Wilshire Kitchen, Portland (Photo: Matt Niebuhr)

Designed for a 1930s Portland, OR home, this kitchen remodel aims for a clean, timeless sensibility without sacrificing the space to generic modernism. Cherry cabinets, Ice Stone countertops and Heath tile add texture and variation in an otherwise sleek, pared down design. A custom built-in bench works well for eat-in breakfasts. Period reproduction lighting, Deco pulls, and a custom formica table root the kitchen to the origins of the home. All photos by Matt Niebuhr. www.mattniebuhr.com

Deschutes House

FINNE Architects

Benjamin Benschneider

Green Living - Los Gatos Kitchen & Bathroom Remodel

Shannon Demma

Beautiful kitchen remodel that includes bamboo cabinets, recycled glass countertops, recycled glass tile backsplash, and many wonderful amenities for organizing.

Contemporary Kitchen

MLB Design Group

Those white countertops are laminate....very simple and affordable. This choice works very well for this owner, and freed up dollars that we invested in the Vetrazzo concrete and recycled glass countertop and the Mercury Mosaic tile materials. This photo shows a simple GE "Spacesaver" microwave fitted into the upper cabinets. This is a great "reheat and defrost" tool which is how most of us use a microwave.

2012 HGTV Green Home

J Steven Kemp Architect

Ellentuck Interiors

Karen Ellentuck. ASID

Whitewater lake #2

Ruebl Builders LLC

Rustic Elegant kitchen with Cherry Cabinets, Ice-stone counter tops and Hickory floors with a copper range hood.

Vine Hill Straw Bale Residence

Edward Caldwell Photography

Contemporary Kitchen

Deep River Partners

Photo: Doug Edmonds

Charming, Inviting and Sustainable - Los Gatos Kitchen & Bath Remodel

Urbana Design Studio

This kitchen renovation features numerous storage options to maximize the small space. These features include a pull out pantry, a blind corner unit, and a spice & oil pull out. Photo by Paul Schraub Photography

Scituate Kitchen

'g' Green Design Center

Lots of Texture and Character - We created this transitional style kitchen for a client who loves color and texture. When she came to ‘g’ she had already chosen to use the large stone wall behind her stove and selected her appliances, which were all high end and therefore guided us in the direction of creating a real cooks kitchen. The two tiered island plays a major roll in the design since the client also had the Charisma Blue Vetrazzo already selected. This tops the top tier of the island and helped us to establish a color palette throughout. Other important features include the appliance garage and the pantry, as well as bar area. The hand scraped bamboo floors also reflect the highly textured approach to this family gathering place as they extend to adjacent rooms. Dan Cutrona Photography

Ellentuck Interiors

Karen Ellentuck. ASID

Deschutes House

FINNE Architects

Benjamin Benschneider

Wilshire Kitchen Remodel (Photo: Matt Niebuhr)

Howells Architecture + Design

Matt Niebuhr

San Rafael, CA Kitchen From Traditional to Contemporary

Uhrich Design

Clients' dreams come true with the new contemporary kitchen. Countertops are recycled glass by Vetrazzo "Mille Fiori". Horizontal quarter sawn oak cabinets along with stainless steel add to the contemporary, colorful vibe.

Acton Cherry Kitchen

LaPlante Designs

Shoreview Kitchen Remodel

E_ Designs

Owners of this Shoreview home needed to update their kitchen to better fit their families sustainable life style. By removing two walls and adding a South facing bay window, the new space feels bright and inviting. The spacious kitchen allows for multiple persons to be in the kitchen comfortably without stepping on anyone’s toes. Adding functionality and seating space, the new island also provides additional counter space for food prep. The island features an open book shelf for cook books and two pull out drawers that hide both trash and recycling receptacles. Keeping with the earth-conscious theme, the homeowners chose recycled glass countertops in two contrasting color selections. The kitchen and dining were highlighted with energy star rated blue accent pendants and sleek ceiling fan. New oak hardwood floors were installed on the main level and stairs that bring warmth into the space. The entry way was refreshed with new natural Marmoleum flooring that accent the colors of the kitchen. The homeowners now have a home they will be able to enjoy for many years to come. Photographer: Lisa Brunnel

Kitchen

Whitten Architects

photography by Trent Bell

A "Glassy" Kitchen

Lori Jolin Design, LLC.

Sutter Photographers The Hardware Studio - hardware Martinwood Cabinetry - millwork Studio GlassWorks - glass countertop Window Design Center - awning window Nonn's Showplace - quartz, granite countertops • The kitchen was designed so everything has a home: spices, oils, knives, cookie sheets, awkward utensils, silverware, tupperware, trash receptacles, and a “stash spot” for when guests come over. Large pull-out drawers are great for pans and lids particularly on the back side (bottom of picture) of the island. • A thick, pull-out butcher block cutting board was included, which can extend over the pullout garbage receptacles. It can also be removed for cleaning. • The original casement window was replaced with a new Marvin awning window. The length was extended, and we included a contained window blind. The countertop now extends into the window.

Kitchen with Medium Wood Cabinets and Recycled Glass Benchtops 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!