Photography by Jeffrey Volker

Showplace Framed Kitchen and Wet Bar in Simpli Gray, Kitchen Island in Hale Navy

Cabinetry: Showplace Framed Style: Sonoma w/ Matching Five Piece Drawer Headers Finish: Kitchen Perimeter and Wet Bar in Simpli Gray; Kitchen Island in Hale Navy Countertops: (Solid Surfaces Unlimited) Elgin Quartz Plumbing: (Progressive Plumbing) Kitchen and Wet Bar- Blanco Precis Super/Liven/Precis 21” in Concrete; Delta Mateo Pull-Down faucet in Stainless; Bathroom – Delta Stryke in Stainless Hardware: (Top Knobs) Ellis Cabinetry & Appliance Pulls in Brushed Satin Nickel Tile: (Beaver Tile) Kitchen and Wet Bar– Robins Egg 3” x 12” Glossy Flooring: (Krauseneck) Living Room Bound Rugs, Stair Runners, and Family Room Carpeting – Cedarbrook Seacliff Drapery/Electric Roller Shades/Cushion – Mariella’s Custom Drapery Interior Design/Furniture, Lighting & Fixture Selection: Devon Moore Cabinetry Designer: Devon Moore Contractor: Stonik Services

Mountain View Altadena Modern

Wendy Wilson & Associates

Chestnut Ave, Clarendon Hills

Plain & Posh

This young family wanted to update their kitchen and loved getting away to the coast. We tried to bring a little of the coast to their suburban Chicago home. The statement pantry doors with antique mirror add a wonderful element to the space. The large island gives the family a wonderful space to hang out, The custom "hutch' area is actual full of hidden outlets to allow for all of the electronics a place to charge. Warm brass details and the stunning tile complete the area.

Mid-Century Modern Sacramento Home

Benning Design Construction

Like most kitchens, this basement bar kitchenette was all about the materials. Making the right selections is critical to a project's success, especially a kitchen, so how does that work? To make sure we get the selections right, we follow a plan, or more accurately, a selection sequence, that ensures we make the right selections in the right order. For kitchens and bathrooms, material selections follow a simple cadence - one, two, three. First countertops and tile, then plumbing fixtures, and, finally, hardware and accessories. So, why countertops and tile first? Simple, they have the greatest impact on the look, color, and mood of a room, and, much like the foundation, they are critical to the stability of a house. Selecting the right countertops (and corresponding tile) is critical to the aesthetic stability of a space. In our three step process, the selection of countertops is intricately linked to the selection of tile. Yes, we begin with the countertops, but tile selection is only a half step behind. The two materials work in tandem given their proximity to each other ( often they actually touch each other). Another consideration is selection flexibility. There are literally hundreds of thousands of tile options, making it easier to find the right tile to match the chosen countertops than it is to find countertops to match a specific tile. To the cool and creamy quartzite countertop, we added a dark, rich counterpart - walnut. The elevated countertop, the one where friends sit and upon which drinks are set is warm and welcoming.

Cindy Blair - Kitchen & Master Bathroom Remodel

Anderson & Rodgers Construction

Two-Tone Kitchen Design in Bowie

Solstice Kitchen and Bath

This kitchen design in Bowie, MD achieved a striking style with two-toned kitchen cabinets. To achieve this custom look and realize the client's design vision we incorporated two different cabinet lines, with Koch Classic "Bristol" in Oyster on the perimeter and HomeCrest "Bexley" in Cadet for the island, both on maple wood. An Olympus quartz "Fortuna" premium countertop complements the white cabinetry, while a Sapele mahogany wood top beautifully accents the blue island. The backsplash at the sink and range wall is Eclipse Grey Wave 4 x 12 glossy glass subway tile, which provides a striking contrast to the white perimeter color palette. The island includes seating with upholstered chairs in a complementary color scheme. A stainless apron front sink pairs perfectly with the Brizo "Tresa" two handled faucet in polished nickel. GE stainless appliances feature throughout the kitchen design, along with a built in microwave and a Brizo pot filler faucet. Beyond the main kitchen cabinets, the design includes a built-in desk with storage. A beverage station with an undercounter beverage refrigerator also incorporates a wine rack, wine glass storage, and narrow glass front cabinets with in cabinet lighting.

Cabinet Front Fridge/Freezer Opened

Pike Properties

Modern Blue & White Kitchen and Laundry

GMI Design Group

This dark, dreary kitchen was large, but not being used well. The family of 7 had outgrown the limited storage and experienced traffic bottlenecks when in the kitchen together. A bright, cheerful and more functional kitchen was desired, as well as a new pantry space. We gutted the kitchen and closed off the landing through the door to the garage to create a new pantry. A frosted glass pocket door eliminates door swing issues. In the pantry, a small access door opens to the garage so groceries can be loaded easily. Grey wood-look tile was laid everywhere. We replaced the small window and added a 6’x4’ window, instantly adding tons of natural light. A modern motorized sheer roller shade helps control early morning glare. Three free-floating shelves are to the right of the window for favorite décor and collectables. White, ceiling-height cabinets surround the room. The full-overlay doors keep the look seamless. Double dishwashers, double ovens and a double refrigerator are essentials for this busy, large family. An induction cooktop was chosen for energy efficiency, child safety, and reliability in cooking. An appliance garage and a mixer lift house the much-used small appliances. An ice maker and beverage center were added to the side wall cabinet bank. The microwave and TV are hidden but have easy access. The inspiration for the room was an exclusive glass mosaic tile. The large island is a glossy classic blue. White quartz countertops feature small flecks of silver. Plus, the stainless metal accent was even added to the toe kick! Upper cabinet, under-cabinet and pendant ambient lighting, all on dimmers, was added and every light (even ceiling lights) is LED for energy efficiency. White-on-white modern counter stools are easy to clean. Plus, throughout the room, strategically placed USB outlets give tidy charging options.

Fabulous Foursquare Whole House Remodel

Maughan Design & Remodel

Kitchen Project Cheltenham

Contour

Our clients wanted an open plan family kitchen diner incorporating space for a play area and relaxation zone. With fabulous views over the garden, this kitchen is both practical and stylish with ample storage solutions and multiple seating options. The bench seating is integrated into the back of the L shaped island creating a sociable dining space whilst a breakfast bar caters for eating on the go. It is light and spacious and was a delightful project to work on.

Deer Creek Residence

Kamber Mason Design

New built-n china cabinet with Dacor wine refrigeration, Emtek knobs and pulls, dement tile by Walker Zanger, cabinets are Dynasty by Omega with custom Benjamin Moore color in Pike's Peak Gray.

Bethesda Sommerset

Sarah Kahn Turner

White and Blue Coastal Inspired Kitchen

SOLLiD Cabinetry

PC: Shane Baker Studios

Highlands Kitchens

WatchCity Kitchens LLC

These clients came to us with a tiny galley kitchen with a refrigerator in a separate room! Utilizing space from an adjacent three-season porch we created a larger, brighter more functional kitchen, with a slider to the patio. The "fridge room" became pantry space and the substitution of a barn door at the powder room and living room alleviated awkward door swings. The kitchen is now a great gathering space for this busy family. Cabinetry by Fabuwood, Counters by Silestone, Hardware by Amerock, Plumbing by Artisan

Sea of Tile

Victoria Highfill

Cooper Woods 2 Story

Havlicek Builders Inc.

Casseque Province Kitchen

Classic Remodeling & Construction, Inc.

Photography: Jason Stemple

Kitchen with Blue 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!