Kitchen with open shelves Ambler residence

The open shelves make the kitchen feel more opened. Steven Ladner Photography

Mt. Vernon Street Kitchen Appliance Garage

User

Halkin Mason Photography

Kitchen remodel

Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins, Inc.

Crowning Glory

DRAPER-DBS

Custom cabinets by DRAPER-DBS Kitchen design by Veronica Campbell of Deane, Inc.: www.deane.com Photography by Jane Beiles

Waterfront Kitchen

Wiedemann Architects LLC

This home on the Eastern Shore of Maryland began as a modest 1927 home with a central hall plan. Renovations included reversing the kitchen and dining room layout , adding a large central island and hood to anchor the center of the kitchen. The island has a walnut counter encircling the working island and accommodates additional seating. The main sink looks out to the north with beautiful water views. The southwest bay window affords a seating area with built-in bookshelves adjoining the breakfast room while the one in the kitchen provides for the secondary sink and clean-up area. By capturing the additional depth in the bay window, a large TV is concealed below the countertop and can emerge with a press of a button or retract out of sight to enjoy views of the water. A separate butler's pantry and wine bar were designed adjoining the breakfast room. The original fireplace was retained and became the center of the large Breakfast Room. Wood paneling lines the Breakfast Room which helps to integrate the new kitchen and the adjoining spaces into a coherent whole, all accessible from the informal entry. This was a highly collaborative project with Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen and Bath LTD of Chevy Chase, MD. Bob Narod, Photographer, LLC

The New Southern

Pineapple House Interior Design

The entire wall on the left is a floor to ceiling pantry. A Bonisolli Photography

French Country on Prior Lake

John Kraemer & Sons

Builder: John Kraemer & Sons | Designer: Tom Rauscher of Rauscher & Associates | Photographer: Spacecrafting

Old World Charm

RMS DESIGNS

Cottage Kitchen in Elburn

Advance Design Studio, Ltd.

Located on a partially wooded lot in Elburn, Illinois, this home needed an eye-catching interior redo to match the unique period exterior. The residence was originally designed by Bow House, a company that reproduces the look of 300-year old bow roof Cape-Cod style homes. Since typical kitchens in old Cape Cod-style homes tend to run a bit small- or as some would like to say, cozy – this kitchen was in need of plenty of efficient storage to house a modern day family of three. Advance Design Studio, Ltd. was able to evaluate the kitchen’s adjacent spaces and determine that there were several walls that could be relocated to allow for more usable space in the kitchen. The refrigerator was moved to the newly excavated space and incorporated into a handsome dinette, an intimate banquette, and a new coffee bar area. This allowed for more countertop and prep space in the primary area of the kitchen. It now became possible to incorporate a ball and claw foot tub and a larger vanity in the elegant new full bath that was once just an adjacent guest powder room. Reclaimed vintage Chicago brick paver flooring was carefully installed in a herringbone pattern to give the space a truly unique touch and feel. And to top off this revamped redo, a handsome custom green-toned island with a distressed black walnut counter top graces the center of the room, the perfect final touch in this charming little kitchen.

New Construction

Dubinett Architects, llc.

contractor: Etai Har-El photographer: Christian Garibaldi

Westchester, NY Center Hall Colonial

Evelyn Benatar, New York Interior Design

Beckerman Photograpy

A Kitchen Designed for Family Gathering

Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes

• A busy family wanted to rejuvenate their entire first floor. As their family was growing, their spaces were getting more cramped and finding comfortable, usable space was no easy task. The goal of their remodel was to create a warm and inviting kitchen and family room, great room-like space that worked with the rest of the home’s floor plan. The focal point of the new kitchen is a large center island around which the family can gather to prepare meals. Exotic granite countertops and furniture quality light-colored cabinets provide a warm, inviting feel. Commercial-grade stainless steel appliances make this gourmet kitchen a great place to prepare large meals. A wide plank hardwood floor continues from the kitchen to the family room and beyond, tying the spaces together. The focal point of the family room is a beautiful stone fireplace hearth surrounded by built-in bookcases. Stunning craftsmanship created this beautiful wall of cabinetry which houses the home’s entertainment system. French doors lead out to the home’s deck and also let a lot of natural light into the space. From its beautiful, functional kitchen to its elegant, comfortable family room, this renovation achieved the homeowners’ goals. Now the entire family has a great space to gather and spend quality time.

French Provincial Kitchen

Jonathan Ivy Productions

Montana Retreat

Shannon Callaghan Interior Design

Tudor kitchen

Froze Design Build, Inc.

Photo by Richard Froze

Threw Residence

Evans Woodworking Inc

This Custom Traditional style beaded inset kitchen, was designed and built by the team here at Evans Woodworking in San Diego photo: www.DylanMayer.com

TriBeCa Loft

Gary Lee Partners

Nathan Kirkman | www.nathankirkman.com

Carolina Design Associates, LLC

Summit Hill Shingle-Style Home Remodel

David Heide Design Studio

Architecture & Interior Design: David Heide Design Studio -- Photos: Susan Gilmore

Lenox Kitchen & Family Room Renovation

Terracotta Design Build

Jeff Herr

U-shaped Kitchen with Panelled Appliances 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!