richard leo johnson/atlantic archives

Relocating from San Francisco, this young family immediately zeroed in on the wonderful historic homes around downtown Chicago. Most of the properties they saw checked a lot of wish list boxes, but none of them checked every box. The house they landed on had beautiful curb appeal, a dramatic entry with a welcoming porch and front hall, and a really nice yard. Unfortunately, it did not have a kitchen that was well set-up for cooking and entertaining. Reworking the kitchen area was the top priority. The family had met with a few other designers and even had an architect take a crack at the space, but they were not able to come up with a viable solution. Here’s how Senior Designer Diana Burton approached the project… Design Objectives: Respect the home’s vintage feel while bringing the kitchen up to date Open up the kitchen area to create an open space for gathering and entertaining Upgrade appliances to top-of-the-line models Include a large island with seating Include seating for casual family meals in a space that won’t be a replacement for the adjacent formal dining room THE REMODEL Design Challenges: Remove a load-bearing wall and combine smaller rooms to create one big kitchen A powder room in the back corner of the existing kitchen was a huge obstacle to updating the layout Maintain large windows with views of the yard while still providing ample storage Design Solutions: Relocating the powder room to another part of the first floor (a large closet under the stairs) opened up the space dramatically Create space for a larger island by recessing the fridge/freezer and shifting the pantry to a space adjacent to the kitchen A banquette saves space and offers a perfect solution for casual dining The walnut banquette table beautifully complements the fridge/freezer armoire Utilize a gap created by the new fridge location to create a tall shallow cabinet for liquor storage w/ a wine cubby Closing off one doorway into the dining room and using the “between the studs” space for a tall storage cabinet Dish organizing drawers offer handy storage for plates, bowls, and serving dishes right by main sink and dishwasher Cabinetry backing up to the dining room offers ample storage for glassware and functions both as a coffee station and cocktail bar Open shelves flanking the hood add storage without blocking views and daylight A beam was required where the wall was removed. Additional beams added architectural interest and helped integrate the beams into the space Statement lighting adds drama and personality to the space THE RENEWED SPACE This project exemplifies the transformative power of good design. Simply put, good design allows you to live life artfully. The newly remodeled kitchen effortlessly combines functionality and aesthetic appeal, providing a delightful space for cooking and spending quality time together. It’s comfy for regular meals but ultimately outfitted for those special gatherings. Infused with classic finishes and a timeless charm, the kitchen emanates an enduring atmosphere that will never go out of style.

Palmer Residence

Jeffrey King Interiors

Barn conversion - Black & Magic Grey handle-less kitchen

Arlington Interiors

This is one of our recent projects, which was part of a stunning Barn conversion. We saw this project transform from a Cow shed, with raw bricks and mud, through to a beautiful home. The kitchen is a Kuhlmann German handle-less Kitchen in Black supermatt & Magic Grey high gloss, with Copper accents and Dekton Radium worktops. The simple design complements the rustic features of this stunning open plan room. Ovens are Miele Artline Graphite. Installation by Boxwood Joinery Dekton worktops installed by Stone Connection Photos by muratphotography.com Bespoke table, special order from Ennis and Brown.

Cozy Transitional Kitchen Expansion

Gardner/Fox Associates, Inc

Квартиры в стиле Фьюжн. Реализация.

Марина Кутепова

Кухня в скандинавском стиле. Подвесные шкафчики, серый фасад, круглый обеденный стол, лампа над столом, плитка на фартуке кабанчик.

Edward Drive

F1 Cabinets and Furniture

Vacation Home

Creative Kitchen Designs, Inc.

Dave M. Davis Photography

A Scandinavian Woodland Inspired Kitchen

Sustainable Kitchens

Bianco Venato engineered quartz worktop for the island contrasts with the built in exposed natural oak wood breakfast bar and beech stools. In the background a oak floating shelf can be seen topped with ceramics. The matt grey Lightyears Caravaggio pendant light features over the island.

Cozy Brigade Kitchen

Trail Appliances BC

Part kitchen, part living area, this Brigade/Viking kitchen is all inviting. The long paneled wood cabinets give it a rustic feel.

Milano Collection New Construction in Panama City Beach, FL

Marquis Fine Cabinetry

Project Number: M1175 Design/Manufacturer/Installer: Marquis Fine Cabinetry Collection: Milano Finishes: Cafe + Bianco Lucido (floating shelves) Features: Under Cabinet Lighting, Adjustable Legs/Soft Close (Standard), Toe-Kick LED Lighting, Floating Shelves, Pup Up Electrical Outlet Cabinet/Drawer Extra Options: GOLA Handleless System, Trash Bay Pullout, Maple Cutlery Insert, Maple Utility Insert, Chrome Tray Sliders

Midtown Art Collector

j witzel interior design

Interior Design by j witzel interior design Photography by Mali Azima

Pentwater Hart Cottage

TruKitchens

Shiloh Eclipse Frameless Cabinetry Lancaster door style in Polar White on Maple, Big Chill Original Fridge in Turquoise, Big Chill Retro Hood in Turquoise, Big Chill 30" Retro Stove in Turquoise, Big Chill Retro Dishwasher in Turquoise. Photographer: Jeff Tippet

Good design has both form and function. The kitchen encourages the display of the everyday and shows that ordinary items can serve as the best decoration. A custom-made pegboard keeps utensils within handy reach whilst providing a vivid wall of colour, and a rescued 1960s wall unit brings life to an understated backdrop of elegant grey tones. Oak door pulls add a bespoke feel to the simple white cupboards, with the retro cooker providing extra work space and a pop of jalapeno red. Photography: Megan Taylor

Kitchen Storage Ideas

William Standen Co.

Divide your tall pantry cabinetry with a gable, to make one side adjustable shelving and one side with full extension, soft close roll outs.

Gold Coast Glam!

Fusion Poolz

Monochrome kitchen with loads of storage and a pop of colour with a gorgeous Smeg Canopy Rangehood

Sandbanks

Jenny Martin Design

Joshua Lawrence

Kitchen Remodeling

Renovate Paint and Design

Cordillera Ranchk

NR Interiors

L-shaped Kitchen with Coloured Appliances 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!