Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW I am still sometimes shocked myself at how much of a difference a kitchen remodel can make in a space, you think I would know by now! This was one of those jobs. The small U-shaped room was a bit cramped, a bit dark and a bit dated. A neighboring sunroom/breakfast room addition was awkwardly used, and most of the time the couple hung out together at the small peninsula. The client wish list included a larger, lighter kitchen with an island that would seat 7 people. They have a large family and wanted to be able to gather and entertain in the space. Right outside is a lovely backyard and patio with a fireplace, so having easy access and flow to that area was also important. Our first move was to eliminate the wall between kitchen and breakfast room, which we anticipated would need a large beam and some structural maneuvering since it was the old exterior wall. However, what we didn’t anticipate was that the stucco exterior of the original home was layered over hollow clay tiles which was impossible to shore up in the typical manner. After much back and forth with our structural team, we were able to develop a plan to shore the wall and install a large steal & wood structural beam with minimal disruption to the original floor plan. That was important because we had already ordered everything customized to fit the plan. We all breathed a collective sigh of relief once that part was completed. Now we could move on to building the kitchen we had all been waiting for. Oh, and let’s not forget that this was all being done amidst COVID 2020. We covered the rough beam with cedar and stained it to coordinate with the floors. It’s actually one of my favorite elements in the space. The homeowners now have a big beautiful island that seats up to 7 people and has a wonderful flow to the outdoor space just like they wanted. The large island provides not only seating but also substantial prep area perfectly situated between the sink and cooktop. In addition to a built-in oven below the large gas cooktop, there is also a steam oven to the left of the sink. The steam oven is great for baking as well for heating daily meals without having to heat up the large oven. The other side of the room houses a substantial pantry, the refrigerator, a small bar area as well as a TV. The homeowner fell in love the with the Aqua quartzite that is on the island, so we married that with a custom mosaic in a similar tone behind the cooktop. Soft white cabinetry, Cambria quartz and Thassos marble subway tile complete the soft traditional look. Gold accents, wood wrapped beams and oak barstools add warmth the room. The little powder room was also included in the project. Some fun wallpaper, a vanity with a pop of color and pretty fixtures and accessories finish off this cute little space. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Novona Kitchen

Urban Kitchens

Showplace Cabinetry with the Covington Door and a Vintage Driftwood finish with a walnut accent.

Tideland Haven

The Marler Company

Classic White Perfectly Balanced by Creams and Blues

emma delon

White cabinetry is always classic and this beautiful remodel completed in Durham is no exception. The hardwood floors run throughout the downstairs, tying the formal dining room, breakfast room, and living room all together. The soft cream walls offset the Blue Pearl granite countertops and white cabinets, making the space both inviting and elegant. Double islands allow guests to enjoy a nice glass of wine and a seat right in the kitchen while allowing the homeowners their own prep-island at the same time. The homeowners requested a kitchen built for entertaining for family and friends and this kitchen does not disappoint. copyright 2011 marilyn peryer photography

Wellesley Residence

Bloomsbury Designs

Edgewater, MD Blue and White Kitchen Granite Countertops

Creative In Counters

This kitchen features Blue Pearl granite countertops.

Light Filled Kitchen Extension

The Open Plan - Interior Design

Extension for eco kitchen with painted wood cabinets, recycled glass worktops and Oak flooring.

White and Blue Cabinet Kitchen with Cambria Portrush Quartz

Village Home Stores

A remodeled kitchen in Kewanee Illinois. Featured: Koch Classic Cabinetry in the Bristol door and White and Charcoal Blue painted finishes. Portrush Cambria Quartz tops, Mannington Hardwood Mountain View Hickory flooring in "Fawn" finish, KitchenAid appliances, and Kuzco LED lighting also featured. Start to finish kitchen remodel by Village Home Stores.

Beautiful Transitional Cupertino Remodel

Spaces By Juliana Linssen, Inc.

#Mermaid Tail

Angie Keyes CKBD

Frederick, MD Red Birch Kitchen Remodel

Cabinet Discounters, Inc.

This kitchen features Brighton Cabinetry with Lincoln Raised door style and Natural Red Birch cabinets. The countertops are Blue Fantasy granite.

Divinity Shaker Kitchen

Miramar Kitchen and Bath

Cuisine Spacieuse et Moderne

Raison Home Nouren Agencement

Livonia Kitchen

Exclusively Cabinets by Cabinetek

An expansive U-shaped kitchen featuring a custom hood and imported marble countertops. The simple shaker and slab designs of the cabinetry are essential to not draw your attention away from the center points of the kitchen. Even the molding in this kitchen was minimized to focus your attention to the beautifully hand crafted hood.

Classic White Perfectly Balanced by Creams and Blues

emma delon

BAHAY BETTY KITCHEN

CA-RD

This minimalist kitchen design was created for an entrepreneur chef who wanted a clean entertaining and research work area. To minimize clutter; a hidden dishwasher was installed and cutting board cover fabricated for the sink. Color matched flush appliances and a concealed vent hood help create a clean work area. Custom solid Maple shelves were made on site and provide quick access to frequently used items as well as integrate AC ducts in a minimalist fashion. The customized tile backsplash integrates trim-less switches and outlets in the center of the flowers to reduce their visual impact on the composition. A locally fabricated cove tile was notched into the paper countertop to ease the transition visually and aid in cleaning. This image contains one of 4 kitchen work areas in the home.

Lakehouse Total Transformation

Corinthian Fine Homes

These homeowners requested a complete makeover of their dated lake house with an open floor plan that allowed for entertaining while enjoying the beautiful views of the lake from the kitchen and family room. We proposed taking out a loft area over the kitchen to open the space. This required moving the location of the stairs to access the basement bedrooms and moving the laundry and guest bath to new locations, which created improved flow of traffic. Each bathroom received a complete facelift complete with the powder bath taking a more polished finish for the lone female of the house to enjoy. We also painted the ceiling on the main floor, while leaving the beams stained to modernize the space. The renovation surpassed the goals and vision of the homeowner and allowed for a view of the lake the homeowner stated she never even knew she had.

Trendy Trad in Glen Ellyn

TKS Design Group

Modernised Oak Kitchen

Parker Bathrooms & Kitchens

This state of the art kitchen has modernised features including a countertop downdraft extractor to keep a fresh cooking space, Siemens and Bosch mart appliances powered with Home Connect, and pop up sockets on the island to keep your kitchen wire-free.

Private Residence, Wyoming

Robinson Brown Design

Large Kitchen with Blue Benchtop 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!