Kitchen with butcher-block island and pantry, photograph by Jeff Garland
Photo of a transitional kitchen in Detroit with an undermount sink, grey cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, glass-front cabinets and wood benchtops.

Greenpoint Townhouse

A.Jennison Interiors

Photo - Jessica Glynn Photography
Inspiration for a large transitional galley open plan kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, open cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, black cabinets, wood benchtops and beige floor.

Custom Atlanta Home

Vincent Longo Custom Builders

Design ideas for a large transitional l-shaped kitchen pantry in Atlanta with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, no island and brown floor.

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

Barn Door Walk-In Pantry, Transitional Kitchen Remodel

MainStreet Design Build

This beautiful Birmingham, MI home had been renovated prior to our clients purchase, but the style and overall design was not a fit for their family. They really wanted to have a kitchen with a large “eat-in” island where their three growing children could gather, eat meals and enjoy time together. Additionally, they needed storage, lots of storage! We decided to create a completely new space. The original kitchen was a small “L” shaped workspace with the nook visible from the front entry. It was completely closed off to the large vaulted family room. Our team at MSDB re-designed and gutted the entire space. We removed the wall between the kitchen and family room and eliminated existing closet spaces and then added a small cantilevered addition toward the backyard. With the expanded open space, we were able to flip the kitchen into the old nook area and add an extra-large island. The new kitchen includes oversized built in Subzero refrigeration, a 48” Wolf dual fuel double oven range along with a large apron front sink overlooking the patio and a 2nd prep sink in the island. Additionally, we used hallway and closet storage to create a gorgeous walk-in pantry with beautiful frosted glass barn doors. As you slide the doors open the lights go on and you enter a completely new space with butcher block countertops for baking preparation and a coffee bar, subway tile backsplash and room for any kind of storage needed. The homeowners love the ability to display some of the wine they’ve purchased during their travels to Italy! We did not stop with the kitchen; a small bar was added in the new nook area with additional refrigeration. A brand-new mud room was created between the nook and garage with 12” x 24”, easy to clean, porcelain gray tile floor. The finishing touches were the new custom living room fireplace with marble mosaic tile surround and marble hearth and stunning extra wide plank hand scraped oak flooring throughout the entire first floor.

Luxurious Lake Home | Oconomowoc, WI

Kowalske Kitchen & Bath

Inspiration for a small transitional l-shaped kitchen pantry in Milwaukee with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, red splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, vinyl floors, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Doppelhaushälfte in Preetz

Home Staging JOHANNSEN

Design ideas for a transitional l-shaped kitchen in Other with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, white floor and brown benchtop.

White Cabinets

Everingham Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Columbus with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, grey splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Textural Organic in Carmichael

Stephanie Russo Photography

This is an example of a large transitional kitchen in Sacramento with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, brown splashback, matchstick tile splashback, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Hermann Homestead

Integrated Resources Group

Design by Gina Rachelle Design. Photography by Max Maloney.
Design ideas for a transitional galley kitchen in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

Kitchen

Pike Properties

This is an example of a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Charlotte with beaded inset cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, marble splashback, medium hardwood floors, with island, white splashback, panelled appliances and brown floor.

Modern Farmhouse

Landmark Builders

Glenn Rose Photography
Transitional kitchen in Sacramento with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Bedford Gardens, Kensington, London, W8

Marsh & Parsons

Mid-sized transitional l-shaped kitchen in London with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, beige splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Transitional Mixed Media Kitchen Remodel

Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins, Inc.

Mike Kaskel
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional kitchen in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, brown splashback, stainless steel appliances, brown floor, brown benchtop, timber splashback and dark hardwood floors.

Appleton, Cheshire

Daniel Wayman Bespoke Kitchens and Furniture

John Gauld
Expansive transitional l-shaped kitchen in Cheshire with shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, black splashback, white appliances, with island, white floor and brown benchtop.

Ranch House Revival

Robinson Home

WIth a lot of love and labor, Robinson Home helped to bring this dated 1980's ranch style house into the 21st century. The central part of the house went through major changes including the addition of a back deck, the removal of some interior walls, and the relocation of the kitchen just to name a few. The result is a much more light and airy space that flows much better than before. There is a ton to say about this project so feel free to comment with any questions. Photography by Will Robinson

Kitchen Remodel and Expansion in Brookland, Washington, DC

Four Brothers Design + Build

This is an example of a large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with a farmhouse sink, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and shaker cabinets.

Our Projects

Diamond Kitchen and Bath

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Phoenix with a double-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, white appliances, dark hardwood floors and no island.

Berry Construction

Chris Snook

Chris Snook
Inspiration for a large transitional single-wall eat-in kitchen in London with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, with island, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances and ceramic floors.

Casa Agate Grey Silk Gloss

NJK Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped kitchen in Surrey with shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, light hardwood floors and no island.

Transitional Kitchen with Wood 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 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!