Inspiration for a contemporary u-shaped separate kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Farmhouse Modern in Shore Acres

Studio Dearborn

INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNER. 2018 NKBA Design Competition Best Overall Kitchen. 2018 TIDA International USA Kitchen of the Year. 2018 Best Traditional Kitchen - Westchester Home Magazine design awards. The designer's own kitchen was gutted and renovated in 2017, with a focus on classic materials and thoughtful storage. The 1920s craftsman home has been in the family since 1940, and every effort was made to keep finishes and details true to the original construction. For sources, please see the website at www.studiodearborn.com. Photography, Adam Kane Macchia and Timothy Lenz

A Tranquil Fusion of Green and White Kitchen Renovation

Boss Design Center

Welcome to our latest kitchen renovation project, where classic French elegance meets contemporary design in the heart of Great Falls, VA. In this transformation, we aim to create a stunning kitchen space that exudes sophistication and charm, capturing the essence of timeless French style with a modern twist. Our design centers around a harmonious blend of light gray and off-white tones, setting a serene and inviting backdrop for this kitchen makeover. These neutral hues will work in harmony to create a calming ambiance and enhance the natural light, making the kitchen feel open and welcoming. To infuse a sense of nature and add a striking focal point, we have carefully selected green cabinets. The rich green hue, reminiscent of lush gardens, brings a touch of the outdoors into the space, creating a unique and refreshing visual appeal. The cabinets will be thoughtfully placed to optimize both functionality and aesthetics. Throughout the project, our focus is on creating a seamless integration of design elements to produce a cohesive and visually stunning kitchen. The cabinetry, hood, light fixture, and other details will be meticulously crafted using high-quality materials, ensuring longevity and a timeless appeal. Countertop Material: Quartzite Cabinet: Frameless Custom cabinet Stove: Ilve 48" Hood: Plaster field made Lighting: Hudson Valley Lighting

New Construction - Lawrence Park, Toronto

South Park Design Build

Inspiration for a large contemporary u-shaped separate kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, glass sheet splashback, panelled appliances, white splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, quartz benchtops, brown floor and white benchtop.

Old Mill Park

Barbra Bright Design

Andrew McKinney LED strip lighting is applied to the sides of cabinet behind the faceframe. This lights the entire cabinet and makes the cabinet glow.

Kitchen addition

Joni Spear Interior Design

The functionality of this spacious kitchen is a far cry from its humble beginnings as a lackluster 9 x 12 foot stretch. The exterior wall was blown out to allow for a 10 ft addition. The daring slab of Calacatta Vagli marble with intrepid British racing green veining was the inspiration for the expansion. Spanish Revival pendants reclaimed from a local restaurant, long forgotten, are a pinnacle feature over the island. Reclaimed wood drawers, juxtaposed with custom glass cupboards add gobs of storage. Cabinets are painted the same luxe green hue and the warmth of butcher block counters create a hard working bar area begging for character-worn use. The perimeter of the kitchen features soapstone counters and that nicely balance the whisper of mushroom-colored custom cabinets. Hand-made 4x4 zellige tiles, hung in a running bond pattern, pay sweet homage to the 1950’s era of the home. A large window flanked by antique brass sconces adds bonus natural light over the sink. Textural, centuries-old barn wood surrounding the range hood adds a cozy surprise element. Matte white appliances with brushed bronze and copper hardware tie in the mixed metals throughout the kitchen helping meld the overall dramatic design.

Crisp Architects

Photography by Rob Karosis
Photo of a large traditional u-shaped separate kitchen in New York with marble benchtops, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, panelled appliances, white splashback, stone slab splashback, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Wild Apple

SV Design

Nestled in the hills of Vermont is a relaxing winter retreat that looks like it was planted there a century ago. Our architects worked closely with the builder at Wild Apple Homes to create building sections that felt like they had been added on piece by piece over generations. With thoughtful design and material choices, the result is a cozy 3,300 square foot home with a weathered, lived-in feel; the perfect getaway for a family of ardent skiers. The main house is a Federal-style farmhouse, with a vernacular board and batten clad connector. Connected to the home is the antique barn frame from Canada. The barn was reassembled on site and attached to the house. Using the antique post and beam frame is the kind of materials reuse seen throughout the main house and the connector to the barn, carefully creating an antique look without the home feeling like a theme house. Trusses in the family/dining room made with salvaged wood echo the design of the attached barn. Rustic in nature, they are a bold design feature. The salvaged wood was also used on the floors, kitchen island, barn doors, and walls. The focus on quality materials is seen throughout the well-built house, right down to the door knobs.

Bienville Transition Kitchen

Jackson Construction, Inc.

Large transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in New Orleans with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Bohns Point Residence (2)

Alexander Design Group, Inc.

Large traditional u-shaped separate kitchen in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, marble benchtops, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and recessed-panel cabinets.

Transitional / Contemporary Kitchen, Plymouth, MN

Trinity Construction Services, LLC

Transitional / Contemporary Stained Walnut Frameless Cabinetry, Quartzite Countertops, Waterfall Island with Prep Sink, Wide Plank White Oak Flooring, Thermador Appliances, Gas Cooktop, Double Ovens

FRANKLIN KITCHEN

Kate Roos Design LLC

The original space felt dark and closed off. In the updated kitchen, wall cabinetry is consolidated to either end of the space and new, large windows bring in ample natural light. Open shelves provide additional storage for everyday use items.

eclectic green and gray washed alder kitchen

M&M Interiors

This couples small kitchen was in dire need of an update. The homeowner is an avid cook and cookbook collector so finding a special place for some of his most prized cookbooks was a must!

Telluride Cabin

Artisan Builders LLC

Inspiration for a mid-sized country u-shaped separate kitchen in Denver with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop, distressed cabinets, concrete benchtops, brown splashback, stone tile splashback, panelled appliances and exposed beam.

Georgetown DC Kitchen

InSite Builders & Remodeling

3x9 Star Milky Way Stellar-Gloss Square Edge Field Tile
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Wilmington Court - Kitchen

Paul N. Brow, Architect, LLC

Renovated kitchen with distressed timber beams and plaster walls & ceiling. New windows to motor court. Custom carved soapstone sinks at both the window & the island. Leathered-quartzite countertops & backsplash. All appliances are concealed with wood panels. View to the living room beyond through the kitchen pass-through.

Small, Simple and Elegant in Larchmont

Bilotta Kitchen & Home

For this kitchen, designed by Peter Bittner, the client had a very clear idea of what she wanted right from the start. She did her research. The mother of a fast growing, young family, she wanted something as efficient as it was beautiful – on the simple, yet elegant side. Her requests were straightforward: white and light grey Bilotta cabinetry in a transitional style so as not to compete with the detailing inside her 1950s Tudor-style home; a heated tile floor (By Rye Ridge Tile); stainless appliances; white subway tile backsplash by Walker Zanger (again to keep it clean and not compete with its surroundings); and seating at the island for snacks and homework. The “pop” suggested by Peter was done through the satin brass hardware and lighting fixtures. The real challenge with this space was to fit as much as possible into the existing footprint which was overall on the smaller side. The solution was eliminating a doorway (with a swinging door that opened into the kitchen) and stairs from the kitchen to the basement. By moving the stairs and doorway, the usable space increased considerably. The typical working triangle became the focus for one side of the kitchen and the island overhang and seating became available on the other side. To make up for the limited amount of wall cabinets Peter designed shallow pantry-style cabinets along the back wall. Quartz Countertops by Rom Stone Fabrication. Designer: Peter Bittner Photographer: Peter Krupenye

Encino Mid Century

Pamela Leone Design, Inc.

Mid Century Kitchen
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped separate kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, white benchtop, no island and grey floor.

Transitional Kitchen Remodel

Bauman Custom Woodworking

Transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, turquoise cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor, white benchtop, quartzite benchtops and porcelain splashback.

Karlbergsvägen 43B

Simon Donini | photographer

Simon Donini
Design ideas for a large scandinavian u-shaped separate kitchen in Stockholm with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

U-shaped Separate 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!