Photo of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Denver with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, yellow splashback, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Classic Rosedale

Four Blocks South

Mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Toronto with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, yellow splashback, porcelain splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Modern Living Washington DC

William L. Feeney Architect LLC

This is an example of a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in DC Metro with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, yellow splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and beige floor.

Erskine

Upside Development

Upside Development completed this Interior contemporary remodeling project in Sherwood Park. Located in core midtown, this detached 2 story brick home has seen it’s share of renovations in the past. With a 15-year-old rear addition and 90’s kitchen, it was time to upgrade again. This home needed a major facelift from the multiple layers of past renovations.

Cheery Nod to Mod

Melanie Asnis Interior Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, yellow splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Avery

Everett Custom Homes

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional kitchen in Charlotte with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, yellow splashback, engineered quartz splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white floor and yellow benchtop.

Lemon Tree House

Shape London

Adam Scott
This is an example of a small contemporary u-shaped kitchen in London with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, yellow splashback, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and panelled appliances.

Pacifica

Canterbury Design Kitchen Interiors

This Asian inspired open plan kitchen brings the outdoors in by incorporating multiple layers of colors, textures and surfaces into the design. Alison Griffin created this look with three cabinetry colors (slivered almond opaque finish, cherry dark lager finish and foundry medium greyed taupe finish), three surface textures (smooth, rough sawn and rough hewn) and three countertop materials (Peruvian Walnut end grain butcher block, Taj Mahal Quartzite, and Nacarado Quartzite). For all of the complexity of this design, its overall effect is a calm and engaging contemporary kitchen.

Applewood Atomic Ranch

Lindy Design Build

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped separate kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, yellow splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Upper West Side Studio

jba collective

Inspiration for a contemporary galley kitchen pantry in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, yellow splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances and light hardwood floors.

Victorian Workers Cottage Addition

Danny Broe Architect

Photography: Karina Illovska The kitchen is divided into different colours to reduce its bulk and a surprise pink study inside it has its own little window. The front rooms were renovated to their former glory with replica plaster reinstated. A tasmanian Oak floor with a beautiful matt water based finish was selected by jess and its light and airy. this unifies the old and new parts. Colour was used playfully. Jess came up with a diverse colour scheme that somehow works really well. The wallpaper in the hall is warm and luxurious.

Durning Renovation

Harrison Architects

Inspiration for a mid-sized arts and crafts galley open plan kitchen in Seattle with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, yellow splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors and a peninsula.

Woodford Square

Juliet Murphy Photography

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional single-wall open plan kitchen in London with light hardwood floors, beige floor, a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, yellow splashback, marble splashback, coloured appliances, with island and white benchtop.

Seattle Country Kitchen

Total Spaces Design

Ian Bell
Design ideas for a mid-sized scandinavian l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, yellow splashback, stainless steel appliances and light hardwood floors.

Galahad Drive

Jessica Koltun Home

Coastal interior design by Jessica Koltun, designer and broker located in Dallas, Texas. This charming bungalow is beach ready with woven pendants, natural stone and coastal blues. White and navy blue charcoal cabinets, marble tile backsplash and hood, gold mixed metals, black and quartz countertops, gold hardware lighting mirrors, blue subway shower tile, carrara, contemporary, california, coastal, modern, beach, black painted brick, wood accents, white oak flooring, mosaic, woven pendants.

Roma Road

Studio Fabbri

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in London with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, cement tile splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and yellow splashback.

Natural Cherry Galley

WatchCity Kitchens LLC

By eliminating a soffit, bringing the cabinets to the ceiling and using glass cabinetry, we were able to make this petite galley kitchen much more open an airy while taking advantage of every inch of space!

Robin's Egg Gallery Kitchen

Covenant Kitchens & Baths, Inc.

Designed to the period of the home, this kitchen was created to keep as much of the 1932 Cape Cod feel of the home as possible while giving it a completely functional update. The designer kept all the smallest details in mind including door styles, pulls, “icebox” latches and bracketed molding. All the details harken back to the earlier era. In keeping with the old house feel, fir floors stained in cherry provide some orange tones which are a nice foil to the blue-gray tones of the cabinetry.

Craftsman House Remodel in Alameda

Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins, Inc.

(c) 2008 Scott Hargis Photo
Design ideas for an expansive arts and crafts l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, yellow splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Carmel Point Residence Renovation

User

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern u-shaped separate kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, yellow splashback, porcelain splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

Kitchen with Yellow Splashback and Light Hardwood Floors 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!