Photo by Kailey J. Flynn Photography
Photo of a contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, light wood cabinets, concrete floors and grey floor.

Meyerland Ranch House Renovation

M+A Architecture Studio

Contemporary kitchen in Houston with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets and beige splashback.

Charmean Neithart Interiors

Erika Bierman Photography

Beautiful French Colonial kitchen by Charmean Neithart Interiors, http://charmean-neithart-interiors.com/

Kitchen Remodel

Justrich Design

Photos by James Hall Photography http://jameshallphotography.zenfolio.com/

4573 AF

Weaver Custom Homes

Design ideas for a country galley kitchen in Columbus with stainless steel appliances, concrete benchtops, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, carpet, with island and exposed beam.

Kitchen Projects

Metropolitan Cabinets & Countertops

Photo of a contemporary kitchen in Boston with stainless steel appliances, flat-panel cabinets and light wood cabinets.

Modern Kitchen

Jordan Iverson Signature Homes

Photo of a mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, laminate benchtops, stainless steel appliances, bamboo floors, with island, beige splashback and porcelain splashback.

Contemporary Kitchen

This is an example of a contemporary kitchen in Cincinnati with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets and light wood cabinets.

JC Project

De Anza Interior

De Anza Interior
Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, raised-panel cabinets, mosaic tile splashback, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Kitchen

Harrell Design + Build

Contemporary l-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite benchtops and slate splashback.

Stonebridge Stunner

Design Studio West

Step into a kitchen that exudes both modern sophistication and inviting warmth. The space is anchored by a stunning natural quartzite countertop, its veined patterns reminiscent of a sun-drenched landscape. The countertop stretches across the kitchen, gracing both the perimeter cabinetry and the curved island, its gentle curves adding a touch of dynamism to the layout. White oak cabinetry provides a grounding contrast to the cool quartzite. The rich, natural grain of the wood, paired with a crisp white paint, create a sense of airiness and visual lightness. This interplay of textures and tones adds depth and dimension to the space. Breaking away from the traditional rectilinear lines, the island features curved panels that echo the countertop's gentle sweep. This unexpected detail adds a touch of whimsy and softens the overall aesthetic. The warm vinyl flooring complements the wood cabinetry, creating a sense of continuity underfoot.

Sherwood Eclectic Farmhouse

Northland Design & Build

Large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands and white benchtop.

Bright and Clean Mid Century Modern

SOLLiD Cabinetry

Shane Baker
Mid-sized midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Phoenix with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Heights Road

JK interior living

Photo of a large transitional l-shaped separate kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Wallis Residence

Cornerstone Architects

Photography by Chase Daniel
Transitional u-shaped kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor and white benchtop.

Project Hackney P1

CCASA Architects

Mark Weeks
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in London with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, concrete floors, with island and white floor.

Urban Apartment

Sundberg Kennedy Ly-Au Young Architects

Small but functional kitchen with windows behind open shelves to let light in. Wood cabinets bring warmth and contrast with the concrete floors. Building design collaborators Graham Baba Architects photos by:Tim Bies

The Seacrest

Nash and Associates Architects

This is an example of a large country l-shaped kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, granite benchtops, light wood cabinets and ceramic splashback.

Newtown House

Jasmin Latona Photography

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Hobart with a double-bowl sink, open cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and concrete floors.

Riverside Home in New Hope, Bucks County, PA

OMNIA Group Architects

Perched above the beautiful Delaware River in the historic village of New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania sits this magnificent custom home designed by OMNIA Group Architects. According to Partner, Brian Mann,"This riverside property required a nuanced approach so that it could at once be both a part of this eclectic village streetscape and take advantage of the spectacular waterfront setting." Further complicating the study, the lot was narrow, it resides in the floodplain and the program required the Master Suite to be on the main level. To meet these demands, OMNIA dispensed with conventional historicist styles and created an open plan blended with traditional forms punctuated by vast rows of glass windows and doors to bring in the panoramic views of Lambertville, the bridge, the wooded opposite bank and the river. Mann adds, "Because I too live along the river, I have a special respect for its ever changing beauty - and I appreciate that riverfront structures have a responsibility to enhance the views from those on the water." Hence the riverside facade is as beautiful as the street facade. A sweeping front porch integrates the entry with the vibrant pedestrian streetscape. Low garden walls enclose a beautifully landscaped courtyard defining private space without turning its back on the street. Once inside, the natural setting explodes into view across the back of each of the main living spaces. For a home with so few walls, spaces feel surprisingly intimate and well defined. The foyer is elegant and features a free flowing curved stair that rises in a turret like enclosure dotted with windows that follow the ascending stairs like a sculpture. "Using changes in ceiling height, finish materials and lighting, we were able to define spaces without boxing spaces in" says Mann adding, "the dynamic horizontality of the river is echoed along the axis of the living space; the natural movement from kitchen to dining to living rooms following the current of the river." Service elements are concentrated along the front to create a visual and noise barrier from the street and buttress a calm hall that leads to the Master Suite. The master bedroom shares the views of the river, while the bath and closet program are set up for pure luxuriating. The second floor features a common loft area with a large balcony overlooking the water. Two children's suites flank the loft - each with their own exquisitely crafted baths and closets. Continuing the balance between street and river, an open air bell-tower sits above the entry porch to bring life and light to the street. Outdoor living was part of the program from the start. A covered porch with outdoor kitchen and dining and lounge area and a fireplace brings 3-season living to the river. And a lovely curved patio lounge surrounded by grand landscaping by LDG finishes the experience. OMNIA was able to bring their design talents to the finish materials too including cabinetry, lighting, fixtures, colors and furniture.

Kitchen with Light Wood Cabinets 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!