Updated kitchen with walnut shaker cabinetry, a working island with seating and a ton of natural light. Photos by Chris Veith

Home Tree House

Aldo Partners

Rice House, Richmond, VA

Sagart Studio

poliformdc.com

Sailor's Retreat in Newport

Amanda Martocchio Architecture

When a world class sailing champion approached us to design a Newport home for his family, with lodging for his sailing crew, we set out to create a clean, light-filled modern home that would integrate with the natural surroundings of the waterfront property, and respect the character of the historic district. Our approach was to make the marine landscape an integral feature throughout the home. One hundred eighty degree views of the ocean from the top floors are the result of the pinwheel massing. The home is designed as an extension of the curvilinear approach to the property through the woods and reflects the gentle undulating waterline of the adjacent saltwater marsh. Floodplain regulations dictated that the primary occupied spaces be located significantly above grade; accordingly, we designed the first and second floors on a stone “plinth” above a walk-out basement with ample storage for sailing equipment. The curved stone base slopes to grade and houses the shallow entry stair, while the same stone clads the interior’s vertical core to the roof, along which the wood, glass and stainless steel stair ascends to the upper level. One critical programmatic requirement was enough sleeping space for the sailing crew, and informal party spaces for the end of race-day gatherings. The private master suite is situated on one side of the public central volume, giving the homeowners views of approaching visitors. A “bedroom bar,” designed to accommodate a full house of guests, emerges from the other side of the central volume, and serves as a backdrop for the infinity pool and the cove beyond. Also essential to the design process was ecological sensitivity and stewardship. The wetlands of the adjacent saltwater marsh were designed to be restored; an extensive geo-thermal heating and cooling system was implemented; low carbon footprint materials and permeable surfaces were used where possible. Native and non-invasive plant species were utilized in the landscape. The abundance of windows and glass railings maximize views of the landscape, and, in deference to the adjacent bird sanctuary, bird-friendly glazing was used throughout. Photo: Michael Moran/OTTO Photography

Full Kitchen View from Island Seating toward Dining Area, Family Room and the Ga

MH Baker, LLC

This long view of the kitchen and dining area shows the island with micro/convection oven in the foreground. There is spacious seating for 4 along this side of the island. The family room is visible to the left of the french doors, which gives beautiful views of the gardens and pool. A second single door pantry is at far side of the integrated refrigerator/freezer.

West 66th Street Kitchen - Kansas City

Schloegel Design Remodel

Kitchen

ODS Architecture

Open kitchen features quarter-sawn eucalyptus cabinets and White Macuaba Quartzite countertops. The double ovens are by Miele, the range hood is by Wolf, the integrated refrigerator is Sub Zero and the faucets are by Graff.

Venetian Plaster Newport Beach CA

Walls n Effects

Lilyfield Project

Dan Kitchens Australia

Inner West Kitchen featuring striking Queensland walnut crown cut joinery.

StyleHaus - Paramount Bay - Stylish Two Story Loft by Design District

StyleHaus Design

Tatiana Moreira StyleHaus Design Photo by: Emilio Collavino

roxana cosme

Kitchen in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Salinas Valley Kitchen & Bath

Arcadia Suburban Modern | Kitchen Wall

Drewett Works

Eucalyptus-veneer cabinetry and a mix of countertop materials add organic interest in the kitchen. A water wall built into a cabinet bank separates the kitchen from the foyer. The overall use of water in the house lends a sense of escapism. Featured in the November 2008 issue of Phoenix Home & Garden, this "magnificently modern" home is actually a suburban loft located in Arcadia, a neighborhood formerly occupied by groves of orange and grapefruit trees in Phoenix, Arizona. The home, designed by architect C.P. Drewett, offers breathtaking views of Camelback Mountain from the entire main floor, guest house, and pool area. These main areas "loft" over a basement level featuring 4 bedrooms, a guest room, and a kids' den. Features of the house include white-oak ceilings, exposed steel trusses, Eucalyptus-veneer cabinetry, honed Pompignon limestone, concrete, granite, and stainless steel countertops. The owners also enlisted the help of Interior Designer Sharon Fannin. The project was built by Sonora West Development of Scottsdale, AZ. Read more about this home here: http://www.phgmag.com/home/200811/magnificently-modern/

Custom Toronto Renovation

South Park Design Build

Photography by Jonathan Savoie, Nomadic Luxury

Penthouse Condominium

Mitchell Wall Architecture and Design

Alise O'Brien Photography

Eyremont modern

Meister Construction Ltd

Rennovation of a post and beam home in West Vancouver

North Mountain Asheville Residence

Altura Architects

This custom mountain modern home in north Asheville is a unique interpretation of mountain modern architecture with a Japanese influence. Spectacular views of the Blue Ridge mountains and downtown Asheville are enjoyed from many rooms. Thoughtful attention was given to materials, color selection and landscaping to ensure the home seamlessly integrates with its natural surroundings. The home showcases custom millwork, cabinetry, and furnishings by Asheville artists and craftsmen.

30th Street Residence

Levy Art + Architecture

Paul Dyer, Photography

Moore Project

Modern Craft Construction, LLC

Modern Ikea Kitchen, Open Floorplan

Modern Kitchen with Medium 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 Modern 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!