Luminescent Luxury with Leathered Taj Mahal and Swarovski Crystal Hardware

This is a traditional kitchen, yet the materials make it extraordinary: mosaics of natural seashell in a herringbone motif have been applied into the inside of the rich walnut cabinetry, creating a luminescent texture to the upper level areas. Beyond the rich walnut, the oven section and the custom hood accents are finished in a soft metallic gold lacquer. For the work tops, leathered quartzite creates a light but rich surface that begs to be touched. Metallic bronze glazed subway tile, grouted with glittering silica creates a dramatic backsplash that challenges the definition of traditional design. On the cabinetry, custom bronze hardware by Edgar Berebi is inset with hundreds of Swarovski crystals, producing an opulent layer of detail that feels like jewelry. Shimmering cut glass and crystal chandeliers finish off the luxe look in a way that feels glamorous and timeless. Dave Bryce Photography

Curves on Curves

Timeless Design by Jeff Sandifer

Upscale Kitchen Rennovation - Chateau Blanc Quartzite

CLASSIC GRANITE & MARBLE

Mitch Allen

Formal Mediterranean

LaBlonde Development

Thompson Photographic

McNiece Residence

Natural Stone Source

Beauty and the Beach

Pineapple House Interior Design

This kitchen had no windows so Pineapple House designers removed the hallway-kitchen, kitchen-dining and kitchen-living walls to gain a view/air/natural light. Pineapple House designed a window-like partition between the kitchen and foyer entry for both structural support/visual separation. The kitchen walls glisten with luminous mother-of-pearl miniature tiles. Daniel Newcomb Architectural Photography

Lilac Lane

The Hills Group

Kat Alves

Portfolio

Kintz Cabinets-Custom Woodworking

Villa Hernandez

Jorge Ulibarri Custom Homes

The Tuscan inspired kitchen of Villa Hernandez plays on contrasts with a modern, stainless steel commercial grade refrigerator, dark cabinetry and a cream-colored kitchen island. A barrel ceiling of beams and travertine stone insets softens the rusticity of the space. The home was designed and built by Orlando Custom Home Builder Jorge Ulibarri. Photo by Harvey Smith

Indianapolis Urban Penthouse

HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

New modern kitchen combines cherry flush overlay cabinetry/quartz/glass backsplash with white opaque lacquer island/marble top - Interior Design: HAUS | Architecture + LEVEL Interiors - Furniture: Houseworks - Photography: Ryan Kurtz

Rational Kitchens Cardiff

Design Studio Cardiff Ltd

Contemporary kitchens designed by Space Fitting Furniture, German manufacturer Rational, Miele and Siemens. Design Credit Space Fitting Furniture Photo credit Shaun Jeffers Photography

Northern Virginia - Transitional

Absolute Kitchens Inc.

Bob Narod

Before & After

Woodstock Flooring & Design Center

River Gold Granite

Marble of the World

Kitchen featuring River Gold Granite countertop. As the name implies, River Gold is a warm and inviting granite. Its bursts of yellow, dark gold veining and cream background compliments many design styles. It is perfect for kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities Picture courtesy of Ron Rosenzweig Photography, Inc.

Travertine

Floor Coverings International of Charleston

Casual Family Living in San Antonio Texas

BRADSHAW DESIGNS LLC

Casual comfortable family kitchen is the heart of this home! Organization is the name of the game in this fast paced yet loving family! Between school, sports, and work everyone needs to hustle, but this hard working kitchen makes it all a breeze! Photography: Stephen Karlisch

The Savannah: Best of Ohio Custom Home Over 5,000 SF

Justin Doyle Homes

This luxurious farmhouse kitchen area features Cambria countertops, a custom hood, custom beams and all natural finishes. It brings old world luxury and pairs it with a farmhouse feel.

White Glazed Cabinets wrap around corner with built in TV and paneled dishwasher

Denise Quade Design

Cabinets were wrapped around this wall intersection to continue the flow of the space. A bookshelf cabinet was incorporated to hold a flat screen tv. Decorative cabinet door ends were incorporated onto the sides of the cabinets for a seamless transition. Two, double trash pullouts were incorporated for a recycling center. At the end of the cabinet run, the cabinet runs to the countertop. The glass door and traditional mullions allows for display space. The white glazed cabinets add warmth and depth to the space to fit the style of this tudor home.

Destin, FL Transitional Kitchen & Bath Install

Hard Rock Stone and Tile

Kitchen with Travertine Floors 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!