Newlyweds had just moved into their new home and immediately wanted to update their kitchen which is located in the center of the household, lacking any natural light source of its own. To make matters worse, the cabinets in place were dark red with black countertops. Not the picture of brightness they were looking for. To increase the amount of light reflected throughout the kitchen, we incorporated some of the following updates: 1. Replaced the solo ceiling light with 4 recessed cans 2. Updated the florescent undercabinet lights with new LED strips 3. Installed custom white cabinets topped with Silestone’s new Artic Ocean white countertops 4. Updated the dark glass pendants over the bar with larger, clear glass pendants that spoke more to the history of the home 5. Painted the walls a soft gray to compliment the palette The original kitchen layout was updated to eliminate the existing soffits and open the visual feel of the space. A large white farm sink now centers the natural wood bar area, inviting guests to sit and gather for ballgames and celebrations. Glass tile and USB ports at charging sites complete the space for the family to grow over the years. Photo by Stockwell Media

The New Traditional

Blue Heron Signature Homes

Designed and built by Terramor Homes in Raleigh, NC. The kitchen cabinets were consciously chosen in classic farmhouse style. Pure white and designed to reach the ceiling, clean and simple inset doors with simple classic chrome hardware pulls make for an impressive statement. Soapstone was used on the perimeter, offering the aged traditional look you would find in a classic farm home. Modern stainless appliances fitting flush inside the cabinet spaces give a very custom and built in, more modern feel, accomplishing the wonderful balance we were trying to achieve. Photography: M. Eric Honeycutt

Swampscott Waterfront

APEX Carpentry LLC

A beautiful match of the glass backsplash with a Quartzite natural stone countertop, made from sandstone, for the chef in the kitchen.

Raised Ranch Kitchen

Simply Baths & Kitchens

This small raised ranch kitchen makes a strong impression with dark cabinetry and a glass backsplash. The finishes, while neutral, are anything but boring. It’s a space that is small in scale but big on style.

Moorsbridge

AB2 Architecture

Door & drawer front replacements, cabinet box is painted; added maple trim edging for custom look. Glass tile splash; Ikea pulls

Fun & Fresh

Columbine Kitchen and Bath

Jennie Showers

Kitchen Lives Larger in West Des Moines

Red House Remodeling

A kitchen that was previously boxed in by bulkheads and a peninsula felt even smaller with stained oak cabinets and poor lighting. Light cabinets now fill the available wall space. Not only is there considerably more storage, but the kitchen looks far more open than before. Can lighting and under cabinet lighting provide plenty of general and task lighting.

Siochi Kitchen Addition

Criner Remodeling

Photography: Joёlle Mclaughlin

West Oak Place

Bullseye Wood Specialties, L.L.C

Kitchen remodel with shaker style cherry cabinetry with leathered counter top, slide in range, custom wine cubbies, lazy susan, double trash pull out and glass tile back splash.

Glengrove

Flexwood Fine Cabinetry

Beautiful Transitional kitchen in Midtown Toronto. Solid Wood Doors Finished in Solid Colours with Stainless Steel incorporated throughout

Alder Kitchen 2

Cameo Kitchens, Inc.

Kelly Keul Duer and Merima Hopkins

Studs Out Remodel - Eastpoint Country Club

Big Bear Developers LLC

Customized to perfection, a remarkable work of art at the Eastpoint Country Club combines superior craftsmanship that reflects the impeccable taste and sophisticated details. An impressive entrance to the open concept living room, dining room, sunroom, and a chef’s dream kitchen boasts top-of-the-line appliances and finishes. The breathtaking LED backlit quartz island and bar are the perfect accents that steal the show.

North Chicago Home

O’Hara Interiors

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design & Photo Styling Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For information about our work, please contact design@oharainteriors.com.

Boerum Project

A Direct Cabinet Distributor Corp

Every inch counts when it comes to kitchen design; especially in Brooklyn, New York. This kitchen's footprint may be small, but it packs a lot of design punch! From our two toned cabinetry, the high end appliances, Thasos quartz countertops and matte black hardware... there is no surprise this unit sold for a pretty penny recently!

Burien Waterfront Remodel

Candace Nordquist Interiors

eclectic green and alder kitchen

M&M Interiors

This couples small kitchen was in dire need of an update. The homeowner was an avid cook and cookbook collector so finding a special place for some of his most prized cookbooks was a must!

Deep Cove Kitchen Update

Simply Home Decorating

This spacious home in North Vancouver's Deep Cove community had been built and decorated just over 20 years ago and was in need of updating. Our clients who are empty nesters, spend much of their time in the kitchen and family room so we focused on these spaces keeping in mind that the more formal spaces on the main floor will follow in a few years time. For the most part the layout of their kitchen worked well for them so our role was to tweak the kitchen and family room furniture layout and to select updated finishes and furnishings. Since this home transformation is not happening all at once, we purposefully selected classic finishes, like antique brass hardware, that will tie in with the rest of the home's decor until it can be updated. The resulting refresh stays true to the original feel of the house while giving it a clean, updated look.

Easton New Construction

Blueprint Dreams LLC

BEACH HOUSE

Susan Glick Interiors

KITCHEN WITH CUSTOM FLOATING SHELVES, ACCESSORIES, CORAL & TONES OF BLUES AND GRAYS FLAT PANEL CABINETRY, QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS, ABSTRACT PATTERNED GLASS TILE BACKSPLASH, STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, MODERN LIGHTING OPEN FLOOR PLAN MODERN PHOTOGRAPHY CERUSED WOOD TONES

Transitional Kitchen with Glass Tile 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 Transitional 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!