In 2019, Interior designer Alexandra Brown approached Matter to design and make cabinetry for this penthouse apartment. The brief was to create a rich and opulent space, featuring a favoured smoked oak veneer. We looked to the Art Deco inspired features of the building and referenced its curved corners and newly installed aged brass detailing in our design. We combined the smoked oak veneer with cambia ash cladding in the kitchen and bar areas to complement the green and brown quartzite stone surfaces chosen by Alex perfectly. We then designed custom brass handles, shelving and a large-framed mirror as a centrepiece for the bar, all crafted impeccably by our friends at JN Custom Metal. Functionality and sustainability were the focus of our design, with hard-wearing charcoal Abet Laminati drawers and door fronts in the kitchen with custom J pull handles, Grass Nova ProScala drawers and Osmo oiled veneer that can be easily reconditioned over time. Photography by Pablo Veiga

Glenview Classic

Dual Concept Design

A mix of white painted and stained walnut cabinetry, with brass accents in the hardware and lighting - make this kitchen the showstopper in the house. Cezanne quartzite brings in color and movement to the countertops, and the brass mosaic backsplash adds texture and great visual interest to the walls.

Green Quartzite Countertops and White Cabinets in Wayne PA

MacLaren Kitchen and Bath

Design, Fabrication, Install and Photography by MacLaren Kitchen and Bath Cabinetry: Centra/Mouser Square Inset style. Coventry Doors/Drawers and select Slab top drawers. Semi-Custom Cabinetry, mouldings and hardware installed by MacLaren and adjusted onsite. Decorative Hardware: Jeffrey Alexander/Florence Group Cups and Knobs Backsplash: Handmade Subway Tile in Crackled Ice with Custom ledge and frame installed in Sea Pearl Quartzite Countertops: Sea Pearl Quartzite with a Half-Round-Over Edge Sink: Blanco Large Single Bowl in Metallic Gray Extras: Modified wooden hood frame, Custom Doggie Niche feature for dog platters and treats drawer, embellished with a custom Corian dog-bone pull.

Traditional Eat-In Kitchen

Cabinets & Such

Take a trip to the European countryside! This eat-in kitchen was opened up to the rafters and bumped out with window seating. Dedicated wine and cookbook storage areas offer added counter space. Cabinetry by Waypoint Living Spaces in "Linen" blends perfectly with the white appliances. Stunning Countertops and Backsplash are Emerald Quartzite fabricated by Carlos Bravo and team at Monterey Bay Tile & Granite. Photography by Dave Clark of Monterey Virtual Tours

Lovely Transition Kitchen for a Family

Twilly and Fig

Lakeway Explorer Cove

Katz Builders, Inc.

Kitchen Remodels

NMB Custom Homes & Renovations

Elegant traditional kitchen for the most demanding chef! Side by side 36" built in refrigerators, custom stainless hood, custom glass & marble mosaic backsplash and beyond!

Bellerose Kitchen/Powder Room

EL Design Studio

Our Bellerose Project was a combination of a kitchen and powder room remodel. Our work was inspired by our client's career- an arborist who wanted to bring her love of nature in. In doing so, we incorporated subtle color changes, movement, and reclaimed wood elements. We moved the powder room from the center of the space and were able to combine two spaces to create a functional and more spacious kitchen.

Transitional Kitchen Remodel

Satin & Slate

Quartzite counter-tops in two different colors, green and tan/beige. Cabinets are a mix of flat panel and shaker style. Flooring is a walnut hardwood. Design of the space is a transitional/modern style.

Contemporary Brownstone Kitchen

Urban Chalet Inc.

Custom ikat glass mosaic tile backsplash by Waterworks. Matte white lacquer base cabinets with smoked acacia wood veneer uppers. Stainless steel pulls and rectangular undermount sink. Photos by Dana Hoff.

Workstation Sink

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.

San Juan Spanish Revival

Concept Design, Inc.

Wine refrigerators, Coffee bar, and storage in the kitchen

Modern Northwoods Residence Kitchen

Amy Carman Design

Rift-sawn white oak cabinetry, a custom black metal hood, stone backsplash, and an island seating five. Symmetry and simplicity create a stunning modern kitchen.

Craftsman Custom Kitchen

C&K Custom Remodeling Inc.

Glenview Classic

Dual Concept Design

Beverage Center

Design by the Jonathans

Small Georgetown Row

Sarah Kahn Turner

LIght and Airy small space kitchen. Tiny kitchens. Melamine cabinets, Ming green tile, White Maccabeus counter tops, slide in range, panel appliances

Retirement Dreams - Kitchen Pedal Faucet

Urbana Design Studio

The hands free pedal Faucet by Principle Faucets.

Deep Forest Green Shaker Kitchen

Kitchen Ergonomics

Pet-Friendly Kitchen with Custom Dog Bowl Niche in Wayne PA

MacLaren Kitchen and Bath

Kitchen with Quartzite Benchtops and Green Benchtop 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!