Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Modern Fun House, Danville, CA

Lauren Evans Interiors, LLC

Design ideas for a transitional u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Olathe MCM

Stumpff HomeWorks, LLC

Photo of a midcentury single-wall eat-in kitchen in Kansas City with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, granite splashback, panelled appliances, slate floors, with island, black floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Georgian Manor-Pantry

Nefarious Design

Design ideas for a country u-shaped kitchen pantry in Buckinghamshire with flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Richmond | Scandinavian and Modern Parisian Influences

Davonport Kitchen & Home

Mid-sized scandinavian single-wall open plan kitchen in London with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island and white benchtop.

Classic Newburyport

B&G Cabinet, LLC

Photo of a large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Bright Kitchen Renovation - Atlanta

Innovative Design Build

Our clients wanted to stay true to the style of this 1930's home with their kitchen renovation. Changing the footprint of the kitchen to include smaller rooms, we were able to provide this family their dream kitchen with all of the modern conveniences like a walk in pantry, a large seating island, custom cabinetry and appliances. It is now a sunny, open family kitchen.

SubZero Refrigerator

Thayer Design Build

Design ideas for a l-shaped separate kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, terra-cotta floors, with island and white benchtop.

Australian Minimalist Ground-Up

Cathie Hong Interiors

This Australian-inspired new construction was a successful collaboration between homeowner, architect, designer and builder. The home features a Henrybuilt kitchen, butler's pantry, private home office, guest suite, master suite, entry foyer with concealed entrances to the powder bathroom and coat closet, hidden play loft, and full front and back landscaping with swimming pool and pool house/ADU.

Bedford Village

Erika Jayne Design Build

Tired of the original, segmented floor plan of their midcentury home, this young family was ready to make a big change. Inspired by their beloved collection of Heath Ceramics tableware and needing an open space for the family to gather to do homework, make bread, and enjoy Friday Pizza Night…a new kitchen was born. Interior Architecture. Removal of one wall that provided a major obstruction, but no structure, resulted in connection between the family room, dining room, and kitchen. The new open plan allowed for a large island with seating and better flow in and out of the kitchen and garage. Interior Design. Vertically stacked, handmade tiles from Heath Ceramics in Ogawa Green wrap the perimeter backsplash with a nod to midcentury design. A row of white oak slab doors conceal a hidden exhaust hood while offering a sleek modern vibe. Shelves float just below to display beloved tableware, cookbooks, and cherished souvenirs.

Northwest Hills Remodel and Addition

Remodel Boutique

This is an example of a large scandinavian l-shaped open plan kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and white benchtop.

Modern Mediterranean

Model Remodel

Encaustic cement tile backsplash with Moroccan pendant lights and built-in island seating.
Mid-sized mediterranean l-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, with island, an undermount sink, multi-coloured splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, white benchtop and vaulted.

Modern Victorian

Zimmer Design LLC

Kitchen renovation replacing the sloped floor 1970's kitchen addition into a designer showcase kitchen matching the aesthetics of this regal vintage Victorian home. Thoughtful design including a baker's hutch, glamourous bar, integrated cat door to basement litter box, Italian range, stunning Lincoln marble, and tumbled marble floor.

Spanish Mission Revival in Delray Beach

Olga Adler

Large open transitional kitchen with white cabinets and dark island, white quartz counters and glass tile. Bertazzoni appliances, Dornbracht and Kohler fixtures.

Atomic Ranch MCM Main House

Breathe Design Studio

Our Austin studio decided to go bold with this project by ensuring that each space had a unique identity in the Mid-Century Modern style bathroom, butler's pantry, and mudroom. We covered the bathroom walls and flooring with stylish beige and yellow tile that was cleverly installed to look like two different patterns. The mint cabinet and pink vanity reflect the mid-century color palette. The stylish knobs and fittings add an extra splash of fun to the bathroom. The butler's pantry is located right behind the kitchen and serves multiple functions like storage, a study area, and a bar. We went with a moody blue color for the cabinets and included a raw wood open shelf to give depth and warmth to the space. We went with some gorgeous artistic tiles that create a bold, intriguing look in the space. In the mudroom, we used siding materials to create a shiplap effect to create warmth and texture – a homage to the classic Mid-Century Modern design. We used the same blue from the butler's pantry to create a cohesive effect. The large mint cabinets add a lighter touch to the space. --- Project designed by the Atomic Ranch featured modern designers at Breathe Design Studio. From their Austin design studio, they serve an eclectic and accomplished nationwide clientele including in Palm Springs, LA, and the San Francisco Bay Area. For more about Breathe Design Studio, see here: https://www.breathedesignstudio.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://www.breathedesignstudio.com/atomic-ranch

Project Hemera, North London

CCASA Architects

The kitchen was all designed to be integrated to the garden. The client made great emphasis to have the sink facing the garden so an L shaped kitchen was designed which also serves as kitchen bar. An enormous rooflight brings lots of light into the space.

Myrtle House

Regarding Design

Built in the iconic neighborhood of Mount Curve, just blocks from the lakes, Walker Art Museum, and restaurants, this is city living at its best. Myrtle House is a design-build collaboration with Hage Homes and Regarding Design with expertise in Southern-inspired architecture and gracious interiors. With a charming Tudor exterior and modern interior layout, this house is perfect for all ages.

Modern Farmhouse with Natural Alder

Kitchen Associates

Modern farmhouse kitchen with white and natural alder wood cabinets. BRAND: Brighton DOOR STYLE: Hampton MT FINISH: Lower - Natural Alder with Brown Glaze; Upper - “Hingham” Paint HARDWARE: Amerock BP53529 Oil Rubbed Bronze Pulls DESIGNER: Ruth Bergstrom - Kitchen Associates

Green BoHo Kitchen

Kimberly Barr Interior Design

Large traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a drop-in sink, beaded inset cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Lincoln Park Renovation

Devon Grace Interiors

A beverage fridge, filtered water faucet, and open shelves for glassware are a few of the key features in this butler’s pantry.
Design ideas for a modern kitchen pantry in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

All Cabinet Styles Kitchen with White Benchtop 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!