Design ideas for a transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, coloured appliances, with island and white benchtop.

Gifford Custom Kitchen

That Design Studio

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, stone tile splashback, coloured appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Retro Basement Renovation

Cumberland Custom Homes

Green and white retro kitchen with brick wall.
Mid-sized eclectic l-shaped open plan kitchen in DC Metro with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, brown splashback, brick splashback, coloured appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and no island.

Galley Kitchen white Shaker

New Start Kitchens

JP Federico
Photo of a small contemporary galley separate kitchen in Toronto with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, glass tile splashback, coloured appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula and an undermount sink.

Melbourne Kitchen Renovation

Williams Cabinets

Design ideas for a small modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, glass sheet splashback, coloured appliances, no island and grey splashback.

San Luis Kitchen, Retro 50s

San Luis Kitchen Co.

This was a fun re-model with a fun-loving homeowner. Know locally as 'the 50's guy' the homeowner wanted his kitchen to reflect his passion for that decade. Using Northstar appliances from Elmira Stove Works was just the beginning. We complemented the bright red of the appliances with white cabinets and black counters. The homeowner then added the yellow walls and detailed tile work to finish it off. photo: James DeBrauwere

Talavera Kitchen Tile

Rustic Brick and Fireplace

Mexican Talavera kitchen tile
Mid-sized mediterranean single-wall eat-in kitchen in Sacramento with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances, with island and black benchtop.

Luxury Kosher Kitchen

Dream Kitchens, Inc.

The client wanted to create an elegant, upscale kosher kitchen with double cooking and cleaning areas. The custom cabinets are frameless, captured inset, and painted, with walnut drawer boxes. The refrigerator and matching buffets are also walnut. The main stove was custom painted as well as the hood and adjacent cabinets as a focal point. Brass faucets, hardware, mesh screens and hood trim add to the elegance. The ceiling treatment over the second island and eating area combine wood details and wallpaper to complete the look. We continued this theme throughout the house.

The Aynsley

Canterbury Design Kitchen Interiors

This handmade custom designed kitchen was created for an historic restoration project in Northern NJ. Handmade white cabinetry is a bright and airy pallet for the home, while the Provence Blue Cornufe with matching custom hood adds a unique splash of color. While the large farm sink is great for cleaning up, the prep sink in the island is handily located right next to the end grain butcher block counter top for chopping. The island is anchored by a tray ceiling and two antique lanterns. A pot filler is located over the range for convenience.

Kitchen Renovation in Santa Monica

California Skyline Remodeling

Rustic modern kitchen design with newly constructed center island. All new rustic iron appliances, with slab countertops.
Photo of a large country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, beige splashback, brick splashback, coloured appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

18th Centry Farmhouse

Shalford Interiors

Created for a charming 18th century stone farmhouse overlooking a canal, this Bespoke solid wood kitchen has been handpainted in Farrow & Ball (Aga wall and base units by the windows) with Pavilion Gray (on island and recessed glass-fronted display cabinetry). The design centres around a feature Aga range cooker.

Farm House

Ginkgo House Architecture

Shane Quesinberry
Design ideas for a mid-sized country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, stone slab splashback, light hardwood floors and coloured appliances.

Mornington Peninsula

Brownhill Homes

Downstairs comprises of fabulous Kitchen with Butlers Pantry (complete with Wine Cooler). Featuring an AGA Stove Porcelain Tiles throughout including Kitchen Splash back Premium Plus 40mm edge Stone Benchtops with waterfall ends 2 Pac Kitchen Cupboards with sharkfin pulls and pot drawers throughout

Mid-Century Fabulous Kitchen

Tricia Hauser Tidemann

Mid-sized midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, laminate benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, coloured appliances, vinyl floors, with island, green floor and brown benchtop.

Luxury Kosher Kitchen

Dream Kitchens, Inc.

'Book-matched' porcelain floor. Custom millwork and doorways. Painted railing with iron balusters.
This is an example of an expansive traditional eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, coloured appliances, dark hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Urban Family Apartment

Identity Design LLC.

Design ideas for a large industrial single-wall eat-in kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, glass tile splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, beige floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen Renovation, VT

Struktur

Design ideas for an eclectic single-wall separate kitchen in Burlington with white cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, coloured appliances and with island.

Farmhouse Kitchen

This is an example of a country l-shaped kitchen in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, coloured appliances, painted wood floors, with island and multi-coloured floor.

City Apartment in High Rise Building

Haus Designs

City Apartment in High Rise Building in middle of Melbourne City.
Large contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and wallpaper.

Lowcountry Chic Custom Home

Pearce Scott Architects

Beach style u-shaped kitchen in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and timber.

Kitchen with White Cabinets and Coloured 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!