Our approach to the dining room wall was a key decision for the entire project. The wall was load bearing and the homeowners considered only removing half of it. In the end, keeping the overall open concept design was important to the homeowners, therefore we installed a load bearing beam in the ceiling. The beam was finished with drywall to be cohesive so it looked like it was a part of the original design. Now that the kitchen and dining room were open, paint colors were used to designate the spaces and create visual boundaries. This made each area feel like it’s its own space without using any structures. The original L-shaped kitchen was cut short because of bay windows that overlooked the backyard patio. These windows were lost in the space and not functional; they were replaced with double French doors leading onto the patio. A brick layer was brought in to patch up the window swap and now it looks like the French doors always existed. New crown molding was installed throughout and painted to match the kitchen cabinets. This window/door replacement allowed for a large pantry cabinet to be installed next to the refrigerator which was not in the old cabinet configuration. The replaced perimeter cabinets host custom storage solutions, like a mixer stand, spice organization, recycling center and functional corner cabinet with pull out shelving. The perimeter kitchen cabinets are painted with a glaze and the island is a cherry stain with glaze to amplify the raised panel door style. We tripled the size of the kitchen island to expand countertop space. It seats five people and hosts charging stations for the family’s busy lifestyle. It was important that the cooktop in the island had a built in downdraft system because the homeowners did not want a ventilation hood in the center of the kitchen because it would obscure the open concept design. The countertops are quartz and feature an under mount granite composite kitchen sink with a low divide center. The kitchen faucet, which features hands free and touch technology, and an instant hot water dispenser were added for convenience because of the homeowners’ busy lifestyle. The backsplash is a favorite, with a teal and red glass mosaic basket weave design. It stands out and holds its own among the expansive kitchen cabinets. All recessed, under cabinet and decorative lights were installed on dimmer switches to allow the homeowners to adjust the lighting in each space of the project. All exterior and interior door hardware, hinges and knobs were replaced in oil rubbed bronze to match the dark stain throughout the space. The entire first floor remodel project uses 12x24 ceramic tile laid in a herringbone pattern. Since tile is typically cold, the flooring was also heated from below. This will also help with the homeowners’ original heating issues. When accessorizing the kitchen, we used functional, everyday items the homeowners use like cutting boards, canisters for dry goods and place settings on the island. Ultimately, this project transformed their small, outdated kitchen into an expansive and functional workspace.

Blakely Photography

Custom cabinetry was constructed of high-gloss laminate in Formica's Spectrum Red, which beautifully showcases the Miele espresso machine. Chipper Hatter Architectural Photography

Naomi Astley Clarke Portfolio

Naomi Astley Clarke

Baker Project

Finished Painting, LLC

Belgravia | A Modern Classic.

Davonport Kitchen & Home

A 4 metre long kitchen island formed the centre of this design. With such a large space there was ample room for a dining area at one end of the island and work surface at the other.

Farmhouse Style Kitchen

Kathleen L. Penney Interiors, Inc.

This kitchen renovation allowed us to build on style elements that were already part of the home's architecture. We blended in new elements to reflect the character of the original, but lighten and brighten up the space, and quiet down the original use of too many different materials. This created a more harmonious finished product that while new, still feels like home to the family who lives here.

Tudor Revival - River Forest

Dibello Architects, PLLC

The site for this house is on a bluff overlooking the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels. We used multiple front-facing gables to recall the Tudor Revival style, but gave the home a Texas Hill Country tie-in with the use of the limestone rock exterior. The floor plan flows freely between rooms, and is perfect for entertaining guests and the owners’ extended family. The living space extends to the exterior with the covered porch, which we designed like an interior room with a tall vaulted ceiling and a fireplace.

15 Nottingham Rd

Element Construction Partners

JS Gibson

Lime House

Geri Designs

Grey Transitional Kitchen

VMAX LLC

Custom Kitchen by VMAX LLC

Kitchen - Contemporary

AMI Design

NYC apartment loft kitchen remodel with rustic wood beams contrasted with stainless steel appliances and cabinets with frosted glass. Brick back wall.

Starmark Kitchen, Dry Bar, Lockers in Hickory Bridgeport Oregano/Maple Sage

Cabinetry by Better Bilt

Cabinetry: Starmark Style: Bridgeport w/ Standard Slab Drawers Finish: (Perimeter: Hickory - Oregano; Dry Bar/Locker: Maple - Sage) Countertop: (Customer Own) Black Soapstone Sink: (Customer’s Own) Faucet: (Customer’s Own) Hardware: Hardware Resources – Zane Pulls in Brushed Pewter (varying sizes) Backsplash & Floor Tile: (Customer’s Own) Glass Door Inserts: Glassource - Chinchilla Designer: Devon Moore Contractor: Stonik Services

Colleyville Kitchen Remodeling

NOMI - Luxury Bathroom Remodel

Open kitchen layout with white shaker style cabinetry and blue custom kitchen island, stunning brick wall and pot filler for a better cooking experience, white subway tiles, farmhouse sink,leather finish countertop, beautiful marble island countertop, stainless steel hardware and appliances.

Kail Partners Architecture & Interiors

Ludivine Kail

Island Retreat

Jill Frey Kitchen Design

Regency Apartment Complex Kitchen

Cypress Design Co.

Haddon Township, NJ Knotty Pine Project

Dee Hurford Designs

The client's knotty pine kitchen, family room,and laundry room were very dark and did not meet their needs for comfort and functionality. The trick to the this project was a nearly complete demo of the interior while maintaining the knotty pine walls and ceilings and blending multiple colors of stain for areas that required new knotty pine to create the natural patina in other areas.

Large Kitchen with Red Splashback 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!