Interior Designer: Eleven Interiors, LLC
This is an example of a contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Boston with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and medium hardwood floors.

Sammamish Walk in Pantry

Inspired Closets by Organized Spaces

Dale Christopher Lang
Design ideas for a large modern u-shaped kitchen pantry in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and no island.

Kitchen Remodeling Project in Studio City, CA

US Home Developers Inc.

This is an example of a large transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with with island, a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, grey benchtop and marble benchtops.

East Bay Kitchen

Rochelle Silberman Design

This traditional home contained an outdated kitchen, eating area, powder room, pantry and laundry area. The spaces were reconfigured so that the kitchen occupied all of the space. What was once an opening into an under utilized hallway, became a pantry closet. A full bathroom was tucked behind the pantry into space from the breezeway.

The Lund Project

The Plumbery

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional single-wall eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

CS Residence

Karen Aston Design

Photography by Thomas Dalhoff
Photo of a contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Sydney with medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances and medium hardwood floors.

Warmth and Style

TKS Design Group

Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW This client wanted a complete update of their kitchen and came to us with several objectives. They wanted a larger island and easier access to the dining room. They also wanted to eliminate the existing cooktop location from the island and make the island larger. Because the existing space was not able to accommodate all those requests, we decided to eliminate the breakfast area and incorporate that space into the kitchen. By eliminating an existing bay window and making the kitchen sink window larger, we were able to make the new layout work without sacrificing any natural light. A French door to the newly added and adjoining sunroom and casual outdoor dining spot still allows for multiple dining options. And by enlarging the opening to the dining room, it allows for easier access to this space on a daily basis versus for special occasions only. The client already had a large desk in the kitchen and spends a lot of time at this area. We were able to make the new desk even larger by moving the refrigerator to another area. The refrigerator is covered in decorative panels so that it blends nicely into the furniture look of the room. The larger island can now seat several people comfortably. The room’s traditional feel was achieved by providing different finishes on the perimeter, island and desk cabinetry. Handmade gray backsplash tile, a combination of soapstone and Carrera marble give the space a classic appeal. Details provide interest – custom glass mullions, decorative wood hood and bronze hardware give the space character and charm. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Interior Design by: Rachel Alcorn Architect: Rick Rearick Contractor: KJN Renovations Photography by: Mike Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

King Street Condo - Gilmans Kitchens and Baths

Gilmans Kitchens and Baths

Treve Johnson Photography
Small modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, glass tile splashback and medium hardwood floors.

Kelly Co. Easton Connecticut

La Pietra Tile & Stone

Jaine Beiles
Inspiration for a small country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and no island.

Contemporary Kitchen

Photo of a large contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, matchstick tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors and with island.

French Modern Home, Pepper Pike, OH

Jackie Vella Design

Large white kitchen with gray island -Custom zinc hood with a marble bevel subway backsplash. Architect: Jeff Bogart Photographer: Mark Most
Mid-sized country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Cleveland with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, stone tile splashback, dark hardwood floors, recessed-panel cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Modern Urban Kitchen Renovation

Design Build Duluth

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with blue splashback, with island, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, marble floors, grey floor and white benchtop.

Ribegade Kitchen - bespoke kitchen with a graphical feel.

Nicolaj Bo™

At Ribegade, the owners have chosen to move the kitchen from the original location to a spacious livingroom. The kitchen is designed and produced by Nicolaj Bo in Vesterbo, Copenhagen.

Oak Brook Kitchen Remodel

LaMantia Design and Remodeling

These homeowners came to us to update their kitchen, yet stay within the existing footprint. Their goal was to make the space feel more open, while also gaining better pantry storage and more continuous counter top space for preparing meals and entertaining. We started towards achieving their goals by removing soffits around the entire room and over the island, which allowed for more storage and taller crown molding. Then we increased the open feeling of the room by removing the peninsula wall cabinets which had been a visual obstruction between the main kitchen and the dining area. This also allowed for a more functional stretch of counter on the peninsula for preparation or serving, which is complimented by another working counter that was created by cornering their double oven on the opposite side of the room. At the same time, we shortened the peninsula by a few inches to allow for better traffic flow to the dining area because it is a main route for traffic. Lastly, we made a more functional and aesthetically pleasing pantry wall by tailoring the cabinetry to their needs and creating relief with open shelves for them to display their art. The addition of larger moldings, carved onlays and turned legs throughout the kitchen helps to create a more formal setting for entertaining. The materials that were used in the kitchen; stone floor tile, maple cabinets, granite counter tops and porcelain backsplash tile are beautiful, yet durable enough to withstand daily wear and heavy use during gatherings. The lighting was updated to meet current technology and enhance the task and decorative lighting in the space. The can lights through the kitchen and desk area are LED cans to increase energy savings and minimize the need for light bulb changes over time. We also installed LED strip lighting below the wall cabinets to be used as task lighting and inside of glass cabinets to accent the decorative elements.

Dramatic vaulted ceiling in Kitchen

Christopher A Rose AIA, ASID

Holger Obenaus
Traditional u-shaped kitchen in Charleston with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback and an undermount sink.

Sonoma Ranch

Walker Warner Architects

Matthew Millman
Photo of a country u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, medium hardwood floors, with island and stainless steel appliances.

Aloha Place, Vacation Rental, Keauhou

JM Design

This is an example of a large tropical u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Hawaii with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, limestone floors and with island.

Shades of Gray

SV Design

This once modest beach cottage was slowly transformed over the years into a grand estate on one of the North Shore's best beaches. Siemasko + Verbridge designed a modest addition while reworking the entire floor plan to meet the needs of a large family. Photo Credit: Michael Rixon

villa park modern

Moss Yaw Design studio

the new kitchen features maple cabinetry and steel + slatted wood center island, open to the great room beyond. jimmy cheng photography
Large contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors and with island.

Elegant Classic Kitchen Design

JACK ROSEN CUSTOM KITCHENS

This is an example of a large traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Single-wall and U-shaped 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!