The owners of this cottage were looking for a traditional yet "beachy" look when they remodeled their kitchen. Traditional surfaces like bead board and simple subway-style tiles were clear choices, but by adding soapstone tops and using the existing white pine floors we made the kitchen seem like it had been there forever.

The Beach Condo, Ocean City, Maryland

Rene Robert Mueller Architect + Planner

Carytown Kitchen

Metzger Design

Some spaces are best understood before and after. Our Carytown Kitchen project demonstrates how a small space can be transformed for minimal expense. First and foremost was maximizing space. With only 9 sf of built-in counter space we understood these work surfaces needed to be kept free of small appliances and clutter - and that meant extra storage. The introduction of high wall cabinets provides much needed storage for occasional use equipment and helps keep everything dust-free in the process. Photograph by Stephen Barling.

Country Kitchen Remodel

Chace Building Supply

Dale Bunn Photography

Vintage Scullery Kitchen

susan rosenthal, IIDA, LLC

Susan Rosenthal

Portola Valley Kitchen remodel

Debra Winston - Harrell Remodeling, Inc.

Chevy Chase Pkwy NW Washington, DC 20015

Hammer Design Build Remodel

Transitional style custom kitchen in American University Park in NW Washington DC designed with custom cabinets and white subway tile. Copper metal and wood accents with copper cabinet pulls and knobs and copper kitchen faucets. 2 kitchen sinks with farmhouse sinks and one hidden sink with a wood butcher block counter insert. Custom hidden counter outlets and LED cabinet lighting and under cabinet lighting. Glass cabinet doors for decorative display and a large island with black soapstone counters.

South Minneapolis Kitchen Remodel

Anchor Builders

Builder: Anchor Builders / Building Design, Plans, and Interior Finishes by Fluidesign Studio / Photographer: Seth Benn Photography

Inside Laurie March's Renovated 100 Year Old Los Angeles Home

Bertazzoni

The Bertazzoni Heritage Series Range in a warm ivory color brings an undeniably classic look to Laurie March's new kitchen. Centering the design and standing out among the beautiful pastel green, the range is the focal point of the kitchen and the classic feel provides a nod to the home's 100 year history. Explore how Laurie transformed her kitchen and get inspiried by her full kitchen design.

Mimosa Open Floor Plan

Before and After Builders, Inc.

Looking from the den into the new galley kitchen with open floor plan! Dining room is beyond the kitchen! Shaker style cabinets with hidden hinges, under-mount soft close full extension drawer guides, Kohler Apron Front Sink, Newport Brass Gooseneck faucet, new Atrium Garden Window above the kitchen sink, porcelain 2" x 6" subway tile backsplash, tape LED under-cabinet lighting, 4" LED recess lights around the perimeter of the wall cabinets, 6" LED recess lights in the center of the kitchen, Nuvo Antebellum Mini Pendant light above the kitchen sink, and Riverside pulls & knobs by Top Knobs for cabinet hardware.

Palm Residence in New York

Michael Rust-Architect LLC

Crown Point Cabinetry

Jim Bishop and Durasupreme Kitchens

Chris Rossetti at Main Line Kitchen Design

Main Line Kitchen Design, Bishop, and Durasupreme

Pride&Joy Home Improvements

Modified existing cabinets then refaced with 949 white Thermofoil. Kept frig but added all new appliance's, new Slate counter and floor.

Kitchen renovation in small 1930 Colonial

R. B. Schwarz, Inc.

R.B. Schwarz removed an old chimney and laundry chute to allow the refrigerator to have a place in the kitchen versus stuffed in the hallway. The stairs were replaced with steps that fit. And new windows were installed. Corner bookshelves allow this avid baker to store her cookbooks. R.B. Schwarz's client did not want to remove a wall but stay within the 10 x 11 ft. kitchen footprint in order to preserve the authenticity of the 1930 home. Photo Credit: Marc Golub

1950's Cottage Craftsman Kitchen

Sadro Design Studio Inc.

Roger Turk, Northlight Photography

photos: Dola photography http://www.dolaphotography.com

Presidio

SF Metalworks - Custom Decorative Metals

Kitchen with Soapstone Benchtops and White Appliances 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!