Tammy Nicholas

Flexibility is the key to Universal Design. This kitchen has tall pull-out storage for easy access when seated or standing, and upper cabinets have pull-down shelf units that rotate out and down to countertop height. Photo: Erick Mikiten, AIA

Transitional Sacramento Home

Kristen Elizabeth Design

Small functional urban breakfast nook across from kitchen maximizes usable entertaining space.

Ellicott City kitchen remodel

Interior Transformations

Kenneth M. Wyner Photography, Inc.

Verde Peacock Granite Kitchen Update

Midwest Stone Source & Design Studio

Choosing the dark Verde Peacock granite with hints on gold really helped make the existing oak cabinetry feel richer. The client also wanted to add to dimension and color, which is why we chose this Glass & Slate mosiac from Glazzio.

Alice Atkins McCoy, CMKBD

Alice Atkins McCoy, CMKBD, ASID Allied

Kitchen Solutions

Murphy Door | Hidden Door Solutions

Murphy Doors new pantry door system creates much needed space in your pantry door itself. Available in 8 different wood types and all sizes

Grove Conservation Area

Metre Squared Architecture

Historical Kitchen Remodel

Mathis Custom Remodeling

Maple

Millwork Designs Corp.

Arts and Crafts Kitchen Transformation

Erika Altenhofen, CKBD

Arts and Crafts kitchen remodel in turn-of-the-century Portland Four Square, featuring a custom built-in eating nook, five-color inlay marmoleum flooring, maximized storage, and a one-of-a-kind handmade ceramic tile backsplash. Photography by Kuda Photography

BUNGALOW KITCHEN

hungryeye

Kitchen in a 1926 bungalow done to my clients brief that it should look 'original' to the house. The three stars of the kitchen are the immaculately restored 1928 high-oven WEDGWOOD stove, the SubZero refrigerator/freezer disguised to look like a vintage ice-box, complete with vintage hardware, and the kitchen island, designed to reference a farm-house table with a pie-save underneath, done in ebonized oak and painted bead-board. The floor is lip-stick red Marmoleum with double inlaid black borders, the counters are honed black granite, and the cabinets, walls, and trim are painted a soft cream-color taken from a 1926 Dutch Boy paint deck. All photographs are courtesy David Duncan Livingston. (Kitchen featured in the Fall 2018 issue of AMERICAN BUNGALOW.)

Craftsman Remodel

Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

After picture of galley kitchen Leather top Granite counters with shaker cabinets, Mini Subway tiles with a black liner and a fun checkerboard linoleum tile floor. Stainless Steel appliances and a Fire Engine Red Stove

West Chester Kitchen Renovation

Chester County Kitchen & Bath

Making some small changes to the layout and removing a wall between the kitchen and dining room really made a big difference to this full kitchen remodel. New Fabuwood cabinetry in Galaxy Frost gives this new kitchen clean simple lines. The Fusion Brand flooring in Ash Gray is a great durable choice for a kitchen floor being water proof and scratch resistant while looking like real wood. Leathered finished Steel Gray Granite ties all the colors together. Another beautifully simple and clean full kitchen remodel by Chester County Kitchen in Bath.

Mid-Century Modern Ranch Kitchen Remodel

Mosby Building Arts

A St. Louis mid-century ranch house kitchen now opens to the dining room. The L-shaped kitchen has honey-stained flatfront maple cabinets surrounding white and stainless steel appliances and vinyl flooring. White granite countertops and white flooring help reflect the extra natural light from the new skylights.

Classic Kitchen

Hart STUDIO LLC

A custom oak built-in cabinet designed to look like antique furniture. Photo by Emily Minton Redfield

Arts and Crafts Kitchen Transformation

Erika Altenhofen, CKBD

Laurelhurst Kitchen and Bath

Craftsman Design and Renovation

DeWils Cabinetry Photos: Eckert & Eckert Photography

1920's Craftsman Bungalow Kitchen

Kitchen & Bath ReStylers

A shaker style kitchen in an authentic 1920's vintage craftsman bungalow. Located in the heart of downtown Prosser, WA. It was said to be the original mayor's home. Joe & Kathy very much wanted to honor the original heritage of the home. Kathy had a pretty clear vision of the features she wanted. With period design, the challenge is always to honor the old, while upgrading to the new. That's where I came in. They had the vision, I provided the mechanics and design tool box. To get the space for this kitchen, we converted the back screened porch into living space by installing a load-bearing beam and removing the original back wall of the home. One we had some room to work with, we were off. Photo: Warren Smith, CMKBD, CAPS

Traditional Kitchen

Deanna's Interior Designs

Mike Irby

Kitchen with Granite Benchtops and Linoleum 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!