Bill Bocken Architecture & Interior Design

Shelley Metcalf & Glenn Cormier Photographers
Photo of a large country l-shaped separate kitchen in San Diego with shaker cabinets, with island, a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Modern arts & crafts kitchen with painted shaker style cabinets

MN Builders

This is an example of a contemporary kitchen in San Francisco with stainless steel appliances, white cabinets, granite benchtops and shaker cabinets.

Catharpin Project

instockcabinets.com

Inspiration for a mid-sized u-shaped eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with an integrated sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Laren Lane

Jessica Koltun Home

This is an example of a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Dallas with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

A perfect retreat in Houston, Texas

By Design Interiors, Inc.

This Kitchen was renovated into an open concept space with a large island and custom cabinets - that provide ample storage including a wine fridge and coffee station. The details in this space reflect the client's fun personalities! With a punch of blue on the island, that coordinates with the patterned tile above the range. The funky bar stools are as comfortable as they are fabulous. Lastly, the mini fan cools off the space while industrial pendants illuminate the island seating. Maintenance was also at the forefront of this design when specifying quartz counter-tops, porcelain flooring, ceramic backsplash, and granite composite sinks. These all contribute to easy living. Builder: Wamhoff Design Build Photographer: Daniel Angulo

Valley Vista

JAC Interiors

Photo of a transitional galley kitchen in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, white benchtop and with island.

Vineyard

Bernskoetter Construction

Inspiration for a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and brown benchtop.

Dallas North Forty Kitchen Remodel

Bellisa Design

Design ideas for a large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Dallas with a drop-in sink, stainless steel appliances, with island, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, limestone floors, beige floor and shaker cabinets.

Alameda Bijou Bungalow

SBaird Design

22 Pages Photography
This is an example of a small arts and crafts galley eat-in kitchen in Portland with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances and medium hardwood floors.

Honed, absolute-black granite countertops and prep sink

JM Bogan Remodeling

Design ideas for a mid-sized arts and crafts eat-in kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and black benchtop.

Kemper Kitchen

Miller Woodworks

Photo of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in Cincinnati with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, bamboo floors, a peninsula, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Midwest Lake Home

Wade Weissmann Architecture

A library ladder is a charming, unexpected addition to a kitchen, but totally functional for accessing storage.
This is an example of an expansive country l-shaped kitchen in Milwaukee with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Traditional Kitchen Remodel in Portland Oregon Bungalow

Sitka Projects

This kitchen had been remodeled multiple times throughout the years and was in dire need of a fresh remodel. The home owners now have a time period appropriate style kitchen with modern creature comforts every cook will love.

Craftsman Kitchen

Scenic Interiors, LLC

We completely remodeled an outdated, poorly designed kitchen that was separated from the rest of the house by a narrow doorway. We opened the wall to the dining room and framed it with an oak archway. We transformed the space with an open, timeless design that incorporates a counter-height eating and work area, cherry inset door shaker-style cabinets, increased counter work area made from Cambria quartz tops, and solid oak moldings that echo the style of the 1920's bungalow. Some of the original wood moldings were re-used to case the new energy efficient window.

Contemporary Kitchen Remodel

Dreamstyle Remodeling

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Albuquerque with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, matchstick tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island and grey floor.

Residential Interior & Exterior

DiPasquale Painting

Kitchen with dark brown walls and stained wood cabinets
Mid-sized transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in St Louis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, brown splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Refined Midcentury

Design Harmony

Holland Photography
Inspiration for a transitional kitchen in Seattle with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and medium hardwood floors.

Turn of the Century Style Kitchen- Remodel

Hingeworks

Back When Photography
Design ideas for a small country u-shaped separate kitchen in Salt Lake City with yellow cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, white appliances, dark hardwood floors, no island, a drop-in sink and shaker cabinets.

Rustic Kitchen

Inspiration for a country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Detroit with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, subway tile splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Nevada City Cottage

Dogwood Interiors

Wayde Carroll
Photo of a mid-sized traditional separate kitchen in Sacramento with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white appliances, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, light hardwood floors and brown floor.

Orange Kitchen with Shaker 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!