary kitchen in New York with mosaic tile splashback, white appliances, a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, metallic splashback, granite benchtops and grey floor.

Cozy Kitchen

Jacaranda Cabinets + Design

Photo of a small transitional u-shaped separate kitchen with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, white appliances, dark hardwood floors, a peninsula and brown floor.

Off-the-grid Adirondack Rustic kitchen

Zobel & Co. Kitchens

Deep corner cabinets are great for storing pots and pans but often very difficult to work with because you have to dig to find things. These Hafele swing out shelves are awesome and bring hard to reach items right out into reach.

Custom Ikea Cabinets to Match Adel Medium Brown

Dendra Doors

This stunning kitchen, design and renovated by John Webb Construction and Design, features Dendra Doors custom made cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and trim. Designed to match the IKEA Adel Medium brown color we used our Standard Cherry on our Classic Shaker door with a custom stained finish.

Kitchen with Granite Benchtops and White 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!