A modern rustic black and white kitchen on Lake Superior in northern Minnesota. Complete with a French Le CornuFe cooking range & Sub-Zero refrigeration and wine storage units. The sink is made by Galley and the decorative hardware and faucet by Waterworks. photo credit: Alyssa Lee

Hubertus,WI

Ruebl Builders LLC

Elegant arts and crafts custom kitchen in white quarter sawn oak.
Photo of a mid-sized arts and crafts eat-in kitchen in Milwaukee with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, metallic splashback, glass sheet splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, yellow floor and beige benchtop.

Project Glenpark

Diana Bastone Designs

Design ideas for a large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and yellow floor.

Kirkland Residence

LEICHT SEATTLE

Kitchen and bath in a new modern sophisticated West of Market in Kirkland residence. Black Pine wood-laminate in kitchen, and Natural Oak in master vanity. Neolith countertops. Photography: @laraswimmer

Bushman Dreyfus Architects

How can a modernist at heart bring the kitchen of his 1906 home up to date? This attractive, early twentieth-century home had been added onto by numerous owners during its life, leaving both a cramped, dark kitchen tucked deep in the house and a jumble of porches facing a beautiful back garden. Enclosing two of the porches created space for a new kitchen and a virtual porch with a spectacular light and garden views. The owner of the house wanted a bright, streamlined kitchen that would simply and elegantly connect to the traditional original entry hall and dining room. The space is more than just a place to cook. Because its functional components become “background” to the space and the views, the room now serves as the new heart of the home and is used as an office, a breakfast room, a TV room, a garden solarium, or a table for eight lucky diners in the chef’s kitchen.

Kitchen tranformation

Kaplan Architects, AIA

Kitchen remodel showing kitchen office workspace, breakfast area and main kitchen area. Mark Trousdale Photographer
Inspiration for a large modern galley eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, black splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, stone slab splashback, a peninsula and yellow floor.

Antler House Restoration

Two Street Studio

Small midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, green splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, yellow floor, grey benchtop and wood.

GRASSMERE RENOVATION, BURNABY

Llano Developments Inc

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern galley eat-in kitchen in Vancouver with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, yellow floor and white benchtop.

Chelsea Townhouse renovation

Tim Clarke-Payton.com

A large family kitchen with breakfast bar, island and dining area leading onto a home cinema room photographed by Tim Clarke-Payton
Large contemporary open plan kitchen in London with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, metallic splashback, glass tile splashback, panelled appliances, limestone floors, with island, yellow floor and white benchtop.

Coastal Elegance Meets Midcentury Playful

Urbana Design Studio

This carefully curated collection of materials come together to create a vibrant kitchen. The mix of painted cabinets, quarter sawn red oak, Cambria Annicca Countertops, Silestone Eternal Serena Countertop, and Pratt & Larson Elongated Ogee Tile backsplash create magic.

Kingsway House

BiglarKinyan Design Planning Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, yellow floor and white benchtop.

Country Retreat

BiglarKinyan Design Planning Inc.

Mid-sized u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Toronto with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, yellow floor and white benchtop.

Cabinet Works

Home Yellowstone

Inspiration for a large traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, yellow splashback, porcelain splashback, panelled appliances, travertine floors, multiple islands, yellow floor, black benchtop and exposed beam.

Birds Eye Mable Kitchen Renovation

ARDesign, Inc.

Using soft natural wood tones in its simplest form was the key to this kitchen design. The beloved birds eye maple that is highlighted in the uppers trip of cabinets plays well with the beautiful bamboo flooring. Using Architectural forms is not just for exteriors but interiors also. Using cabinetry, walls and bulkheads to create this 3-dimensional look that is dramatic yet a cozy seating when the kitchen comes to life when rich spices fill the air.

Kitchen

User

Photo of a large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in London with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, black cabinets, solid surface benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, yellow floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Kitchen transformation

Kaplan Architects, AIA

Kitchen Remodel in ranch style home Mark Trousdale Photographer
This is an example of a large modern galley eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, black splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, stone slab splashback, a peninsula and yellow floor.

Millers Point Project

Dan Kitchens Australia

This is an example of a mid-sized modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, granite splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, yellow floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Proj 44 - San Francisco Kitchen Remodel - Modern - Sollera

MT Kitchen Cabinets, Inc

This kitchen features a 2 tone styling with a natural quatersawn oak composite veneer in the primary cooking area, and a secondary L shape done in an Iceberg white to mix things up a bit. By introducing a second color to the cabinets, it adds flavor without being overly busy. Project located in San Francisco, CA. Cabinets designed by Eric Au from MTKC. Photo by Eric Au

Coastal Elegance Meets Midcentury Playful

Urbana Design Studio

WE LOVE SOME GREAT PANTRY STORAGE Having adequate storage in the kitchen is key - this pantry allows for storage of large volume of dry goods. Kitchen organization is key in all of our designs.

Elgin

JJ Interiors

Photo of a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Vancouver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, black splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, yellow floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Kitchen with Panelled Appliances and Yellow Floor 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!