Architecture & Interior Design: David Heide Design Studio -- Photos: Greg Page Photography
Small arts and crafts u-shaped separate kitchen in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, recessed-panel cabinets, subway tile splashback, light hardwood floors, no island and soapstone benchtops.

Palo Alto Residence

Coddington Design

This kitchen remodel features hand-cast cabinet hardware, custom backsplash tile and beautiful island pendants. Photo: Matthew Millman
Design ideas for a large transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with stainless steel appliances, wood benchtops, grey splashback, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stone tile splashback, medium hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Handsome Black and White Kitchen

Deb Bayless - Design for Keeps

Kitchen Design by Deb Bayless, CKD, CBD, Design For Keeps, Napa, CA and Renee Dion, ASID, The Dion Group
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops and black appliances.

Otrada LLC

Tad Davis Photography

http://www.houzz.com/pro/otrada/otrada
Design ideas for a traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Raleigh with stainless steel appliances.

Orso. Rénovation complète d'une maison de village à Aix-en-Provence

Clode.

Rénovation complète d'une maison de village à Aix-en-Provence. Redistribution des espaces. Création : d'une entrée avec banquette et rangement ainsi qu'une buanderie.

Painted Glaze Kitchen

Dewan Cabinetry

Kitchen Cabinets, Pained Antique with Cherry Center Island
Photo of a large traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Atlanta with white cabinets, beige splashback, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Spanish Colonial

DD Ford Construction

Architect: Don Nulty
Large mediterranean u-shaped kitchen in Santa Barbara with recessed-panel cabinets, panelled appliances, wood benchtops, white cabinets, white splashback, with island, an undermount sink and terra-cotta floors.

A contemporary Kitchen

Davis Tamburin Inc.

In this contemporary kitchen, we chose to use concrete counter tops through out. The back splash is a glass wine color mosaic tile. The flooring has a wine color back ground with a hint of silver which is reflective.

Contemporary. clean, warm kitchen

Kristin Lam Interiors

Clean, contemporary white oak slab cabinets with a white Chroma Crystal White countertop. Cabinets are set off with sleek stainless steel handles. The appliances are also stainless steel. The diswasher is Bosch, the refridgerator is a Kenmore professional built-in, stainless steel. The hood is stainless and glass from Futuro, Venice model. The double oven is stainless steel from LG. The stainless wine cooler is Uline. the stainless steel built-in microwave is form GE. The irridescent glass back splash that sets off the floating bar cabinet and surrounds window is Vihara Irridescent 1 x 4 glass in Puka. Perfect for entertaining. The floors are Italian ceramic planks that look like hardwood in a driftwood color. Simply gorgeous. Lighting is recessed and kept to a minimum to maintain the crisp clean look the client was striving for. I added a pop of orange and turquoise (not seen in the photos) for pillows on a bench as well as on the accessories. Cabinet fabricator, Mark Klindt ~ www.creativewoodworks.info

Rodgers Kitchen

Turan Designs, Inc.

Traditional White Kitchen with Copper Apron Front Sink
Inspiration for a large traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Atlanta with raised-panel cabinets, a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, travertine splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Modern Chic

The Couture Haus Interior Design

Modern kitchen in modern farmhouse. Taj Mahal countertops and glass display cabinets
Photo of a large modern u-shaped separate kitchen in Raleigh with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and black benchtop.

DC Kitchen Remodel

Four Brothers Design + Build

Inset cabinetry and handmade back-splash tile, and quartersawn white oak flooring, make this kitchen special.
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, beige splashback, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, granite benchtops, stone tile splashback, no island and medium hardwood floors.

Ft. Harrods

J&R Construction

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, no island and white benchtop.

Old World Charm

Monticello Cabinets & Doors

These are some finished Old World Kitchens that we have designed, built, and installed. Mark Gardner, President of Monticello, took these photos.
Photo of a mid-sized country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Oklahoma City with raised-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, beige splashback, panelled appliances, with island, an undermount sink, solid surface benchtops, stone tile splashback and medium hardwood floors.

J. Hirsch Interior Design Portfolio

J. Hirsch Interior Design, LLC

Inspiration for a traditional u-shaped kitchen in Atlanta with stainless steel appliances, a single-bowl sink, grey cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback and beaded inset cabinets.

Leesburg Traditional Kitchen - Island

Synergy Design & Construction

The kitchen footprint is rather large, allowing for extensive cabinetry, a center island in addition to the peninsula, and double ovens.
Mid-sized traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with stainless steel appliances, granite benchtops, an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, ceramic floors and with island.

Forest Glen Kitchen Remodel

Le Belle Maison Interiors Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

#Beach Front Gold

Angie Keyes CKBD

Full Renovation of outdated Tuscan Kitchen - Transformed into a beach haven. 2 Islands, one a workstation, one an entertaining space Rutt Cabinetry at its finest -

Halsey Lane Kitchen

B&P Contracting

- MDF Kitchen Cabinets, wrapped in White Thermofoil with a Shaker Door Style - Quartz Backsplash - Quartz Countertops with a Beveled Edge - Ivory coloured Porcelain Tiled Floors with a Stone-like pattern - Polished Chrome Finishes

Charmingly Spruced Up Kitchen Remodel

Crystal Kitchen + Bath

Step into the rejuvenation of a 1956 Golden Valley home, once owned by the clients’ mothers and now transformed under their ownership with a much-needed kitchen remodel. The original kitchen lacked countertop storage, featured outdated cabinets with black hinges and handles, embraced the typical soffits of the 50s era, and lacked an inviting ambiance. Fueled by a passion for the outdoors and gardening, the homeowners opted for earthy green cabinets from Crystal Cabinets, seamlessly blending with the natural sanctuary just beyond their back door. The addition of a black glaze over the green cabinets, along with walnut accents, brought warmth and personality to the space, achieving the cozy, friendly vibe the homeowners desired. Prioritizing functionality, a center island was introduced for entertaining grandchildren, top-of-the-line Subzero and Wolf appliances were seamlessly incorporated, and customized storage solutions were implemented to cater to the homeowners’ specific cooking needs. Soffits were removed, a closet with a vent stack was repurposed, and the vinyl floor was replaced with new hardwood to match the living room seamlessly. The homeowners’ collection of brass kitchenware found its elegant showcase in a traditional hutch with opaque seedy glass doors, adding a touch of sophistication to the space. Personal touches, such as hand-selecting a granite stone slab reminiscent of their favorite landscape in Duluth, a glazed ceramic tile backsplash reaching the ceiling line, and the inclusion of Bicycle Glass, a local artisan, for wall sconces and pendants, further enhanced the kitchen’s unique character. Blown glass orbs soften sightlines, while the gold/black brilliance kitchen faucet with a textured handle adds a playful touch. Every aspect of this new kitchen is a reflection of the homeowners’ down-to-earth personalities, creating a space that is both functional and filled with personality.

U-shaped Kitchen 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!