With tall ceilings, an impressive stone fireplace, and original wooden beams, this home in Glen Ellyn, a suburb of Chicago, had plenty of character and a style that felt coastal. Six months into the purchase of their home, this family of six contacted Alessia Loffredo and Sarah Coscarelli of ReDesign Home to complete their home’s renovation by tackling the kitchen. “Surprisingly, the kitchen was the one room in the home that lacked interest due to a challenging layout between kitchen, butler pantry, and pantry,” the designer shared, “the cabinetry was not proportionate to the space’s large footprint and height. None of the house’s architectural features were introduced into kitchen aside from the wooden beams crossing the room throughout the main floor including the family room.” She moved the pantry door closer to the prepping and cooking area while converting the former butler pantry a bar. Alessia designed an oversized hood around the stove to counterbalance the impressive stone fireplace located at the opposite side of the living space. She then wanted to include functionality, using Trim Tech‘s cabinets, featuring a pair with retractable doors, for easy access, flanking both sides of the range. The client had asked for an island that would be larger than the original in their space – Alessia made the smart decision that if it was to increase in size it shouldn’t increase in visual weight and designed it with legs, raised above the floor. Made out of steel, by Wayward Machine Co., along with a marble-replicating porcelain countertop, it was designed with durability in mind to withstand anything that her client’s four children would throw at it. Finally, she added finishing touches to the space in the form of brass hardware from Katonah Chicago, with similar toned wall lighting and faucet.

Transitional Kitchen Renovation in Washington, DC

BOWA

Photo of a large transitional l-shaped kitchen in DC Metro with a farmhouse sink, light wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, white benchtop, exposed beam and recessed-panel cabinets.

Duboce Street San Francisco

Ken Longo Design

Inspiration for a contemporary galley kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, blue splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Friendly Bungalow

NSPJ Architects

The kitchen
Photo of an arts and crafts l-shaped open plan kitchen in Kansas City with a drop-in sink, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

China Pantry

Aidan Design

Angie Seckinger Photography
Small traditional galley kitchen pantry in DC Metro with blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, medium hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and recessed-panel cabinets.

House of Well-Being

Andrea Swan - Swan Architecture

Landmark Photography
Beach style galley kitchen pantry in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, medium hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Calle Del Cerrito

Joseph Rodrigues Interiors

Spanish Revival Kitchen Renovation
Large mediterranean u-shaped separate kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Custom Backsplash Niche in Wayne PA

MacLaren Kitchen and Bath

Design, Fabrication, Install and Photography by MacLaren Kitchen and Bath Cabinetry: Centra/Mouser Square Inset style. Coventry Doors/Drawers and select Slab top drawers. Semi-Custom Cabinetry, mouldings and hardware installed by MacLaren and adjusted onsite. Decorative Hardware: Jeffrey Alexander/Florence Group Cups and Knobs Backsplash: Handmade Subway Tile in Crackled Ice with Custom ledge and frame installed in Sea Pearl Quartzite Countertops: Sea Pearl Quartzite with a Half-Round-Over Edge Sink: Blanco Large Single Bowl in Metallic Gray Extras: Modified wooden hood frame, Custom Doggie Niche feature for dog platters and treats drawer, embellished with a custom Corian dog-bone pull.

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.

Westport Country

Christine Donner Kitchen Design Inc.

An oversize island in walnut/sap wood holds its own in this large space. Imperial Danby marble is the countertop and backsplash. The stainless Sub Zero Pro fridge brings an exciting industrial note.

Spanish Revival House

Colossus Mfg.

Kitchen with black cabinets, white marble countertops, and an island with a walnut butcher block countertop. This modern kitchen is completed with a white herringbone backsplash, farmhouse sink, cement tile island, and leather bar stools.

This Is My Happy Place

Everything Home

The utility room was in between the LR and the kitchen, so we moved it in order to connect the two spaces. We put the utility room where the laundry room used to be and created a new laundry room off a new hallway that leads to the master bedroom. The space for this was created by borrowing space from the XL dining area. We carved out space for the formal living room to accommodate a larger kitchen. The rest of the space became modest-sized offices with French doors to allow light from the house's front into the kitchen. The living room now transitioned into the kitchen with a new bar and sitting area. We also transformed the full bath and hallway, which became a half-bath and mudroom for this single couple. The master bathroom was redesigned to receive a private toilet room and tiled shower. The stairs were reoriented to highlight an open railing and small foyer with a pretty armchair. The client’s existing stylish furnishings were incorporated into the colorful, bold design. Each space had personality and unique charm. The aqua kitchen’s focal point is the Kohler cast-iron vintage-inspired sink. The enlarged windows in the living room and sink allow the homeowners to enjoy the natural surroundings. Builder Partner – Parsetich Custom Homes Photographer - Sarah Shields --- Project completed by Wendy Langston's Everything Home interior design firm, which serves Carmel, Zionsville, Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville, and Indianapolis. For more about Everything Home, click here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/portfolio/this-is-my-happy-place/

LAUREL KITCHEN

Kate Roos Design LLC

By taking over the former butler's pantry and relocating the rear entry, the new kitchen is a large, bright space with improved traffic flow and efficient work space.

Про Лето 140 м2

Анна Катеринич

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Moscow with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, medium hardwood floors and grey benchtop.

Classic Cutie

Niche Design Co | Chelsey Mathieson

Small beach style u-shaped kitchen pantry in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Greystone French Farmhouse Transitional

Katz Builders, Inc.

Blue is the go-to color this year and it is featured on the island. White raised panel cabinets with lighted upper glass doors. Major lighting changes include recessed can lighting and pendant lights over the island. Saddle bar stools. Island seats five. Calcutta Classique Quartz countertops are on the oversized island and surrounding cabinets. Induction cooktop, Convection, and Steam oven are some of the appliance package. Hickory plank hardwood provides a beautiful floor. Two large porcelain farmhouse sinks for two working prep stations.

Bright Organic Kitchen

Mia Rao Design

A wall of green cabinets with natural wood shelves adds to this kitchens organic vibe.
Design ideas for a mid-sized scandinavian kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Сталинка на Курской

Buro 19.23

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, blue splashback, medium hardwood floors, no island, brown floor, grey benchtop and terrazzo benchtops.

1902 Historic Kitchen & Pantry Alamo Heights Remodel

Haven Design and Construction

This 1902 San Antonio home was beautiful both inside and out, except for the kitchen, which was dark and dated. The original kitchen layout consisted of a breakfast room and a small kitchen separated by a wall. There was also a very small screened in porch off of the kitchen. The homeowners dreamed of a light and bright new kitchen and that would accommodate a 48" gas range, built in refrigerator, an island and a walk in pantry. At first, it seemed almost impossible, but with a little imagination, we were able to give them every item on their wish list. We took down the wall separating the breakfast and kitchen areas, recessed the new Subzero refrigerator under the stairs, and turned the tiny screened porch into a walk in pantry with a gorgeous blue and white tile floor. The french doors in the breakfast area were replaced with a single transom door to mirror the door to the pantry. The new transoms make quite a statement on either side of the 48" Wolf range set against a marble tile wall. A lovely banquette area was created where the old breakfast table once was and is now graced by a lovely beaded chandelier. Pillows in shades of blue and white and a custom walnut table complete the cozy nook. The soapstone island with a walnut butcher block seating area adds warmth and character to the space. The navy barstools with chrome nailhead trim echo the design of the transoms and repeat the navy and chrome detailing on the custom range hood. A 42" Shaws farmhouse sink completes the kitchen work triangle. Off of the kitchen, the small hallway to the dining room got a facelift, as well. We added a decorative china cabinet and mirrored doors to the homeowner's storage closet to provide light and character to the passageway. After the project was completed, the homeowners told us that "this kitchen was the one that our historic house was always meant to have." There is no greater reward for what we do than that.

#BerylGlen

Ember & Brune

Their kitchen needed an update: walls had to come down, storage added, increased functionality, etc. When choosing cabinetry, they were happy to entertain the idea of a bright color. We ended up choosing Greenfield Cabinetry’s color matching cabinetry in Benjamin Moore’s Bavarian Forest. This kitchen is such a stunning focal point within the open floor plan, acting as a gateway between breakfast nook, dining room and living room. Photography by Stoffer Photography Interiors

Turquoise Kitchen with Medium 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 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!