photography: Viktor Ramos
This is an example of a large country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Cincinnati with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Okura

LaBella Kitchens Ltd.

Photo of a small contemporary u-shaped separate kitchen in Auckland with a single-bowl sink, beaded inset cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, dark hardwood floors, no island, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and timber.

Floor to Ceiling Maple Book Matched Cabinets in White Quartz Kitchen

MAK Design + Build Inc.

This is an example of a contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sacramento with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, cement tiles, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Lutz Project

Clearcut Construction, Inc.

Our take on an updated traditional style kitchen with touches of farmhouse to add warmth and texture.
Inspiration for a large traditional u-shaped separate kitchen in Raleigh with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Mount Vernon

Jubilee Interiors

This full home mid-century remodel project is in an affluent community perched on the hills known for its spectacular views of Los Angeles. Our retired clients were returning to sunny Los Angeles from South Carolina. Amidst the pandemic, they embarked on a two-year-long remodel with us - a heartfelt journey to transform their residence into a personalized sanctuary. Opting for a crisp white interior, we provided the perfect canvas to showcase the couple's legacy art pieces throughout the home. Carefully curating furnishings that complemented rather than competed with their remarkable collection. It's minimalistic and inviting. We created a space where every element resonated with their story, infusing warmth and character into their newly revitalized soulful home.

Modern Kitchen Remodel Done in Indigo Ink Color Cabinets

Kitchen Solvers of the Gulf Coast

For this kitchen remodel, our client was looking to change the color of their existing cabinets to something more modern. The cabinet boxes were still in great condition, so cabinet refacing was the perfect solution for them. They went with the Pacific Grove door style in maple and an Indigo Ink color. Next, we installed a new Giotto quartz countertop and backsplash. For the peninsula, they did a waterfall edge for the countertop. Check out this stunning transformation!

Highlands Eichler

Gast Architects

Kitchen open to Family Room, Home Office, and Breakfast Area
This is an example of a midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, terrazzo floors, with island, white floor, white benchtop and timber.

Kitchen Sink Bench

Refresh Renovations Auckland West

The laminate flooring provides a natural wood feel, which allowed us to keep the kitchen white. It feels spacious and elegant. The handle-less design ensures horizontal lines that make the space feel larger. We added a false bulkhead above the overhead cupboards allowing us to run the ducting for the rangehood. The Silgranite Sink adds interest and gives contrast. For continuity we have used the sunscreen blinds in the kitchen also.

Los Altos Hills New Build

Carmit Oron Interior Design

Design ideas for an expansive country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen

Thompson Construction

The cabinet paint color is Sherwin-Williams - SW 7008 Alabaster
Inspiration for an expansive traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Mid-Century Modern, Shavano Park

NR Interiors

This newly remodeled Kitchen features a mix of classic two tone shaker cabinetry with the modern accent of quarter sawn white oak slab front Euro style cabinetry which hides a utility closet, provides a coffee bar and hidden pantry in a sleek wall of gorgeous cabinets. This white oak cabinet is balanced across the room with the table end of the island which heavy duty white oak butcherblock top intersects the quartzite waterfall edge of the island.

Great Falls, VA

A Touch of Elegance Studio

This luxury kitchen with white cabinets and marble-look quartz is open with a light, airy feel.
Expansive transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and recessed.

Statford Kitchen

H. Miller Bros

STRATFORD KITCHEN A mid-century inspired kitchen, designed for a mid-century house. We love mid-century style, and so when we were approached to design this kitchen for a beautifully revived mid-century villa in Warwickshire, it was a dream commission. Simple, clean cabinetry was brought to life with the gorgeous iroko timber, and the cabinetry sat on a matt black plinth – a classic mid-century detail. A walk-in pantry, lined in single-depth shelving, was framed behind sliding doors glazed with traditional reeded glass. Refrigeration and storage was contained in a long run of tall cabinets, that finished in a mirror-backed bar with integral ice bucket But the show-stealer was a set of bespoke, handmade shelves that screened the kitchen from the hallway in this open plan home. Subtly detailed, like only real furniture-makers can, with traditional jointing and mid-century radiused edges.

Belleair Beach Kitchen with open shelving

Van Selow Design Build L.L.C.

This is an example of an expansive modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Tampa with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Robinson Woods

DiFabion Remodeling, Inc.

Inspiration for a midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Charlotte with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, white appliances, terrazzo floors, multi-coloured floor and white benchtop.

Coxs Lane, Lane Cove - Kitchen

Papallo Kitchens

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern u-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, laminate floors, a peninsula, brown floor and white benchtop.

VERDE URBANO

Annalisa Carli Architetto

Cucina verde comodoro con pensili bianchi di dimensioni contenute ma molto funzionale. Top in HPL grigio effetto marmo. Foto di Simone Marulli
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Milan with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, beige floor, grey benchtop and recessed.

Halsey Lane Kitchen

B&P Contracting

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

Kitchen and Living Room remodel for a new build

Ivywell Interiors | Bristol

The kitchen was fitted as part of the new build construction. The splashback and breakfast bar were made out of a grey laminate wood that darkened the whole space. We replaced them both with an engineered quartz with gold veining to add an understated touch of luxury and fit in with the existing cabinets. The new build kitchen /diner lacked storage and defined zones. The space isn't large so we created a banquette seating arrangement, re-using the existing chairs but sourcing a new extendable table for a versatile option. The banquette seating creates ample new storage thanks to side cabinets and lower drawers under the upholstered bench. New lights were also fitted as well as a bar area created in an unused alcove by the utility room. We added recessed LEDs to bring in more light and create a hushed mood.

Mount Vernon

Jubilee Interiors

U-shaped Kitchen with Engineered Quartz Splashback 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!