White shaker cabinets providing a lot of storage in this U-shaped kitchen, with gold hardware, wood flooring, and a gray hexagon backsplash.

Transitional Kitchens

Benvenuti and Stein

Transitional yet classic, this elegant white kitchen has accents of deep blue at the base of the island, the bar cabinetry and the paneled wine refrigerator. Stainless steel bands on the range hood complement the lantern pendants above the island. A spacious walk-in pantry with touch latch door and glass upper panels frames the kitchen with a touch of elegance.

Georgetown Woods

Clearcut Construction, Inc.

The Beaver Dam- Kitchen, Bar, Living Room, Sunroom

Delphinium Design

GC: Ekren Construction Photography: Tiffany Ringwald

South Bodin Street, Hinsdale

Plain & Posh

This home’s kitchen isn’t large and needed to somehow hold a mudroom area as the detached garage enters into the space. I carefully planned out all storage needs and we were able to add a wide, double door cabinet closet by the back door. The upper area holds coats and clutter. The lower doors have hooks and boot trays for backpacks and shoes. Paneling the Subzero fridge helps with softening the weight of the large appliance, as does the panel on the dishwasher. Little details like the skirt on the toe area and the beautiful hood and island posts make this smaller work space truly special!

New Home With Great Room Kitchen and Cambria Ironsbridge Quartz Surfaces

Village Home Stores

A new home built by Hazelwood Builders on the Quad Cities in Coal Valley, IL. The kitchen features Koch Classic Cabinetry in the Bristol door painted Ivory with a Birch Java island. Stainless Steel KitchenAid appliances, Cambria Quartz Ironsbridge countertops, and seedy glass matte black pendants are also featured. Also included in this album: a home bar area, laundry room, lighting, window treatments, and a stunning primary bath.

ASC Chicago to Burbs

Amy Storm & Company

Colonial renovation

reDesign home | chicago

Farmhouse

Bret Franks Construction, Inc.

Blue and White Farmhouse Kitchen

NORTH STAR KITCHENS

Classic white kitchen with a splash of blue island cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops and white beveled subway tile splash.

Norcross Kitchen Remodel

Haggard Home Cabinetry & Design

Changed the appliance location and added faux wood beams

Chelsea New York Co-op renovation

reBuild Workshop

Open kitchen with counter and peninsula with bar.

Bethesda Transitional Kitchen

InSite Builders & Remodeling

Kitchen Renovation

Jordan Design-Build Group

The kitchen was at the top of the list for a total overhaul – the worn oak cabinets, dated appliances, and clunky layout all had to go. Removing the decorative soffits allowed us to take the new cabinetry all the way to the ceiling, adding functional storage and visually extending the room’s height. We reconfigured the layout from a modified U to an L-shape which accomplished several things – it opened up the kitchen to the dining room, redirected circulation, and most importantly, created space for an island. A brand new pantry was created for overflow food storage, bulk items, occasional dishware and small appliances, ensuring that our client’s goal of uncluttered countertops was achievable. The finish selections and clean lines give a nod to the home’s mid-century bones. The wood island provides warmth and the light quartz countertops, textured backsplash and white cabinets keep the kitchen feeling light and bright. We opted to install open shelving above the sink which provides display space and needed storage without the bulkiness of an overhead cabinet. The matte black faucet, hardware and decorative pendants add another level of visual interest to the modern kitchen. To unify the kitchen and dining room, we replaced the drab kitchen flooring with select red oak hardwoods that were expertly installed and refinished to match the gorgeous wood flooring throughout the home.

New Smyrna Beach Residence

Turning Leaf Construction

Whispering Meadows XX

Glas Associates

A classic, bright kitchen with white cabinets and white tiled backsplash, glass pendant lighting, a curved gathering island with butcher block end, and ample mixed storage.

Softwood Kitchen Renovation

Esteem Constructions

Classic white on white kitchen, with shaker style cabinets and engineered stone bench tops. Broken up with statement appliances and traditional black handles.

Kitchen with White Cabinets and Brown Floor 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!