My Houzz: Colorful Hand Painting Bedecks a Creative Home

by Lindsay von Hagel

1940's Bungalow Kitchen & Laundry Room Remodel - Altadena, CA

We developed a new, more functional floor plan by removing the wall between the kitchen and laundry room. All walls in the new kitchen space were taken down to their studs. New plumbing, electrical, and lighting were installed and a new gas line was relocated. The exterior laundry room door was changed to a window. All new energy saving windows were installed. A new tankless, energy efficient water heater replaced the old one, which was installed, more appropriately on an exterior wall. We installed the new sink and faucet under the windows but moved the range to the west end wall. In working with the existing exterior and interior door locations, we placed the microwave/oven combination on the wall between these doors. At the dining room doorway, the new 42” refrigerator begins the run of tall storage with a pantry. As you turn the corner, the new washer and dryer are now situated under new upper cabinets. Seating is provided at the end of the granite counter in front of the window to maximize and create an efficient work space. The finishes were chosen to add color and keep the design in the same time period as the house. Custom colored ceramic tiles at the range wall reflect the homeowner’s love of flowers: these are complimented with the tile back splash that continues along the length of peacock green granite. The cork floor was chosen to blend with the adjacent oak floors and provide a comfortable surface throughout the year. The white shaker style cabinets provide a neutral background to compliment the new finishes and the owner’s decorative pieces which show nicely behind the seed-glass cabinet doors. Task lighting was installed under the cabinets and recessed LED lights were placed for function in the ceiling. The owner’s antique lights were installed over the sink area to reflect her interest in antiques. An outdated, small and difficult kitchen and laundry room were made into a beautiful and functional space that will provide many years of service and enjoyment to this family in their home.

Atlanta BLUE kitchen

Rosa Moreno Kitchens

Ranch House Kitchen & Living Renovation

SpiritOceans

Opened galley style kitchen to family room. Custom and purchased cabinet combo.

Candy Land House

Alison Kandler Interior Design

The White House

Jennifer Ryan Design

This tiny kitchen got the makeover of a lifetime. From dated 70's red and brown to light and bright black and white (plus some turquoise thrown in). We took this kitchen down to the studs so that we could start fresh. Included in the remodel was enclosing the equally tiny back porch which gives better access into the kitchen from the back deck.

Glenwood Green modern kitchen

Rosa Moreno Kitchens

Amy Lynn Interiors Boston

Amy Lynn - Interiors

St Judes Dr

Spruill Custom Homes, LLC

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.

Leather District Loft

DANE AUSTIN INTERIOR DESIGN Boston & Cambridge

This design scheme blends femininity, sophistication, and the bling of Art Deco with earthy, natural accents. An amoeba-shaped rug breaks the linearity in the living room that’s furnished with a lady bug-red sleeper sofa with gold piping and another curvy sofa. These are juxtaposed with chairs that have a modern Danish flavor, and the side tables add an earthy touch. The dining area can be used as a work station as well and features an elliptical-shaped table with gold velvet upholstered chairs and bubble chandeliers. A velvet, aubergine headboard graces the bed in the master bedroom that’s painted in a subtle shade of silver. Abstract murals and vibrant photography complete the look. Photography by: Sean Litchfield --- Project designed by Boston interior design studio Dane Austin Design. They serve Boston, Cambridge, Hingham, Cohasset, Newton, Weston, Lexington, Concord, Dover, Andover, Gloucester, as well as surrounding areas. For more about Dane Austin Design, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/leather-district-loft

Wynnewood Garden Kitchen

Airy Kitchens

Arlington Bungalow

Alison Giese Interiors

The small kitchen in this bungalow home was updated with fresh paint on existing cabinets, new quartz countertops, backsplash, hardware and lighting.

COLLECTED KITCHEN

HARRISON FAE DESIGN

Directors Room

Petra Postmus Interiors

North Shore Glam

Anthony Michael Interior Design, Ltd.

Aimee Mazzenga Photography

Evendon Road

Absolute Architecture

Savannah

Lisa Mende Design

Kelli Boyd Photography

Stay Awhile - AirBnB Basement

The Remodel Group

The small but functional Kitchen takes up one wall in the main area of the Airbnb. By using light materials, the space appears larger and more open.

South Berkeley Open Eclectic Kitchen

Levitch Associates, Incorporated

Treve Johnson

Eclectic Kitchen with Shaker 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!