This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, zinc benchtops, stainless steel appliances, terra-cotta floors and brown floor.

Elegant Expansion

Drury Design

This beautiful contemporary kitchen is all about simplicity and clean lines. The homeowners had been dreaming about renovating their ranch house for a long time. The original kitchen was tiny and cramped so the goal was to open the space into the great room while enlarging the kitchen. The space now accommodates comfortable work areas for two cooks.

White and Wood

Troico

Scandinavian kitchen in Vancouver with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, brown floor, zinc benchtops, black appliances, grey benchtop and medium hardwood floors.

Kitchen Remodeling Projects

Green Calstate Construction

Photo of a large transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, zinc benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Kingston, MA Custom Kitchen

Southcoast Kitchen Designs

Custom made zinc countertop adds texture and warmth to the kitchen.
Photo of a mid-sized country l-shaped kitchen in Boston with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, zinc benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Armstrong-Stones & Naturals

CMH Interiors

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, zinc benchtops, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, a peninsula and brown floor.

Sacramento

Lochte Architectural Group

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, zinc benchtops, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor and yellow splashback.

White and Wood

Troico

Scandinavian single-wall kitchen in Vancouver with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, grey benchtop, a double-bowl sink, zinc benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

The Meadow

FAB Architects

A geometrically unusual response to an asymmetric plot, this extension uses porthole skylights and windows to bring light into an open plan living space. The triple pitch roof mimics the language of the main house’s traditional, Article 4 protected hip roof and creates a generous internal space. Internal finishes consist of a warm but subtle timber palette, with zinc elements injected to create sharp, clean moments in an otherwise geometrically and materially soft space.

Artfully finished East Dulwich home

Roy Brooks Estate Agents Ltd

You step down into the rear kitchen/diner past integrated shelving. Photo credit: Home Exposure
Mid-sized eclectic eat-in kitchen in London with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, zinc benchtops, medium hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Historic 1850's Couch House Renovation

FORNEY + architecture, LLC

Design ideas for a large transitional galley open plan kitchen in St Louis with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, zinc benchtops, yellow splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, a peninsula and brown floor.

Terrace house extension

Ande Bunbury Architects

A large central black and green kitchen in an open plan living area. Photo credit: Drew Echberg
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, zinc benchtops, black splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Amazing Kitchen Upgrade to Old Rambler in Vienna, Va

Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes

For this recently moved in military family, their old rambler home offered plenty of area for potential improvement. An entire new kitchen space was designed to create a greater feeling of family warmth. It all started with gutting the old rundown kitchen. The kitchen space was cramped and disconnected from the rest of the main level. There was a large bearing wall separating the living room from the kitchen and the dining room. A structure recessed beam was inserted into the attic space that enabled opening up of the entire main level. A large L-shaped island took over the wall placement giving a big work and storage space for the kitchen. Installed wood flooring matched up with the remaining living space created a continuous seam-less main level. By eliminating a side door and cutting through brick and block back wall, a large picture window was inserted to allow plenty of natural light into the kitchen. Recessed and pendent lights also improved interior lighting. By using offset cabinetry and a carefully selected granite slab to complement each other, a more soothing space was obtained to inspire cooking and entertaining. The fabulous new kitchen was completed with a new French door leading to the sun room. This family is now very happy with the massive transformation, and are happy to join their new community.

Wilmette Victorian

Chicago Master Maker & Builder

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, zinc benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and brown floor.

Two Island Kitchen featuring Acid Washed Hood & Top

Standard Kitchen & Bath

This new construction kitchen features Centra and Premier Cabinetry by Mouser, Heartland Door Style, Beaded Inset Construction in Maple Painted White/20-Matte. Also features Acid Washed Zinc Countertop, square edge, all sides Mirror Stainless Steel Edge Banding Acid Washed Zinc Hood, Mirror Stainless Steel Accent Bands, Square Hammered Zinc Clavos Stainless Steel 900CFM Blower Insert with Lights and controls included

Cocina en blanco lacado vista desde puerta

Hermanos Pérez

Reforma de una cocina en un Chalet de Majadahonda, Madrid. Esta cocina está lacada en blanco, sin tiradores en los armarios. La encimera de silestone en color gris oscuro con fregadero bajo encimera y el frente entre los muebles y la encimera forrado con su mismo material. Incorpora un frigorífico americano y un lavavajillas integrado en alto, encima de una gaveta.

White Farmhouse Kitchen

Schrock's Woodworking

Photo of a small country u-shaped kitchen pantry in Columbus with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and zinc benchtops.

White Farmhouse Kitchen

Schrock's Woodworking

Two Island Kitchen featuring Acid Washed Hood & Top

Standard Kitchen & Bath

Moore Project

Modern Craft Construction, LLC

Sleek Ikea Kitchen, Oak Wood Floors, Ceazer Stone Tops
Photo of a large modern single-wall eat-in kitchen in Dallas with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, zinc benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Kitchen with Zinc Benchtops and Brown 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!