You get a sense of the tight space we were working with in this view of the back door which just clears the new counter under the window. Photo - P.Dilworth

Awkward Kitchen Shape

The Kitchen Lady UK

The Project Una and Pat bought this house with their young family and spent many happy years bringing up their children in this home. Now their children have grown up and moved away, it was time to update the house to fit their new lives and refresh their style. Awkward Space They had already undertaken some large projects years beforehand, adding a wrap around extension that linked their kitchen and garage together, whilst providing a dining room and utility space. However, by keeping the original kitchen, guests were squeezed passed the chef by the door, shown through the utility room before sitting down for their meal in a room that felt quite isolated from the rest of the house. It was clear that the flow just wasnt working. By taking the rather radical step of knocking through an old window that had been blocked up during the extension, we could move the doorway towards the centre of the house and create a much better flow between the rooms. Zoning At first Una was worried that she would be getting a much smaller kitchen as it was now fitting into the utility room. However, she didn't worry long as we carefully zoned each area, putting the sink and hob in the brightest areas of the room and the storage in the darker, higher traffic areas that had been in the old kitchen. To make sure that this space worked efficiently, we acted out everyday tasks to make sure that everything was going to be in the right space for THEM. Colours & Materials Because we used a local cabinetmaker to turn plans into reality, Una had an almost unlimited choice of doors to choose from. As a keen amature artist, she had a great eye for colour but she was even braver than I had expected. I love the smoked woodgrain door that she chose for the base units. To keep the bright and calm feel, we paired it with a soft grey door on the wall and tall units and also used it on the plinth to create a floating feel. Una and Pat used a new worktop material called Compact Laminate which is only 12mm thick and is a brilliant new affordable solid worktop. We also used it as a splashback behind the sink and hob for a practical and striking finish. Supporting Local Because we used a local cabinetmaker, they could add some great twists that we couldn't have had from buying off the shelf. There is actually a hidden cupboard in the area going through the arch, a handle would have been a hip bruiser so we used a secret push to open mechanism instead. They also took that extra care when making the units, if you look carefully on the drawers, you will see the same grain runs down all three drawers which is beautiful.

Atlantic Ave

Matthew Viederman Architect PC

Photo by Natalie Schueller

Jilly's Kitchen

The Home Improvements Group, Inc.

Every inch counts in this busy kitchen.

Ellicott City kitchen remodel

Interior Transformations

Kenneth M. Wyner Photography, Inc.

Kitchen Remodels

J.L. Ward Construction

Merkel

Buckeye Cabinetry

Northfield Residence

Northstar Systembuilt

Kitchen

Kitchen with horizontal window

Cynthia J. Hoffman Interior Design, Inc.

Horizontal window offers view of landscape, mosaic tile wall, soapstone countertops and integral farmhouse sink, linoleum floor Photo: Michael R. Timmer

Maple

Millwork Designs Corp.

Laurelhurst Kitchen and Bath

Craftsman Design and Renovation

DeWils Cabinetry Photos: Eckert & Eckert Photography

Rustic (New Build) Cabin in the Woods

Lampert Lumber - Rice Lake

A rustic retreat with every amenity was exactly that for this new build. Featuring Rustic Hickory cabinets and laminate countertops with a quartz undermount sink.

Miradero Residence

Jack 'N Tool Box, Inc.

Refrigerator wall: white oak cabinets with Cambria Canterbury countertops, Delta faucet, LG dishwasher, Samsung stove and Zephyr vent hood

Miradero Residence

Jack 'N Tool Box, Inc.

Center island: white oak cabinets with Cambria Canterbury countertops

West Chester Kitchen Remodel in Cherry

Chester County Kitchen & Bath

For this traditional kitchen remodel the clients chose Fieldstone cabinets in the Bainbridge door in Cherry wood with Toffee stain. This gave the kitchen a timeless warm look paired with the great new Fusion Max flooring in Chambord. Fusion Max flooring is a great real wood alternative. The flooring has the look and texture of actual wood while providing all the durability of a vinyl floor. This flooring is also more affordable than real wood. It looks fantastic! (Stop in our showroom to see it in person!) The Cambria quartz countertops in Canterbury add a natural stone look with the easy maintenance of quartz. We installed a built in butcher block section to the island countertop to make a great prep station for the cook using the new 36” commercial gas range top. We built a big new walkin pantry and installed plenty of shelving and countertop space for storage.

Nostalgic Industrial Kitchen

Rimrock Cabinet Co.

Kitchens

The BOSS

Mid Century Modern Kitchen BH

Pamela Leone Design, Inc.

Complete Renovation of an authentic Mid Century Modern kitchen, retaining its original charm but modernizing and opening the space

30" Kitchen Expansion

David Edrington, Architect

809 Los Robles

LN Properties, LLC

Brown Kitchen with Linoleum Floors 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!