This Asian inspired open plan kitchen brings the outdoors in by incorporating multiple layers of colors, textures and surfaces into the design. Alison Griffin created this look with three cabinetry colors (slivered almond opaque finish, cherry dark lager finish and foundry medium greyed taupe finish), three surface textures (smooth, rough sawn and rough hewn) and three countertop materials (Peruvian Walnut end grain butcher block, Taj Mahal Quartzite, and Nacarado Quartzite). For all of the complexity of this design, its overall effect is a calm and engaging contemporary kitchen.

Spring Road

Two Fold Interiors

www.veronicamartindesignstudio.com Photo credit: Scott Norsworthy

Crystal Encore Cabinets- Transitional Praline

Western Products

Design by: Bill Tweten, CKD, CBD A transitional frameless kitchen by Crystal Encore Cabinets features a Hampstead door style finished in Praline. Victoria Cambria is used throughout the kitchen and TV area and paired with Ashford Cambria for the breakfast table to add a little distinction between the areas. The hardware is finished in a brushed satin nickel and features a soft curve.

Modern Country Home

Knollwood Builders

High-Energy Living | West Linn Home Addition

Mountainwood Homes

This kitchen remodel has Sub-Zero appliances, two-tone cabinetry, two types of countertops, and plenty of storage.

Mid Century Modern Small Space Update

Ward 5 Design

Fitler Square Trinity

Kaminski + Pew

Detail of small kitchen with compact range. Slate tile flooring, hand-glazed ceramic tile backsplash, custom walnut cabinetry, and quartzite countertop.

Kitchen Detail

Seaside Builders Of Delray Beach, Florida

Kitchen Detail

White and Warm Wood Grain Modern Kitchen

Bluehaus Interiors

Jinny Kim

Mississippi Modern

Werschay Homes

Lynnette Bauer - 360REI

Weston "Semihandmade"

Avex Kitchen Design & Installation

IKEA Kitchen Cabinets, Semihandmade, Custom IKEA doors

Tuscan Today

About Space Studios

Photo Credit: Nicole Leone / Designed by: Aboutspace Studios

Coquitlam Townhouse - Kitchen

PlaidFox Studio

Photo Credits: Tracey Ayton

Modern Kitchen

Contemporary Kitchen Remodel View #1

Lisa Gildar Interior Spaces

Mosman 3 Kitchen

Dan Kitchens Australia

A beautifully renovated kitchen for a Mosman home. Inspired by beachy tones and materials, this kitchen features expertly crafted narrow shaker doors in American Oak. A large 4m island clad in Taj Mahal Quartzite is the centre piece. Integrated European appliances throughout.

Breakfast Nook with Wallcoverings

C&K Custom Remodeling Inc.

This kitchen in a 1911 Craftsman home has taken on a new life full of color and personality. Inspired by the client’s colorful taste and the homes of her family in The Philippines, we leaned into the wild for this design. The first thing the client told us is that she wanted terra cotta floors and green countertops. Beyond this direction, she wanted a place for the refrigerator in the kitchen since it was originally in the breakfast nook. She also wanted a place for waste receptacles, to be able to reach all the shelves in her cabinetry, and a special place to play Mahjong with friends and family. The home presented some challenges in that the stairs go directly over the space where we wanted to move the refrigerator. The client also wanted us to retain the built-ins in the dining room that are on the opposite side of the range wall, as well as the breakfast nook built ins. The solution to these problems were clear to us, and we quickly got to work. We lowered the cabinetry in the refrigerator area to accommodate the stairs above, as well as closing off the unnecessary door from the kitchen to the stairs leading to the second floor. We utilized a recycled body porcelain floor tile that looks like terra cotta to achieve the desired look, but it is much easier to upkeep than traditional terra cotta. In the breakfast nook we used bold jungle themed wallpaper to create a special place that feels connected, but still separate, from the kitchen for the client to play Mahjong in or enjoy a cup of coffee. Finally, we utilized stair pullouts by all the upper cabinets that extend to the ceiling to ensure that the client can reach every shelf.

Project Barcelona Boulevard Kitchen

m studio interior design

St. Andrews Country Club

Premium Kitchens

Kitchen with Medium 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!