We designed this cosy grey family kitchen with reclaimed timber and elegant brass finishes, to work better with our clients’ style of living. We created this new space by knocking down an internal wall, to greatly improve the flow between the two rooms. Our clients came to us with the vision of creating a better functioning kitchen with more storage for their growing family. We were challenged to design a more cost-effective space after the clients received some architectural plans which they thought were unnecessary. Storage and open space were at the forefront of this design. Previously, this space was two rooms, separated by a wall. We knocked through to open up the kitchen and create a more communal family living area. Additionally, we knocked through into the area under the stairs to make room for an integrated fridge freezer. The kitchen features reclaimed iroko timber throughout. The wood is reclaimed from old school lab benches, with the graffiti sanded away to reveal the beautiful grain underneath. It’s exciting when a kitchen has a story to tell. This unique timber unites the two zones, and is seen in the worktops, homework desk and shelving. Our clients had two growing children and wanted a space for them to sit and do their homework. As a result of the lack of space in the previous room, we designed a homework bench to fit between two bespoke units. Due to lockdown, the clients children had spent most of the year in the dining room completing their school work. They lacked space and had limited storage for the children’s belongings. By creating a homework bench, we gave the family back their dining area, and the units on either side are valuable storage space. Additionally, the clients are now able to help their children with their work whilst cooking at the same time. This is a hugely important benefit of this multi-functional space. The beautiful tiled splashback is the focal point of the kitchen. The combination of the teal and vibrant yellow into the muted colour palette brightens the room and ties together all of the brass accessories. Golden tones combined with the dark timber give the kitchen a cosy ambiance, creating a relaxing family space. The end result is a beautiful new family kitchen-diner. The transformation made by knocking through has been enormous, with the reclaimed timber and elegant brass elements the stars of the kitchen. We hope that it will provide the family with a warm and homely space for many years to come.

Spanish Casita by the Sea | Baja California

Leanne Michael L U X E lifestyle design

This casita was completely renovated from floor to ceiling in preparation of Airbnb short term romantic getaways. The color palette of teal green, blue and white was brought to life with curated antiques that were stripped of their dark stain colors, collected fine linens, fine plaster wall finishes, authentic Turkish rugs, antique and custom light fixtures, original oil paintings and moorish chevron tile and Moroccan pattern choices.

Yellow Farmhouse Kitchen | Imperial Beach, CA

Leanne Michael L U X E lifestyle design

All custom made cabinetry that was color matched to the entire suite of GE Cafe matte white appliances paired with champagne bronze hardware that coordinates beautifully with the Delta faucet and cabinet / drawer hardware. The counter surfaces are Artic White quartz with custom hand painted clay tiles for the entire range wall with custom floating shelves and backsplash. We used my favorite farrow & ball Babouche 223 (yellow) paint for the island and Sherwin Williams 7036 Accessible Beige on the walls. Hanging over the island is a pair of glazed clay pots that I customized into light pendants. We also replaced the builder grade hollow core back door with a custom designed iron and glass security door. The barstools were a fabulous find on Craigslist that we became mixologists with a selection of transparent stains to come up with the perfect shade of teal and we installed brand new bamboo flooring! This was such a fun project to do, even amidst Covid with all that the pandemic delayed, and a much needed burst of cheer as a daily result.

Warren Terrace Hinsdale

Plain & Posh

These homeowners were ready to update the home they had built when their girls were young. This was not a full gut remodel. The perimeter cabinetry mostly stayed but got new doors and height added at the top. The island and tall wood stained cabinet to the left of the sink are new and custom built and I hand-drew the design of the new range hood. The beautiful reeded detail came from our idea to add this special element to the new island and cabinetry. Bringing it over to the hood just tied everything together. We were so in love with this stunning Quartzite we chose for the countertops we wanted to feature it further in a custom apron-front sink. We were in love with the look of Zellige tile and it seemed like the perfect space to use it in.

Rocking Kitchen!

Kat Nelson Designs

Lisa Konz Photography

Santa Fe - Lotteria Kitchen

Carved Custom Cabinets

This Spanish colonial panel style from carvedcabinet.com (Carved Custom Cabinets) was inspired by a 200 year old, small, hand carved trunk on legs displayed in the Museum of New Mexico. It was found in a village north of Santa Fe. The trim surrounding the panels was inspired by a book on the history of woodworking in New Mexico. Finished in a honey (Miel) with dark glaze to bring out the carving and medium distressing.

Traditional Spanish Kitchen Backsplash

Tukasa Creations, Inc.

Sam Ferris

Whitewater lake #2

Ruebl Builders LLC

Rustic Elegant kitchen with Cherry Cabinets, Ice-stone counter tops and Hickory floors with a copper range hood.

Modern Farmhouse Kitchen

Beachy Boheme Interiors

This modern farmhouse kitchen remodel in Leucadia features a combination of gray lower cabinets and white uppers with brass hardware and pendant lights. White oak floating shelves and leather counter stools add warmth and texture to the space. We used matte black fixtures to compliment the windows and tied them in with the wall sconces.

Soft Black

Struktura Design

Kelly Cleveland Interiors

Gintas Zaranka

Bouldin Creek Home

Cameron Getter Design

This modern kitchen has high contrast with black cabinets, light wood floors and white oak island base, light wood vent hood, and modern elements including brass hardware, modern light fixtures and furnishings decor.

Sullivans Island Mix

Jill Howard Design Studio

Berkeley Vale Home

AMA Studio Interiors

Rénovation complète appartement secondaire montagne

Studio MOVAT

Mammoth Mountain Retreat

Holly Kane Interior Design

Lake Edward

Baratto Brothers Construction

Mid-sized Kitchen with Terra-cotta 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!