Large contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, black splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and black benchtop.

Sutton Coldfield

User

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional u-shaped separate kitchen in Gloucestershire with light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, ceramic floors, a farmhouse sink, glass-front cabinets, porcelain splashback and no island.

Custom River House

Selle Valley Construction, Inc.

Here you can see the smaller kitchen island, custom made from wood tiles in a herringbone pattern, completed with granite countertop and farmhouse custom made copper sink. Behind is the island, you can see the light sea-foam hue of the back painted glass backsplash as well as the dual Wolf ovens. Photography by Marie-Dominique Verdier.

Kitchens

Arbor Mills

Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Lake of the Isles Kitchen

M. Victoria Johnson Interiors

Inspiration for a beach style u-shaped open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and vaulted.

Modern Maple Kitchen

La Costa Cabinets & Design

Beautiful striated granite countertops play off the warm tones of the maple clad kitchen. Slab door and drawer front paired with sleek glass subway tiles nod towards mid century modern influences. Glass light fixtures and gold finishes contrast the cool grey tones of the countertop. Desk space is crafted out of the end of the cabinet run for quick mail sorting.

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.

Beautiful Boho Kitchen Remodel

Inspired Spaces, Inc.

Photo of a contemporary u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Home Remodel with Modern Artistic Flare

Signature Designs Kitchen | Bath | Interiors

New to the area, this client wanted to modernize and clean up this older 1980's home on one floor covering 3500 sq ft. on the golf course. Clean lines and a neutral material palette blends the home into the landscape, while careful craftsmanship gives the home a clean and contemporary appearance. We first met the client when we were asked to re-design the client future kitchen. The layout was not making any progress with the architect, so they asked us to step and give them a hand. The outcome is wonderful, full and expanse kitchen. The kitchen lead to assisting the client throughout the entire home. We were also challenged to meet the clients desired design details but also to meet a certain budget number.

Mid-Century Classic

Lucy Johnson Interior Design

Enlarged kitchen by removing a wall, back door & window, creating a U-shaped kitchen. Open site lines into Dining & Living room now.
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Seattle with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, a peninsula, grey floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Shillingford Place

Four Seasons Design Team

Inspiration for a mediterranean u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Sous les toits

Florent Chagny Architecture

Mid-sized industrial u-shaped open plan kitchen in Paris with an undermount sink, light wood cabinets, black splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, black benchtop, flat-panel cabinets, stone slab splashback, a peninsula, beige floor and exposed beam.

Alder Street Residence

Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects

Mid-sized modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor and brown benchtop.

Garell

David Hertz & Studio of Environmental Architecture

Design ideas for a large asian u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, bamboo floors, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

HENDON KITCHEN

Kate Roos Design LLC

Storage is tucked into every part of this kitchen from the space above the windows for taller family members to the tea pull-out under the seating area. Photography by Andrea Rugg Photography

House of Blues

Alison Kandler Interior Design

Mark Lohman
This is an example of an expansive beach style u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, blue splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, blue benchtop and brown floor.

Plano | Normandy Estates | Kitchen & Butler Cabinets (Partner)

Kitchen Design Concepts

The builder we partnered with for this beauty original wanted to use his cabinet person (who builds and finishes on site) but the clients advocated for manufactured cabinets - and we agree with them! These homeowners were just wonderful to work with and wanted materials that were a little more "out of the box" than the standard "white kitchen" you see popping up everywhere today - and their dog, who came along to every meeting, agreed to something with longevity, and a good warranty! The cabinets are from WW Woods, their Eclipse (Frameless, Full Access) line in the Aspen door style - a shaker with a little detail. The perimeter kitchen and scullery cabinets are a Poplar wood with their Seagull stain finish, and the kitchen island is a Maple wood with their Soft White paint finish. The space itself was a little small, and they loved the cabinetry material, so we even paneled their built in refrigeration units to make the kitchen feel a little bigger. And the open shelving in the scullery acts as the perfect go-to pantry, without having to go through a ton of doors - it's just behind the hood wall!

Project 3408-1 Scandinavian Kitchen Remodel w/ Custom Island on Wheels

Castle Building & Remodeling

This 1901-built bungalow in the Longfellow neighborhood of South Minneapolis was ready for a new functional kitchen. The homeowners love Scandinavian design, so the new space melds the bungalow home with Scandinavian design influences. A wall was removed between the existing kitchen and old breakfast nook for an expanded kitchen footprint. Marmoleum modular tile floor was installed in a custom pattern, as well as new windows throughout. New Crystal Cabinetry natural alder cabinets pair nicely with the Cambria quartz countertops in the Torquay design, and the new simple stacked ceramic backsplash. All new electrical and LED lighting throughout, along with windows on three walls create a wonderfully bright space. Sleek, stainless steel appliances were installed, including a Bosch induction cooktop. Storage components were included, like custom cabinet pull-outs, corner cabinet pull-out, spice racks, and floating shelves. One of our favorite features is the movable island on wheels that can be placed in the center of the room for serving and prep, OR it can pocket next to the southwest window for a cozy eat-in space to enjoy coffee and tea. Overall, the new space is simple, clean and cheerful. Minimal clean lines and natural materials are great in a Minnesotan home. Designed by: Emily Blonigen. See full details, including before photos at https://www.castlebri.com/kitchens/project-3408-1/

#602 - New Construction - Lafayette (35985)

Precision Cabinets

Kitchen: • Material – Plain Sawn White Oak • Finish – Unfinished • Door Style – #7 Shaker 1/4" • Cabinet Construction – Inset Kitchen Island/Hutch: • Material – Painted Maple • Finish – Black Horizon • Door Style – Uppers: #28 Shaker 1/2"; Lowers: #50 3" Shaker 1/2" • Cabinet Construction – Inset

Natural & Bright LA Kitchen

Cambria

Scandinavian u-shaped kitchen in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops and black appliances.

U-shaped Kitchen with Light 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!