Phase 2 of our Modern Cottage project was the complete renovation of a small, impractical kitchen and dining nook. The client asked for a fresh, bright kitchen with natural light, a pop of color, and clean modern lines. The resulting kitchen features all of the above and incorporates fun details such as a scallop tile backsplash behind the range and artisan touches such as a custom walnut island and floating shelves; a custom metal range hood and hand-made lighting. This kitchen is all that the client asked for and more!

Minnehaha Modest-Sized Kitchen

TreHus Architects+Interior Designers+Builders

The clients were involved in the neighborhood organization dedicated to keeping the housing instead of tearing down. They wanted to utilize every inch of storage which resulted in floor-to-ceiling cabinetry. Cabinetry and counter space work together to create a balance between function and style.

A Kitchen Renovation by Donna DuFresne Interior Design

Bertazzoni

A 30" matte black Master Series Range pairs with matte black tiling, forest green cabinetry, and marble countertops in a newly renovated contemporary kitchen. Originally built in 1903 in Portland, Oregon, this kitchen displays a dramatic and timeless aesthetic at the heart of the home. (Design: Donna DuFresne Interior Design / Photography: Chris Dibble)

Polished Traditional

PB Kitchen Design

The light filled space has large windows and four doors, but works well in the strategically configured floor plan. Generous wall trim, exquisite light fixtures and modern stools create a warm ambiance. In the words of the homeowner, “it is beyond our dreams”.

Rustic Kitchen

North Curl Curl Renovation

LJW Design

A Hamptons inspired design for Sydney's northern beaches.

Mukilteo Gem

Interiors by Popov

John Granen.

Charming House on the Hill

Kimberlee Kristine

RL Miller Photography

My Houzz: The Arizona House Made of Mud

Margot Hartford Photography

HGTV - Midcentury Flip

Black Door Renovation

This home was flipped for our show, Lone Star Flip on HGTV! We chose a midcentury modern aesthetic because the home was built in 1950. Enjoy the transformation!

New Jersey Modern Farmhouse

Dan Ruhland Designs LLC

Main Sink in Modern Farmhouse Kitchen. Waterstone faucet & Instant Hot, Black Limestone floor, quartersawn oak island.

Painted White and Rift Oak Kitchen With Hexagon Tiles (Geneseo, IL)

Village Home Stores

Koch Cabinetry in a combination of Bristol “White” and Charleston Rift Oak “Silverwood” doors. KitchenAid appliances and Cambria Quartz in “St. Giles” and “Harrogate” designs. Crayon and hexagon shaped tiles cover the wall and floor surfaces. Installed in Geneseo, IL by the Kitchen and Bath design experts at Village Home Stores.

Loft Kitchen

Mammoth Projects

The cabinets are a grey painted wood with custom routed pulls that triangulate to taper. The countertops in the space are a juxtaposition of concrete-effect dekton along with a 4” thick live-edge walnut slab.

S + S Home

Taylor + Taylor

Custom Kitchen Remodel

Goraya Construction Corp

Aerie Point

Birdseye Building

Jim Westphalen Photography

Let there be light!

Tucker Distinctive Kitchens

Beverly Drive

Bella Casa Luxury Home Staging

The right amount of accessories keeps this kitchen open and ready to host.

2015 Kitchen of the Year

Natural Stone Institute

This residential kitchen project was performed in conjunction with Legacy Custom Homes/RSD, Frank Ponterio Interiors, and NuHaus/Exclusive Woodworking. The goal of this project was to fabricate and install marble slabs in a fashion that mimicked the custom millwork in the rest of this estate home on the Northshore of Chicago. John Tithof and Jason Cranmer, along with the fabrication production team, executed this project on behalf of Tithof Tile & Marble. The client wanted the panels to appear as if carved from dimensional stone blocks rather than the classic full height stone backsplash. One of the primary focuses was keeping the client involved through the templating and layout process to ensure they knew what their project would look like before anything was cut or installed. The evolution of this process has changed in recent years. Gone are the days of blue tape and visualizing the completed job. With the recent introduction of the revolutionary Perfect Match and Slabsmith software programs we have the ability to digitally layout every slab project and create a virtual representation of the project for approval prior to cutting.

Grade II listed Islington Georgian Townhouse

Emilie Fournet Interiors

Basement Georgian kitchen with black limestone, yellow shaker cabinets and open and freestanding kitchen island. War and cherry marble, midcentury accents, leading onto a dining room.

Kitchen with a Farmhouse Sink and Black Floor 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!