An expansive kitchen features double islands, a kitchen sink in one island, and a second sink located on an outside wall with a view out the window. This classic styled kitchen features custom white cabinets, and upset ceiling detail finished with stained ship lap and crown detail. The jewelry of this room is the beautiful variety of pendant lighting. Photo by Spacecrafting

Beach Penthouse - Toronto

GRECO INTERIORS

Full kitchen renovation as part of a larger renovation to modernize the client's penthouse. It's not how much space you have; it's what you do with it! We used integrated appliances to space space and modern millwork with finger pulls to achieve a modern, streamlined design aesthetic. Adding the grey brick wall warms up the space and adds a custom touch that adds a sophisticated experience. Designer: Greco Interiors Photo: Stephani Buchman

A 1940’s Home Gets a New “Heart”

Medford Remodeling

The storage space that was lost was regained below the new peninsula, creating a functional u-shaped workspace around the oven. The peninsula also features a pull-out trash bin, a convenient electrical outlet, and an extended edge for bar stool seating. Final photos by Impressia Photography.

Spanish Remodel

Interior Archaeology

Kitchen

When Three Become One

Square Footage Inc.

Photos by Valerie Wilcox

Modern Spanish Courtyard on the Lake

Wyrick Residential Design

Contemporary Kitchen in Black, White and Metallic

The Place for Kitchens and Baths

Photography by ibi designs

Kitchen

Fratantoni Luxury Estates Design/Build/Remodeling

This stunning kitchen features black kitchen cabinets, brass hardware, butcher block countertops, custom backsplash and open shelving which we can't get enough of!

Classical home with white shaker cabinets

Improva

Teal and Traditional

Conceptual Kitchens & Millwork

Sunny Hills Residence

Hsu McCullough

Kitchen with breakfast nook. Photo by Clark Dugger

Maple Cottage by the Sea

OLSON LEWIS + Architects

Eric Roth

Bespoke Longford Kitchen | Blackheath, London

Humphrey Munson

The focal point of the kitchen is without a doubt the large 6 oven black Aga. Traditionally associated with country homes, it’s really lovely to see an Aga in a London family home. The canopy was designed especially for this room: it catches the eye and conceals the extractor. Painted in the same bold black as the island, it helps to anchor the entire design. The clients chose the antiqued distressed effect mirror splashback, which has a softer feel than plain mirror, but still accentuates the light feel of the room. The symmetry of this kitchen is designed to create a balanced look, while the detailing is simple to add to the contemporary feel. The bold colour palette of the kitchen and dining area perfectly suits the space and is softened with accents of natural smoked oak and antique brass. Photo Credit: Paul Craig

European Elegance in Pablo Creek

The Cabinet Shoppe

The Cabinet Shoppe Location: Jacksonville, FL, USA This kitchen project was completed in Jacksonville's Pablo Creek Reserve. The Cabinet Shoppe provided and installed the Habersham Cabinetry and furniture. The Cabinetry features two colors - Antique White and Continental Blue with White Highlights, which are also featured in our showroom display for Habersham. Photographed by: Jessie Preza

RIVER HOUSE BUILD

Lisa Wallace Interior Design, Allied ASID

Challenge: Not too many! Homeowners were a joy to work with, and the home was build on a large estate lot along the Concho River. We wanted to ensure all views of interiors were oriented to the backyard, pool and river. We also wanted to capture the feeling of the ruggedness of the land and serenity of the river, elegantly and simply. Solution: Hiring a great architect is always the perfect beginning. The base design took great advantage of the views of the beauty around. External stone was also carried inside, cladding a wall that slices through the center of the house in the living room and beyond through patio. Cutting into this wall is a fireplace in the living room, and a fireplace in the patio. The stone became the launch pad for the color scheme. We decided to keep design elements softly modern, even organic, to connect visual and tactile senses to nature. All textiles are natural fibers. In the wonderfully open kitchen/living/dining space, we left the support beams rough and stained them with a bit of gray glaze. The vent hood is iron; the back splash is a glazed brick; roman shade embroidered. Book shelving in dining is painted a metallic bronze. Island has a leathered quartzite top and cabinetry is stained. Master bed and bath offer quiet drama- colors are soft grays, but arrangement of tile surrounding the fireplace above soaking tub is quite attention getting. The custom 7' master bed is upholstered in gray velvet. Fit for a queen!

Renovation for Resale on Oliver

Metropolis Design Group

Eleven foot ceilings add volume to this compact kitchen. Frosted sliding door cabinets aid in utilizing all available space while adding a nice display element. European hood keeps things open but dramatic. White quartz counters flow seamlessly with a mobile dining/work table.

Mediterranean

Robbie Interiors

Mediterranean Style New Construction, Shay Realtors, Scott M Grunst - Architect - Kitchen - We designed the custom cabinets and back splash and range hood, selected and purchased lighting and furniture.

First Place -2014 NKBA Design Competition - Mequon, WI

PB Kitchen Design

Sleek Professional Kitchen with a Modern Flare

Artisan Kitchens and Baths

This recent remodel was a full gut down to the stubs and sub floors. The biggest challenge in the space was creating a single room from 2 separate areas. The original galley kitchen and a 1980’s add-on breakfast room. The breakfast room was cold and had old mechanicals emphasizing the need for a continuous space. The existing kitchen area was small, cramped and did not fit the lifestyle of the homeowners. The homeowners wanted a hidden pantry for large and seasonal items as well as for food storage. I planned for a portion of the garage to be transformed to a full size, walk-in, hidden pantry that catered to the needs of the family. Three of the most important design features include the hidden pantry, “other room” storage such as the mudroom seat and window bench, as well as the eat-in counter. Other notable design elements include glass cabinets, under-cabinet lighting, a message center and built-in under the counter appliances. The coffee system is plumbed allowing for immediate hot coffee and specialty drinks at the touch of a button. Dimensions: 27’X12’ Cabinetry: KEMPER Flooring: MAPLE HARDWOOD with Radiant floor heat. Countertops/Vanity Tops: Quartzite/MARBLE (Donna Sandra) Sinks: BLANCO Faucets: DELTA with Touch2o-technology. Dishwasher: MIELE Cooktop/Range: WOLF Lighting: FEISS Refrigerator: SUB-ZERO Oven: WOLF Plumbing Supplies: DELTA POT FILLER Hardware: ATLAS

2015 Cosmopolitian Home of the Year

Francesca Owings Interior Design

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 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!