Open Kitchen with large island. Two-tone cabinetry with decorative end panels. White quartz counters with stainless steel hood and brass pendant light fixtures.

Elegant Home Transformation

Renaissance Sisters

City Townhome

Kim Scodro Interiors

Werner Straube

Wet Bar ~ In Espresso Bean by Ben Moore

Taylor Made Cabinets, Leominster MA

Espresso Wet Bar by Taylor Made Cabinets, Leominster MA

Glasscock

Clearcut Construction, Inc.

Love how this kitchen renovation creates an open feel for our clients to their dining room and office and a better transition to back yard!

Curved Island bench

Helen Baumann Design

Photos by Jacqui Turk

Vinita's Kitchen

Amandine Tosello

Pierce Street: A fresh take on a classic Edwardian

IDF Studio

Photo by Christopher Stark.

Chic Condo Renovation

Lux Pad Interiors

Black Kitchen Cabinets in Contemporary Home

Paper Moon Painting

Black flat-panel cabinets painted in lacquer tinted to Benjamin Moore's BM 2124-10, "Wrought Iron", by Paper Moon Painting.

58th Street Transitional Remodel

Bearded Builders

Modern Kitchen with Double Island

Sea Island Builders LLC

The perfect modern kitchen with a double island. The stainless steel hood above the modern island is high enough to function yet not obstruct the views. The dark wood grain cabinetry contrast the light white tile floors and marble looking backsplash. Countertops are Ceasarstone Frosty Carrena. Photo by Tripp Smith

Scotch Plains Kitchen

Swati Goorha Designs

The client hired Swati Goorha Designs after they downsized from a 5 bedroom house to a smaller fixer-upper in Scotch Plains NJ. The main pain point of the house was an awkward circulation flow and a tiny dated kitchen. Our clients love cooking and entertain often. The small kitchen was crowded with just two people in it, lacked ample prep space and storage. Additionally, there was no direct access to the kitchen from the main entrance. In order to get to the “Sitting room” the clients had to circulate through a tiny powder room off of the entry. The client had to circulate through the Living room, the formal Dining Room, to finally arrive at the Kitchen. The entire space was awkward, choppy and dark. We assessed the existing space, our clients needs and wants, and designed a utilitarian kitchen to fit the client’s lifestyle, their entertaining habits, and their aesthetic sensibilities. We knocked down the wall between the kitchen and the family room to open the area, and made the entire space into one large kitchen. We designed an unusual custom angled island to maximize the use of space without infringing the circulation or the usability of the kitchen. The island can now accommodate 3-4 people for an intimate dinner or function as a food setup area for larger parties. The island also provides extra storage. We used dark kitchen cabinets with light backsplash, countertops, and floor to brighten the space and hide the inevitable pet hair from clients four dogs. We moved the Dining Room into the earlier Sitting room. In order to improve the circulation in the home, we closed the entry through the powder room and knocked out a coat closet. This allowed direct access to the kitchen and created a more open and easy flowing space. Now the entire house is a bright, light-filled space, with natural light and open circulation. Our client’s needs and wants have been satisfied!

Coal Valley, IL- What's Black & White and Gold All Over? This On-Trend Kitchen

Village Home Stores

Black and White painted cabinetry paired with White Quartz and gold accents. A Black Stainless Steel appliance package completes the look in this remodeled Coal Valley, IL kitchen.

Blairsden Mansion, Mansion in May 2014

PLUMBERRY DESIGNS, INC.

Peter Rymwid Architectural Photography

2017 Fall Parade of Homes Victoria

City Homes, LLC

Rich, Blue Undertones

Cutting Edge Homes Inc.

The rich, bluer undertones seen in the cabinetry produce a commanding yet dramatic look. One that stands out and surely leaves a mark. • Interior Restoration + Renovation, 1840 Built Home Newton, MA

ELEGANZA ED EQUILIBRIO

Annalisa Carli Architetto

Vista della cucina con colonne in rovere termo cotto, top in marmo Grey Saint Laurent, basi e penisola in laccato grigio antracite. Cesar cucine. Le lampade che illuminano la penisola sono le Glo di Pentalight. Foto di Simone Marulli

Talmadge St Los Feliz Craftsman

Julia Chasman Design

Side view of custom island with built-in wine rack, vertical storage for trays, narrow bookshelf for cookbooks. Island paint color: Railings by Farrow & Ball

South Loop: Federal St

Lugbill Designs

Black Kitchen with Marble 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!