large L shape island

Modern Kitchen #3

Finic Cabinetry and Design Studio

Fit For Function

Julie Piesz Interiors, Inc.

Julie Piesz, CKBD

Blue Tower House

Johnson Squared Architecture + Planning

Stack House

J Square Architecture

Custom Kitchen

Brunswick Design

Contemporary open floor plan with custom kitchen part of massive remodel and two story edition on Bald Head Island

Birds Eye Mable Kitchen Renovation

ARDesign, Inc.

Using soft natural wood tones in its simplest form was the key to this kitchen design. The beloved birds eye maple that is highlighted in the uppers trip of cabinets plays well with the beautiful bamboo flooring. Using Architectural forms is not just for exteriors but interiors also. Using cabinetry, walls and bulkheads to create this 3-dimensional look that is dramatic yet a cozy seating when the kitchen comes to life when rich spices fill the air.

Kitchen and Entry Closet

Sandrin Leung Inc.

Photos by Ana Sandrin

Dutch Colonial renovations

EDV Home Design & Renovation

Custom kitchen, featuring Starmark maple cabinets, black walnut butcher block island and marble counters

Gardenia Dr

JWM Living, LLC

The Kitchen features a 5 burner gas range with exhaust hood, microwave in island, full size refrigerator and dishwasher. The large format ceramic tile back splash extends to the ceiling. TK Images

Reston Condo Renovation

Willoughby Design, LLC

Beacon Hill

Signature Custom Homes

This three home project in Seattle was a creative challenge we were excited to tackle. The lot sizes were long and narrow, so we decided to create a compact contemporary space. Our design team chose light solid surface elements and a dark flooring for a warmer mix. Photographer: Layne Freedle

Prospect Road Kitchen Restoration in a Mid-Century Home

Kitcheart LLC

This was a kitchen renovation of a mid-century modern home in Peoria, Illinois. The galley kitchen needed more storage, professional cooking appliances, and more connection with the living spaces on the main floor. Kira Kyle, owner of Kitcheart, designed and built-in custom cabinetry with a gray stain finish to highlight the grain of the hickory. Hardware from Pottery Barn in brass. Appliances form Wolf, Vent-A-Hood, and Kitchen Aid. Reed glass was added to the china cabinets. The cabinet above the Kitchen Aid mixer was outfitted with baking storage. Pull-outs and extra deep drawers made storage more accessible. New Anderson windows improved the view. Storage more than doubled without increasing the footprint, and an arched opening to the family room allowed the cook to connect with the rest of the family.

North Vancouver Kitchen Remodel

OHinc Construction

North Vancouver Kitchen Remodel

OHinc Construction

Sycamore Ranch Home Remodel

The English Contractor & Remodeling Services

The entry to this kitchen was once a narrow door from the dining room. We removed the wall and the old drop ceiling with an ornate fan. Old oak cabinetry was replaced with custom made cabinets, with lower cabinets in classic blue and upper cabinetry in white. The farmhouse sink from Signature Hardware is in an antique copper finish from their Steyn line. The faucet is also from the Steyn line and coordinate with the antique copper drawer pulls. Tile Backsplash is Equipe Scale Triangolo and Magical 3 Triol in white glass from Hamilton Parker. The dishwasher is from Bosch.

DIY Network’s Blog Cabin Kitchen

Mercury Mosaics and Tile

This Florida Gulf home is a project by DIY Network where they asked viewers to design a home and then they built it! Talk about giving a consumer what they want! We were fortunate enough to have been picked to tile the kitchen--and our tile is everywhere! Using tile from countertop to ceiling is a great way to make a dramatic statement. But it's not the only dramatic statement--our monochromatic Moroccan Fish Scale tile provides a perfect, neutral backdrop to the bright pops of color throughout the kitchen. That gorgeous kitchen island is recycled copper from ships! Overall, this is one kitchen we wouldn't mind having for ourselves. Large Moroccan Fish Scale Tile - 130 White Photos by: Christopher Shane

Lighting with Passion

Maison Lublu Corporation

Los Altos, Ca

Curated Design Partners

Addies Way

Solid Rock Builders

Open kitchen with large island, floating shelves, and herringbone backsplash.

Kitchen with White Splashback and Bamboo 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!