The client requested a kitchen that would not only provide a great space to cook and enjoy family meals but one that would fit in with her unique design sense. An avid collector of contemporary art, she wanted something unexpected in her 100-year-old home in both color and finishes but still providing a great layout with improved lighting, storage, and superior cooking abilities. The existing kitchen was in a closed off space trapped between the family room and the living. If you were in the kitchen, you were isolated from the rest of the house. Making the kitchen an integrated part of the home was a paramount request. Step one, remove the wall separating the kitchen from the other rooms in the home which allowed the new kitchen to become an integrated space instead of an isolation room for the cook. Next, we relocated the pantry access which was in the family room to the kitchen integrating a poorly used recess which had become a catch all area which did not provide any usable space for storage or working area. To add valuable function in the kitchen we began by capturing unused "cubbies", adding a walk-in pantry from the kitchen, increasing the storage lost to un-needed drop ceilings and bring light and design to the space with a new large awning window, improved lighting, and combining interesting finishes and colors to reflect the artistic attitude of the client. A bathroom located above the kitchen had been leaking into the plaster ceiling for several years. That along with knob and tube wiring, rotted beams and a brick wall from the back of the fireplace in the adjacent living room all needed to be brought to code. The walls, ceiling and floors in this 100+ year old home were completely out of level and the room’s foot print could not be increased. The choice of a Sub-Zero wolf product is a standard in my kitchen designs. The quality of the product, its manufacturing and commitment to food preservation is the reason I specify Sub Zero Wolf. For the cook top, the integrated line of the contemporary cooktop and the signature red knobs against the navy blue of the cabinets added to the design vibe of the kitchen. The cooking performance and the large continuous grate on the cooktop makes it an obvious choice for a cook looking for a great cook top with professional results in a more streamlined profile. We selected a Sharp microwave drawer for the island, an XO wine refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher and Kitchen Aid double convection wall ovens to round out the appliance package. A recess created by the fireplace was outfitted with a cabinet which now holds small appliances within easy reach of my very petite client. Natural maple accents were used inside all the wall cabinets and repeated on the front of the hood and for the sliding door appliance cabinet and the floating shelves. This allows a brighter interior for the painted cabinets instead of the traditional same interior as exterior finish choice. The was an amazing transformation from the old to the new. The final touches are the honey bronze hardware from Top Knobs, Mitzi pendants from Hudson Valley Lighting group, a fabulous faucet from Brizo. To eliminate the old freestanding bottled water cooler, we specified a matching water filter faucet.

Modern Farm Style

Mike Blake Custom Homes

This masterfully designed kitchen is fit for entertaining every type of gathering from dinner parties to cocktail receptions. Plenty of natural light abound in the open-concept floor plan, seamlessly connecting the family room, morning room and kitchen. Tucked away behind the traditional kitchen, lies a professional catering kitchen and butler’s pantry fully loaded with a secondary set of stainless-steel appliances, wine refrigerator, separate ice maker, broom closet and a custom rolling ladder to access the abundance of storage. Shaker style cabinetry, swinging cafe doors to the caterer’s kitchen and intricate detail on the wooden vent hood set a tone for being on trend without being trendy. A chef’s dream, this kitchen has all the bells and whistles—like an oversized island, expansive side-by-side freezer and refrigerator, dual dishwashers to beverage center, slide out dog bowls, pop out steps to access upper cabinets, filtered water station, LED lighting and hidden outlets in the upper cabinets. This home has left nothing to be desired.

Kitchens

Twisted River Woodworks LLC

Natural Birch Craftsman style kitchen cabinets.

Timeless Transitional Kitchen - Yorba Linda

Le Gourmet Kitchen Ltd.

This transitional kitchen design in Yorba Linda has a timeless quality that proves great design never goes out of style. The warm, light wood finish Woodmode and Brookhaven custom maple cabinetry with stainless steel appliances and sleek accessories creates the ideal combination of traditional and modern features. The L-shaped kitchen includes raised panel perimeter and island cabinetry, packed with plenty of storage, including a customized cat and dog bowl station that tucks away when not in use. A Cheng concrete countertop and custom backsplash design add color and texture, along with the Le Gourmet custom plaster hood and a black Franke farmhouse sink with a Grohe faucet. The stainless appliances include a Wolf double oven and range and a Sub-Zero glass front refrigerator. Photos by Greg Seltzer

Hyde Park -- 8426

J.Madden Homes L.L.C.

Marlboro Ridge Estates Staging

Adorn Interiors LLC

Sunroom, kitchen and eat-in dining area staging project for property sale. Previously designed, painted, and decorated this beautiful home.

Balmer Circle Kitchen Project

Neil Kelly Company

This home was worn out from family life and lacked the natural lighting the homeowners had desired for years. Removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room let the light pour in, and transformed the kitchen into an entertaining delight with seating/dining spaces at both ends. The breeze colored island stone backsplash tile (Pental Surfaces) is low maintenance and long-wearing, and pairs perfectly against the stained cherry contemporary cabinetry (Decor Cabinets). Quartz countertops were installed on the surround (Caesarstone) and island (a charcoal color with a suede finish was selected for the island to cut down on glare - Siletsone by Cosentino). Chilewich woven fabric applied to the back of the island adds durability and interest to a high-traffic area. The elevated, locally sourced Madrone bar (Sustainable NW Woods) at the end of the island—under a stunning "ribbon" pendant (Elan Lighting)—is a perfect spot to sip Sauvignon.

Boulder Kitchen Remodel

D2D Studio, Inc.

Boulder kitchen remodel for a family with differing tastes. He prefers craftsman, she prefers contemporary and mid century. They both love the result!

Stunning Kitchen Remodel and Decor in McLean Virginia

Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes

Transitional Full Home Remodel

Mariano & Co., LLC

This was an extensive full home remodel completed in Tempe, AZ. The Kitchen used to be towards the front of the house. After some plumbing and electrical moves, we moved the kitchen to the back of the home to create an open concept living space with more usable space! Both bathrooms were entirely remodeled, and we created a zero threshold walk in shower in the master bathroom. Everything in this home is brand new, including windows flooring, cabinets, counter tops, all of the beautiful fixtures and more!

Bloomfield Hills Kitchen Renovation

MainStreet Design Build

This beautiful transitional kitchen was transformed from a traditional 1980's style kitchen with bulkhead soffits and stock cabinetry. We opened up the kitchen by removing all the soffits and wall between the kitchen and family room. KateBenjamin Photography

Dramatic Kitchen Gut Renovation

TDV Design

Osborne Island Residence

CW Interiors

ER Westchester, IL

Sagent Builders

The client was looking for a kitchen layout that would make better use of the space, so we went to work creating the new look.

The client was looking for a kitchen layout that would make better use of the space, so we went to work creating the new look.

Avenida De Sueno Kitchen

Teknik Design & Remodeling

Contemporary at the Ritz

Bilotta Kitchen & Home

This expansive contemporary penthouse kitchen, with stunning views overlooking White Plains, and the Hudson Valley was designed by Barbara Bell and Bilotta senior designer, Jeff Eakley. The cabinetry is Artcraft in a mix of high-gloss Dannogri laminate, Anthracite high-gloss lacquer, and a custom Gray matte paint. The island, great for entertaining, features a waterfall quartzite countertop with Caesarstone on the perimeter. The backsplash is a metallic glass tile. The Anthracite high gloss lacquer cabinetry hides a paneled 36” Subzero refrigerator and 36” paneled freezer while showcasing a SubZero wine refrigerator and a stainless-steel Bosch wall oven and microwave. A stainless-steel Faber hood sits above a Wolf cooktop. Hidden in the island is an extra Subzero refrigerator drawer for easy to reach drinks. Dishwasher is Miele. Designer: Barbara Bell with Bilotta Designer Jeff Eakley Photo Credit: Phillip Ennis

Transitional Full Home Remodel

Mariano & Co., LLC

Pleasant Point Lot 4

LuxeMark Company

Tad Davis

Kitchen with Glass Tile Splashback and Multi-Coloured Benchtop 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!