Design ideas for a small traditional u-shaped kitchen in Portland with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, yellow cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and no island.

Traditional Kitchen

Mid-sized traditional l-shaped kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, with island, brown floor, black appliances, dark hardwood floors and grey cabinets.

Alterman

The Cousins

This small space demanded attention to detail and smart solutions, starting with the table and chairs. Too tiny for a standard kitchen table, we added a table that folds down against the wall with foldable chairs that can be hung on the wall when not in use. Typically neglected space between the refrigerator and the wall was turned into spice cabinets, ceiling height uppers maximize storage, and a mirrored backsplash creates the illusion of more space. But small spaces don't have to be vacant of character, as proven by the distressed aqua cabinetry and mismatched knobs.

White Kitchen with Reclaimed Wood Accents and Dash of Blue

Normandy Remodeling

This white painted kitchen features a splash of color in the blue backsplash tile and reclaimed wood beams that add more character and a focal point to the entire kitchen.

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.

Ramsey Ave

Sarah Stacey Interior Design

Photo by Molly Culver
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern l-shaped kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Miller Kitchen

Turan Designs, Inc.

Transitional White Kitchen with Farmhouse Sink
Inspiration for a small traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, recessed-panel cabinets, soapstone benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, beige floor and green benchtop.

Farmhouse Maple Kitchen Island

Brooks Custom

Premium Wide Plank Maple kitchen island counter top with sealed and oiled finish. Designed by Rafe Churchill, LLC
Design ideas for a mid-sized country galley eat-in kitchen in New York with beaded inset cabinets, soapstone benchtops, stainless steel appliances, with island and green cabinets.

Blue For You

Hankins & Associates, Inc. - Kitchens and Baths

This “Blue for You” kitchen is truly a cook’s kitchen with its 48” Wolf dual fuel range, steamer oven, ample 48” built-in refrigeration and drawer microwave. The 11-foot-high ceiling features a 12” lighted tray with crown molding. The 9’-6” high cabinetry, together with a 6” high crown finish neatly to the underside of the tray. The upper wall cabinets are 5-feet high x 13” deep, offering ample storage in this 324 square foot kitchen. The custom cabinetry painted the color of Benjamin Moore’s “Jamestown Blue” (HC-148) on the perimeter and “Hamilton Blue” (HC-191) on the island and Butler’s Pantry. The main sink is a cast iron Kohler farm sink, with a Kohler cast iron under mount prep sink in the (100” x 42”) island. While this kitchen features much storage with many cabinetry features, it’s complemented by the adjoining butler’s pantry that services the formal dining room. This room boasts 36 lineal feet of cabinetry with over 71 square feet of counter space. Not outdone by the kitchen, this pantry also features a farm sink, dishwasher, and under counter wine refrigeration.

Lovely in Yalecrest

European Marble & Granite

Design ideas for a kitchen in Salt Lake City with soapstone benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback and with island.

Colorful Spanish Revival

Design Studio West

Beautiful and bright kitchen
Mid-sized traditional u-shaped kitchen in San Diego with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, turquoise cabinets, soapstone benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors and black benchtop.

Double Waste Basket Cabinet

K&N Appliance Gallery

Sometimes the waste basket in the kitchen seems to get full too fast and creates an uninviting ambiance. This won’t be a problem anymore with Wood-Mode’s double waste basket cabinet.

Interior Paint Projects

Nolan Painting Inc.

Photo credit: Nolan Painting Interior Design: Raindrum Design
This is an example of a large contemporary eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, glass tile splashback, with island, an undermount sink, soapstone benchtops, black benchtop and shaker cabinets.

Nomadic Nest

Andrew Mikhael Architect

Kitchen is Center In our design to combine the apartments, we centered the kitchen - making it a dividing line between private and public space; vastly expanding the storage and work surface area. We discovered an existing unused roof penetration to run a duct to vent out a powerful kitchen hood. The original bathroom skylight now illuminates the central kitchen space. Without changing the standard skylight size, we gave it architectural scale by carving out the ceiling to maximize daylight. Light now dances off the vaulted, sculptural angles of the ceiling to bathe the entire space in natural light.

White Kitchen with Reclaimed Wood Accents and Dash of Blue

Normandy Remodeling

This apron front sink gives the kitchen a modern but rustic feel. The blue/green backsplash is a nice compliment to the simple but vibrant stainless faucet. The single bowl sink also makes it so its easy and quick to clean.

Coastal White Kitchen

Dovetailed Kitchens

This bright coastal kitchen features soapstone counters, white Shaker cabinets, a beveled subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and beautiful barstools by W. A. Mitchell of Maine.

Modern Apartment Renovation - Manhattan

Baxter Projects

This gut renovation of a 1960's galley kitchen opens the kitchen to the living room and allows natural light to flood the space. All new recessed lighting in a drop ceiling with LED linear lights installed in the reveal create a floating appearance. Appliances are integrated into the cabinetry to reduce visual clutter. A simple, clean-lined and modern aesthetic will stand the test of time.

Farmhouse kitchen

TKS Design Group

Kitchen design by The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn (Glen Ellyn, IL)
Country kitchen in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, blue benchtop and shaker cabinets.

Scarborough Bluffs Renovation + Addition

Master Edge Homes

Design ideas for a mid-sized arts and crafts u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Toronto with subway tile splashback, a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Casey Key Coastal

Perrone Construction Custom Homes

Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style galley open plan kitchen in Tampa with an undermount sink, soapstone benchtops, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor, grey benchtop, recessed-panel cabinets and turquoise cabinets.

Turquoise Kitchen with Soapstone 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!