Large traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Charlotte with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, zinc benchtops, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and multiple islands.

Cattal Street

The Main Company

Photo Credits: Sean Knott
Photo of a large industrial open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, zinc benchtops, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, a peninsula, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Kitchen Remodel for 1990's Kitchen

M B Wilson Interior Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Detroit with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, zinc benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Kingston, MA Custom Kitchen

Southcoast Kitchen Designs

This gorgeous kitchen in Kingston, MA features custom cabinetry and a custom-made zinc countertop on the island.
Design ideas for 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, with island, brown floor, brown benchtop and medium hardwood floors.

Kingswood Road

Maria Pennington Design

Photo of a mid-sized eclectic l-shaped open plan kitchen in London with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, zinc benchtops, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, multi-coloured floor and grey benchtop.

Palmerston Design Consultants

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Toronto with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, zinc benchtops, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, multiple islands and glass sheet splashback.

Sebago Lake Camp

Wright-Ryan Homes

Photography by: Brian Vanden Brink
Design ideas for an expansive modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Portland Maine with recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, zinc benchtops, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Lomax House

Pete J. Vallas, A.I.A., Architect

Photo of a large arts and crafts galley eat-in kitchen in Miami with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, zinc benchtops, brown splashback, timber splashback, stainless steel appliances, terra-cotta floors, with island and red floor.

Van Natta Model

Old Town Design Group

The white washed reclaimed wood panels on the window wall has a nice texture that ties in with the floor. Photos By: Thomas Graham
Inspiration for a mid-sized industrial l-shaped separate kitchen in Indianapolis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, zinc benchtops, beige splashback, timber splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, no island and brown floor.

Josh Wynne Construction

Zinc alloy island top. Concrete countertops. Antique teak shutters refurbished and re-purposed as pantry doors. Knotty alder cabinets. Energy Star appliances. LEED-H Platinum certified with a score of 110 (formerly highest score in America). Photo by Matt McCorteney.

Emerson

User

Bright and open kitchen with zinc countertops designed for simple aesthetic and simple living. Complete redesign and remodel of a 1908 Classical Revival style home in Portland, OR.

Mountain Modern1

Jensen Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, with island, brown cabinets, zinc benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances and light hardwood floors.

Savvy Model Home

Weiss Alexander Design Group

Michael Kress A White sleek contemporary kitchen designed for a model home. The white contemporary walls and custom cabinetry are contrasted with the dark stained dark floor. The three multi colored Jonathan Adler pendants gives the kitchen a whimsical and modern touch. The grey side panel with orange room adds color and softens the room.

Remodel - Seattle Craftsman Kitchen & Bar

Tenhulzen Painting & Construction Partners, Inc.

A fantastic Seattle Home remodel by Tenhulzen Construction - Painted by Tenhulzen Painting. Backsplash by European Stone & Tile - Design by Brooksvale Design

NYC mini-apartment

Pamela Glazer Architect

The streamlined kitchen takes on interest as the cabinet doors are painted various, complementary colors. Easy to clean with plenty of storage. The small table on the left can be pulled out for extra counter space or a real eat-in kitchen. Thanks to Caroline Owens for the great photos

Northern California Retreat

Phil Kline - General Contractor

Photo of a mid-sized beach style open plan kitchen in San Francisco with light wood cabinets, zinc benchtops, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, multi-coloured floor, grey benchtop, open cabinets and multi-coloured splashback.

Custom Homes

Castle Rock Custom Homes

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Orlando with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, zinc benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Glass Front Cabinets, Under Cabinet Lighting

W.C. Meek Design and Construction Ltd.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Toronto with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, zinc benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Broomfield 1st floor remodel and loft addition/ remodel

Boulder Builders

Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Denver with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, zinc benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Classic Black & White

San Luis Kitchen Co.

Classic black and white styling is prevalent throughout this home and is carried through into the kitchen with Nordic white cabinets in a simple ‘Shaker-esque’ style and a soft black island. These contrast beautifully with the rich wood floors. Glass doors in the top portion of the sink wall cabinets let the homeowner display a collection of red and white stoneware. The client used red accents throughout, including red-bound cookbooks and dish towels to add that country flavor and create a happy, playful look. The centerpiece of this kitchen is the Cottage Black Island - stout chamfered posts support a French Country shelf, open on both sides and front. A carved top valance and French Country trim around the bottom give a handcrafted look, and the bun feet are a playful addition. Many of the drawers have specific inserts calculated exactly to fit the clients various items, from placemats to knives, to spices and utensils. Reminiscent of times past, the client chose hot-rolled and waxed steel for the island top, giving it a rustic-industrial look, and setting it apart from the leathered black granite of the perimeter.

Kitchen with Zinc Benchtops and Stainless Steel Appliances 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!