The white painted perimeter cabinets with glass fronts are reminiscent of what one would find “back in the day”. The large, dark stained island boasts a second sink and seating for casual dining and conversation. The island has a Caesarstone countertop, which gives the look of Carrera marble but is far more durable. The butcher block counter at the end of the island has an abundance of lighting for prep work and houses the prep sink. The contrast in heights, colors and textures of these two countertops provides a nice visual break for this long island while balancing the sleek look of the Caesarstone with the warmth and charm of natural wood.

New Canaan, Ct. Kitchen

Conbeth Development LLC

Plaza Small Kitchen Savvy

Kitchens By Kleweno

Sea Side in Portland, ME

Kim Smith Photo

www.KimSmithPhoto.com; Design by Kitchen Cove Cabinetry - Portland, ME

Capturing the View

Sogno Design Group

Photo by Michele Lee Willson

Details

Williams Drake: Custom Homes I Renovation I Design

Photo Credit : Lauren Brown www.versatileimaging.com

Clapham Painted Shaker Kitchen

Higham Furniture

Painted shaker kitchen with a Corian worktop. Cabinets painted in Farrow and Ball Shaded White. 40mm thick Glacier White Corian. Satin Nickel cup handles and knobs.

Cottage Kitchen

Divine Custom Homes

Photos by Spacecrafting

A Flair for Detail

Kitchen Encounters

Michael Gullon, Phoenix Photographic

Casa Corbino - AIA Austin Homes Tour 2013

Merzbau Design Collective

A view of the kitchen with the IKEA butcher block countertop in the foreground. 3'x9' Hanstone island in the background, with view through arched opening into the dining room/library. Windows under the upper cabinets bring soft northern light into the kitchen. Stair guardrail of steel and maple. Wall paint color: "Beach Glass," Benjamin Moore. Photo by Whit Preston.

Raleigh Hills Kitchen

Rockwood Cabinetry

Remodel by Ostmo Construction. Photos by Dale Lang of NW Architectural Photography.

Open Dining/Kitchen to LR

Key Residential

Edmondson Remodel Dining/Kitchen - After Photography: Vaughan Creative Media

Cottage on Keowee

Gabriel Builders Inc.

Bright kitchen that looks into family, dining, and outdoor living areas.

John McManus

The Eagle Harbor Cabin is located on a wooded waterfront property on Lake Superior, at the northerly edge of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, about 300 miles northeast of Minneapolis. The wooded 3-acre site features the rocky shoreline of Lake Superior, a lake that sometimes behaves like the ocean. The 2,000 SF cabin cantilevers out toward the water, with a 40-ft. long glass wall facing the spectacular beauty of the lake. The cabin is composed of two simple volumes: a large open living/dining/kitchen space with an open timber ceiling structure and a 2-story “bedroom tower,” with the kids’ bedroom on the ground floor and the parents’ bedroom stacked above. The interior spaces are wood paneled, with exposed framing in the ceiling. The cabinets use PLYBOO, a FSC-certified bamboo product, with mahogany end panels. The use of mahogany is repeated in the custom mahogany/steel curvilinear dining table and in the custom mahogany coffee table. The cabin has a simple, elemental quality that is enhanced by custom touches such as the curvilinear maple entry screen and the custom furniture pieces. The cabin utilizes native Michigan hardwoods such as maple and birch. The exterior of the cabin is clad in corrugated metal siding, offset by the tall fireplace mass of Montana ledgestone at the east end. The house has a number of sustainable or “green” building features, including 2x8 construction (40% greater insulation value); generous glass areas to provide natural lighting and ventilation; large overhangs for sun and snow protection; and metal siding for maximum durability. Sustainable interior finish materials include bamboo/plywood cabinets, linoleum floors, locally-grown maple flooring and birch paneling, and low-VOC paints.

Nashville Farmhouse

Phoebe Howard

Laurey Glenn

Reforma de cocina funcional

Tecnica Construcciones

Clean Contemporary Kitchen with Over-the-Top Function

Allen's Fine Woodworking, Inc.

This kitchen is a prime example of beautifully designed functionality. From the spacious maple butcher block island & eating bar to the roll-up pass through window for outdoor entertaining, the space can handle whatever situation the owners throw at it. The Espresso stain on these Medallion cabinets of Cherry wood really anchors the whimsy of the yellow bar stools and the ginger-tone checkerboard Marmoleum floor. Cabinets designed and installed by Allen's Fine Woodworking Cabinetry and Design, Hood River, OR. Photos by Zach Luellen Photography LLC

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!