Transferred this space from dated crème colors and not enough storage to modern high-tech with designated storage for every item in the kitchen

Wilmington Court - Coffee Bar Open

Paul N. Brow, Architect, LLC

Coffee bar cabinet with retractable doors in open position. Internal lighting & wall-mounted pot filler. Countertop within cabinet detailed to include concealed drain. Microwave built-in below countertop without the use of a trim kit. View through kitchen pass-through to living room beyond. Leathered-quartzite countertops and distressed wood beams.

Casual Family Living in San Antonio Texas

BRADSHAW DESIGNS LLC

Casual comfortable family kitchen is the heart of this home! Organization is the name of the game in this fast paced yet loving family! Between school, sports, and work everyone needs to hustle, but this hard working kitchen makes it all a breeze! Photography: Stephen Karlisch

Warren

Wilkes Architects - Princeton Design Guild

Catherine "Cie" Stroud Photography

Kitchen and Open Pantry Remodel

Signature Designs Kitchen | Bath | Interiors

Kitchens are magical and this chef wanted a kitchen full of the finest appliances and storage accessories available to make this busy household function better. We were working with the curved wood windows but we opened up the wall between the kitchen and family room, which allowed for a expansive countertop for the family to interact with the accomplished home chef. The flooring was not changed we simply worked with the floor plan and improved the layout.

Wedgewood

MMI Design

Small Pantry space organized

User

built in door storage in pantry

Edgerton 1910 / Point Breeze

Shelton Design//Build

Built and designed by Shelton Design Build Photo by: MissLPhotography

Modern Kitchen

Jordan Iverson Signature Homes

Old world elegance meets today's today's contemporary space requirements

Marlene Wangenheim AKBD, CAPS, Allied Member ASID

Mid Century Modern Kitchen that's Connected to Nature

Normandy Remodeling

This mid-century modern home celebrates the beauty of nature, and this newly restored kitchen embraces the home's roots with materials to match. Walnut cabinets with a slab front in a natural finish complement the rest of the home's paneling beautifully. A thick quartzite countertop on the island, and the same stone for the perimeter countertops and backsplash feature an elegant veining. The natural light and large windows above the sink further connect this kitchen to the outdoors, making it a true celebration of nature.\

Oh Hey O'Hill

Morrison Interiors

Winan's Lake, Brighton, MI Transitional Style Kitchen

KSI Kitchen & Bath

Storage solutions and organization were a must for this homeowner. Space for tupperware, pots and pans, all organized and easy to access. Dura Supreme Hudson in cashew was chosen to complement the bamboo flooring. KSI Designer Lloyd Endsley. Photography by Steve McCall

Serenity

Sun West Custom Homes LLC

Large center island in kitchen with seating facing the cooking and prep area.

Custom Homes

Castle Rock Custom Homes

MODERN BELGIAN FARMHOUSE, CONNECTICUT

Brooks and Falotico Associates, Inc.

Jane Beiles

Ka'ulu Estates at Hualalai Resort

Carrie Nicholson, RB, BIC, HL1 Director

Another view of the kitchen from the home's foyer.

FabCab

Location: Port Townsend, Washington. Photography by Dale Lang

White and Warm

Design First Interiors

This formerly small and cramped kitchen switched roles with the extra large eating area resulting in a dramatic transformation that takes advantage of the nice view of the backyard. The small kitchen window was changed to a new patio door to the terrace and the rest of the space was “sculpted” to suit the new layout. A Classic U-shaped kitchen layout with the sink facing the window was the best of many possible combinations. The primary components were treated as “elements” which combine for a very elegant but warm design. The fridge column, custom hood and the expansive backsplash tile in a fabric pattern, combine for an impressive focal point. The stainless oven tower is flanked by open shelves and surrounded by a pantry “bridge”; the eating bar and drywall enclosure in the breakfast room repeat this “bridge” shape. The walnut island cabinets combine with a walnut butchers block and are mounted on a pedestal for a lighter, less voluminous feeling. The TV niche & corkboard are a unique blend of old and new technologies for staying in touch, from push pins to I-pad. The light walnut limestone floor complements the cabinet and countertop colors and the two ceiling designs tie the whole space together.

Transitional white kitchen

Signature Kitchens, Inc.

Custom inset cabinetry: white cabinets with maple stained island; custom wood hood, farm sink, silver travertine floors, recessed panel cabinet doors. Peter Chollick Photography

Kitchen with Bamboo Floors and Travertine Floors 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!