Step into a kitchen that exudes both modern sophistication and inviting warmth. The space is anchored by a stunning natural quartzite countertop, its veined patterns reminiscent of a sun-drenched landscape. The countertop stretches across the kitchen, gracing both the perimeter cabinetry and the curved island, its gentle curves adding a touch of dynamism to the layout. White oak cabinetry provides a grounding contrast to the cool quartzite. The rich, natural grain of the wood, paired with a crisp white paint, create a sense of airiness and visual lightness. This interplay of textures and tones adds depth and dimension to the space. Breaking away from the traditional rectilinear lines, the island features curved panels that echo the countertop's gentle sweep. This unexpected detail adds a touch of whimsy and softens the overall aesthetic. The warm vinyl flooring complements the wood cabinetry, creating a sense of continuity underfoot.

Herne Hill Kitchen

Alex Dauley

It was my pleasure to design this space for my clients who wanted to extend their basement kitchen and create a calming haven for both relaxation and entertainment. The brief was to create an uncluttered space with clean lines, soft colours and a connection to nature. We designed the custom made Maple kitchen to provide ample storage, keeping the surfaces free and the space feeling light, airy and open. The adjoining dining space was designed with custom joinery incorporating a bar and hidden TV behind sliding artwork. The final result is a beautiful example of exquisite craftsmanship and considered design.

Sherwood Park Custom Home - Rift Cut White Oak with Natural Lacquer

Scott Arthur Millwork & Cabinetry Ltd

This custom kitchen features rift cut white oak 1" slim shaker doors, finished with our natural lacquer, quartz countertops, textured subway tile back splash, honey bronze cabinetry hardware, panelled appliances and recessed cabinet lighting.

Symphony on the Hill

Vela Interior Design

Modern kitchen with rift-cut white oak cabinetry and a natural stone island.

Full Kitchen & Fireplace Remodel in Redondo Beach

MDRN Remodeling Company

It all started with a design session with our clients. Clients had a vision of blue and white cabinet combination. We got a few designs in an couldn't quite hit the nail. It was once we introduced the white oak that it all came together. Clients then introduced the concept of a talavera tile backsplash and once we put our hands on the right tile, everything came together in perfect harmony. Here we have a white oak and blue shaker custom kitchen made by your very own MDRN Remodeling Company. Any custom Kitchen needs, please reach out and set up a design appointment. Our design skills match our production abilities. Always delivered on schedule and on budget.

Tip-Top Tudor: Kitchen

Tamara Day Design

House for a Builder

Hebdon Studios

Saint Andrews Rambler

Swanson Homes

We love this warm and inviting kitchen setting with custom white oak cabinetry paired with Calico White Q-Quartz countertops. A few other stand-out details include; separate Thermador Upright refrigerator & freezer, beautiful stonework above the Thermador Dual Fuel Range stove, gorgeous white and gold Liam Conical pendant lights above the center island from Visual Comfort, the elegantly gold Brizo Litze bridge faucet, and sleek gold tab edge cabinet hardware from Top Knobs.

Contemporary Custom Rift Oak Cabinets

Castor Inc.

Custom, rift white oak, slab door cabinets. All cabinets were book matched, hand selected and built in-house by Castor Cabinets. Contractor: Robert Holsopple Construction Counter Tops by West Central Granite

Patland - Continuum South Beach

Leiton Decor

Veneer Rift white Oak , Steel and Gray counter top , way to make a statement

Plano | Normandy Estates | Kitchen & Butler Cabinets (Partner)

Kitchen Design Concepts

The builder we partnered with for this beauty original wanted to use his cabinet person (who builds and finishes on site) but the clients advocated for manufactured cabinets - and we agree with them! These homeowners were just wonderful to work with and wanted materials that were a little more "out of the box" than the standard "white kitchen" you see popping up everywhere today - and their dog, who came along to every meeting, agreed to something with longevity, and a good warranty! The cabinets are from WW Woods, their Eclipse (Frameless, Full Access) line in the Aspen door style - a shaker with a little detail. The perimeter kitchen and scullery cabinets are a Poplar wood with their Seagull stain finish, and the kitchen island is a Maple wood with their Soft White paint finish. The space itself was a little small, and they loved the cabinetry material, so we even paneled their built in refrigeration units to make the kitchen feel a little bigger. And the open shelving in the scullery acts as the perfect go-to pantry, without having to go through a ton of doors - it's just behind the hood wall!

Chesterton, IN. Haas Signature Collection, Maple Honey Kitchen

Bailey's Cabinets

Haas Signature Collection Wood Species: Maple Cabinet Finish: Honey Door Style: Federal Arch Countertop: Quartz, Symphony color, bevel edge

123 House

Gradient Architecture PLLC

Light, open kitchen with light oak island and upper finishes juxtaposed with dark grey and stainless appliance finishes.

Open plan kitchen, dining room

Mia Karlsson Interior Design Ltd

JT Curvilinear | Highbury Bespoke Kitchen

Jack Trench Bespoke Kitchens & Furniture

Alexandria Hall / A-H Photography

Under-sink Storage

Studio Dearborn

A 1920s colonial in a shorefront community in Westchester County had an expansive renovation with new kitchen by Studio Dearborn. Countertops White Macauba; interior design Lorraine Levinson. Photography, Timothy Lenz.

Glen Haven Residence

Ponciano Design

Negley Traditional Lake House

3-D Design

Custom kitchen cabinets featurig two wood tones. Custom stain colors. Oversized subway tile and glass mosaic tiles. Cambria quartz counter top. Hickory hardwood floors. Cabinets by Bauman Custom Woodworking

Rye Brook

Leicht Westchester-Greenwich

Pullout and drawers in the island for extra functional solution and storage along with a stainless steel handle.

Kitchen with Light Wood Cabinets and Quartzite Benchtops 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!