This Kitchen was relocated from the middle of the home to the north end. Four steel trusses were installed as load-bearing walls and beams had to be removed to accommodate for the floorplan changes. There is now an open Kitchen/Butlers/Dining/Living upstairs that is drenched in natural light with the most undisturbed view this location has to offer. A warm and inviting space with oversized windows, gorgeous joinery, a curved micro cement island benchtop with timber cladding, gold tapwear and layered lighting throughout to really enhance this beautiful space.

Tri-Color Kitchen

Miyuki Yamaguchi Design Studio

Photo of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, recessed, wood and medium wood cabinets.

DUSIK STOVETOP

Moontower

Kitchen stovetop.
Photo of a transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island and white benchtop.

Portside Court Townhouse

Simply Home Decorating

What comes to mind when you envision the perfect multi-faceted living spaces? Is it an expansive amount of counter space at which to cook, work, or entertain freely? Abundant and practical cabinet organization to keep clutter at bay and the space looking beautiful? Or perhaps the answer is all of the above, along with a cosy spot to retreat after the long day is complete. The project we are sharing with you here has each of these elements in spades: spaces that combine beauty with function, promote comfort and relaxation, and make time at home enjoyable for this active family of three. Our main focus was to remodel the kitchen, where we hoped to create a functional layout for everyday use. Our clients also hoped to incorporate a home office right into the kitchen itself. However, the clients realized that renovation the kitchen alone wouldn’t create the full transformation they were looking for. Kitchens interact intimately with their adjacent spaces, especially family rooms, and we were determined to elevate their daily living experience from top to bottom. We redesigned the kitchen and living area to increase work surfaces and storage solutions, create comfortable and luxurious spaces to unwind, and update the overall aesthetic to fit their more modern, collected taste. Here’s how it turned out…

Organic Modern, Cordillera Ranch

NR Interiors

We furnished this Kitchen and Breakfast nook to provide the homeowner with stylish easy care leather seating. The streamlined style of furniture is to compliment the modern architecture and Kitchen designed by Lake Flato Architects.

Zilker Park MCM

Ashby Collective

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Austin with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, green splashback, stainless steel appliances, terrazzo floors, no island, white floor, black benchtop and medium wood cabinets.

Dallas | Hillside | Kitchen

Kitchen Design Concepts

In our world of kitchen design, it’s lovely to see all the varieties of styles come to life. From traditional to modern, and everything in between, we love to design a broad spectrum. Here, we present a two-tone modern kitchen that has used materials in a fresh and eye-catching way. With a mix of finishes, it blends perfectly together to create a space that flows and is the pulsating heart of the home. With the main cooking island and gorgeous prep wall, the cook has plenty of space to work. The second island is perfect for seating – the three materials interacting seamlessly, we have the main white material covering the cabinets, a short grey table for the kids, and a taller walnut top for adults to sit and stand while sipping some wine! I mean, who wouldn’t want to spend time in this kitchen?! Cabinetry With a tuxedo trend look, we used Cabico Elmwood New Haven door style, walnut vertical grain in a natural matte finish. The white cabinets over the sink are the Ventura MDF door in a White Diamond Gloss finish. Countertops The white counters on the perimeter and on both islands are from Caesarstone in a Frosty Carrina finish, and the added bar on the second countertop is a custom walnut top (made by the homeowner!) with a shorter seated table made from Caesarstone’s Raw Concrete. Backsplash The stone is from Marble Systems from the Mod Glam Collection, Blocks – Glacier honed, in Snow White polished finish, and added Brass. Fixtures A Blanco Precis Silgranit Cascade Super Single Bowl Kitchen Sink in White works perfect with the counters. A Waterstone transitional pulldown faucet in New Bronze is complemented by matching water dispenser, soap dispenser, and air switch. The cabinet hardware is from Emtek – their Trinity pulls in brass. Appliances The cooktop, oven, steam oven and dishwasher are all from Miele. The dishwashers are paneled with cabinetry material (left/right of the sink) and integrate seamlessly Refrigerator and Freezer columns are from SubZero and we kept the stainless look to break up the walnut some. The microwave is a counter sitting Panasonic with a custom wood trim (made by Cabico) and the vent hood is from Zephyr.

Earth Stone, Inc

Design ideas for a large contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, black splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, multiple islands, grey floor, wood benchtops and black benchtop.

Greenwich Village Apartment Combination

Architecture in Formation

Photo of a contemporary u-shaped kitchen in New York with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and beige floor.

Philly Americana Modern Kitchen

Airy Kitchens

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional u-shaped kitchen in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, soapstone benchtops, subway tile splashback, ceramic floors and grey floor.

Pantry

The Organized Home

Inspiration for a mid-sized country u-shaped kitchen pantry in Chicago with grey floor, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, porcelain floors and no island.

Oyster Pond Cottage

Jill Neubauer Architects

Mid-sized country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Boston with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, black splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and a peninsula.

Barn Pros - Denali Barn Apartment

Barn Pros

A collection of barn apartments sold across the country. Each of these Denali barn apartment models includes fully engineered living space above and room below for horses, garage, storage or work space. Our Denali model is 36 ft. wide and available in several lengths: 36 ft., 48 ft., 60 ft. and 72 ft. There are over 16 floor plan layouts to choose from that coordinate with several dormer styles and sizes for the most attractive rustic architectural style on the kit building market. Find more information on our website or give us a call and request an e-brochure detailing this barn apartment model.

The Piacenza

Danze & Davis Architects, Inc.

Mediterranean u-shaped kitchen in Austin with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, stone tile splashback, light hardwood floors and with island.

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.

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.

Gorgeous Fort Collins Kitchen Remodel

Artisan Remodeling & Design

Gorgeous Fort Collins kitchen remodel featuring quartzite countertops and backsplash, custom and contrasting cabinetry, a custom wood hood, and Viking appliances. We love how the quartzite adds natural elegance, while the custom cabinetry maximizes storage efficiency. We love how the contrasting tones throughout help to create visual interest, and the custom wood hood creates a fantastic focal point.

REFORMA DE VIVIENDA EN BILBAO - GEORGE STEER

EGENOR S.L.

Cocina americana con espacio abierto al salón. Cocina en madera con paredes en tonos verdes.
Mid-sized modern u-shaped open plan kitchen in Bilbao with open cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, a peninsula and beige benchtop.

REFORMA DE VIVIENDA EN BILBAO - GEORGE STEER

EGENOR S.L.

Cocina americana con espacio abierto al salón. Cocina en madera con paredes en tonos verdes.
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern u-shaped open plan kitchen in Bilbao with open cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, a peninsula and beige benchtop.

Modern Glam Kitchen

French Cabinetry

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, white floor and white benchtop.

U-shaped Kitchen with Medium Wood Cabinets 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!