This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Columbus with a farmhouse sink, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor, white benchtop and shaker cabinets.

Transitional Kitchen Remodel and Addition in Birmingham, MI

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.

Natural Textures Throughout

Esslinger Design Company

Cabinets were updated with an amazing green paint color, the layout was reconfigured, and beautiful nature-themed textures were added throughout. The bold cabinet color, rich wood finishes, and warm metal tones featured in this kitchen are second to none! Cabinetry Color: Rainy Afternoon by Benjamin Moore Walls: Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore Island and shelves: Knotty Alder in "Winter" stain Photo credit: Picture Perfect House

Baker's Kitchen

Haus Interior Design

Before renovating, this bright and airy family kitchen was small, cramped and dark. The dining room was being used for spillover storage, and there was hardly room for two cooks in the kitchen. By knocking out the wall separating the two rooms, we created a large kitchen space with plenty of storage, space for cooking and baking, and a gathering table for kids and family friends. The dark navy blue cabinets set apart the area for baking, with a deep, bright counter for cooling racks, a tiled niche for the mixer, and pantries dedicated to baking supplies. The space next to the beverage center was used to create a beautiful eat-in dining area with an over-sized pendant and provided a stunning focal point visible from the front entry. Touches of brass and iron are sprinkled throughout and tie the entire room together. Photography by Stacy Zarin

Kitchen Pull- Outs for Storage and Organization

Kitchen Intuitions

Sliding pull-outs are a great way to stay organized in the kitchen and organize any oils, spices, etc you need!
Large transitional kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, panelled appliances, white benchtop and shaker cabinets.

HGTV Designer of the Year Award-Winning Project 2022

Beauty Is Abundant

Modern new kitchen and lighting design by Beauty Is Abundant in an historic, iconic loft in Atlanta, GA for a thriving entrepreneur.
Photo of a mid-sized eclectic l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Atlanta with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, white benchtop, turquoise cabinets, green splashback and red floor.

Casual & Elegant - Kitchen & Bath

Reusch Interior Design

We love a challenge! The existing small bathroom had a corner toilet and funky gold and white tile. To make the space functional for a family we removed a small bedroom to extend the bathroom, which allows room for a large shower and bathtub. Custom cabinetry is tucked into the ceiling slope to allow for towel storage. The dark green cabinetry is offset by a traditional gray and white wallpaper which brings contrast to this unique bathroom. Partial kitchen remodel to replace and reconfigure upper cabinets, full-height cabinetry, island, and backsplash. The redesign includes design of custom cabinetry, and finish selections. Full bathroom gut and redesign with floor plan changes. Removal of the existing bedroom to create a larger bathroom. The design includes full layout redesign, custom cabinetry design, and all tile, plumbing, lighting, and decor selections.

Waterfront Cottage

b Architecture Studio

Small beach style l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Boston with a farmhouse sink, open cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, porcelain splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Wayzata Mid-Century Modern Whole Home Restoration

Thompson Construction

Mid-Century Modern Restoration
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury eat-in kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, terrazzo floors, with island, white floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Emerald City Beauty

Potter Construction Inc

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, green benchtop and quartz benchtops.

Kitchen Remodel - Ann Arbor, MI

User

Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Detroit with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and recessed.

Meglio Piccolo ma in Centro

Liadesign

Liadesign
Small scandinavian l-shaped open plan kitchen in Milan with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, beige benchtop and beige floor.

Transitional Kitchen

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and shaker cabinets.

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.

Compact Modern Kitchen Design-Chicago

Benvenuti and Stein

Zen-like kitchen has white kitchen walls & backsplash with contrasting light shades of beige and brown & modern flat panel touch latch cabinetry. Custom cabinetry made in the Benvenuti and Stein Evanston cabinet shop. Norman Sizemore-Photographer

25th Avenue Multi-Space Renovation

TVL Creative Ltd.

Our clients had just recently closed on their new house in Stapleton and were excited to transform it into their perfect forever home. They wanted to remodel the entire first floor to create a more open floor plan and develop a smoother flow through the house that better fit the needs of their family. The original layout consisted of several small rooms that just weren’t very functional, so we decided to remove the walls that were breaking up the space and restructure the first floor to create a wonderfully open feel. After removing the existing walls, we rearranged their spaces to give them an office at the front of the house, a large living room, and a large dining room that connects seamlessly with the kitchen. We also wanted to center the foyer in the home and allow more light to travel through the first floor, so we replaced their existing doors with beautiful custom sliding doors to the back yard and a gorgeous walnut door with side lights to greet guests at the front of their home. Living Room Our clients wanted a living room that could accommodate an inviting sectional, a baby grand piano, and plenty of space for family game nights. So, we transformed what had been a small office and sitting room into a large open living room with custom wood columns. We wanted to avoid making the home feel too vast and monumental, so we designed custom beams and columns to define spaces and to make the house feel like a home. Aesthetically we wanted their home to be soft and inviting, so we utilized a neutral color palette with occasional accents of muted blues and greens. Dining Room Our clients were also looking for a large dining room that was open to the rest of the home and perfect for big family gatherings. So, we removed what had been a small family room and eat-in dining area to create a spacious dining room with a fireplace and bar. We added custom cabinetry to the bar area with open shelving for displaying and designed a custom surround for their fireplace that ties in with the wood work we designed for their living room. We brought in the tones and materiality from the kitchen to unite the spaces and added a mixed metal light fixture to bring the space together Kitchen We wanted the kitchen to be a real show stopper and carry through the calm muted tones we were utilizing throughout their home. We reoriented the kitchen to allow for a big beautiful custom island and to give us the opportunity for a focal wall with cooktop and range hood. Their custom island was perfectly complimented with a dramatic quartz counter top and oversized pendants making it the real center of their home. Since they enter the kitchen first when coming from their detached garage, we included a small mud-room area right by the back door to catch everyone’s coats and shoes as they come in. We also created a new walk-in pantry with plenty of open storage and a fun chalkboard door for writing notes, recipes, and grocery lists. Office We transformed the original dining room into a handsome office at the front of the house. We designed custom walnut built-ins to house all of their books, and added glass french doors to give them a bit of privacy without making the space too closed off. We painted the room a deep muted blue to create a glimpse of rich color through the french doors Powder Room The powder room is a wonderful play on textures. We used a neutral palette with contrasting tones to create dramatic moments in this little space with accents of brushed gold. Master Bathroom The existing master bathroom had an awkward layout and outdated finishes, so we redesigned the space to create a clean layout with a dream worthy shower. We continued to use neutral tones that tie in with the rest of the home, but had fun playing with tile textures and patterns to create an eye-catching vanity. The wood-look tile planks along the floor provide a soft backdrop for their new free-standing bathtub and contrast beautifully with the deep ash finish on the cabinetry.

Santa Cruz Modern Ranch Home

Lydia Lyons Designs

Heath Little Diamond ceramic tile backsplash, painted cabinets, stained oak floating shelves.
Large modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Vallejo Court Project

AFT Construction

Open Kitchen with large island. Two-tone cabinetry with decorative end panels. White quartz counters with stainless steel hood and brass pendant light fixtures.

Stonegate at Rush Creek - Fall 2017 Model Home

Iverson Homes

Transitional Farmhouse Style Kitchen
Inspiration for a large transitional galley open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and shaker cabinets.

Tennessee Tudor Kitchen

Standard Kitchen & Bath

Small transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, white appliances, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and quartz benchtops.

Turquoise Kitchen with Quartz 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 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!