This kitchen and breakfast room was inspired by the owners' Scandinavian heritage, as well as by a café they love in Europe. Bookshelves in the kitchen and breakfast room make for easy lingering over a snack and a book. The Heath Ceramics tile backsplash also subtly celebrates the author owner and her love of literature: the tile pattern echoes the spines of books on a bookshelf...All photos by Laurie Black.

X-100 Eichler Homes, San Mateo Highlands

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Rustic farm Retreat

Adams + Beasley Associates

Nat Rea

Polished Farmhouse

Alison Kandler Interior Design

John Ellis for Country Living

Northern NH Home

Williams Metcalf Interiors

David Hicks Kitchen

Tim Wood Limited

This painted kitchen was designed for the Chairman of David Hicks Plc. It was designed to complement the classic, elegant interior of a Cornish manor house. The interiors of the kitchen cupboards were made from maple with dovetailed maple drawers. The worktops were made from maple and iroko. The finial hinges to all the doors were silvered to add a touch of luxury to this bespoke kitchen. This is a kitchen with a classic understated English country look. Designed and hand built by Tim Wood

Kitchen with blue tile backsplash

Covenant Kitchens & Baths, Inc.

Dark wood base and creamy upper cabinets surround a black distressed island in this kitchen designed and installed by Covenant Kitchens and Baths

French Normandy Kitchen

J. Stephens Interiors

A warm and welcoming kitchen awaits these homeowners every morning. The kitchen was specifically designed to coordinate beautifully with the clients older home which had a very European flavor to it. The warmth and and elegance of the mustard cabinets contrasts with the use the slate and wood floor. New wrought iron fixtures were custom designed to bring in a feeling of old world elegance. Hand done plaster walls received further aging through a combination of a multi layer glaze .

Grade II listed Islington Georgian Townhouse

Emilie Fournet Interiors

Basement Georgian kitchen with black limestone, yellow shaker cabinets and open and freestanding kitchen island. War and cherry marble, midcentury accents, leading onto a dining room.

New Direction for an Open Kitchen in Wayland

KitchenVisions

Storage near the front entrance provides a place to hang a jacket, feed the dogs and store shoes and pet supplies. The shiplap paneling is painted a creamy white to match the #Fabuwood Shaker-style cabinetry in Linen. Photo by Michael P. Lefebvre

Jazz Builders

Texas Lightsmith

Kim Feldman

Nantucket Arts and Crafts Kitchen; Pantry

Jaeger & Ernst Custom Cabinetmakers

The convenience of accessible storage is apparent as soon as the pantry door is opened. Functional interiors in fine custom cabinetry have always been an essential consideration in kitchens by Jaeger & Ernst cabinetmakers. The unique over cabinet desk brings function and beauty to the kitchen. To better bring the kitchen to its historical roots, the cabinets were built with cherry wood, painted and then in wear areas, the finish was rubbed off to reveal the wood beneath. Project # 6458.5 Elizabeth Churchill Architect Michael Meyers

Modern Blue & White Kitchen and Laundry

GMI Design Group

This dark, dreary kitchen was large, but not being used well. The family of 7 had outgrown the limited storage and experienced traffic bottlenecks when in the kitchen together. A bright, cheerful and more functional kitchen was desired, as well as a new pantry space. We gutted the kitchen and closed off the landing through the door to the garage to create a new pantry. A frosted glass pocket door eliminates door swing issues. In the pantry, a small access door opens to the garage so groceries can be loaded easily. Grey wood-look tile was laid everywhere. We replaced the small window and added a 6’x4’ window, instantly adding tons of natural light. A modern motorized sheer roller shade helps control early morning glare. Three free-floating shelves are to the right of the window for favorite décor and collectables. White, ceiling-height cabinets surround the room. The full-overlay doors keep the look seamless. Double dishwashers, double ovens and a double refrigerator are essentials for this busy, large family. An induction cooktop was chosen for energy efficiency, child safety, and reliability in cooking. An appliance garage and a mixer lift house the much-used small appliances. An ice maker and beverage center were added to the side wall cabinet bank. The microwave and TV are hidden but have easy access. The inspiration for the room was an exclusive glass mosaic tile. The large island is a glossy classic blue. White quartz countertops feature small flecks of silver. Plus, the stainless metal accent was even added to the toe kick! Upper cabinet, under-cabinet and pendant ambient lighting, all on dimmers, was added and every light (even ceiling lights) is LED for energy efficiency. White-on-white modern counter stools are easy to clean. Plus, throughout the room, strategically placed USB outlets give tidy charging options.

Sunny Yellow Kitchen

Chace Building Supply

Bright and sunny. Open, yet cozy. This kitchen combines comfort with functionality, spiced with the perfect shade of butter yellow.

Portland Craftsman Kitchen & Bathroom Remodel

COOPER Design Build

This vibrant, Craftsman-style kitchen features an island with a built-in microwave, Quartz countertops, and a custom subway tile backsplash.

New Direction for an Open Kitchen in Wayland

KitchenVisions

View of the kitchen from the family room shows the entire kitchen space: peninsula with #Kohler apron front farmhouse sink; center island features a contrasting charcoal colored base (Cobblestone stain) from #Fabuwood - with seating on one side and storage and a microwave drawer on the other. Also seen is the beverage center and double pantry cabinets near the front entry. The front wall is shiplap with hooks for coats and a bench. Photo by Michael P. Lefebvre

Hilltop Remodel

Highline Construction

California, Putney

Rixon Architects

Anne Schwartz

Tudor Apartment Kitchen

Wolfworks Inc.

We kept one segment of the old pantry wall - the one with the now defunct call system!

Old Towne Orange Kitchen Remodel

Jonathan Salmon

Jonathan Salmon, the designer, raised the wall between the laundry room and kitchen, creating an open floor plan with ample space on three walls for cabinets and appliances. He widened the entry to the dining room to improve sightlines and flow. Rebuilding a glass block exterior wall made way for rep production Windows and a focal point cooking station A custom-built island provides storage, breakfast bar seating, and surface for food prep and buffet service. The fittings finishes and fixtures are in tune with the homes 1907. architecture, including soapstone counter tops and custom painted schoolhouse lighting. It's the yellow painted shaker style cabinets that steal the show, offering a colorful take on the vintage inspired design and a welcoming setting for everyday get to gathers.. Prahdan Studios Photography

Kitchen with Yellow Cabinets and with Island 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!