Design ideas for a large transitional open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

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.

HAMPTON ROAD

The Real Estate Stylist (TRES)

Transitional l-shaped kitchen in Melbourne with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

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.

Burrawang, Southern Highlands

Lime Building Group

Design ideas for a transitional u-shaped kitchen in Wollongong with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, grey benchtop and vaulted.

Englewood Road SW12

User

Matt Clayton Photography
Design ideas for a transitional galley eat-in kitchen in London with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, white splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and black benchtop.

Modern Living in Downtown Birmingham

Stalburg Design

This stylish, family friendly kitchen is also an entertainer’s dream! This young family desired a bright, spacious kitchen that would function just as well for the family of 4 everyday, as it would for hosting large events (in a non-covid world). Apart from these programmatic goals, our aesthetic goal was to accommodate all the function and mess into the design so everything would be neatly hidden away behind beautiful cabinetry and panels. The navy, bifold buffet area serves as an everyday breakfast and coffee bar, and transforms into a beautiful buffet spread during parties (we’ve been there!). The fridge drawers are great for housing milk and everyday items during the week, and both kid and adult beverages during parties while keeping the guests out of the main cooking zone. Just around the corner you’ll find the high gloss navy bar offering additional beverages, ice machine, and barware storage – cheers! Super durable quartz with a marbled look keeps the kitchen looking neat and bright, while withstanding everyday wear and tear without a problem. The practical waterfall ends at the island offer additional damage control in bringing that hard surface all the way down to the beautiful white oak floors. Underneath three large window walls, a built-in banquette and custom table provide a comfortable, intimate dining nook for the family and a few guests while the stunning chandelier ties in nicely with the other brass accents in the kitchen. The thin black window mullions offer a sharp, clean contrast to the crisp white walls and coordinate well with the dark banquette. Thin, tall windows on either side of the range beautifully frame the stunningly simple, double curvature custom hood, and large windows in the bar/butler’s pantry allow additional light to really flood the space and keep and airy feel. The textured wallpaper in the bar area adds a touch of warmth, drama and interest while still keeping things simple.

Whitewing

AFT Construction

High Res Media
Inspiration for an expansive transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Phoenix with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, quartz benchtops, marble splashback and beige floor.

Kitchen addition

Joni Spear Interior Design

The functionality of this spacious kitchen is a far cry from its humble beginnings as a lackluster 9 x 12 foot stretch. The exterior wall was blown out to allow for a 10 ft addition. The daring slab of Calacatta Vagli marble with intrepid British racing green veining was the inspiration for the expansion. Spanish Revival pendants reclaimed from a local restaurant, long forgotten, are a pinnacle feature over the island. Reclaimed wood drawers, juxtaposed with custom glass cupboards add gobs of storage. Cabinets are painted the same luxe green hue and the warmth of butcher block counters create a hard working bar area begging for character-worn use. The perimeter of the kitchen features soapstone counters and that nicely balance the whisper of mushroom-colored custom cabinets. Hand-made 4x4 zellige tiles, hung in a running bond pattern, pay sweet homage to the 1950’s era of the home. A large window flanked by antique brass sconces adds bonus natural light over the sink. Textural, centuries-old barn wood surrounding the range hood adds a cozy surprise element. Matte white appliances with brushed bronze and copper hardware tie in the mixed metals throughout the kitchen helping meld the overall dramatic design.

When Three Become One

Square Footage Inc.

Photos by Valerie Wilcox
Photo 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.

Black in the 'Stow

PlaceDesign Kitchens and Interiors

The view from the sofa into the kitchen. A relatively small space but good coming has meant the area feels uncluttered yet still has a lot of storage.

Kitchens

Bishop Design

Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Cincinnati with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop, panelled appliances and beige floor.

San Blas

Jula Cole Design

samantha goh
Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, terra-cotta splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and black benchtop.

Emerald Diamond Kitchen

Mercury Mosaics and Tile

Alyssa Lee Photography
This is an example of a large transitional l-shaped kitchen in Minneapolis with white cabinets, ceramic splashback, with island, recessed-panel cabinets, green splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, beige floor and grey benchtop.

Acrylic and Brass at Island with Brass Legs

Boss Design Center

This is an example of a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, beige floor, white benchtop and with island.

ASC Margaritaville

Amy Storm & Company

Inspiration for a large transitional open plan kitchen in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and exposed beam.

Organic Mill Valley

Ann Lowengart Interiors

The three-level Mediterranean revival home started as a 1930s summer cottage that expanded downward and upward over time. We used a clean, crisp white wall plaster with bronze hardware throughout the interiors to give the house continuity. A neutral color palette and minimalist furnishings create a sense of calm restraint. Subtle and nuanced textures and variations in tints add visual interest. The stair risers from the living room to the primary suite are hand-painted terra cotta tile in gray and off-white. We used the same tile resource in the kitchen for the island's toe kick.

Kitchen Reno in Fort Mill

IMPACT design Resources

Kitchen renovation All new cabinetry in Sherwin Williams Iron Ore and light stained maple for the island.
Photo of a transitional kitchen in Charlotte with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Arboles Whole House Remodel

M Prevost Design

Whole House Remodel in a modern spanish meets california casual aesthetic.
Design ideas for a transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback and light hardwood floors.

Provo Charm

Hebdon Studios

Traditional meets modern in this charming two story tudor home. A spacious floor plan with an emphasis on natural light allows for incredible views from inside the home.

Transitional Kitchen with Light Hardwood Floors 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!