Photo of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, no island and grey floor.

Tudor Renovation & Addition

Alto Design

Mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Cincinnati with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Transitional Farmhouse Kitchen

Talianko Design Group, LLC

This Transitional Farmhouse Kitchen was completely remodeled and the home is nestled on the border of Pasadena and South Pasadena. Our goal was to keep the original charm of our client’s home while updating the kitchen in a way that was fresh and current. Our design inspiration began with a deep green soapstone counter top paired with creamy white cabinetry. Carrera marble subway tile for the backsplash is a luxurious splurge and adds classic elegance to the space. The stainless steel appliances and sink create a more transitional feel, while the shaker style cabinetry doors and schoolhouse light fixture are in keeping with the original style of the home. Tile flooring resembling concrete is clean and simple and seeded glass in the upper cabinet doors help make the space feel open and light. This kitchen has a hidden microwave and custom range hood design, as well as a new pantry area, for added storage. The pantry area features an appliance garage and deep-set counter top for multi-purpose use. These features add value to this small space. The finishing touches are polished nickel cabinet hardware, which add a vintage look and the cafe curtains are the handiwork of the homeowner. We truly enjoyed the collaborative effort in this kitchen. Photography by Erika Beirman

Madison Project

Cabinet Solutions Group

Large transitional u-shaped kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, no island and porcelain floors.

Let's Eat- Kitchens

User

This is an example of an expansive contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with a drop-in sink, glass-front cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, travertine floors and with island.

Casey Key Coastal

Perrone Construction Custom Homes

Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style galley open plan kitchen in Tampa with an undermount sink, soapstone benchtops, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor, grey benchtop, recessed-panel cabinets and turquoise cabinets.

Beach Project

TaylorPro Design and Remodeling, Inc.

Design ideas for an expansive beach style u-shaped open plan kitchen in Tampa with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, soapstone benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and white cabinets.

An Antique Home for the 21st Century

User

Floating shelves made out of reclaimed antique oak and outfitted with custom downlighting created a place to store and display plates, bowls, glasses, pitchers, and other pretty kitchen items. Photos by Eric Roth

Inset Shaker Nordic White Kitchen

Main Line Kitchen Design

The best kitchen showroom in your area is closer than you think. The four designers there are some of the most experienced award winning kitchen designers in the Delaware Valley. They design in and sell 6 national cabinet lines. And their pricing for cabinetry is slightly less than at home centers in apples to apples comparisons. Where is this kitchen showroom and how come you don’t remember seeing it when it is so close by? It’s in your own home! Main Line Kitchen Design brings all the same samples you select from when you travel to other showrooms to your home. We make design changes on our laptops in 20-20 CAD with you present usually in the very kitchen being renovated. Understanding what designs will look like and how sample kitchen cabinets, doors, and finishes will look in your home is easy when you are standing in the very room being renovated. Design changes can be emailed to you to print out and discuss with friends and family if you choose. Best of all our design time is free since it is incorporated into the very competitive pricing of your cabinetry when you purchase a kitchen from Main Line Kitchen Design. Finally there is a kitchen business model and design team that carries the highest quality cabinetry, is experienced, convenient, and reasonably priced. Call us today and find out why we get the best reviews on the internet or Google us and check. We look forward to working with you. As our company tag line says: “The world of kitchen design is changing…”

Saunderstown Cottage

Ellen McKenna Design

This is an example of a large traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Salt Lake City with a double-bowl sink, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, panelled appliances, raised-panel cabinets, white splashback, ceramic splashback, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Belmont Whole House Remodel

GMT Home Designs Inc.

Photo of a transitional u-shaped kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, black benchtop, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Tudor 1924 remodel

Monique Varsames Design, LLC

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Donegal Avenue

IDF Studio

Transitional white kitchen with Heath tile backsplash, soapstone, counters, black hardware, wood island top, and wicker counter stools. Photo by Suzanna Scott.

Contemporary Spaces

Fedewa Custom Works

Awesome little house with an awesome kitchen. House is built by Sustainable Building Solutions. Cabinets were made by Fedewa Custom Works. They are a shaker style, painted "arrow root" by ML Campbell.

Kitchen Wet Bar - Addition

Realty Restoration, LLC

Christopher Davison, AIA
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern eat-in kitchen in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, soapstone benchtops, metallic splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and no island.

At. Anthony Park Kitchen

ROSEMARY MERRILL DESIGN

White custom cabinetry painted in Benjamin Moore-Simply White, Thermador appliances, Urban Electric wall sconces, Soapstone countertops, Waterworks Brickworks backsplash, Ashley Norton hardware, Marvin Window, wood floors, Co-designer, Jen Seeger & Andrea Rugg Photography

Parkside

Hello Kitchen

This is an example of a mid-sized scandinavian galley open plan kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and black benchtop.

Contemporary Kitchen

This is an example of a large contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Designer Kirsten Grove's Dreamy Waxed Alberene Soapstone Kitchen

Polycor

The Alberene Soapstone honed slabs were waxed to enhance their deep, dark tonality for a dark on dark combination with the cabinetry. Enhancing the soapstone also accentuates the natural white calcite veining. Photo: Karen Krum

Carmel Valley Renovation

Anne Rae Design

Found Creative Studios
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, travertine floors and with island.

White Kitchen with Soapstone Benchtops 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!