Design ideas for a contemporary kitchen in San Francisco with glass-front cabinets, concrete benchtops, stainless steel appliances, a single-bowl sink, medium wood cabinets, yellow splashback and subway tile splashback.

Multi-Cook Entertaining Kitchen (HBA Excellence Award)

Diane Plesset, CMKBD, NCIDQ, C.A.P.S.

Detail of large island with raised countertop for guests and food service. Island has a large prep sink; the faucet can be used as a pot filler for the adjacent commercial cooktop. Inspired Imagery Photography

Craftsman Kitchen Backsplash

Motawi Tileworks

Mid-sized arts and crafts galley eat-in kitchen in Detroit with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, yellow splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Modern for everyone

The Cabinet Store + Culina Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern galley separate kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, yellow splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and no island.

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.

Mack Kitchen

Kell Architects

Photo of a traditional l-shaped kitchen in Minneapolis with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, yellow splashback and stainless steel appliances.

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.

Form Marries Function

Ashley Campbell Interior Design

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.

Lu-In+Dave: Squirrel Hill, PA

Adrienne DeRosa

A sensible addition to the kitchen's design is the workspace at the room's entrance. Integrated into the surrounding cabinetry, this area is used for everyday tasks, such as checking mail and making grocery lists. The perfect multi-tasker, the counter is converted into the beverage area when the couple entertains. Stool: Model Six Stool, by Jeff Covey, Design Within Reach; Wall Color: Mt Rushmore Rock, by Benjamin Moore Photo: Adrienne DeRosa Photography © 2013 Houzz

Kitchen

Frederick + Frederick Architects

John McManus Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized country galley open plan kitchen in Atlanta with medium wood cabinets, tile benchtops, yellow splashback, stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, ceramic splashback, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Kitchen with glass tile

Giulietti Schouten Weber Architects

Inspiration for a modern l-shaped kitchen in Portland with glass-front cabinets, medium wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, yellow splashback, glass tile splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Onaga Gardens

Studio Collab

Custom kitchen design with yellow aesthetic including brown marble counter, yellow Samsung bespoke fridge, custom glass dining table and tile backsplash. White oak cabinets with modern flat panel design. Organic lighting silhouettes compliment the earthy aesthetic.

Our Work

Potsdam Tile Company

Photo of a mediterranean kitchen in New York with ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, glass-front cabinets, medium wood cabinets and yellow splashback.

Kitchen remodel

Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins, Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, yellow splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and a peninsula.

Revamped Kitchen

Full Circle Construction Inc.

Beautifully crafted built-ins include curved bench around custom built table in eating nook. Multipurpose cabinetry includes shelves for cookbooks, recycling pullout and charging station for electronics.

Applewood Atomic Kitchen

TVL Creative Ltd.

When a client tells us they’re a mid-century collector and long for a kitchen design unlike any other we are only too happy to oblige. This kitchen is saturated in mid-century charm and its custom features make it difficult to pin-point our favorite aspect! Cabinetry We had the pleasure of partnering with one of our favorite Denver cabinet shops to make our walnut dreams come true! We were able to include a multitude of custom features in this kitchen including frosted glass doors in the island, open cubbies, a hidden cutting board, and great interior cabinet storage. But what really catapults these kitchen cabinets to the next level is the eye-popping angled wall cabinets with sliding doors, a true throwback to the magic of the mid-century kitchen. Streamline brushed brass cabinetry pulls provided the perfect lux accent against the handsome walnut finish of the slab cabinetry doors. Tile Amidst all the warm clean lines of this mid-century kitchen we wanted to add a splash of color and pattern, and a funky backsplash tile did the trick! We utilized a handmade yellow picket tile with a high variation to give us a bit of depth; and incorporated randomly placed white accent tiles for added interest and to compliment the white sliding doors of the angled cabinets, helping to bring all the materials together. Counter We utilized a quartz along the counter tops that merged lighter tones with the warm tones of the cabinetry. The custom integrated drain board (in a starburst pattern of course) means they won’t have to clutter their island with a large drying rack. As an added bonus, the cooktop is recessed into the counter, to create an installation flush with the counter surface. Stair Rail Not wanting to miss an opportunity to add a touch of geometric fun to this home, we designed a custom steel handrail. The zig-zag design plays well with the angles of the picket tiles and the black finish ties in beautifully with the black metal accents in the kitchen. Lighting We removed the original florescent light box from this kitchen and replaced it with clean recessed lights with accents of recessed undercabinet lighting and a terrifically vintage fixture over the island that pulls together the black and brushed brass metal finishes throughout the space. This kitchen has transformed into a strikingly unique space creating the perfect home for our client’s mid-century treasures.

Cozy Kitchen with a View

Chace Building Supply

Tony Chabot - photographer
Design ideas for a small transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Providence with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, yellow splashback, glass tile splashback, black appliances, laminate floors and a peninsula.

High Garden

H3K Design

Patrick Ketchum
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, yellow splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Transitional Kitchen

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped separate kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, yellow splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, linoleum floors and no island.

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.

Kitchen with Medium Wood Cabinets and Yellow 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!