Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW The homeowners came to us looking to update the kitchen in their historic 1897 home. The home had gone through an extensive renovation several years earlier that added a master bedroom suite and updates to the front façade. The kitchen however was not part of that update and a prior 1990’s update had left much to be desired. The client is an avid cook, and it was just not very functional for the family. The original kitchen was very choppy and included a large eat in area that took up more than its fair share of the space. On the wish list was a place where the family could comfortably congregate, that was easy and to cook in, that feels lived in and in check with the rest of the home’s décor. They also wanted a space that was not cluttered and dark – a happy, light and airy room. A small powder room off the space also needed some attention so we set out to include that in the remodel as well. See that arch in the neighboring dining room? The homeowner really wanted to make the opening to the dining room an arch to match, so we incorporated that into the design. Another unfortunate eyesore was the state of the ceiling and soffits. Turns out it was just a series of shortcuts from the prior renovation, and we were surprised and delighted that we were easily able to flatten out almost the entire ceiling with a couple of little reworks. Other changes we made were to add new windows that were appropriate to the new design, which included moving the sink window over slightly to give the work zone more breathing room. We also adjusted the height of the windows in what was previously the eat-in area that were too low for a countertop to work. We tried to keep an old island in the plan since it was a well-loved vintage find, but the tradeoff for the function of the new island was not worth it in the end. We hope the old found a new home, perhaps as a potting table. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Walnut Utensil Pull-Out

Denise Quade Design

On the left of the cooking modules, a utensil pullout was incorporated to help keep utensils organized and easy to put away. The pullout was custom made and features the walnut drawer boxes that were used throughout the space. The kitchen features both off white cabinets and dark stained maple cabinets. The cooktop area bumps out and has a toe detail applied to make it stand out.

Scandi-MODERN

Barbara Purdy - Purdy & Associates Design

ЖК Коммунарка

Anastasia Kovalchuk

Ковальчук Анастасия

Maple Kitchen with Inset Doors

Dynamic Woodworking

Glencoe Transitional Kitchen Remodel

Kitchens & Baths Unlimited

Cushing Residence

Maple Street Design Studio

David Clough Photography

Telegraph Hill Remodel

Michael Tauber Architecture

Photo: J.D. Peterson

Scandinavian Farmhouse

Velin Homes

Designed by Pico Studios, this home in the St. Andrews neighbourhood of Calgary is a wonderful example of a modern Scandinavian farmhouse.

Quad Cities Kitchen Remodel with Great Storage and Maple Cabinets

Village Home Stores

A Rock Island, Illinois kitchen remodeled from start to finish by the Village Home Stores team. We removed walls, widened doorways, and eliminated soffits to make room for this spacious new design packed with style and a LOT of creative storage. Design, materials, and complete start to finish remodel by Village Home Stores. Planning to remodel your home in the Quad Cities area soon? Contact us to learn about our process! Featured: Koch cabinetry in the Savannah door and Maple “Pecan” stain, Cambria quartz counters in the Armitage design, Serenbe Nova Floors glue-down Cottage Pine Char LVP, and a Stainless Steel appliance package by KitchenAid.

Historic Farmhouse Addition & Renovation

12/12 Architects & Planners

Frank Lloyd Wright Inspired

GEGG DESIGN & CABINETRY

Keith Gegg

Tiny Comfort - On A Grand Scale

Timeline Design + Build

Finger Photography

Mid Century Modern

Wiez Design & Construction

Mid century modern kitchen with white oak flooring and white oak cabinets.

Brandis Kitchen

Turan Designs, Inc.

Brandis Farm House Kitchen

The Charles House

Z+ Interiors

Fairfield Place

Thomas and Birch - Kitchens and Living

Perfect combination of white and wood in this transitional masterpiece. Stunning backsplash makes this space unique and special. Project: Mac Renovations Photos: Dasha Armstrong Designer: Ashley Bishop Cabinetry: Thomas and Birch / Cabico

Frank Lloyd Wright Inspired

GEGG DESIGN & CABINETRY

Keith Gegg

Long and lean kitchen

CP Interiors Ltd

This kitchen had and still has a very narrow footprint. We enclosed client's washer/dryer behind new cabinetry and refaced existing 80's maple cabinets in rich mid tone wood with new granite and backsplah all in warm tones with lots of drama. This kitchen may be tight but it's totally functional and well stocked

Whole House Renovation 'Traditional Kitchen'

Marc Ekhause Home Builder and Custom Renovations

Whole house renovation: view of kitchen make over Photo: Marc Ekhause

Kitchen with Porcelain Splashback 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!