Design ideas for a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Glamour White Shaker Carlsbad Kitchen Remodel

Signature Designs Kitchen | Bath | Interiors

Simple kitchen gets a sprinkle of glamour. We like to think of this simple kitchen remodel as an elevated white shaker kitchen. We incorporated old and new into this space. The plan was to keep the existing appliances and then due to the age of the existing appliance which were failing in the old kitchen, we upgraded with a wolf flush induction cooktop, a cove dishwasher that we paneled and subzero columns. The finishing touch was the elegant chandelier and island in quartzite. The result is a kitchen that is loved by the family and by us! . . .

Rénovation complète d'une maison individuelle

Anne Rose BOUYER - KAURI ARCHITECTURE

Création d'une cuisine sur mesure avec "niche" bleue. Conception d'un casier bouteilles intégré dans les colonnes de rangements. Joints creux parfaitement alignés. Détail des poignées de meubles filantes noires.

Colorful Kitchen

User

A colorful small kitchen
Small traditional open plan kitchen in San Francisco with coloured appliances, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, subway tile splashback, linoleum floors, blue splashback, no island and blue benchtop.

Rays of Light

Aspen Leaf Interiors

For this ski-in, ski-out mountainside property, the intent was to create an architectural masterpiece that was simple, sophisticated, timeless and unique all at the same time. The clients wanted to express their love for Japanese-American craftsmanship, so we incorporated some hints of that motif into the designs. This kitchen design was all about function. The warmth of the walnut cabinetry and flooring and the simplicity of the contemporary cabinet style and open shelving leave room for the gorgeous blue polished quartzite slab focal point used for the oversized island and backsplash. The perimeter countertops are contrasting black textured granite. The high cedar wood ceiling and exposed curved steel beams are dramatic and reveal a roofline nodding to a traditional pagoda design. Striking bronze hanging lights span the space. Vertically grain-matched large drawers provide plenty of storage and the compact pantry’s strategic design fits a coffee maker and Mila appliances.

Fossil Creek Kitchen

Haven Design and Construction

The focal point of this beautiful kitchen is the stunning stainless range hood accented with antique gold strapping. The marble backsplash was the inspiration for the gray and white cabinets and the two islands add drama and function to the space. Quartzite countertops provide durability and compliment the marble backsplash. This transitional kitchen features a coffee center, two sinks, a potfiller, 48" Wolf gas range, 36" Subzero refrigerator column, 24" Subzero freezer column, dishwasher drawers, a warming drawer, convection microwave and a wine refrigerator. It's truly a chef's dream kitchen.

Lotus on Orange

Josh Wynne Construction

This is an example of a mid-sized modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and blue benchtop.

Mediterranean Kitchen

This is an example of a mediterranean u-shaped open plan kitchen in Houston with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, multiple islands, beige floor and blue benchtop.

West London Pierre de Terre

Godrich Interiors

Photo of an eclectic galley open plan kitchen in London with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, laminate benchtops, yellow splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, blue benchtop, an undermount sink and beige floor.

Big EZ Residence

North Fork Builders of Montana, Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, soapstone benchtops, brown splashback, timber splashback, panelled appliances, with island, medium wood cabinets, light hardwood floors and blue benchtop.

Scharnhausen

Küchenhaus Basler

FW
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Stuttgart with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Northgate Kitchen

H2D Architecture + Design

H2D Architecture + Design - Northgate Kitchen Corian countertop. Photos: Chris Watkins Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized eclectic l-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, blue splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and blue benchtop.

House Renovation

APK Designs LLC

Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Fort Calhoun Modern Farmhouse

Coffey & Co. House of Interiors

Lisza Coffey Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Omaha with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

RidgeLake Scenic- Magnolia

TA DA by KAT Next Level Staging & Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Houston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, brown cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Mostofo Remodel

Sterling Homes & Construction LLC

This is an example of a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Phoenix with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

BAHAY BETTY KITCHEN

CA-RD

This minimalist kitchen design was created for an entrepreneur chef who wanted a clean entertaining and research work area. To minimize clutter; a hidden dishwasher was installed and cutting board cover fabricated for the sink. Color matched flush appliances and a concealed vent hood help create a clean work area. Custom solid Maple shelves were made on site and provide quick access to frequently used items as well as integrate AC ducts in a minimalist fashion. The customized tile backsplash integrates trim-less switches and outlets in the center of the flowers to reduce their visual impact on the composition. A locally fabricated cove tile was notched into the paper countertop to ease the transition visually and aid in cleaning. This image contains one of 4 kitchen work areas in the home.

Lakehouse Total Transformation

Corinthian Fine Homes

These homeowners requested a complete makeover of their dated lake house with an open floor plan that allowed for entertaining while enjoying the beautiful views of the lake from the kitchen and family room. We proposed taking out a loft area over the kitchen to open the space. This required moving the location of the stairs to access the basement bedrooms and moving the laundry and guest bath to new locations, which created improved flow of traffic. Each bathroom received a complete facelift complete with the powder bath taking a more polished finish for the lone female of the house to enjoy. We also painted the ceiling on the main floor, while leaving the beams stained to modernize the space. The renovation surpassed the goals and vision of the homeowner and allowed for a view of the lake the homeowner stated she never even knew she had.

Expanded Red Stripe Kitchen

Tenhulzen Residential

Corner sink takes advantage of natural light and views, lots of storage and improved functionality.
Photo of a large contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, red splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Kitchens and Great Rooms

Next Stage Design + Build

Designer: Ramona Tan Photo: CasaMokio (Nate Lewis) The peninsula wall cabinets were designed with glass fronted doors on both sides and a taller pass-thru space below. The glass doors provided openness to the space that gave the illusion of a larger kitchen. Meanwhile the countertop overhang provides an informal eating bar which also doubles as a place for guests to sit during dinner parties.

Open Plan Kitchen with Blue Benchtop 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!