For a client with an enthusiastic appreciation of retro design, this sunny ode to kitchens of the past is a cheerful and comforting retreat for today. The client wanted a kitchen that creatively expressed her fun, unconventional taste while providing all the modern conveniences of a contemporary home. Space was borrowed from an existing office to provide more open area and easier navigation in the kitchen. Bright, optimistic yellow sets the tone in the room, with retro-inspired appliances in buttery yellow chosen as key elements of the design. A generous apron-front farm sink gleams with clean white enameled cast iron and is outfitted with a rare retro faucet with spray and scrub brush attachments. Black trim against the yellow ceramic tile countertops defines the kitchen’s lines. Simple maple cabinetry painted white with black ceramic knobs provides a modern level of storage. Playful positioning of contrasting tiles on the floor presents a modern, quirky interpretation of the traditional checkerboard pattern in this classic kitchen with an original point of view.

Vintage Kitchen and Powder Room Design

Bellwether Design LLC

The range is an authentic Magic Chef from the late 1920's.
This is an example of a small traditional l-shaped separate kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, tile benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Debra Campbell Design

Debra Drake Design

Project: 6000 sq. ft. Pebble Beach estate. Kitchen and Breakfast Nook.
This is an example of a traditional kitchen in Seattle with tile benchtops.

Strathmore Whole House

The Kitchen Design Centre

Photo of a large traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, tile benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

New

Crossroads Interiors

This is an example of a large traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Kansas City with raised-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, tile benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Kitchens

D and L Tile

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a drop-in sink, raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, tile benchtops, brown splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Sun Valley

Gulfline Construction. WE BUY HOUSES.

Photo of a large traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Houston with a double-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, tile benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors and with island.

Kitchen AFTER

User

Fixed the electric delivery to the kitchen, replaced cabinet hardware, replaced floor.
Design ideas for a small traditional l-shaped separate kitchen in New York with no island, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, tile benchtops, white splashback and white appliances.

1920's Kitchen

Gatling Design

Polished nickel fixtures including the plumbing, lighting and outlet covers add to the period feel. Three different kinds of cabinet hardware including pulls, knobs and cabinet latches add character. A dishwasher was added to provide more modern convenience to the old style kitchen. Cabinet design, materials, color and fixture selection by Gatling Design. Photo by Gail Owens

Vintage Kitchen and Powder Room Design

Bellwether Design LLC

A kitchen in a 1916 four-square. Not a museum-quality restoration. Rather, a mix of historically correct elements and fun, eclectic, bohemian accents.

Sunnyside Home + ADU

Harka Architecture

ADU (converted garage)
This is an example of a small traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Portland with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, tile benchtops, orange splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, no island, grey floor and orange benchtop.

Traditional Kitchen

Emery & Associates Interior Design

Traditional kitchen in Portland with tile benchtops, a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances and multi-coloured floor.

Spanish Colonial -Casita

Aesthetics Interiors Inc

This is an example of a traditional eat-in kitchen in Phoenix with raised-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, tile benchtops, multi-coloured splashback and ceramic splashback.

Shaeffer Residence

L Noggle Architectural Designs

This is an example of a small traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Indianapolis with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, tile benchtops, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island and grey floor.

ASID San Diego Design Excellence Awards 2014

ASID San Diego Chapter

2nd Place Kitchen Design Rosella Gonzalez, Allied Member ASID Jackson Design and Remodeling
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, tile benchtops, yellow splashback, subway tile splashback, coloured appliances, linoleum floors and a peninsula.

Nadina Street

2M Architecture

Builder: SEA Construction
Mid-sized traditional galley separate kitchen in San Francisco with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, tile benchtops, yellow splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, linoleum floors and no island.

O'Toole Whole House Remodel and Addition

Green Hammer

This turn of the century farmhouse was a jumble of fragmented remodels lacking an organic flow between spaces. A desire to celebrate the precision and craft practiced at the turn of the 20th century, every detail was crafted with intention. Green Hammer transformed the interior to improve the connections, creating a cohesive and welcoming environment. Energy upgrades help reduce energy consumption, and a garage and extensive landscaping complete this comprehensive renovation. In addition to FSC certified material, framing lumber from the original 1900’s farmhouse was reused in this remodel and addition. Replica icebox made of FSC certified alder with original icebox handles. Reclaimed fir butcher-block style countertop. Myrtle originating from the Oregon coast. Custom woodwork by Urban Timberworks. Photography: Jon Jensen

Rangements ingénieux - Cuisine Pretty - Kitchen Designs | LM Design

Lorraine Masse Design

Lorraine Masse Design | photographe Vincent Provost
Design ideas for a large traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Montreal with glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, tile benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, white appliances and with island.

1920's Kitchen

Gatling Design

Unique period details include the drawers which overhang the cabinets below with breadboards above. Curved brackets at the upper cabinet are mirrored in the base below. Also note the push button switches. Photo by Gail Owens

Kitchen , Backsplash and Countertop

Sandstone Flooring Inc

Design ideas for a traditional kitchen in Miami with tile benchtops, blue splashback, terra-cotta splashback, terra-cotta floors and brown floor.

Traditional Kitchen with Tile 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 Traditional 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!