Part of a major renovation this kitchen received a huge upgrade by maximizing the whole space. Including the cosy window bench not only added extra storage but a great place to enjoy the view and not have the kitchen "all about chores".

Nordlund Kitchen--After

Distinctive Kitchens

What had been an outdated and dark space with old appliances, is now a bright, stylish and textural open-floor plan kitchen and dining space. Before the gut remodel, the spaces lacked the cool Midcentury style the homeowners craved. Distinctive Kitchens was brought in to help choose finishes--tile backsplash and floors, sink, faucet, lighting, countertops and cabinet hardware. The goal was to bring the style and flare of the Midcentury Modern aesthetic back to the home using a neutral palette and lots of texture. The adjacent dining room was also part of the design, because the rooms have such a strong relationship to each other. We consulted on furniture and lighting in that room, making sure the two light fixtures (one over the sink, the other over the dining table) didn't compete for attention. We feel the end result is fresh, clean, and texturally beautiful. Kitchen and dining room staging by Allison Scheff of Distinctive Kitchens. Photos by Wynne H Earle

Purdue

Countertops 101

Inspiration for a large mediterranean u-shaped open plan kitchen in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, porcelain splashback, panelled appliances, porcelain floors, with island, beige floor and brown benchtop.

ADA Compliant

Stockdale Kitchen and Bath

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped separate kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, no island and beige floor.

Mixed Cabinets Cherry Wood Peninsula with Thermofoil Kitchen

David Bauer, Cornerstone Builders of SW Fl

Cherry traditional paneling to cover the back of the Peninsula, note the Deco overlays to create a column, gray tile plank flooring was used to tie together the Thermofoil and the real cherry. Design by David Bauer, Built by Cornerstone Builders of SWFL

Chefs Kitchen

Miccaro Designs/Interiors by Michele

This kitchen has space for 2 islands that allow adequate traffic flow in the space. The islands are topped with an exotic granite while quartz counters line the perimeter counters. Custom walnut shaker cabinets offer plenty of storage and stainless appliances add shine on this appliance wall. A framed TV is conveniently tucked between appliance for easy viewing while preparing meals. A full height pantry is hidden behind over sized shaker doors to match mill work.

Copeland Road

Thomas Alexander

The opposing joinery and staircase create a strong relationship at both sides of the living space. The continuous joinery seamlessly morphs from kitchen to a seat for dining, and finally to form the media unit within the living area. The stair and the joinery are separated by a strong vertically tiled column. Our bespoke staircase was designed meticulously with the joiner and steelwork fabricator. The wrapping Beech Treads and risers and expressed with a shadow gap above the simple plaster finish. The steel balustrade continues to the first floor and is under constant tension from the steel yachting wire. Darryl Snow Photography

Hanover Rustic Kitchen

Kathleen Doyle Interior Designs LLC

Bill Secord
Inspiration for an expansive arts and crafts eat-in kitchen in Seattle with an integrated sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, green splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors and with island.

Ridgefield Warm Detailed Traditional

Casa Design LLC

This is an example of a large traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback, panelled appliances, porcelain floors, with island, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Decatur West Lafayette Traditional Kitchen Remodel

Riverside Construction, LLC

Before the renovation, this country-style kitchen was perfectly functional – but perfectly bland. Flower wallpaper jumpstarted this makeover, while new Harvest Square Cherry Wellborn Cabinets, upgraded appliances, and a new large center island kept the momentum going. Bold use of dark quartz countertops, 16 x 16 Mannington Adura Century Pebble tile flooring, and a neutral beige backsplash (with Daltile Jewel Tide Beach Pebble tile accent) complete the look. While the square footage remained the same, an existing built-in desk and pantry were removed to accommodate new, substantial cabinet storage and a larger, reconfigured pantry with convenient pullouts. The new large center island was designed to house the new gas cooktop, allowing space for a built-in GE French Door Wall Oven.

Oatley Client

Style & Design

Keith McInnes Photography
Large industrial galley eat-in kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, orange floor, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets and subway tile splashback.

Kilborn Kitchen

OakWood Designers & Builders

This chrome pull-out pantry is just another neat feature in this kitchen that makes it innovative.
Mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Ottawa with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors and no island.

кухня-столовая

Гузель Гимаева

Лилия Валеева
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors and a peninsula.

Traditional Light Brown Kitchen Remodel w/ Granite Wall Back splash

Cyr Kitchen and Bath

This Kitchen was designed by Jeff from our Manchester showroom and Mark Phaneuf. This remodel features Dewils Cabinetry with raised panel door style and light brown stain finish. It also features Granite Countertop and wall back splash with golden yellow color and ogee edge. Other features include decorative molding on the Island and around the range, decorative crown molding, wolf appliances and oil rubbed bronze hardware.

Large Kitchen Diner in Grey and Slate Grey Concrete Riva

Kutchenhaus Altrincham

Photo of a large contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in Cheshire with grey cabinets, grey splashback, mirror splashback, panelled appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor, grey benchtop and a drop-in sink.

Квартира в ЖК Лобачевский 2

ADWorkshop

This is an example of a mid-sized l-shaped open plan kitchen in Moscow with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Midland - Mid-Century Back Splash

Custom Tile & Design, Ltd.

This Mid-Century kitchen back splash has a contemporary look with 3D white 4x12 tile.
Design ideas for a large midcentury u-shaped kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, porcelain floors, grey floor and white benchtop.

Captivating Copper Kitchen

Reve Design & Custom Construction

David Elton
This is an example of a mid-sized eclectic eat-in kitchen in Phoenix with a single-bowl sink, black cabinets, copper benchtops, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island and beige floor.

Colorful Tribeca loft

Green Conversions Inc.

Mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island and beige floor.

Kitchen: Rustic Farmhouse

Simply Baths & Kitchens

This small house needed a major kitchen upgrade, but one that would do double-duty for the homeowner. Without the square footage in the home for a true laundry room, the stacked washer and dryer had been crammed into a narrow hall adjoining the kitchen. Opening up the two spaces to each other meant a more spacious kitchen, but it also meant that the laundry machines needed to be housed and hidden within the kitchen. To make the space work for both purposes, the stacked washer and dryer are concealed behind cabinet doors but are near the bar-height table. The table can now serve as both a dining area and a place for folding when needed. However, the best thing about this remodel is that all of this function is not to the detriment of style. Gorgeous beaded-inset cabinetry in a rustic, glazed finish is just as warm and inviting as the newly re-faced fireplace.

Orange Kitchen with Porcelain Floors 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!