Elsternwick, VIC - renovation and extension

Photo of a scandinavian open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Open Floor Plan Single Family House Los Angeles

GAVIN GREEN HOME DESIGN LLC

Clean and fresh white contemporary transitional kitchen dining area stands the test of time. The space features marble backsplash, solid surface white kitchen countertop, white painted shaker style cabinets, custom-made dining chairs with contrast color welt and adjustable solid maple wood table. Blue/gray furniture and trims keep the classic white space in balance.

Brooklyn Townhouse Renovation

Studio Geiger Architecture

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a peninsula, a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances and medium hardwood floors.

Kitchen Renovations

Revision LLC

This is an example of a large transitional u-shaped kitchen in Minneapolis with grey cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, raised-panel cabinets, a farmhouse sink, solid surface benchtops, brown floor, white benchtop and ceramic splashback.

Orange County Kitchen Remodels

Goff Renovations

Small transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, no island, shaker cabinets, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and black benchtop.

Intracoastal Beach Home

Waterview Kitchens

Jack Bates Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, an undermount sink, solid surface benchtops, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

The Avenues Arts and Crafts

Suzanne Childress Design

This is an example of a large transitional single-wall kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances and dark hardwood floors.

Wedgewood

MMI Design

Large modern open plan kitchen in Houston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, travertine floors, multiple islands, beige floor and white benchtop.

Elk Country Estate_French Country_Walk in Pantry

Cascade Builders & Associates Inc.

Mid-sized u-shaped kitchen pantry in Other with a drop-in sink, grey cabinets, medium hardwood floors, no island, open cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback and subway tile splashback.

Transitional Interiors Greenwich, CT

Georgio Home

Photo of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped kitchen in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, an undermount sink, solid surface benchtops, porcelain floors and mosaic tile splashback.

Adobe Falls Kitchen Remodel

M Prevost Design

kitchen remodel
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, terra-cotta splashback, black appliances, vinyl floors, with island, beige floor and black benchtop.

Custom Built-ins

Lisa & Leroy

Custom shelving and cabinets were more functional for these homeowners than extra seating.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional galley separate kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop, recessed-panel cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey floor, white splashback and subway tile splashback.

Rustic Brick Feature Wall

Amberth

A bright and charming basement kitchen creates a coherent scheme with each colour complementing the next. A white Corian work top wraps around grey silk finished lacquered cupboard doors and draws. The look is complete with hexagonal terracotta floor tiles that bounce off the original brick work above the oven adding a traditional element.

Contemporary Mid Century Kitchen Remodel

J. Bryant Boyd, Design-Build

Inspiration for a traditional u-shaped kitchen in Austin with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, stainless steel appliances, no island, white splashback, subway tile splashback and solid surface benchtops.

Marin Custom Home

Kelly Hohla Interiors

Photography by John Merkl
This is an example of a large transitional galley open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, shaker cabinets, beige floor, solid surface benchtops and black benchtop.

Miralis Cabinetry Selections

Willowood Kitchen & Bath

Inspiration for a large contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, panelled appliances, with island, white splashback, stone slab splashback, concrete floors and grey floor.

Armstrong-Luxe

Direct Hardwood Flooring

Mid-sized modern l-shaped kitchen in Charlotte with shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors and with island.

Southampton Beach House

Amy Hill Designs

Photography by Liz Glasgow
Mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, painted wood floors, with island, solid surface benchtops, stone tile splashback and white benchtop.

Lawrence Park Ravine House

Jillian Aimis Architect

Tom Arban
Design ideas for a large modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Another view of the kitchen from the home's foyer.

FabCab

Location: Port Townsend, Washington. Photography by Dale Lang
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Seattle with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, bamboo floors, a double-bowl sink, solid surface benchtops, with island and brown floor.

Kitchen with Solid Surface Benchtops and White 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!