Inspiration for a large transitional galley kitchen pantry in Gold Coast - Tweed with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, coloured appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, multi-coloured floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Kitchen with hand painted Glass panel doors

Nouvelle Kitchens & Bathrooms

Photo of a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and vaulted.

New Build Transitional Style Kitchen

Svelte Kitchens

This kitchen was a perfect blend of modern and traditional. Shaker doors contrasting with modern fixtures gave the space the timeless elegance the client wanted.

Transitional Kitchen

Expansive transitional galley open plan kitchen in Sydney with shaker cabinets, with island, beige splashback, stainless steel appliances, beige benchtop, stone slab splashback, an undermount sink, black cabinets, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

So much storage

Collaroy Kitchen Centre

This renovation included kitchen, laundry, powder room, with extensive building work.
Inspiration for an expansive transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, laminate floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Wahroonga: kitchen renovation - Sydney 2076

The Renovation Broker

House designed remotely for our client in Hong Kong moving back to Australia. Job designed using Pytha and all correspondence was Zoom and email, job all Designed & managed by The Renovation Broker ready for client to move in when they flew in from Hong Kong.

Tri-Color Kitchen

Miyuki Yamaguchi Design Studio

Photo of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, recessed, wood and medium wood cabinets.

Kitchen in Sterling Road, Armonk

Amazing Spaces

The stainless steel double oven and range hood compliment the white cabinetry and metal hardware. Warm tones in the stonewood granite backsplash and island countertop add interest and depth. Dark hardwood floors ground the space. The island features an integrated cutting board and trash bins creating a functional workspace. Ilir Rizaj

Large island with a blunt nose countertop

Marvista Design + Build

The large island in this kitchen hosts seating for your guests without scrimping on storage.
Photo of a large transitional kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and shaker cabinets.

Bayadere Newport Beach

William Guidero Planning and Design

Mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Peaceful Haven

Flemming Interiors

Transitional galley open plan kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, quartz benchtops, marble splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors and a peninsula.

Shaker Transitional Kitchen & More Morristown, NJ

MK Designs LLC

Shaker style cabinetry with a modern flair. Painted cabinetry with the warmth of stained quartersawn oak accents and stainless steel drawer fronts. Thick two toned butcher block on the island makes a great focal point and the built in seating nook is very cozy. We also created some custom details for the family pets like hidden gates at the doorway and comfortable beds with screened doors.

Bespoke Longford Kitchen | Blackheath, London

Humphrey Munson

The focal point of the kitchen is without a doubt the large 6 oven black Aga. Traditionally associated with country homes, it’s really lovely to see an Aga in a London family home. The canopy was designed especially for this room: it catches the eye and conceals the extractor. Painted in the same bold black as the island, it helps to anchor the entire design. The clients chose the antiqued distressed effect mirror splashback, which has a softer feel than plain mirror, but still accentuates the light feel of the room. The symmetry of this kitchen is designed to create a balanced look, while the detailing is simple to add to the contemporary feel. The bold colour palette of the kitchen and dining area perfectly suits the space and is softened with accents of natural smoked oak and antique brass. Photo Credit: Paul Craig

Chicago North Shore Kitchen

Benvenuti and Stein

This Chicago North Shore transitional style kitchen incorporates mixed woods which delineate various kitchen functions. The dark stained wood barn doors provide easy unencumbered access to the walk-in pantry. Norman Sizemore - photographer

Point Hayden Renovation

XACT Interiors

Painted "Modern Gray" cabinets, Quartz stone, custom steel pot rack. Hubbarton Forge Lights, Thermador appliances.
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped separate kitchen in Seattle with a double-bowl sink, beaded inset cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and coffered.

Winborn Whole Home Remodel

Bradford Custom Homes & Remodeling

Large transitional single-wall open plan kitchen in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Wedgewood

MMI Design

Design ideas for a large transitional open plan kitchen in Houston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, travertine floors, multiple islands, beige floor and white benchtop.

Suburban Heart of the Home Kitchen

Heather Cleveland Design

Design ideas for a large transitional kitchen in San Francisco with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Best in American Living Winner: Caruthers

Frankel Design Build

Inspiration for an expansive transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Houston with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, grey splashback, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Highlands Ranch Sleek Transitional Kitchen

JM Kitchen & Bath Design

Omega Cabinets: Puritan door style, Pearl White Paint, Paint MDF door Heartwood: Alder Wood, Stained with Glaze (floating shelves, island, hood)
Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Transitional 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 Transitional 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!