These homeowners requested a complete makeover of their dated lake house with an open floor plan that allowed for entertaining while enjoying the beautiful views of the lake from the kitchen and family room. We proposed taking out a loft area over the kitchen to open the space. This required moving the location of the stairs to access the basement bedrooms and moving the laundry and guest bath to new locations, which created improved flow of traffic. Each bathroom received a complete facelift complete with the powder bath taking a more polished finish for the lone female of the house to enjoy. We also painted the ceiling on the main floor, while leaving the beams stained to modernize the space. The renovation surpassed the goals and vision of the homeowner and allowed for a view of the lake the homeowner stated she never even knew she had.

Courtyard Glen Pl.

Melissa Mathe Interior Design, LLC

Photo: Ansel Olson Photography
Design ideas for a transitional kitchen in Richmond with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and blue benchtop.

Contemporary Kitchen

Trevor Fulmer Design

Contemporary. Expansive. Multi-functional. An extensive kitchen renovation was needed to modernize an original design from 1993. Our gut remodel established a seamless new floor plan with two large islands. We lined the perimeter with ample storage and carefully layered creative lighting throughout the space. Contrasting white and walnut cabinets and an oversized copper hood, paired beautifully with a herringbone backsplash and custom live-edge table.

Park Circle

Kitchen Cove Design Studio

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland Maine with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and blue benchtop.

When Three Become One

Square Footage Inc.

Photos by Valerie Wilcox
This is an example of an expansive transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Astounding Annex

M-Squared Contracting Inc.

Design ideas for a large transitional galley kitchen pantry in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Ace of Style

Anny Designs

This is an example of a small transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and blue benchtop.

Blue Transitional Kitchen

Christine Julian Interiors LLC

Kristol Kumar Photography
Large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Kansas City with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, blue benchtop and subway tile splashback.

Fossil Creek Kitchen

Haven Design and Construction

The focal point of this beautiful kitchen is the stunning stainless range hood accented with antique gold strapping. The marble backsplash was the inspiration for the gray and white cabinets and the two islands add drama and function to the space. Quartzite countertops provide durability and compliment the marble backsplash. This transitional kitchen features a coffee center, two sinks, a potfiller, 48" Wolf gas range, 36" Subzero refrigerator column, 24" Subzero freezer column, dishwasher drawers, a warming drawer, convection microwave and a wine refrigerator. It's truly a chef's dream kitchen.

Caribbean paradise

Robyn Branch Design

Robynbranchdesign.com, Belmarmi
Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Jacksonville with glass-front cabinets, light wood cabinets, green splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, onyx benchtops, travertine floors, beige floor and blue benchtop.

University Park Kitchen Remodel

HRS BUILD

Eat in kitchen with cabinet reach in pantry
Photo of a small transitional l-shaped separate kitchen in Dallas with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Artistic Mix | Beaverton Kitchen Remodel

Mountainwood Homes

The built-in Mile coffee maker area is an unexpected luxury and ties the cabinetry together. A pull-out countertop allows you to fix up your coffee with ease.

Coastal Transitional

PB Built

Photo of a transitional kitchen in Miami with medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, blue splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, travertine floors, beige floor and blue benchtop.

Transitional Kitchen

Design ideas for a transitional galley kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, blue splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and blue benchtop.

Historical Fremont Remodel

TreHus Architects+Interior Designers+Builders

This is an example of an expansive transitional single-wall eat-in kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, blue cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, blue benchtop and shaker cabinets.

Astounding Annex

M-Squared Contracting Inc.

This is an example of a large transitional galley kitchen pantry in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Hilton British Cottage

Aeris Home

If I were to explain the atmosphere in this home, I’d say it’s happy. Natural light, unbelievable view of Lake Murray, the mountains, the green hills, the sky – I used those natural colors as inspiration to come up with a palette for this project. As a result, we were brave enough to go with 3 cabinet colors (natural, oyster and olive), a gorgeous blue granite that’s named Azurite (a very powerful crystal), new appliance layout, raised ceiling, and a hole in the wall (butler’s window) … quite a lot, considering that client’s original goal was to just reface the existing cabinets (see before photos). This remodel turned out to be the most accurate representation of my clients, their way of life and what they wanted to highlight in a space so dear to them. You truly feel like you’re in an English countryside cottage with stellar views, quaint vibe and accessories suitable for any modern family. We love the final result and can’t get enough of that warm abundant light!

Arlington, VA - Becket Glen

Ronda Royalty

Transforming power of BLUE . . . and well-designed island. This kitchen kept it's blend of medium stained cherry, but punched it out with "blue lagoon" island cabinetry and proves again that Corian continues to have a place in the kitchen. Juniper island tops compliment the white perimeter countertops with always pleasing integral bowls. Delicate tile mosaic pulls the blue to the windows before looking out on gorgeous back gardens.

Woodrige Avenue Remodel

Rhonda Staley Design

Microwave in island. Photographer Brandon Pollock, CVHG magazine
Transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Cedar Rapids with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, travertine floors, with island and blue benchtop.

Gorgeous Transitional Silver Creek Remodel

Spaces By Juliana Linssen, Inc.

This is an example of a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, beige floor and blue benchtop.

Transitional Kitchen with Blue Benchtop 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!