Like most kitchens, this basement bar kitchenette was all about the materials. Making the right selections is critical to a project's success, especially a kitchen, so how does that work? To make sure we get the selections right, we follow a plan, or more accurately, a selection sequence, that ensures we make the right selections in the right order. For kitchens and bathrooms, material selections follow a simple cadence - one, two, three. First countertops and tile, then plumbing fixtures, and, finally, hardware and accessories. So, why countertops and tile first? Simple, they have the greatest impact on the look, color, and mood of a room, and, much like the foundation, they are critical to the stability of a house. Selecting the right countertops (and corresponding tile) is critical to the aesthetic stability of a space. In our three step process, the selection of countertops is intricately linked to the selection of tile. Yes, we begin with the countertops, but tile selection is only a half step behind. The two materials work in tandem given their proximity to each other ( often they actually touch each other). Another consideration is selection flexibility. There are literally hundreds of thousands of tile options, making it easier to find the right tile to match the chosen countertops than it is to find countertops to match a specific tile. To the cool and creamy quartzite countertop, we added a dark, rich counterpart - walnut. The elevated countertop, the one where friends sit and upon which drinks are set is warm and welcoming.

Ana & Jose

Volta_

Colonial Road

Thyme & Place Design LLC

This small kitchen packs a powerful punch. By replacing an oversized sliding glass door with a 24" cantilever which created additional floor space. We tucked a large Reid Shaw farm sink with a wall mounted faucet into this recess. A 7' peninsula was added for storage, work counter and informal dining. A large oversized window floods the kitchen with light. The color of the Eucalyptus painted and glazed cabinets is reflected in both the Najerine stone counter tops and the glass mosaic backsplash tile from Oceanside Glass Tile, "Devotion" series. All dishware is stored in drawers and the large to the counter cabinet houses glassware, mugs and serving platters. Tray storage is located above the refrigerator. Bottles and large spices are located to the left of the range in a pull out cabinet. Pots and pans are located in large drawers to the left of the dishwasher. Pantry storage was created in a large closet to the left of the peninsula for oversized items as well as the microwave. Additional pantry storage for food is located to the right of the refrigerator in an alcove. Cooking ventilation is provided by a pull out hood so as not to distract from the lines of the kitchen.

MLL | Balanced Contradictions

PLUS ULTRA studio

Foto: Federico Villa Studio

ITALIAN LUXURY KITCHEN DESIGN

Andre Bondarev

Проект на Обручевых

Amazing Design by Maria Gorgorova

Traditional Country Hand Painted Framed Kitchen

Tulip

Kitchen Remodeling

Mr. & Mrs. Construction & Remodeling

Walnut and Black Modern Kitchen Remodel

USA Cabinet Store Fairfax

Мансардная двухуровневая квартира в скандинавском стиле

ointerior

Кухня в мансардной двухуровневой квартире

Kitchen Spaces

Rachael Elise Design

By the Bay

Dalrymple | Sallis Architecture

Kitchen with a View

Waterview Kitchens

Gorgeous all blue kitchen cabinetry featuring brass and gold accents on hood, pendant lights and cabinetry hardware. The stunning intracoastal waterway views and sparkling turquoise water add more beauty to this fabulous kitchen.

Eichler - Inspired Home

Carmit Oron Interior Design

Country Estate

Julie Deuble

Colorado Log Home

Dona Rosene Interiors

In-frame, Beaded, Shaker Kitchen painted Porcelain and Slate Blue.

Oliver Green Kitchens Ltd

In-frame, beaded, shaker Belgravia kitchen painted porcelain and slate blue. L-shape island with Vienna Quartz worktop and a curved peninsula. Featuring pendant lighting above the island. The use of moulded skirting plinth adds to the classical styling. The work surfaces are a 30mm white polished quartz. The door handles are a combination of chrome knobs and cup handles. The L-shaped kitchen island features curved peninsular, topped in a 40mm solid oak. Oak trays are integrated within the peninsula.

Meyerland Contemporary Kitchen

DESIGNER KITCHEN & BATH

View of off-kitchen sitting room

Cuisine moderne blanche

Groupe 3R

Projet de rénovation complet d'un condo, incluant la cuisine et les deux salles de bain. Style moderne avec du blanc brillant agencé avec des contrastes de gris.

The Entertainer's Contemporary Kitchen

Cabinets of the Desert

U-Shaped highly functional black and white kitchen made for entertaining

Kitchen with Porcelain Floors and Ceramic 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!