Photo of a large u-shaped separate kitchen in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Project Harley

ROOM|EY & CO

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Hale Navy

Thyme & Place Design LLC

The client requested a kitchen that would not only provide a great space to cook and enjoy family meals but one that would fit in with her unique design sense. An avid collector of contemporary art, she wanted something unexpected in her 100-year-old home in both color and finishes but still providing a great layout with improved lighting, storage, and superior cooking abilities. The existing kitchen was in a closed off space trapped between the family room and the living. If you were in the kitchen, you were isolated from the rest of the house. Making the kitchen an integrated part of the home was a paramount request. Step one, remove the wall separating the kitchen from the other rooms in the home which allowed the new kitchen to become an integrated space instead of an isolation room for the cook. Next, we relocated the pantry access which was in the family room to the kitchen integrating a poorly used recess which had become a catch all area which did not provide any usable space for storage or working area. To add valuable function in the kitchen we began by capturing unused "cubbies", adding a walk-in pantry from the kitchen, increasing the storage lost to un-needed drop ceilings and bring light and design to the space with a new large awning window, improved lighting, and combining interesting finishes and colors to reflect the artistic attitude of the client. A bathroom located above the kitchen had been leaking into the plaster ceiling for several years. That along with knob and tube wiring, rotted beams and a brick wall from the back of the fireplace in the adjacent living room all needed to be brought to code. The walls, ceiling and floors in this 100+ year old home were completely out of level and the room’s foot print could not be increased. The choice of a Sub-Zero wolf product is a standard in my kitchen designs. The quality of the product, its manufacturing and commitment to food preservation is the reason I specify Sub Zero Wolf. For the cook top, the integrated line of the contemporary cooktop and the signature red knobs against the navy blue of the cabinets added to the design vibe of the kitchen. The cooking performance and the large continuous grate on the cooktop makes it an obvious choice for a cook looking for a great cook top with professional results in a more streamlined profile. We selected a Sharp microwave drawer for the island, an XO wine refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher and Kitchen Aid double convection wall ovens to round out the appliance package. A recess created by the fireplace was outfitted with a cabinet which now holds small appliances within easy reach of my very petite client. Natural maple accents were used inside all the wall cabinets and repeated on the front of the hood and for the sliding door appliance cabinet and the floating shelves. This allows a brighter interior for the painted cabinets instead of the traditional same interior as exterior finish choice. The was an amazing transformation from the old to the new. The final touches are the honey bronze hardware from Top Knobs, Mitzi pendants from Hudson Valley Lighting group, a fabulous faucet from Brizo. To eliminate the old freestanding bottled water cooler, we specified a matching water filter faucet.

Modern, Masculine Craftsman

Kelly Martin Interiors

A bold, masculine kitchen remodel in a Craftsman style home. We went dark and bold on the cabinet color and let the rest remain bright and airy to balance it out.

White and Blue Kitchen Design Chevy Chase, MD

Reico Kitchen & Bath

Designed by Marc Jean-Michel of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Bethesda, MD in collaboration with Judy Carr, this transitional style inspired two-finish kitchen design features Green Forest Cabinetry in the Park Place door style in White wall cabinets and Norfolk Blue base cabinets. Not supplied by Reico on this project but for product reference, this kitchen also features Arctic White quartz countertops by MSI, a Big Chill Beach Blue Retro Collection Original refrigerator, Affinity Tile Cuivre Collection in Happy tile backsplash and the Jenny 9" Mini pendant light by Mitzi over the kitchen sink. Photos courtesy of BTW Images LLC.

French Modern Spec Home-Kitchen

Studio Shelter

French modern home, featuring modern cabinetry, lighting fixtures, and a double island
Large modern u-shaped separate kitchen in Denver with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, beige floor, white benchtop and an undermount sink.

Arlington Home Remodel

Alison Giese Interiors

Custom island and plaster hood take center stage in this kitchen remodel. Perimeter cabinets are full custom, inset arch. Design by: Alison Giese Interiors

Dora Whitley Farmhouse

The Kingston Group - Remodeling Specialists

Design ideas for a mid-sized country u-shaped separate kitchen in Nashville with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, yellow floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Beautiful blue kitchen

Ti Designe

Photo of a mid-sized modern galley separate kitchen in London with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, porcelain floors, grey floor and white benchtop.

Four-Square Craftsman Classic

Sheila Mayden Interiors

Neatly outfitted pantry concealed behind furniture-style doors, resembling a built-in armoire.
Photo of a large arts and crafts u-shaped separate kitchen in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Modern Farmhouse Kitchen

Carmit Oron Interior Design

Design ideas for a small country galley separate kitchen in San Francisco with a drop-in sink, raised-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and white benchtop.

Bold and Beautiful

Kustom Home Design

Backsplash with high gloss linear tiles with a bold blue color set in a chevron pattern. Thermador gas cooktop with custom XO vented hood. MSI "Calacatta Leon" quartz countertop. Painted flat panel cabinets using Benjamin Moore "Simply White". Island countertop is Cambria "Islington" and paint color is Benjamin Moore "Deep Royal". Light fixtures are Quoizel architect pendants in western bronze.

Un intérieur doux et intemporel - Projet Iena

Mon Concept Habitation

Après plusieurs visites d'appartement, nos clients décident d'orienter leurs recherches vers un bien à rénover afin de pouvoir personnaliser leur futur foyer. Leur premier achat va se porter sur ce charmant 80 m2 situé au cœur de Paris. Souhaitant créer un bien intemporel, ils travaillent avec nos architectes sur des couleurs nudes, terracota et des touches boisées. Le blanc est également au RDV afin d'accentuer la luminosité de l'appartement qui est sur cour. La cuisine a fait l'objet d'une optimisation pour obtenir une profondeur de 60cm et installer ainsi sur toute la longueur et la hauteur les rangements nécessaires pour être ultra-fonctionnelle. Elle se ferme par une élégante porte art déco dessinée par les architectes. Dans les chambres, les rangements se multiplient ! Nous avons cloisonné des portes inutiles qui sont changées en bibliothèque; dans la suite parentale, nos experts ont créé une tête de lit sur-mesure et ajusté un dressing Ikea qui s'élève à présent jusqu'au plafond. Bien qu'intemporel, ce bien n'en est pas moins singulier. A titre d'exemple, la salle de bain qui est un clin d'œil aux lavabos d'école ou encore le salon et son mur tapissé de petites feuilles dorées.

Norcross Kitchen Remodel

Haggard Home Cabinetry & Design

Changed the appliance location and added faux wood beams
Inspiration for a large transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in Atlanta with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and exposed beam.

Norcross Kitchen Remodel

Haggard Home Cabinetry & Design

Changed the appliance location and added faux wood beams
Large transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in Atlanta with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and exposed beam.

Luxe Living in Zionsville

Everything Home

Our Indianapolis studio gave this home an elegant, sophisticated look with sleek, edgy lighting, modern furniture, metal accents, tasteful art, and printed, textured wallpaper and accessories. Builder: Old Town Design Group Photographer - Sarah Shields --- Project completed by Wendy Langston's Everything Home interior design firm, which serves Carmel, Zionsville, Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville, and Indianapolis. For more about Everything Home, click here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/portfolio/midwest-luxury-living/

Okura

LaBella Kitchens Ltd.

Photo of a small contemporary u-shaped separate kitchen in Auckland with a single-bowl sink, beaded inset cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, dark hardwood floors, no island, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and timber.

LAUREL KITCHEN

Kate Roos Design LLC

Open shelves, stainless steel appliances and a plaster-finished range hood keep the space feeling simple and clean.
Design ideas for a mid-sized country l-shaped separate kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, white floor and brown benchtop.

Mini Marvel Kitchen

Diane Burcz Interior Design

Mini marvel kitchen optimizes a small footprint in Cambridge, MA. The kitchen features a Kerf board with custom shelves. Semi-custom cabinetry by Brubaker. Image shows oven door open which clears the Kerf board.

Lutz Project

Clearcut Construction, Inc.

Our take on an updated traditional style kitchen with touches of farmhouse to add warmth and texture.
Inspiration for a large traditional u-shaped separate kitchen in Raleigh with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Separate Kitchen 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!