Yes, you read the title right. Small updates DO make a BIG difference. Whether it’s updating a color, finish, or even the smallest: changing out the hardware, these minor updates together can all make a big difference in the space. For our Flashback Friday Feature, we have a perfect example of how you can make some small updates to revamp the entire space! The best of all, we replaced the door and drawer fronts, and added a small cabinet (removing the soffit, making the cabinets go to the ceiling) making this space seem like it’s been outfitted with a brand new kitchen! If you ask us, that’s a great way of value engineering and getting the best value out of your dollars! To learn more about this project, continue reading below! Cabinets As mentioned above, we removed the existing cabinet door and drawer fronts and replaced them with a more updated shaker style door/drawer fronts supplied by Woodmont. We removed the soffits and added an extra cabinet on the cooktop wall, taking the cabinets to the ceiling. This small update provides additional storage, and gives the space a new look! Countertops Bye-bye laminate, and hello quartz! As our clients were starting to notice the wear-and-tear of their original laminate tops, they knew they wanted something durable and that could last. Well, what better to install than quartz? Providing our clients with something that’s not only easy to maintain, but also modern was exactly what they wanted in their updated kitchen! Backsplash The original backsplash was a plain white 4×4″ tile and left much to be desired. Having lived with this backsplash for years, our clients wanted something more exciting and eye-catching. I can safely say that this small update delivered! We installed an eye-popping glass tile in blues, browns, and whites from Hirsch Glass tile in the Gemstone Collection. Hardware You’d think hardware doesn’t make a huge difference in a space, but it does! It adds not only the feel of good quality but also adds some character to the space. Here we have installed Amerock Blackrock knobs and pulls in Satin Nickel. Other Fixtures To top off the functionality and usability of the space, we installed a new sink and faucet. The sink and faucet is something used every day, so having something of great quality is much appreciated especially when so frequently used. From Kohler, we have an under-mount castiron sink in Palermo Blue. From Blanco, we have a single-hole, and pull-out spray faucet. Flooring Last but not least, we installed cork flooring. The cork provides and soft and cushiony feel and is great on your feet!

Green Rowhouse Renovation in West Chester, PA

Spring Creek Design

Pendant lights above the island cabinets and bamboo table top. Pete Cooper/Spring Creek Design

Coastal Style Living

Design Line Kitchens

Kitchen Designer : Ralph Katz of Design Line Kitchens Photographed by Nettie Einhorn

Baeder Kitchen

elizabeth c. masters architects, ltd.

The marble tile backsplash unites the kitchen and pantry visually with a subtle but lively pattern. The colors in the backsplash tie all of the different elements of the kitchen together. The tile pattern is both traditional and "edgy." It is a 2 x 2 pattern, but each square is cut either in matchstick thin slivers or on a single diagonal thereby giving the vertical surface a lively look in a traditional design. One focus of the new kitchen is the IKEA farm sink that works almost like a command post with its two large bowls and pull-out faucet. Glass cabinets surrounding the window and in the pantry add a bit of sparkle with the reflective surface of the glass and allow special objects to be displayed. From a working perspective, the owner says the one of the best features of the kitchen design is the new lighting. Recessed LED downlights and LED undercabinet lights give illumination for all tasks. The undercabinet LED lighting does not get hot and it uses very little energy. They are mounted towards the front of the cabinet while a continuous strip of plug mold runs along the back part of the upper cabinets providing many outlets throughout the working areas of the kitchen without being visible. Elizabeth C. Masters Architects, Ltd.

Ann Arbor Mid-Century Modern Renovation

Honor Homes

Flat-front wood cabinets give the kitchen a natural feel and make the white counter top, and stainless steel appliances pop.

THINKING INSIDE THE BOX- Scotch Plains, New Jersey

Kevin Mason, Architect

CUSTOM ASH CABINETS display the wood species' distinctive graining. SILESTONE COUNTERTOP mixes sand color with the white, beige and green of the glass and stone tile backsplash. CABANA STRIPE FLOORS in beige and tan cork and rubber is punctuated by light blue "stepping stones."

Lake Paupac Cabin Remodel 2

J.B. Nicholson Architecture

Ben Nicholson

Dining room and new stair

RDM Architecture

A kitchen designed to be functional for 2 cooks to work simultaneously.

Dallas | Delrose | Kitchen (Revive)

Kitchen Design Concepts

We must admit, we’ve got yet another show-stopping transformation! With keeping the cabinetry boxes (though few had to be replaced), swapping out drawer and drawer fronts with new ones, and updating all the finishes – we managed to give this space a renovation that could be confused for a full remodel! The combination of a vibrant new backsplash, a light painted cabinetry finish, and new fixtures, these cosmetic changes really made the kitchen become “brand new”. Want to learn more about this space and see how we went from “drab” to “fab” then keep reading! Cabinetry The cabinets boxes that needed to be replaced are from WW Woods Shiloh, Homestead door style, in maple wood. These cabinets were unfinished, as we finished the entire kitchen on-site with the rest of the new drawer and drawer fronts for a seamless look. The cabinet fronts that were replaced were from Woodmont cabinetry, in a paint grade maple, and a recessed panel profile door-style. As a result, the perimeter cabinets were painted in Sherwin Williams Tinsmith, the island in Sherwin Williams Sea Serpent, and a few interiors of the cabinets were painted in a Sherwin Williams Tinsmith. Countertop The countertops feature a 3 cm Caesarstone Vivid White quartz Backsplash The backsplash installed from countertops to the bottom of the furrdown are from Glazzio in the Oceania Herringbone Series, in Cobalt Sea, and are a 1×2 size. We love how vibrant it is! Fixtures and Fittings From Blanco, we have a Meridian semi-professional faucet in Satin Nickel, and a granite composite Precis 1-3/4 bowl sink in a finish of Cinder. The floating shelves are from Danver and are a stainless steel finish. Flooring The flooring is a cork material from Harris Cork in the Napa Collection, in a Fawn finish.

Contemporary Kitchen in Oak Ridge

SR Design Group, Inc.

48 Layers

Woodland Kitchen

Mica McOmber-Three Creeks Construction

Mid-Century modern kitchen remodel. White Quartz countertops on the main kitchen counters. Recycled Glass infused concrete for the bar countertop. Resin panel with beach grass for backsplash and upper cabinet door accents.

Rustic/Modern Quaint Kitchen

Humboldt Countertops & Surfacing

Modern Kitchen Redefined

You-Neek Designs

Third Shift Photography

Morristown Mid-Century

Gary Rosard Architect

Cork floors were used throughout most of the house. Walnut cabinetry was used extensively, a wood much favored during the mid-century time period.

Altadena Mid-Century home update

MDB Design Group

We selected a new kitchen base cabinets in a soft green to replace the washer/dryer cabinet. This new cabinet is a standard 36” height on the kitchen side, surfaced with new Calcutta quartz. The pony wall between the kitchen and dining room is faced with the same quartz as well as the counter top in the dining room. The existing kitchen base cabinets were painted to match the new cabinet. The dark granite was replaced with the Calcutta quartz too. The existing wall cabinets were painted white and received under cabinet LED task lights. The range and refrigerator were replaced. The linoleum was resurfaced with a light taupe cork flooring. JRY & Co.

Bamboo kitchen

Susan Brook Interiors

Huge re-model including taking ceiling from a flat ceiling to a complete transformation. Bamboo custom cabinetry was given a grey stain, mixed with walnut strip on the bar and the island given a different stain. Huge amounts of storage from deep pan corner drawers, roll out trash, coffee station, built in refrigerator, wine and alcohol storage, appliance garage, pantry and appliance storage, the amounts go on and on. Floating shelves with a back that just grabs the eye takes this kitchen to another level. The clients are thrilled with this huge difference from their original space.

Inverness Kitchen

User

Curved Island with lower bake area & pull out cart.

1970's Kitchen

Cummings Studio Architects

Screen element connects back to the house while allowing an item to display and a support for bookshelf over.

Divisadero Renovation

Studio Maven

Shalaco Sching photo taken from kitchen showing where partial wall was removed, adding island, combining kitchen with living spaces

Boone // Contemporary Kitchen

High Country Cabinets of Banner Elk

Photo By: Heather Taylor

Kitchen with Quartz Benchtops and Cork 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!