Mid-sized traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Baltimore with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, matchstick tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Lynnfield Farmhouse - Cummings Architects

Cummings Architecture + Interiors

When Cummings Architects first met with the owners of this understated country farmhouse, the building’s layout and design was an incoherent jumble. The original bones of the building were almost unrecognizable. All of the original windows, doors, flooring, and trims – even the country kitchen – had been removed. Mathew and his team began a thorough design discovery process to find the design solution that would enable them to breathe life back into the old farmhouse in a way that acknowledged the building’s venerable history while also providing for a modern living by a growing family. The redesign included the addition of a new eat-in kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, wrap around porch, and stone fireplaces. To begin the transforming restoration, the team designed a generous, twenty-four square foot kitchen addition with custom, farmers-style cabinetry and timber framing. The team walked the homeowners through each detail the cabinetry layout, materials, and finishes. Salvaged materials were used and authentic craftsmanship lent a sense of place and history to the fabric of the space. The new master suite included a cathedral ceiling showcasing beautifully worn salvaged timbers. The team continued with the farm theme, using sliding barn doors to separate the custom-designed master bath and closet. The new second-floor hallway features a bold, red floor while new transoms in each bedroom let in plenty of light. A summer stair, detailed and crafted with authentic details, was added for additional access and charm. Finally, a welcoming farmer’s porch wraps around the side entry, connecting to the rear yard via a gracefully engineered grade. This large outdoor space provides seating for large groups of people to visit and dine next to the beautiful outdoor landscape and the new exterior stone fireplace. Though it had temporarily lost its identity, with the help of the team at Cummings Architects, this lovely farmhouse has regained not only its former charm but also a new life through beautifully integrated modern features designed for today’s family. Photo by Eric Roth

Project 3291-1

Castle Building & Remodeling

This beautiful St. Anthony, MN mid-century home needed some major updates to the kitchen and main bathroom. The original 1972 kitchen and bathroom were extremely dark and quirky – an old bidet in the bathroom and cooktop shoved into the corner of the kitchen made it difficult for the homeowners to cook and clean efficiently in both spaces. The remodel gave them the opportunity to create a new layout in each of the rooms – the kitchen was opened to the eat-in area, the cooktop was relocated for a better work triangle, and more counter space was added through a small island. Custom bench seats were added to the eat-in area for added storage and character to the kitchen. The bathroom was reconfigured to eliminate the old 70’s bidet, and a useless storage cabinet, which allowed us to add a large, walk in shower with bench and a separate soaking tub. The same cabinetry and earthy color palette was used in the bathroom to create cohesion and to emphasize the mid-century character of the home. What was created is much brighter, more functional and is a timeless yet new space for the homeowners to enjoy as they age in the home.

Dutch Colonial Kitchen

Maximum Code

Photo of a mid-sized traditional galley eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances and porcelain floors.

Kitchen

Wood Be Art

Photo of a kitchen in Vancouver with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, soapstone benchtops, ceramic splashback, cork floors, beige floor and green benchtop.

Rustic Reclaimed North Scottsdale Remodel

Cosa Belle Interiors

Plain Jane Photography
Design ideas for an expansive country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Phoenix with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, distressed cabinets, soapstone benchtops, red splashback, glass tile splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Dutch Colonial Kitchen

Maximum Code

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional galley eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances and porcelain floors.

Pink Kitchen with Soapstone 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!