This beautiful combination of rooms was part of a whole house design that we put together to flow within the owner’s overall vision of modern style and functionality. THE SETUP The house was partially built when the owner purchased it, so we tweaked the layout to fit his needs. Like so many homeowners today, our client is a casual diner and would rather not have space dedicated as a formal dining room. Island seating and a large table off the kitchen make more sense for his lifestyle. Our client wanted a clean, contemporary look with a layout that works for one person preparing meals most of the time, but adaptable for entertaining at different scales at other times. THE RENEWED SPACE The first thing we did was design a bar in the space formerly designated for a formal dining room. It is open to the front entry foyer on one side and flows easily into the butler’s pantry on the other side. A TV for sports viewing is centered between a full-sized wine cooler and a glass cabinet for barware. The u-shaped bar top seats five people comfortably and hides the lower bar prep countertop from view from the entry. The butler’s pantry is situated between the kitchen eating area and the front bar. The walls on the sides of this area were opened to help the areas flow together into one great room. An icemaker and under-counter refrigerator drawers were incorporated into the butler’s pantry to help it function as a place to set up drinks etc. to be used in the kitchen eating area. The floating shelves also helped open the space up. Across from the butler’s area is a clean contemporary powder room with indirect lighting below floating cabinetry to complete the look. The kitchen uses an array of man-made materials for ease of maintenance and durability. The layout includes a perfect work triangle for a one-cook kitchen with all the amenities. A range with double ovens, a built-in microwave and a warming drawer are all conveniently located. The countertop is a man-made quartz that looks like rugged concrete. The refrigerator and freezer are below a decorative niche, which gives them a furniture-type appearance. Across from the kitchen is a family room with a fireplace surrounded by a quartz material and wooden wall panels that match the kitchen’s countertop and refrigerator cabinetry. THE RENEWED SPACE The overall effect is a beautiful area with separate spaces for living life comfortably and artistically. Everything flows together, facilitating life’s daily needs and a wide range of purposeful gatherings with family and friends.

Piedmont Residence

Carlton Edwards

This modern lake house is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The residence overlooks a mountain lake with expansive mountain views beyond. The design ties the home to its surroundings and enhances the ability to experience both home and nature together. The entry level serves as the primary living space and is situated into three groupings; the Great Room, the Guest Suite and the Master Suite. A glass connector links the Master Suite, providing privacy and the opportunity for terrace and garden areas. Won a 2013 AIANC Design Award. Featured in the Austrian magazine, More Than Design. Featured in Carolina Home and Garden, Summer 2015.

Newtown House

Hindley & Co Architecture & Interior Design

Tatjana Plitt

Kitchen Remodels

Ocala Kitchen and Bath, Inc.

Island Family Retreat

Martha's Vineyard Interior Design

Eric Roth Photography

Manhattan Apartment

NY Loft

Beton Küche; Hochschrankzeile in Eiche massiv dunkel gebeizt;

Küche und Raum Pornschlegel

Dalston Townhouse

APE Architecture and Design Ltd.

Peter Landers

La Quinta Modernist Home - Kitchen

Bradshaw Construction

This 6,500-square-foot one-story vacation home overlooks a golf course with the San Jacinto mountain range beyond. The house has a light-colored material palette—limestone floors, bleached teak ceilings—and ample access to outdoor living areas. Builder: Bradshaw Construction Architect: Marmol Radziner Interior Design: Sophie Harvey Landscape: Madderlake Designs Photography: Roger Davies

Blue Steel Kitchen, Portland, Maine

Block Brothers Custom Cabinets

Tucson Area Architecture - Casa de la Vista

Stellar Gray Fine Homes

Integral Colored Concrete Counter top, Mexican Talavera Tile, Thomas Veneklasen Photography

Historic Shotgun Style Renovation

StoneHorse Design, Inc.

Modern St. Michaels Farmhouse

Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Inc.

The Saxony

Sarah Tombaugh Architect

Jon Shireman Photography

Design Ideas by Waypoint Living Spaces

Waypoint Living Spaces

White & Light Hardwood Flooring

Coastal Wood Flooring & Supplies Inc.

Photo by：大井川茂兵衛

Aimee Mazzenga Photography Design: Mitzi Maynard and Clare Kennedy

Projet Paris 2

Latbats

Kitchen with Concrete Benchtops and Beige 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!