Doors and drawer-heads stained Dark Lager contrast with black face-frames for a dramatic look. The gray quartz counter is extended full height at the back splash. A bank of floor to ceiling cabinets separates the dining area from the kitchen, confining the space in both rooms. Note the massive blank end of the cabinets – in desperation to reduce the scale of this monolith, the homeowners decorated it with a clock and small nick-knacks, but it didn’t help. This is not a welcoming entrance to the kitchen. On the dining side, there is a hutch (with mirrored back), which ostensibly could serve as a buffet, however it is inconvenient to the prep area of the kitchen as it is tucked behind the tall pantry cabinets. And on the opposite wall is a separate wet bar which could serve more conveniently with a more unified kitchen and dining space. You would think that the large pantry cabinets would be a plus in a kitchen, however their placement and the deep fixed shelves belie any positive contribution. The looming wall of cabinetry confines the space and is a claustrophobe’s nightmare. Then note the clutter and chaos of storing small food items (normally most of your daily supplies don’t come in giant bulk quantities and sizes) on deep fixed shelves. Nothing really fits and canned goods become lost behind cereal boxes while baking supplies are piled on top of the snacks! The decision to remodel – the lady of the house wanted her kitchen to reflect the couples’ modern lifestyle. They are passionate people who love to entertain their friends and family – they need an open and accessible space that is both dramatic in bearing and easy to use on a daily basis. San Luis Kitchen began design by helping the homeowners choose a style and color scheme for their kitchen. The decision was made – a slab style cabinet door in a “Dark Lager” stain on maple wood. Because the homeowners did not want handles on their cabinets, we used a face frame cabinet construction to allow for “finger-pull” opening of the doors and drawers. The face frame is colored black as a contrast to the doors for a bold finish. Dark gray engineered-quartz counters and full height backsplash complete the picture. Kitchen layout and design is next. The sink remains at the corner window with the dishwasher moved to the left wall – giving space for a 36” range-top and dramatic 42” rectilinear hood. The refrigerator remains in place but is replaced with a black model. The cabinet above it is now 24” deep for a custom look and a built-in microwave/oven combo are placed to the right. Simple-line contemporary trim and uniform black and stainless modern appliances reinforce the linear aesthetic created by the doorstyle and face frame detailing. In place of the pantry, San Luis Kitchen designed a true buffet – accessible from both kitchen and dining sides. The storage needs are met by upper cabinets, base corner swing-out shelves and drawers, and a tall (adjustable) roll-out shelf unit on the dining side. We added an end wall (with niches) and extended the cabinetry and counter beyond as a welcome to the kitchen. In the dining room glass doors for display items grace the buffet. The wet bar is now visually and functionally joined to the kitchen – matching cabinetry and the more open overall plan tie everything together as a whole. Now in their new kitchen, the homeowners can prepare, serve, and enjoy a meal with their guests. The mosaic glass backsplash used at the bar adds pizzazz for fun gatherings and an evening’s entertainment.

6. New kitchen & island

ARCHEA Ltd

Dark Painted Built In Subzero and Pantry Ground the Kitchen Design

Urbana Design Studio

These dark cabinets ground the entire kitchen-dining room design adding a unique focal point that reflects a little an elegant yet edgy style.

Hand painted classical refrigeration & display unit

The Design Yard

Integrated fridge and freezer with curved glass display units

Kensington Town House

Luke Cartledge Photography

Comfy Bungalow

Angela Dechard Design

The existing kitchen was opened up to the dining room, bridged by the addition of a peninsula cabinet and counter. Custom center island with chopping block top. Custom sofa (not in frame) on the left balances out the room and allows for comfortable seating in the kitchen. Photo by Misha Gravenor

Modern Kitchen

Lankford Design Group

Mr & Mrs Davis

Diane Berry Kitchens

This amazing old house was in need of something really special and by mixing a couple of antiques with modern dark Eggersmann units we have a real stand out kitchen that looks like no other we have ever done. What a joy to work with such a visionary client and on such a beautiful home.

Small studio apartment renovation

Liadesign

Lakefront Cottage Renovation

MGLM Architects

Kitchen view to Breakfast area and sunroom. Green granite counters complement the new kitchen cabinetry. Tops of the cabinets provide a great opportunity for uplighting the ceiling beams. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Photography by Bill Meyer

My Houzz: Dutch Family’s Home Opens Up to River Views

Margot Hartford Photography

Kitchens

Adam Gibson Design

This dark maple kitchen in Carmel, IN replaced an '80s eyesore. Design & Photography: Adam Gibson

Tudor Kitchen Renovation

erin williamson

Erin Williamson Design

New Orleans Historic Condo

Sanctuaries Interior Design

Living room of historic building in New Orleans. Beautiful view overlooking the Warehouse District.

Hill Top, Denver whole house remodel

Natural Construction

Bumped out the back of the house to add a breakfast nook and pantry area. Table and built-in benches custom built in our shop

Parkway Kitchen

Fiddlehead Design Group, LLC

Susan Gilmore

Ashland Midsummers Night

Suzanne Childress Design

Eclectic Kitchen & First Floor Remodel

Criner Remodeling

Eclectic Kitchen - Alameda, CA

Saikley Architects

The clients wanted a very colorful, playful kitchen with materials they love in a mix of styles in this Colonial Revival home. We used Mexican tiles as they had used elsewhere in the house; a replica tin ceiling; green stained wood floor; dark stained custom wood cabinets; and window and door casing milled to match the original casing at the house. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/eclectic-kitchen/

Eclectic Kitchen with Dark 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 Eclectic 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!