1902 Historic Kitchen & Pantry Alamo Heights Remodel

This 1902 San Antonio home was beautiful both inside and out, except for the kitchen, which was dark and dated. The original kitchen layout consisted of a breakfast room and a small kitchen separated by a wall. There was also a very small screened in porch off of the kitchen. The homeowners dreamed of a light and bright new kitchen and that would accommodate a 48" gas range, built in refrigerator, an island and a walk in pantry. At first, it seemed almost impossible, but with a little imagination, we were able to give them every item on their wish list. We took down the wall separating the breakfast and kitchen areas, recessed the new Subzero refrigerator under the stairs, and turned the tiny screened porch into a walk in pantry with a gorgeous blue and white tile floor. The french doors in the breakfast area were replaced with a single transom door to mirror the door to the pantry. The new transoms make quite a statement on either side of the 48" Wolf range set against a marble tile wall. A lovely banquette area was created where the old breakfast table once was and is now graced by a lovely beaded chandelier. Pillows in shades of blue and white and a custom walnut table complete the cozy nook. The soapstone island with a walnut butcher block seating area adds warmth and character to the space. The navy barstools with chrome nailhead trim echo the design of the transoms and repeat the navy and chrome detailing on the custom range hood. A 42" Shaws farmhouse sink completes the kitchen work triangle. Off of the kitchen, the small hallway to the dining room got a facelift, as well. We added a decorative china cabinet and mirrored doors to the homeowner's storage closet to provide light and character to the passageway. After the project was completed, the homeowners told us that "this kitchen was the one that our historic house was always meant to have." There is no greater reward for what we do than that.

Puritan

AMW Design Studio

Monterey Colonial Update

Broderick Design Associates

The butler pantry off of the kitchen provides additonal beverage and dish storage as well as an area for serving and clean up during larger events. Photo: Dave Adams

Newton Kitchen Addition

PEGASUS Design-To-Build LLC

New House - Wayne, PA

Peter Zimmerman Architects

Tom Crane

The Woodshop of Avon

Matt Schmitt Photography

Warm Maple Elegance

Cabinet Joint

Capturing the spirit of what was most sought after in 2023, an Instagram user commented on this remodel, “The warmth of the wood with the white is perfect”. Warm woods and white tones are the epitome of class and elegance in 2023, and yet one would be hard-pressed to get any more classic than this. Lighting choices like toasty crystalline pendant lighting and wall sconces allude also to the enduring beauty of this kitchen. Paired with a lighter wood floor and a full wall of light gray stacked backsplash, both features provide the midpoints for the lighter Antique White and darker maple wood and Saddle finish on the island and drink bar

Kitchen Remodel in Paoli, PA

Pine Street Carpenters & The Kitchen Studio

Big Fir Vineyard

Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects

A generous island sits across from the kitchen wall, which showcases custom cabinetry (including open shelves above) and a Milestone plaster surround at the vent hood. Photography: Andrew Pogue Photography.

Wisconsin Rustic Luxury

Coyle Carpet One Floor & Home

Smoked Oak Floors by LifeCore, Anew Gentling | Kitchen Island & Wall Cabinets by Shiloh Cabinetry, Dusty Road on Alder | Painted Refrigerator Cabinets by Shiloh in Iron Ore | Full Slab Backsplash and Soapstone Countertop by Silestone in Suede Charcoal

Riverbend Guest House - Green With Character

Jarrett Design

The Bold but Cosy Bachelor Pad

Kathy Kunz Interiors

Detail: the ceramic countertop in concrete-effect features a lovely (and highly durable!) satin finish.

Stylish family home, Oakville ON

avenue design inc

Greenfield Hill Colonial

Segerson Builders

This traditional kitchen features a combination of soapstone and marble counter tops, a la canche range with a soapstone backsplash and a butcher block top. The kitchen includes a built-in subzero fridge, cabinetry and brass cabinet hardware and decorative lighting fixtures.

Mid-Century Modern Kitchen with Yellow & Green

Model Remodel

Mid century modern corner kitchen with wood cabinets, dark countertops, white textured backsplash tile, and open shelving © Cindy Apple Photography

LARGE FUNCTIONAL SINK

Molly J Littlejohn Design

Cortlandt Manor

East Hill Kitchen Design Group

Great Room with Hex Tile Island and Fireplace Tiles

Fireclay Tile

Create a show-stealing kitchen island by using a lively green hexagon countertop tile with a live edge that flows into a warm wood finish. DESIGN Silent J Design PHOTOS TC Peterson Photography INSTALLER Damskov Construction Tile Shown: Brick in Olympic, 6" Hexagon in Palm Tree, Left & Right Scalene in Tempest

Kitchen with Soapstone Benchtops and Tile 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!