We designed this cosy grey family kitchen with reclaimed timber and elegant brass finishes, to work better with our clients’ style of living. We created this new space by knocking down an internal wall, to greatly improve the flow between the two rooms. Our clients came to us with the vision of creating a better functioning kitchen with more storage for their growing family. We were challenged to design a more cost-effective space after the clients received some architectural plans which they thought were unnecessary. Storage and open space were at the forefront of this design. Previously, this space was two rooms, separated by a wall. We knocked through to open up the kitchen and create a more communal family living area. Additionally, we knocked through into the area under the stairs to make room for an integrated fridge freezer. The kitchen features reclaimed iroko timber throughout. The wood is reclaimed from old school lab benches, with the graffiti sanded away to reveal the beautiful grain underneath. It’s exciting when a kitchen has a story to tell. This unique timber unites the two zones, and is seen in the worktops, homework desk and shelving. Our clients had two growing children and wanted a space for them to sit and do their homework. As a result of the lack of space in the previous room, we designed a homework bench to fit between two bespoke units. Due to lockdown, the clients children had spent most of the year in the dining room completing their school work. They lacked space and had limited storage for the children’s belongings. By creating a homework bench, we gave the family back their dining area, and the units on either side are valuable storage space. Additionally, the clients are now able to help their children with their work whilst cooking at the same time. This is a hugely important benefit of this multi-functional space. The beautiful tiled splashback is the focal point of the kitchen. The combination of the teal and vibrant yellow into the muted colour palette brightens the room and ties together all of the brass accessories. Golden tones combined with the dark timber give the kitchen a cosy ambiance, creating a relaxing family space. The end result is a beautiful new family kitchen-diner. The transformation made by knocking through has been enormous, with the reclaimed timber and elegant brass elements the stars of the kitchen. We hope that it will provide the family with a warm and homely space for many years to come.

French Country Kitchen

TaylorPro Design and Remodeling, Inc.

Expansive u-shaped open plan kitchen in Tampa with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, granite benchtops, yellow splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors and with island.

Private Residence, Spring Lake Heights, NJ

Studio 16 Architecture PLLC

Zbig Jedrus
Mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Newark with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, yellow splashback, timber splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and no island.

Kitchen "Bujoto"

Bujoto

Mid-sized modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, yellow cabinets, solid surface benchtops, yellow splashback, glass sheet splashback, black appliances and porcelain floors.

Pearwood wine storage

Clarke - New England’s Sub-Zero & Wolf Showroom

Sub-Zero wine storage integrates beautifully into any kitchen. Here's an urban contemporary kitchen wine bar in pear wood cabinetry. See it in person at Clarke in South Norwalk, CT. http://www.clarkecorp.com

Cherry Cottage

Skookom Pty Ltd

Photos: Natalie Mendham
Photo of a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Hobart with an integrated sink, light wood cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, yellow splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Curly Birch Plank Floors - Newburyport, Massachusetts

Hull Forest Products - Wide Plank Floors

Kitchen wide plank flooring of curly Birch, custom milled by Hull Forest Products, 1-800-928-9602 www.hullforest.com. Nationwide shipping. Photo by Mary Prince Photography.

Colorful Kitchen, Bath & Entry

Kitchen & Bath Design / Build

Design ideas for a large eclectic u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, yellow splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances and light hardwood floors.

The White House

Philip Abusow

Troyer Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Calgary with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, yellow splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island and grey floor.

Artistic, Handleless Kitchen

Nicholas Anthony

A perfect balance of materials, technology and colour. Matte, handleless units perfectly balance the light, bespoke breakfast bar and open drawer units. Gaggenau appliances add a true sense of luxury, fitting seamlessly with the stainless steel surfaces to give a clean, modern feel.

Kitchen

Midlake Builders

Photo of a mid-sized country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, yellow splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Mack Kitchen

Kell Architects

Photo of a traditional l-shaped kitchen in Minneapolis with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, yellow splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Applewood Atomic Kitchen

TVL Creative Ltd.

When a client tells us they’re a mid-century collector and long for a kitchen design unlike any other we are only too happy to oblige. This kitchen is saturated in mid-century charm and its custom features make it difficult to pin-point our favorite aspect! Cabinetry We had the pleasure of partnering with one of our favorite Denver cabinet shops to make our walnut dreams come true! We were able to include a multitude of custom features in this kitchen including frosted glass doors in the island, open cubbies, a hidden cutting board, and great interior cabinet storage. But what really catapults these kitchen cabinets to the next level is the eye-popping angled wall cabinets with sliding doors, a true throwback to the magic of the mid-century kitchen. Streamline brushed brass cabinetry pulls provided the perfect lux accent against the handsome walnut finish of the slab cabinetry doors. Tile Amidst all the warm clean lines of this mid-century kitchen we wanted to add a splash of color and pattern, and a funky backsplash tile did the trick! We utilized a handmade yellow picket tile with a high variation to give us a bit of depth; and incorporated randomly placed white accent tiles for added interest and to compliment the white sliding doors of the angled cabinets, helping to bring all the materials together. Counter We utilized a quartz along the counter tops that merged lighter tones with the warm tones of the cabinetry. The custom integrated drain board (in a starburst pattern of course) means they won’t have to clutter their island with a large drying rack. As an added bonus, the cooktop is recessed into the counter, to create an installation flush with the counter surface. Stair Rail Not wanting to miss an opportunity to add a touch of geometric fun to this home, we designed a custom steel handrail. The zig-zag design plays well with the angles of the picket tiles and the black finish ties in beautifully with the black metal accents in the kitchen. Lighting We removed the original florescent light box from this kitchen and replaced it with clean recessed lights with accents of recessed undercabinet lighting and a terrifically vintage fixture over the island that pulls together the black and brushed brass metal finishes throughout the space. This kitchen has transformed into a strikingly unique space creating the perfect home for our client’s mid-century treasures.

Seaside kitchen

Shore & Country Kitchens

Designed by Bob Blanco for Shore & Country Kitchens. This seaside home underwent a major top to bottom renovation. Classic Shaker inset doors in white, contrasted by a Matte Twilight Stain on Oak for the Island. The interior and counter top, of the glass fronted Hutch piece, have the matching Oak finish to bring the room together.

Cornwall Contemporary (Custom Home)

Moceri Construction

This is an example of a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, yellow splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Custom Alder Kitchen

Artisan Kitchens & Countertops

Mid-sized arts and crafts u-shaped eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, yellow splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula and brown floor.

Mid-Century Modern on a Budget

Rich Mathers Construction, Inc.

Carole Whitacre Photography
Photo of a large midcentury galley eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, yellow splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Nashua, Transitional Multi-Room Renovation

The Muir Showrooms

Tall cabinets bracket each end of the kitchen, neatly delineating the space. Soft beige Viatera Clarino quartz blends into the yellow and white backsplash.

Floating Shelves Provide Great Storage under wall cabinets

Denise Quade Design

These floating shelves allow for everyday items to be within reach and provide great display space. Bright colors complement the yellow backsplash and make the space feel warm and inviting. The cooktop over the oven allows for gas to be used for cooking and electrical to be used for baking, providing the best of both worlds without having to go with dual fuel ranges. Photo: Erica Weaver

Eccentric Influences

TaylorPro Design and Remodeling, Inc.

"From the very beginning, it was obvious that Kerry Taylor is a creative, calm, solution oriented person who deals with challenges extremely well. His professionalism, knowledge, and work ethic are exemplary and his crew mirrors every one of those qualities. From structural problems that required immediate resolution to working around other contractors (flooring, windows), to everyday cleanup and protection of our surroundings, they did it all. Kerry designed and built special structures to support the cabinet crown moldings that we had purchased and which turned out not to be as we expected. We hadn't decided on everything ahead of time and the necessary resulting change orders were very decently priced and well documented in his invoices and receipts. He came in absolutely on budget and on time because he knows how to efficiently manage a project so that the workflow is smooth. We will absolutely call on him for future projects." ~ Avis D, Client Single bowl sink, double faucets, under cabinet led lighting, TV center, key cabinet, spice rack pull out, toe kick drawer, rollouts, stainless steel hood, pendant, solar tube, appliance garage. Photo by: Kerry W. Taylor

Orange Kitchen with Yellow Splashback 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!