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.

1937 Spanish Bungalow kitchen remodel

MDB Design Group

I developed a floor plan that would remove the wall between the kitchen and laundry to create one large room. The door to the bathroom would be closed up. It was accessible from the bedroom on the other side. The room became 14’-10” by 11’-6”, large enough to include a small center island. Then I wrapped the perimeter walls with new white shaker style cabinets. We kept the sink under the window but made it a focal point with a white farm sink and new faucet. The range stayed in the same location below an original octagon window. The opposite wall is designed for function with full height storage on the left and a new side-by-side refrigerator with storage above. The new stacking washer and dryer complete the width of this new wall. Mary Broerman, CCIDC

Food Storage

Tenhulzen Residential

Small island includes eating bar above prep area to accommodate family of 4. A microwave hood vent is the result of storage taking precidence.

The Wyile Residence, Eagle Rock, CA

Fidelity General Contractors Inc.

AFTER

Funky Functional | Portland Kitchen Remodel

Mountainwood Homes

Custom spice drawers next to the induction cooktop keep the spices in a convenient spot for cooking.

Enchanting on Eagle Street

Jarrett Design

East Austin Colorful Kitchen

Paper Moon Painting

Such a fun, colorful kitchen for an adorable family! Very representative of East Austin's style. We painted the IKEA cabinets in Benjamin Moore "Backwoods", a rich deep green. If you check out the "Before" photos, you'll see how the homeowner also removed the dated backsplash tile and the upper cabinets. We also love what she did to the kitchen island!

San Luis Kitchen Co., Modern Country

San Luis Kitchen Co.

Knotty Cherry cabinets with a natural cherry finish are featured in this modern country kitchen. The homeowners combined three small rooms to create this large kitchen/dining & great room. Niches are tucked into the wall to use space that was wasted under the stairs.

South Berkeley Aging in Place

Yumi Interiors

5 Storey Period House Renovation - East London

Lomax & Chi

Large airy open plan kitchen, flooded with natural light opening onto the garden. Hand made timber units, with feature copper lights, antique timber floor and window seat.

Bright & Open Vintage Kitchen

G. Christianson Construction, Inc.

This 1930's small kitchen was in need of expansion. It was closed off to the rest of the house and didn't fit with the modern appliances. Removing a wall and extending the kitchen into the next room created an inviting space open to the dining and family room. Replacing the white painted cabinets with natural white oak custom cabinets gave it a contemporary look with classic touches of marble patterned quartz and handmade subway tile backsplash. The open shelving keeps everyday dishes within easy reach and a place to display artwork.

Woodinville Kitchen with Charisma

Nip Tuck Remodeling

Widened the doorway to the dining room, reconfigured the layout with all new cabinetry. Integrated column refrigeration. Custom walnut top.

Cortez Hill Condo

Springfield Design

These clients had family antiques that were very precious to them and at the same time loved very contemporary design. We created a balance of the two by including elements from both aesthetics and using bright white to freshen the overall look.

Navy Boho-Glam Kitchen

Von Tobel

When Von Tobel Michigan City designer Savanah Ruoff’s clients needed help with new kitchen cabinets, she definitely answered the call! This award-worthy kitchen features Kemper Choice cabinets in Justin with a Maritime finish, quartz countertops & backsplash, and an undermount sink. A brass faucet, globe lights, a boho rug, and stainless steel appliances finish the space. Inspired by this look? Schedule your free consultation with one of our design experts today!

Modern Boho Kitchen

Dendra Doors

Eclectic Style kitchen with a Modern twist. Done using our Shaker style doors in a custom Sherwin Williams paint color.

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.

Mother's Suite

Rick & Cindy Black Architects

custom reclaimed pine shelves on hidden steel brackets Fireclay Tile - color 'Jade' Silestone Blanco City countertops Schoolhouse Electric Alabax pendants IKEA cabinets Leonid Furmansky Photography

Howard Kitchen Renovation

Komita Design LLC

Rebecca McAlpin Photography Alliance Custom Cabinetry

Funky Family Kitchen

Lagois Design Build Renovate

This family of four wanted to open up their compartmentalized floor plan to create a kitchen that would become the center of their entertaining areas. Aesthetically they wanted to incorporate some fun elements into the design with pops of color and unique lighting and flooring selections. Although they wanted to encourage flow between their kitchen, family and dining rooms, they wanted to maintain the formality of the dining room. A structural wall between the kitchen and living areas required some creative thinking. We were able to eliminate the wall by aligning the structural posts with the posts in the basement. To open up the kitchen space and provide outdoor access, the main staircase was moved to a more central location. Hydronic in-floor heating and a ductless air-conditioning unit provide energy efficient temperature control. The new layout of the kitchen allows the cook to socialize and interact with family and guests in the family and dining rooms. A desk area was created to separate the dining area, but does not block traffic flow or sight lines. The large island offers plenty of prep space and seats four comfortably. A new eight-foot patio door integrates the outdoor space and doesn’t interfere with the functionality of the kitchen. The red tile backsplash adds a punch of color that pairs perfectly with the gray cabinets and white quartz countertop. The honeycomb tile pattern is fun and adds unexpected personality to the whole space.

Sunnyvale dream home

Tal Goldstein

Arnona Oren

Eclectic Kitchen with Quartz 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 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!