Full design of all Architectural details and finishes with turn-key furnishings and styling throughout this custom designed Kitchen that includes the custom Hood above the stainless steel oven. Photography by Carlson Productions, LLC

Mt. Lookout

Western Custom Cabinetry

Applied molding Door and drawer cabinets, Mullion glass door, Cream with a black glaze cabinets, Black island, Beaded inset cabinets

Hoyt - Butlers pantry

User

This butler's pantry includes a second dishwasher, bar sink, pass through to the kitchen as well as a full height broom closets.

Family Compound, High Plains of Nebraska

PB Kitchen Design

Kitchen features the range on the island, copper sink and quartzite counters

Tupperlake

Charles Martin Custom Homes

Wade Blissard

Wills Company Nashville Kitchens

Wills Company

Wiff Harmer

Timeless Lake Minnetonka

Denali Custom Homes, Inc.

Denali Custom Homes

MENDHAM SHINGLE-STYLE ESTATE

Passacantando Architects AIA

Photographer: Kevin Colquhoun

Bal Harbor, FL Kosher Kitchen

Kuche+Cucina

Amir Ilin, from Kuche+Cucina collaborated on this Bal Harbor, FL. kitchen, with Susan Strauss, from Susan Strauss Designs. They selected DOCA dark stained white oak doors and Neolith porcelain counters and backsplashes.

Wildglen Dr. Kitchen and Bar Remodel

Rachael Elise Design

Modern Americana

Amy Troute Inspired Interior Design

ATIID collaborated with these homeowners to curate new furnishings throughout the home while their down-to-the studs, raise-the-roof renovation, designed by Chambers Design, was underway. Pattern and color were everything to the owners, and classic “Americana” colors with a modern twist appear in the formal dining room, great room with gorgeous new screen porch, and the primary bedroom. Custom bedding that marries not-so-traditional checks and florals invites guests into each sumptuously layered bed. Vintage and contemporary area rugs in wool and jute provide color and warmth, grounding each space. Bold wallpapers were introduced in the powder and guest bathrooms, and custom draperies layered with natural fiber roman shades ala Cindy’s Window Fashions inspire the palettes and draw the eye out to the natural beauty beyond. Luxury abounds in each bathroom with gleaming chrome fixtures and classic finishes. A magnetic shade of blue paint envelops the gourmet kitchen and a buttery yellow creates a happy basement laundry room. No detail was overlooked in this stately home - down to the mudroom’s delightful dutch door and hard-wearing brick floor. Photography by Meagan Larsen Photography

Casual Modern | Portland Kitchen Remodel

Mountainwood Homes

A mix of Knotty Alder lower cabinets and painted Wider White (SW 7014) upper cabinets give this Portland kitchen remodel an updated look.

Marble Island Countertop

Fratantoni Luxury Estates Design/Build/Remodeling

Kitchen farm sinks, double kitchen islands, pendant lighting, and wood flooring.

Elegant Kitchen

J Woods Interiors

Mizels Residence

Rossi Interiors, Inc.

This kitchen was reconfigured and enlarged by omitting an existing hall way and adding it to the square footage.

Villanova Restored Barn

Main Line Kitchen Design

Restored Barn. White Shaker kitchen with rustic reclaimed wood Island. Large casement windows and professional appliances. Hood in front of windows. Lofted ceilings. Speed oven. Very large porcelain tiles. extra large pendant lights.

Villanova Restored Barn

Main Line Kitchen Design

Contemporary Kitchen

Traditional Bilotta Collection in Rye

Bilotta Kitchen & Home

This expansive traditional kitchen by senior designer, Randy O'Kane and Architect, Clark Neuringer, features Bilotta Collection cabinet in a custom color. Randy says, the best part about working with this client was that she loves design – and not just interior but she also loves holiday decorating and she has a beautiful sense of aesthetic (and does everything to the nines). For her kitchen she wanted a barn-like feel and it absolutely had to be functional because she both bakes and cooks for her family and neighbors every day. And as the mother of four teenage girls she has a lot of people coming in and out of her home all the time. She wanted her kitchen to be comfortable – not untouchable and not too “done”. When she first met with Bilotta senior designer Randy O’Kane, her #1 comment was: “I’m experiencing white kitchen fatigue”. So right from the start finding the perfect color was the prime focus. The challenge was infusing a center hall colonial with a sense of warmth, comfort and that barn aesthetic without being too rustic which is why they went with a straight greenish grey paint vs. something distressed. The flooring, by Artisan Wood floors, looks reclaimed with its wider long planks and fumed finish. The barn door separating the laundry room and the kitchen was made from hand selected barn wood, made custom according to the client’s detailed specifications, and hung with sliding hardware. The kitchen hardware was really a window sash pull from Rocky Mountain that was repurposed as handles in a living bronze finish mounted horizontally. Glazed brick tile, by Ann Sacks, really helped to embrace the overall concept. Since a lot of parties are hosted out of that space, the kitchen, and butler’s pantry off to the side, needed a good flow as well as areas to bake and stage the creations. Double ovens were a must as well as a 48” Wolf Range and a Rangecraft hood – four ovens are going all the time. Beverage drawers were added to allow others to flow through the kitchen without disturbing the cook. Lots of storage was added for a well-stocked kitchen. A unique detail is double door wall cabinets, some with wire mesh to allow to see their dishes for easy access. In the butler’s pantry, instead of mesh they opted for antique mirror glass fronts. Countertops are a natural quartzite for care free use and a solid wood table, by Brooks Custom, extends of the island, removable for flexibility, making the kitchen and dining area very functional. One of the client’s antique pieces (a hutch) was incorporated into the kitchen to give it a more authentic look as well as another surface to decorate and provide storage. The lighting over the island and breakfast table has exposed Edison bulbs which hearkens to that “barn” lighting. For the sinks, they used a fireclay Herbeau farmhouse on the perimeter and an undermount Rohl sink on the island. Faucets are by Waterworks. Standing back and taking it all in it’s a wonderful collaboration of carefully designed working space and a warm gathering space for family and guests. Bilotta Designer: Randy O’Kane, Architect: Clark Neuringer Architects, posthumously. Photo Credit: Peter Krupenye

Lake Austin Kitchen with White Cabinets, Black Island

Paper Moon Painting

Lake Austin kitchen with cabinets in Sherwin Williams "Greek Villa" and "Iron Ore", walls in "Neutral Ground".

Expansive U-shaped Kitchen 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!