While this new home had an architecturally striking exterior, the home’s interior fell short in terms of true functionality and overall style. The most critical element in this renovation was the kitchen and dining area, which needed careful attention to bring it to the level that suited the home and the homeowners. As a graduate of Culinary Institute of America, our client wanted a kitchen that “feels like a restaurant, with the warmth of a home kitchen,” where guests can gather over great food, great wine, and truly feel comfortable in the open concept home. Although it follows a typical chef’s galley layout, the unique design solutions and unusual materials set it apart from the typical kitchen design. Polished countertops, laminated and stainless cabinets fronts, and professional appliances are complemented by the introduction of wood, glass, and blackened metal – materials introduced in the overall design of the house. Unique features include a wall clad in walnut for dangling heavy pots and utensils; a floating, sculptural walnut countertop piece housing an herb garden; an open pantry that serves as a coffee bar and wine station; and a hanging chalkboard that hides a water heater closet and features different coffee offerings available to guests. The dining area addition, enclosed by windows, continues to vivify the organic elements and brings in ample natural light, enhancing the darker finishes and creating additional warmth. Photography by Ira Montgomery

Cabin John, Maryland - Traditional - Charming Kitchen Design

Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath

Cabin John, Maryland Traditional and Charming Kitchen Design by #SarahTurner4JenniferGilmer. Photography by Bob Narod. http://www.gilmerkitchens.com/

Iván

osb arquitectos

Vista de la cocina verde y blanca con uñero corrido. Encimera y baldas de madera de roble. Azulejos Marazzi. Luminarias Faro Barcelona.
Photo of a mid-sized mediterranean single-wall eat-in kitchen in Valencia with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, wood benchtops and mosaic tile splashback.

Custom Home in Mount Pleasant, SC

Sceltas Custom Homes

Designed in conjunction with Vinyet Architecture for homeowners who love the outdoors, this custom home flows smoothly from inside to outside with large doors that extends the living area out to a covered porch, hugging an oak tree. It also has a front porch and a covered path leading from the garage to the mud room and side entry. The two car garage features unique designs made to look more like a historic carriage home. The garage is directly linked to the master bedroom and bonus room. The interior has many high end details and features walnut flooring, built-in shelving units and an open cottage style kitchen dressed in ship lap siding and luxury appliances. We worked with Krystine Edwards Design on the interiors and incorporated products from Ferguson, Victoria + Albert, Landrum Tables, Circa Lighting

Tudor Cottage

Nyhus Design Group

Charming Old World meets new, open space planning concepts. This Ranch Style home turned English Cottage maintains very traditional detailing and materials on the exterior, but is hiding a more transitional floor plan inside. The 49 foot long Great Room brings together the Kitchen, Family Room, Dining Room, and Living Room into a singular experience on the interior. By turning the Kitchen around the corner, the remaining elements of the Great Room maintain a feeling of formality for the guest and homeowner's experience of the home. A long line of windows affords each space fantastic views of the rear yard. Nyhus Design Group - Architect Ross Pushinaitis - Photography

1990's Home Update

User

Philip Clayton-Thompson, Blackstone Edge Studios
Contemporary eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, bamboo floors, with island and wood benchtops.

New Moon Cottage

Richard Bubnowski Design LLC

Donna Grimes, Serenity Design Sam Oberter Photography LLC 2012 Design Excellence Awards, Residential Design+Build Magazine 2011 Watermark Award
Design ideas for a small contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, wood benchtops, mosaic tile splashback, with island, distressed cabinets, multi-coloured splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Spring Fresh

Hart Associates Architects, Inc.

Photo by: Cheryle St. Onge
Photo of a traditional kitchen in Boston with wood benchtops, white cabinets and mosaic tile splashback.

Wine Cellar

VM Concept Interior Design Studio

An old utility closet and bearing wall were removed in favor of this unique air-controlled wine cellar. A traditional base kitchen cabinet topped with Caesarstone melds with the wood surround of the new wine cellar to become one unique piece. The glass enclosure’s transparency allows the wine collection to be viewed from all angles of this open space.

Italian Farmhouse Custom Kitchen Remodel |Santaluz, San Diego, CA

Leanne Michael L U X E lifestyle design

Italian farmhouse custom kitchen complete with hand carved wood details, flush marble island and quartz counter surfaces, faux finish cabinetry, clay ceiling and wall details, wolf, subzero and Miele appliances and custom light fixtures.

Kitchen Island

Alisberg Parker

Photo of a traditional kitchen in New York with white cabinets, wood benchtops, mosaic tile splashback, with island, an undermount sink, shaker cabinets and white splashback.

Wood finish Laminates

Armoires Cuisines Action

2014 Design trends show textures...and a lot of them. Here we have created a beautiful kitchen where we pair wood finish melamine kitchen cabinets with an acrylic counter top. We also added an authentic wooden lunch counter to add depth and volume to the space.

Modern Farmhouse Remodel

Kim Kendall Interiors

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional l-shaped kitchen in DC Metro with recessed-panel cabinets, wood benchtops, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor, dark wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback and dark hardwood floors.

Mill Valley Ranch

Sandra Bird Designs, Inc.

Tony Metaxas
Inspiration for a traditional l-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with glass-front cabinets, panelled appliances, wood benchtops, black splashback, mosaic tile splashback, an undermount sink and beige cabinets.

Encino Kitchen Project

Modern Stone Inc

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, grey splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, with island and grey floor.

Evergreen

The Glade Design

This is an example of a mid-sized eclectic galley eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, orange cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, with island, yellow floor and yellow benchtop.

Tower Grove South Kitchen

User

This is an example of a mid-sized modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in St Louis with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, blue splashback, mosaic tile splashback, white appliances, with island and brown benchtop.

Studio Transformation

DAS Studio

This is an example of a small scandinavian u-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, grey splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, a peninsula, grey floor and brown benchtop.

Кухня

Екатерина и Андрей Санниковы | Scandinavi

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, black appliances, laminate floors, no island, beige floor, brown benchtop and recessed.

Квартира МФМ

Арина Волкова

Андрей Белимов-Гущин
Contemporary kitchen in Saint Petersburg with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, grey splashback, mosaic tile splashback and a peninsula.

Kitchen with Wood Benchtops and Mosaic Tile 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!