Warm earthy tones, organic mixed coloured Fibonacci stone benchtop and beige mosaic splashback tile from Academy tiles compliment the feature timber surrounds of this family kitchen.

Docking Drawer in Studio Dearborn kitchen

Studio Dearborn

A 1920s colonial in a shorefront community in Westchester County had an expansive renovation with new kitchen by Studio Dearborn. Countertops White Macauba; interior design Lorraine Levinson. Photography, Timothy Lenz.

Range Hoods | Rustic Modern

Raw Urth Designs

Raw Urth's hand-crafted custom Wash Park range hood Finish: Rustic Iron on steel. *Design by Elevation Architects. *Photo by Open Homes Photography.
Photo of a contemporary kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, panelled appliances, with island and brown floor.

Mercer Island Renovation

H2D Architecture + Design

H2D transformed this Mercer Island home into a light filled place to enjoy family, friends and the outdoors. The waterfront home had sweeping views of the lake which were obstructed with the original chopped up floor plan. The goal for the renovation was to open up the main floor to create a great room feel between the sitting room, kitchen, dining and living spaces. A new kitchen was designed for the space with warm toned VG fir shaker style cabinets, reclaimed beamed ceiling, expansive island, and large accordion doors out to the deck. The kitchen and dining room are oriented to take advantage of the waterfront views. Other newly remodeled spaces on the main floor include: entry, mudroom, laundry, pantry, and powder. The remodel of the second floor consisted of combining the existing rooms to create a dedicated master suite with bedroom, large spa-like bathroom, and walk in closet. Photo: Image Arts Photography Design: H2D Architecture + Design www.h2darchitects.com Construction: Thomas Jacobson Construction Interior Design: Gary Henderson Interiors

Spring Condos

Next Level Austin

Twist Tours, Austin, Texas
This is an example of a small transitional galley open plan kitchen in Austin with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Adolfo Perez Architect

Boston Design Guide

This is an example of an expansive industrial open plan kitchen in Boston with with island, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, green splashback, mosaic tile splashback, panelled appliances and slate floors.

Martha's Vineyard

Janine Dowling Design Inc.

Janine Dowling Design, Inc. www.janinedowling.com Photographer: Michael Partenio
Mid-sized beach style kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and beige floor.

Kitchens

TruKitchens

Grabill Cabinets
Design ideas for a contemporary single-wall kitchen in Grand Rapids with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, grey splashback, mosaic tile splashback, light hardwood floors and with island.

PBH Colip House

PBH Design

This is an example of a large midcentury u-shaped kitchen in Dallas with mosaic tile splashback, multi-coloured splashback, light wood cabinets, flat-panel cabinets, an undermount sink, quartz benchtops, stainless steel appliances, bamboo floors, a peninsula and brown floor.

Westlake Craftsman Remodel

Laura Burton Interiors

Whit Preston
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Austin with mosaic tile splashback, light wood cabinets, a double-bowl sink, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Refresh An Oak Kitchen

Encore Design LLC

R Keillor
Photo of a small traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Hollywood Actor's Off Grid Tiny Home

Tru Form Tiny

Designed by Malia Schultheis and built by Tru Form Tiny. This Tiny Home features Blue stained pine for the ceiling, pine wall boards in white, custom barn door, custom steel work throughout, and modern minimalist window trim. The Cabinetry is Maple with stainless steel countertop and hardware. The backsplash is a glass and stone mix. It only has a 2 burner cook top and no oven. The washer/ drier combo is in the kitchen area. Open shelving was installed to maintain an open feel.

European Cape Cod Addition

12/12 Architects & Planners

The back of this 1920s brick and siding Cape Cod gets a compact addition to create a new Family room, open Kitchen, Covered Entry, and Master Bedroom Suite above. European-styling of the interior was a consideration throughout the design process, as well as with the materials and finishes. The project includes all cabinetry, built-ins, shelving and trim work (even down to the towel bars!) custom made on site by the home owner. Photography by Kmiecik Imagery

Gabriel Builders Showroom

Gabriel Builders Inc.

A bankof glass cabinets beside the Wolf builtin coffee maker and baking storage cabinet with pocket doors. Large pewter island that seats five with 2nd prep sink. Wolf microwave, warming drawer, and steam convection oven in this space. Integrated Subzero refrigerator and refrigerator drawers for beverage storage. Ice maker and wine storage in the pantry behind the ktichen.

Glen Lake retreat

Malmquist Construction

Inspiration for a country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and beige floor.

Scandinavian Kitchen

Helen Baumann Design

Photos by Live by the Sea Photography
Photo of a mid-sized scandinavian u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sydney with light wood cabinets, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Timber Frame Transitional Kitchen

Designs for Living by Wendy, LLC

This is an example of a large country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Jacksonville with light wood cabinets, brown splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, soapstone benchtops, mosaic tile splashback, black appliances and multi-coloured benchtop.

Lost Creek Kitchen

Dawn Hearn Interior Design

A microwave drawer leaves counter space for a coffee bar. Tre Dunham with Fine Focus Photography
Inspiration for a large modern galley separate kitchen in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors and with island.

Symbiose de deux chambres sous les toits, 41m2 à Paris.

Ameo Concept

Faire l’acquisition de surfaces sous les toits nécessite parfois une faculté de projection importante, ce qui fut le cas pour nos clients du projet Timbaud. Initialement configuré en deux « chambres de bonnes », la réunion de ces deux dernières et l’ouverture des volumes a permis de transformer l’ensemble en un appartement deux pièces très fonctionnel et lumineux. Avec presque 41m2 au sol (29m2 carrez), les rangements ont été maximisés dans tous les espaces avec notamment un grand dressing dans la chambre, la cuisine ouverte sur le salon séjour, et la salle d’eau séparée des sanitaires, le tout baigné de lumière naturelle avec une vue dégagée sur les toits de Paris. Tout en prenant en considération les problématiques liées au diagnostic énergétique initialement très faible, cette rénovation allie esthétisme, optimisation et performances actuelles dans un soucis du détail pour cet appartement destiné à la location.

Wimberley Home

C-Reese Architectural Design

Reverse ogee arch leading into the kitchen area mirrors the same style found across the main area at the fireplace and at the cook top area. The reverse ogee is often found in Spanish style architecture and therefore is seen in several areas throughout this project.

Kitchen with Light Wood Cabinets and Mosaic Tile 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!