Photography by Patrick Ray With a footprint of just 450 square feet, this micro residence embodies minimalism and elegance through efficiency. Particular attention was paid to creating spaces that support multiple functions as well as innovative storage solutions. A mezzanine-level sleeping space looks down over the multi-use kitchen/living/dining space as well out to multiple view corridors on the site. To create a expansive feel, the lower living space utilizes a bifold door to maximize indoor-outdoor connectivity, opening to the patio, endless lap pool, and Boulder open space beyond. The home sits on a ¾ acre lot within the city limits and has over 100 trees, shrubs and grasses, providing privacy and meditation space. This compact home contains a fully-equipped kitchen, ¾ bath, office, sleeping loft and a subgrade storage area as well as detached carport.

Little Rock Custom Home

Parkinson Building Group

Custom home by Parkinson Building Group in Little Rock, AR.
Inspiration for a large country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Little Rock with raised-panel cabinets, with island, a farmhouse sink, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, distressed cabinets, stone tile splashback, concrete floors and grey floor.

Afton Oaks Custom Home - Transitional Style

Brickmoon Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Houston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Custom Homes

Castle Rock Custom Homes

Design ideas for a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Orlando with an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, travertine floors, with island and recessed-panel cabinets.

Doncaster East Home - Kitchen

smarterBATHROOMS+

Photography by Shannon McGrath
Design ideas for a large country l-shaped kitchen pantry in Melbourne with white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, light hardwood floors, a drop-in sink, beaded inset cabinets, solid surface benchtops, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Coastal Kitchens

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Providence with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, terra-cotta splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, an undermount sink and brown floor.

Balham Restoration of Family Home

CATO creative

Photo of a large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in London with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, beige splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

SEQUOYAH RESIDENCE

iSpace, LLC

Photographer: Joe Wittkop
This is an example of a transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Corner Lot

Upton Architecture, LLC

Ken Wyner Photography
Photo of a mid-sized asian l-shaped kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

A Refreshing re-do San Diego Award Winner

Design Studio West

A custom hutch with glass doors and shaker style mullions to the far end of the kitchen creates additional storage for cook books, tea pots and small appliances. One of the drawers is fitted with an electrical outlet and serves as charging station for I-Pads and cell phones.

Mid-Century Modern

cocoon home design

debra szidon
This is an example of a midcentury l-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback and with island.

Tanya's

Annie Hall Interiors

Michael Lee
Mid-sized country l-shaped kitchen in Boston with glass-front cabinets, white appliances, a farmhouse sink, white splashback, with island, solid surface benchtops, timber splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and black cabinets.

East Hampton Beach house

ds Interiors

Joseph D'Arco
Photo of a transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, a peninsula, solid surface benchtops, brown floor and white benchtop.

Micro-apartment

Allen+Killcoyne Architects

Inspiration for a small scandinavian l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with open cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, light hardwood floors, no island and brown floor.

Clapham Painted Shaker Kitchen

Higham Furniture

Painted shaker kitchen with a Corian worktop. Cabinets painted in Farrow and Ball Shaded White. 40mm thick Glacier White Corian. Satin Nickel cup handles and knobs.

Sweeney Lake House

CHRISTIAN DEAN ARCHITECTURE, LLC

Chad Holder
Photo of a mid-sized modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Rio Del Mar Kitchen With Natural Lighting and Wood Cabinetry

Talmadge Construction, Inc.

Natural lighting plays a major role in the overall ambiance of this midcentry kitchen remodel, and the natural lighting in this space accentuates the wood grain throughout the cabinets and the flooring. The green glass backsplash also lights up with the natural lighting, adding a stylish dash of color to the room.

Kitchen

Mahoney Architects & Interiors

traditional kitchen in SF
Photo of a mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with stainless steel appliances, subway tile splashback, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, with island, a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets and cork floors.

A California Cape-Cod Beauty

GDC Construction

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, solid surface benchtops and beige floor.

Whale Rock Addition

Ellen McKenna Design

Photographed by Kyle Caldwell
Inspiration for a large modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Salt Lake City with glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop, an undermount sink and brown floor.

L-shaped Kitchen with Solid Surface Benchtops 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!