This couples small kitchen was in dire need of an update. The homeowner is an avid cook and cookbook collector so finding a special place for some of his most prized cookbooks was a must! we moved the doorway to accommodate a layout change and the kitchen is now not only more beautiful but much more functional.

Starry White Patterned Kitchen Tiles

Fireclay Tile

Our playfully patterned kitchen tiles in Star & Cross and Handpainted Kasbah Trellis make an artisanal statement while lending global flair to this fresh white kitchen. DESIGN TVL Creative PHOTOS Jess Blackwell Photography Tile Shown: Mini Star and Cross & Quarter Round Trim in Daisy; Kasbah Trellis in Neutral Motif

San Jose Modern Traditional

Cathie Hong Interiors

This home was a blend of modern and traditional, mixed finishes, classic subway tiles, and ceramic light fixtures. The kitchen was kept bright and airy with high-end appliances for the avid cook and homeschooling mother. As an animal loving family and owner of two furry creatures, we added a little whimsy with cat wallpaper in their laundry room.

Bright and Bold Kitchen Design

Drury Design

The architect’s plans had a single island with large windows on both main walls. The one window overlooked the unattractive side of a neighbor’s house while the other was not large enough to see the beautiful large back yard. The kitchen entry location made the mudroom extremely small and left only a few design options for the kitchen layout. The almost 14’ high ceilings also gave lots of opportunities for a unique design, but care had to be taken to still make the space feel warm and cozy. After drawing four design options, one was chosen that relocated the entry from the mudroom, making the mudroom a lot more accessible. A prep island across from the range and an entertaining island were included. The entertaining island included a beverage refrigerator for guests to congregate around and to help them stay out of the kitchen work areas. The small island appeared to be floating on legs and incorporates a sink and single dishwasher drawer for easy clean up of pots and pans.

Shifting Gears

Esslinger Design Company

Photography by Picture Perfect House

Alta Loma

Maven Home Interiors

Mary's New Kitchen Remodel

Bora&Co Construction

Classic Blue

SH interiors

We were inspired by our clients collection of beautiful dinnerware and serve ware which were gorgeous shades of blues. We kept the finishes classic like the Shaker door style and the classic blue accent color but we added lovely details such as the rope crown molding and the textural tile back-splash.

Modern Ranch

Saikley Architects

Our busy Silicon Valley clients asked us to convert their tight-quartered 1960’s ranch house to a gracious family home that would meet their long term needs. Ease of living was paramount, both in functionality and in ordered design. The project was completed on a moderate budget.While retaining most of the structure of the existing house to avoid costly structural changes, we opened walls to improve the sight lines and flow of the house and bring in more light. We made small additions at the front and back bedrooms to gain space for the family and relatives. An existing underused patio area was improved with a simple outdoor kitchen and overhang to extend the living space to the outside. Costs were kept down with choices of modest materials. Everything was made to be functional. Ample storage has been built into the right places. The details of the kitchen were carefully worked out to accommodate all the wishes of the various cooks in the family. The house is set up to be easy to keep clean. Acoustic walls separate living from bedroom spaces so adults can enjoy time together while children sleep. The outdoor kitchen has easy access to the indoor kitchen and the garage, and its setup promotes socializing while cooking outdoors. A large part of the narrow back yard was previously unusable space due to a steep slope up to a neighbor’s higher fence. With a new retaining wall and some re-grading we took back more of the yard for the patio and play space on a new lawn. The remodeled house is a mix of contemporary and traditional elements. Cool colors have a calming effect. Traditional items such as prairie style windows, trellis, mosaic tiles, and Shaker style cabinets, break down the scale in an otherwise streamlined, contemporary design. A new gabled roof with a broad arch at the front of the house marks the entry and resolves a challenging form where the central entry is set back from walls on both sides. Photography: Kurt Manley https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/modern-ranch/

Amarra Estate

Marion Interior Design

Newtown, PA Kitchen

Kristin Ferro of HBS Home

The client originally had a partial wall that separated the Main Kitchen from the Eating Area. The wall was removed to unify both areas, creating an open space ideal for entertaining. A pass-thru wall was also eliminated to make room for a stately wood paneled hood and additional wall cabinet storage. Pipes in a soffit could not entirely be removed, so the crown moulding assembly was designed to hide the pipes and seamlessly bring the cabinets with crown to the ceiling. A pantry closet was turned in to a Beverage Center Niche with retractable counter wall cabinet doors that can be left open for easy access to glassware and mugs. Contrasting floating wood stained shelving was added to one wall for visual interest.

Western Springs Transitional

Plain & Posh

This large space did not function well for this family of 6. The cabinetry they had did not go to the ceiling and offered very poor storage options. The island that existed was tiny in comparrison to the space. By taking the cabinets to the ceiling, enlarging the island and adding large pantry's we were able to achieve the storage needed. Then the fun began, all of the decorative details that make this space so stunning. Beautiful tile for the backsplash and a custom metal hood. Lighting and hardware to complement the hood. Then, the vintage runner and natural wood elements to make the space feel more homey.

New Berlin Kitchen

Callen Construction, Inc.

Westport Country

Christine Donner Kitchen Design Inc.

A stunning kitchen installation in a rambling country farm house – the room had tired builder-grade cabinets, and was so in need of an update. An adventurous client, a talented interior designer and a kitchen designer pulled together this exciting fresh space.

Guest-ready kitchen, lounge & bar

Tracey Stephens Interior Design Inc

The back of this house was reconfigured to create one large open space. The old kitchen was relocated from the center of the space to the far end, switching locations with the dining room. Now there's plenty of room for friends & family to hang out at the island, lounge area or dining table. Very popular for game night!

Easton New Construction

Blueprint Dreams LLC

Black and White Updated Traditional Kitchen

Paper Moon Painting

A two-tone black and white kitchen, done to perfection! We love the "updated traditional" vibe. The upper cabinets were painted in a custom white lacquer to match the existing trim, and the lower cabinets were painted in Benjamin Moore 2133-10 "Onyx". We also painted this shiplap accent wall in Ben Moore's "Onyx".

Kitchens by Design Connection, Inc. | Kansas City Certified Interior Designers

Design Connection, Inc.

Design Connection, Inc., Kansas City interior designer, provided space planning, architectural drawings, barstools, kitchen dining set, plumbing fixtures, countertops, cabinets & cabinet hardware, lighting, tile, stone fireplace, hardwood flooring, paint colors, installation of all materials and project management to ensure that the high standards of Design Connection, Inc. were maintained.

Shepherds Bush Family Home Renovation

Red Box

Howdens Paintable Cabinets - painted with Apple smiles 2 - Paper & Paint Library Walls: P&P Library / Canvas II Celing" All White by Farrow & Ball

Transitional U-shaped Kitchen 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!