Photography by Scott Sherman

Rosemary Woods Classic Kitchen

Liz Schupanitz Designs

Cooking for Two Location: Plymouth, MN, United States Liz Schupanitz Designs Photographed by: Andrea Rugg Photography

California Coastal Cape Cod in Pacific Palisades

Lisa Queen Design, Inc.

Michael Wells, Jim Queen

Judges Hill

J.Fisher Interiors

Beautiful transformation, painted kitchen cabinets, brass accents in pendant and hardware.

Lake of the Isles Kitchen

M. Victoria Johnson Interiors

Stainless Steel Appliance in White Contemporary U-Shaped Kitchen

MAK Design + Build Inc.

While open-concept kitchens seem to be all the rage, these days. This kitchen proves that you can have a U-shaped kitchen that is also modern, functional, and beautiful. This kitchen doesn’t have a large footprint, but the combination of material choice and use of space help make it a great place to cook and entertain in. The cabinets are a white painted shaker, classic and clean, and while the maple elements on the island and window frames and the blue tile add some interest without overwhelming the space. The white built-out range hood and maple open shelving also help to make the upper level of cabinets seem light and easy on the eyes. The large maple-wrapped beam separating the kitchen from the living room perfectly ties the kitchen into the rest of the living space. Some of the functional elements that help bring this space together are the cabinet accessories and the island with built-in storage. One of the issues with U-shaped kitchens is that the layout often creates two blind corner base cabinets which usually become black pits for kitchen items to get lost in. By installing a magic corner in one and a lazy susan in the other, we were able to maximize this kitchen’s functionality. Other features, like a built-in trash pullout and integrate LED lights throughout, help make this kitchen the perfect blend of form and function.

Perkins Kitchen Remodel

Dream Home Builders and Remodelers

Awesome shot by Steve Schwartz from AVT Marketing in Fort Mill.

Drink Station - Merillat Classic® Bayville in Maple Dusk

Merillat

A wet bar won't even begin to describe this drink station created for a family who enjoys entertaining and morning coffee. This concept doesn't leave appliances and condiments all over the counter all day.

Malnati Addition

Design 5 Seventy-One

Large kitchen that features 2 islands, thick Caeserstone quartz counter tops on both islands, beautiful crackle ceramic backsplash tile. Polished nickel hardware. Halmark Monterey Collection, Baccara Maple in combined widths of 4", 6" & 8", Caeserstone 5131 Calacatta Nuvo (2cm built-up to look like 6cm on both islands & 3cm on perimeter counters). Perimeter cabinets = Kitchencraft Lexington Maple Alabaster Island cabinets = Kitchencraft Lexington Maple Thunder. Crackle ceramic backsplash tile = MSI Tile Higland Park 4x12 Dove Gray. Hunter Douglas Silouette window shades. Window panels in Family Room = Softline Maxwell. Rowe Furniture Eero chairs in a yellow geometric fabric. Wall color = Benjamin Moore 1465 Nimbus,eggshell finish Trim color = Benjamin Moore 967 Cloud White, semi-gloss finish

Gray Cabinets Brighten This Small Light & White Transitional Family Kitchen

DANIELLE Interior Design & Decor

This gray and white family kitchen has touches of gold and warm accents. The Diamond Cabinets that were purchased from Lowes are a warm grey and are accented with champagne gold Atlas cabinet hardware. The Taj Mahal quartzite countertops have a nice cream tone with veins of gold and gray. The mother or pearl diamond mosaic tile backsplash by Jeffery Court adds a little sparkle to the small kitchen layout. The island houses the glass cook top with a stainless steel hood above the island. The white appliances are not the typical thing you see in kitchens these days but works beautifully. This family friendly casual kitchen brings smiles. Designed by Danielle Perkins @ DANIELLE Interior Design & Decor Taylor Abeel Photography

Sussex Park House project

Plain English

Terrell Hills White Kitchen

BRADSHAW DESIGNS LLC

Beautiful white kitchen with vaulted ceiling and two golden lanterns above the large island. Calacatta marble featured on the countertops and backsplash keep this kitchen fresh, clean, and updated. Plenty of room to seat three or four at the island.

Thomas Buckborough & Associates

Cherokee Triangle Kitchen

Centered Interiors

Farmhouse Kitchen

Covenant LLC

An open and inviting kitchen featuring a beautiful thick pietra del cardosa countertop. Island offers plenty of open space for cooking and preparation as well as seating.

Cottage Row 1

Black Rock Design | Build

This tiny 800sf cottage was in desperate need of a makeover. Black Rock remodeled the entire two-bedroom cabin and created this wonderful kitchen space. These two-tone cabinets, white and black tile backsplash, and white granite countertops highlight make this tiny kitchen feel bigger than it is.

Lakeway Explorer Cove

Katz Builders, Inc.

Cherokee Triangle Kitchen

Centered Interiors

Chevy Chase Village

Palindrome Design, LLC

Horizon Hills Midcentury

ReFind Kitchens

These pendants are made by Bicycle Glass Co. in St. Paul, Minnesota from 100% recycled glass.

Kitchen with a Single-bowl Sink and Recessed-panel 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!