Large Pantry with Pull Out, Soft Closing Shelves

Michael Victory

Blending contemporary and historic styles requires innovative design and a well-balanced aesthetic. That was the challenge we faced in creating a modern kitchen for this historic home in Lynnfield, MA. The final design retained the classically beautiful spatial and structural elements of the home while introducing a sleek sophistication. We mixed the two design palettes carefully. For instance, juxtaposing the warm, distressed wood of an original door with the smooth, brightness of non-paneled, maple cabinetry. A cork floor and accent cabinets of white metal add texture while a seated, step-down peninsula and built in bookcase create an open transition from the kitchen proper to an inviting dining space. This is truly a space where the past and present can coexist harmoniously. Photo Credit: Eric Roth

Sudbury Classic

Sage Builders LLC

Idaho 550 sq ft FabCab

FabCab

Location: Sand Point, ID. Photos by Marie-Dominique Verdier; built by Selle Valley

Davis Bistro Kitchen. Nar Fine Carpentry. Sacramento. El Dorado Hills

Nar Design Group

A warm contemporary "Bistro" inspired kitchen. A mix of figured Anigre & Slate stained cabinetry with total LED lighting. All the bells & whistles! Photography by Fred Donham, Photographer Link

Party Shack

Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects

Steve Keating Photography

Clipper Quay

Quin Wyatt Building Designer

timber veneer kitchen with polished concrete tops, mirror splash back reflecting views of marina

San Francisco Kitchen Redux

Justrich Design

Photos by James Hall Photography http://jameshallphotography.zenfolio.com/

San Carlos Treetop

Cathie Hong Interiors

What started as a kitchen and two-bathroom remodel evolved into a full home renovation plus conversion of the downstairs unfinished basement into a permitted first story addition, complete with family room, guest suite, mudroom, and a new front entrance. We married the midcentury modern architecture with vintage, eclectic details and thoughtful materials.

The Art Lover's House

Kelsey Leigh Design Co.

Bayadere Newport Beach

William Guidero Planning and Design

Eco-Friendly in Ball Square

Design Details

Red birch cabinetry, Soapstone countertops and recycled fir flooring contribute to the natural feel of the project.

BK House Kitchen

Lynn Gaffney Architect, PLLC

Kitchen open to Dining and Living with high polycarbonate panels and sliding doors towards meadow allow for a full day of natural light. Large photo shows mudroom door to right of refrigerator with access from entry (foyer). Cabinets: custom maple with icestone counters (www.icestone.biz). Floor: polished concrete with local bluestone aggregate. Wood wall: reclaimed “mushroom” wood (cypress planks from PA mushroom barns (sourced through www.antiqueandvintagewoods.com).

210 Monterra

ALTER Design Studio

Bright and airy sophisticated kitchen

Stonebridge Stunner

Design Studio West

Step into a kitchen that exudes both modern sophistication and inviting warmth. The space is anchored by a stunning natural quartzite countertop, its veined patterns reminiscent of a sun-drenched landscape. The countertop stretches across the kitchen, gracing both the perimeter cabinetry and the curved island, its gentle curves adding a touch of dynamism to the layout. White oak cabinetry provides a grounding contrast to the cool quartzite. The rich, natural grain of the wood, paired with a crisp white paint, create a sense of airiness and visual lightness. This interplay of textures and tones adds depth and dimension to the space. Breaking away from the traditional rectilinear lines, the island features curved panels that echo the countertop's gentle sweep. This unexpected detail adds a touch of whimsy and softens the overall aesthetic. The warm vinyl flooring complements the wood cabinetry, creating a sense of continuity underfoot.

Japandi-Inspired Kitchen

Fox Interiors

Inspired by their years in Japan and California and their Scandinavian heritage, we updated this 1938 home with a earthy palette and clean lines. Rift-cut white oak cabinetry, white quartz counters and a soft green tile backsplash are balanced with details that reference the home's history. Classic light fixtures soften the modern elements. We created a new arched opening to the living room and removed the trim around other doorways to enlarge them and mimic original arched openings. Removing an entry closet and breakfast nook opened up the overall footprint and allowed for a functional work zone that includes great counter space on either side of the range, when they had none before.

Symphony on the Hill

Vela Interior Design

Modern kitchen with rift-cut white oak cabinetry and a natural stone island.

Southborough Road

West & Reid Ltd

Sullivans Island Mix

Jill Howard Design Studio

Boise Passive House

User

To ensure peak performance, the Boise Passive House utilized triple-pane glazing with the A5 aluminum window, Air-Lux Sliding door, and A7 swing door. Each product brings dynamic efficiency, further affirming an air-tight building envelope. The increased air-seals, larger thermal breaks, argon-filled glazing, and low-E glass, may be standard features for the Glo Series but they provide exceptional performance just the same. Furthermore, the low iron glass and slim frame profiles provide clarity and increased views prioritizing overall aesthetics despite their notable efficiency values.

Mid-sized Kitchen with Light Wood Cabinets 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!