Sophisticated Elegant Kitchen – South Barrington, IL

Our clients were ready to update their kitchen with soft and subtle colors to blend in with the home’s recently updated interior. It was also time to improve the layout. The kitchen needed to be reconfigured in order to facilitate a three-generation family and occasional entertaining. Design Objectives -Brighten up to blend with the home’s interior and flow into the adjacent family room area -Incorporate specific storage for pantry items like bulk ingredients and small appliances -Designate areas for a coffee bar, multiple prep areas and seating while highlighting a dry bar for display -Keep clutter off of counters for a seamless design that facilitates visual flow through the entire area Design Challenges -Make a subtle statement with contrasting cabinets and countertops -Incorporate a stand-alone, statement-making dry bar just outside the main kitchen space -Design a statement hood that serves as a focal point without interrupting visual flow -Update and add lighting to add more task, accent and overhead brightness. -Have the space be usable for different tasks by different family members at the same time -Create a space that looks classy and formal but is still inviting. Design Solutions -A soft grey stain and white paint were used on all the cabinets. On only the wall cabinets flanking the window was the grey introduced on the frame to make a pop against the white paint. -The white-painted refrigerator and freezer door panel style is a custom reeded look that adds a soft contrasting detail against the main door style. Along with the open grey-stained interior cabinet above, it looks like a piece of furniture. -The same soft tones were used for the countertops and a full, high backsplash of Chamonix quartzite that tied everything together. It’s an elegant backdrop for the hood. -The Dry Bar, even though showcasing a dark stained cabinet, stays open and bright with a full mirror backsplash, wood retained glass floating shelves and glass wall cabinet doors. Brushed brass trim details and a fun light fixture add a pop of character. -The same reeded door style as the refrigerator was used on the base doors of the dry bar to tie in with the kitchen. -About 2/3 of the existing walk-in pantry was carved out for the new dry bar footprint while still keeping a shallow-depth pantry space for storage. -The homeowners wanted a beautiful hood but didn’t want it to dominate the design. We kept the lines of the hood simple. The soft stainless steel body has a bottom accent that incorporates both the grey stain and white-painted cabinet colors. -Even though the Kitchen had a lot of natural light from the large window, it was important to have task and subtle feature lighting. Recessed cans provide overall lighting while clear pendants shine down on the 2nd level of the seating area on the island. -The circular clear chandelier is the statement piece over the main island while the pendants flanking the hood emphasize the quartzite backsplash and add as accent lighting in the evening along with the interior cabinet lights. With three generations living in the home it was important to have areas that multiple family members could use at the same time without being in each other’s way. The design incorporates different zones like the coffee bar, charging station, dry bar and refrigerator drawers. The softness of the colors and classic feel of the wood floor keep kitchen is inviting and calming.

Nocona Barndominium

First Choice Custom Builders

Rustic finishes on this custom barndo kitchen. Rustic beams, faux finish cabinets and concrete floors.

Cabido Design & Build

Janssen

New Concept 180

Traditional Kitchen Remodel Washington DC by Reico Kitchen & Bath

Reico Kitchen & Bath

This traditional inspired kitchen design features Merillat Masterpiece cabinets in the Verona raised panel door style in the Pebble Grey Paint finish. Kitchen countertops are Cambria Brittanica. Photos courtesy of Felicia Evans Photography.

Modern New York City Apartment – Renovation Kitchen

LAURIE BLUMENFELD DESIGN

The kitchen required inventive strategies. Knowing that new cabinets were not part of the budget and new appliances were a must, we resurfaced the cabinets in glossy gray, added contrasting hardware, and installed cabinet lighting. A new lush black slate floor and handmade Moroccan tile back splash add contrast. The industrial chic pendant is the crowning touch. | Interior Design by Laurie Blumenfeld-Russo | Tim Williams Photography

REDDING FARMHOUSE

d2 interieurs

Traditional Kitchen Refinish and Custom Entertainment Center

Cherrywood Custom Woodworking

New, custom raised crown molding. The color is Dorian Gray by Sherwin-Williams Ryan Bruzan

Roswell Farm House Kitchen

Ranney Blair Home Renovations

Nicole Wood Photography

Бокс "Неоклассика"

Interior Box

The Modern Farmhouse

Brush Arbor Home Construction

Midtown Craftsman Bungalow

Ross Design Inc.

Perfectly Posh in The Woodlands, TX

By Design Interiors, Inc.

Transitional style kitchen blends modern finishes and durable quantize countertops with the traditional architecture of the home.

Kitchen Design - Piedmont, CA

Story & Space Interior Design

Кухня

goro_da

Основной вид кухни.

Full Kitchen Remodel

Custom Building and Design

Berrywood Kitchen Refresh

L. Harper Designs

Kitchen with Raised-panel Cabinets and Grey Cabinets 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!