The large Country Kitchen features a chestnut island, soapstone counters and custom iron pot rack / chandelier. Robert Benson

The 1790 Garvin-Weeks Farmstead

Cummings Architecture + Interiors

The 1790 Garvin-Weeks Farmstead is a beautiful farmhouse with Georgian and Victorian period rooms as well as a craftsman style addition from the early 1900s. The original house was from the late 18th century, and the barn structure shortly after that. The client desired architectural styles for her new master suite, revamped kitchen, and family room, that paid close attention to the individual eras of the home. The master suite uses antique furniture from the Georgian era, and the floral wallpaper uses stencils from an original vintage piece. The kitchen and family room are classic farmhouse style, and even use timbers and rafters from the original barn structure. The expansive kitchen island uses reclaimed wood, as does the dining table. The custom cabinetry, milk paint, hand-painted tiles, soapstone sink, and marble baking top are other important elements to the space. The historic home now shines. Eric Roth

Greenwich Kitchen

Connecticut Stone

Island is Calacatta Gold Marble in Honed Finish Perimeter is Classic Soapstone which was selected for its durability and soft grey color Backsplash is Calacatta Gold Marble selected to pick up the color used on the island Note that gray and white is a popular color combination that is trending in high-end residential kitchens. The palate is neutral and affords designers/ homeowners a lot of options for how to decorate. Photography: Neil Landino

Kitchen - Window View of Lake

Chapman Design Group, Inc.

Mark Hoyle

Carter Republic House

Jarrett Design

This beautiful farmhouse kitchen in soft grey tones bridge the gap between old and new. Thermador appliances work hard for the avid cooks who live here. Design by Jarrett Design, LLC. Cabinetry by Plain & Fancy Cabinetry. Counters by Bucks County Soapstone. Matt Villano Photography

Millsbrae Kitchen Remodel

Essence Design Studio

Kitchen

Johnston Design Group

Rachael Boling Photography

Crocus Hill Kitchen

Full Circle Construction Inc.

Upper cabinets feature leaded glass doors, a detail pulled from existing dining room buffet. Greg Page Photography

Brookhaven House

Philip Babb Architect

Kitchen & Breakfast Room, John Clemmer Photography

Ontare Residence

Jessica Risko Smith Interior Design

Photos by Lepere Studio

Waynesboro Soapstone Installation

European Stone Concepts

Floating Walnut Shelves for Kitchen Storage

Jeff King & Company

Designer: Sazen Design / Photography: Paul Dyer

Arts and Crafts Kitchen Remodel

Axtell Construction

Brimfield Home

Executive Developers, LLC

View from kitchen and wet bar from dining room

Kitchen & Interior Remodel

A&E Construction and Design Center

Contemporary kitchen renovation in Titusville, NJ. This project included relocating existing basement stairs to provide an open floorplan between the kitchen and eating area. Modern, bright, with light wood floors, this kitchen makes an impact! Two tone cabinetry, grays and whites with black soapstone countertops. Open to eating area and family room. Large center island with seating for four. Custom box shape wood vent hood makes a statement. This project also involved installing pull-down attic stairs.

Tumbleweed Custom Home

Alair Homes Plano

This new home was built on an old lot in Dallas, TX in the Preston Hollow neighborhood. The new home is a little over 5,600 sq.ft. and features an expansive great room and a professional chef’s kitchen. This 100% brick exterior home was built with full-foam encapsulation for maximum energy performance. There is an immaculate courtyard enclosed by a 9' brick wall keeping their spool (spa/pool) private. Electric infrared radiant patio heaters and patio fans and of course a fireplace keep the courtyard comfortable no matter what time of year. A custom king and a half bed was built with steps at the end of the bed, making it easy for their dog Roxy, to get up on the bed. There are electrical outlets in the back of the bathroom drawers and a TV mounted on the wall behind the tub for convenience. The bathroom also has a steam shower with a digital thermostatic valve. The kitchen has two of everything, as it should, being a commercial chef's kitchen! The stainless vent hood, flanked by floating wooden shelves, draws your eyes to the center of this immaculate kitchen full of Bluestar Commercial appliances. There is also a wall oven with a warming drawer, a brick pizza oven, and an indoor churrasco grill. There are two refrigerators, one on either end of the expansive kitchen wall, making everything convenient. There are two islands; one with casual dining bar stools, as well as a built-in dining table and another for prepping food. At the top of the stairs is a good size landing for storage and family photos. There are two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, as well as a movie room. What makes this home so special is the Casita! It has its own entrance off the common breezeway to the main house and courtyard. There is a full kitchen, a living area, an ADA compliant full bath, and a comfortable king bedroom. It’s perfect for friends staying the weekend or in-laws staying for a month.

Modern Custom Build in WashPark neighborhood: Denver Life Magazine Showhouse

Beautiful Habitat: Design & Decoration

The overall vision for the kitchen is a modern, slightly edgy space that is still warm and inviting. As a designer, I like to push people out of their comfort zones. We’ve done that a few ways with this kitchen – Ebony and matte gray cabinets, mixing cabinet and countertop materials, and mixing metals. We’ve all seen and done the white kitchen for the last 10 years. I wanted to demonstrate that a black kitchen is functional and dramatic and not the dark cave everyone fears. To soften the black, we’ve incorporated organic elements like natural woods, handmade backsplash tiles, brass and the flowing, organic patterns of the fabrics.

Industrial Loft Kitchen & Master Bath

Neil Kelly Company

The "Dream of the '90s" was alive in this industrial loft condo before Neil Kelly Portland Design Consultant Erika Altenhofen got her hands on it. The 1910 brick and timber building was converted to condominiums in 1996. No new roof penetrations could be made, so we were tasked with creating a new kitchen in the existing footprint. Erika's design and material selections embrace and enhance the historic architecture, bringing in a warmth that is rare in industrial spaces like these. Among her favorite elements are the beautiful black soapstone counter tops, the RH medieval chandelier, concrete apron-front sink, and Pratt & Larson tile backsplash

Mid-Century Modern Kitchen with Yellow & Green

Model Remodel

Stately Colonial

Teakwood Builders, Inc.

Kitchen with Soapstone 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!