Reclaimed timber header. Concrete counters. Industrial style legs made from treaded pipe.

A local Corvallis family contacted G. Christianson Construction looking to build an accessory dwelling unit (commonly known as an ADU) for their parents. The family was seeking a rustic, cabin-like home with one bedroom, a generous closet, a craft room, a living-in-place-friendly bathroom with laundry, and a spacious great room for gathering. This 896-square-foot home is built only a few dozen feet from the main house on this property, making family visits quick and easy. Our designer, Anna Clink, planned the orientation of this home to capture the beautiful farm views to the West and South, with a back door that leads straight from the Kitchen to the main house. A second door exits onto the South-facing covered patio; a private and peaceful space for watching the sunrise or sunset in Corvallis. When standing at the center of the Kitchen island, a quick glance to the West gives a direct view of Mary’s Peak in the distance. The floor plan of this cabin allows for a circular path of travel (no dead-end rooms for a user to turn around in if they are using an assistive walking device). The Kitchen and Great Room lead into a Craft Room, which serves to buffer sound between it and the adjacent Bedroom. Through the Bedroom, one may exit onto the private patio, or continue through the Walk-in-Closet to the Bath & Laundry. The Bath & Laundry, in turn, open back into the Great Room. Wide doorways, clear maneuvering space in the Kitchen and bath, grab bars, and graspable hardware blend into the rustic charm of this new dwelling. Rustic Cherry raised panel cabinetry was used throughout the home, complimented by oiled bronze fixtures and lighting. The clients selected durable and low-maintenance quartz countertops, luxury vinyl plank flooring, porcelain tile, and cultured marble. The entire home is heated and cooled by two ductless mini-split units, and good indoor air quality is achieved with wall-mounted fresh air units.

A wall of black cabinets almost hide the utility function of this kitchen. The lines of light from the rear shuttered windows creates another dimension to the kitchen.

Wandsworth Kitchen

London Design Collaborative

Hockmoor Farm - Replacement Dwelling

Through the Woods

Top Floor Open Plan Kitchen

Woodmans Construction

Top floor open plan living features an industrial vaulted ceiling & contemporary design/ fittings.

Wallpaper for Focal Wall

Lois MacKenzie

A close-up of the wallpaper focal wall adding an artful moment within the space. Open wood shelving allow the kitchen to feel spacious with the pops of red bringing the color story together within the open great room.

Croydon Extension

SBRGROUP

Concrete floor, concrete benchtop, and open shelving say anything but kitchen. The dappled light casts a moody shadow for some very memorable cooking sessions.

Wandsworth Kitchen

London Design Collaborative

große Kücheninsel mit Küchenarbeitsplatte aus Beton mit integrierter Spüle

_WertWerke_

endloser Sichtbeton diese riesige Kücheninsel aus schwarzen MDF Korpi mit Weinregal und der Küchenarbeitsplatte aus schwarzen Sichtbeton ist mit 5000 x 1500mm Grundmass die größte Betonküchenplatte mit integriertem Betonspüle, die wir in den letzten Jahren realisiert haben.

Evern 7" | Silvan Resilient Hardwood Collection Contemporary Customer Space | ME

Flooret

Light and cool varied greige tones culminate in an airy Swiss Alps feel so refined, you can smell the snow. Silvan Resilient Hardwood combines the highest-quality sustainable materials with an emphasis on durability and design. The result is a resilient floor, topped with an FSC® 100% Hardwood wear layer sourced from meticulously maintained European forests and backed by a waterproof guarantee, that looks stunning and installs with ease.

Bury, Greater Manchester - Extension

Kimble Roden Architects

Bromley - Rodway road

Archic

circular skylight

Eco-Luxe Carpenter's Cabin

Details Design and Staging

The kitchen adds drama with black, white, and brass and is the perfect counterpoint to the reclaimed barn wood flooring. Countertops are white concrete, with the peninsula being an ample 4' x 8'. This allows for back-to-back base cabinets and an overhang for bar seating. The custom island is made of white concrete with a waterfall edge and has ample space for prepping as well as dining at the bar. Back-to-back base cabinets double storage. The mix of modern and rustic without being trendy make this space appealing for today, as well as in the future.

Tea House

Northern Edge Studio

Tea House Kitchen, Dining & Gathering

Mill Valley Lodge

Ludwig Design

Kitchen corner of Great Room has wrap-around window to feature views into fairy-ring redwood grove.

Rustic Accessible Living Cabin

G. Christianson Construction, Inc.

New Build House, Wimbledon

Pike & Partners

Bespoke, open plan, minimalist kitchen in Wimbledon by Daulby and Tickle. Poured Concrete counter tops and stainless steel door fronts add an industrial feel.

Venice Loft Renovation

FAME Architecture and Design

Kitchen with Concrete Benchtops and Vaulted 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!