When we drove out to Mukilteo for our initial consultation, we immediately fell in love with this house. With its tall ceilings, eclectic mix of wood, glass and steel, and gorgeous view of the Puget Sound, we quickly nicknamed this project "The Mukilteo Gem". Our client, a cook and baker, did not like her existing kitchen. The main points of issue were short runs of available counter tops, lack of storage and shortage of light. So, we were called in to implement some big, bold ideas into a small footprint kitchen with big potential. We completely changed the layout of the room by creating a tall, built-in storage wall and a continuous u-shape counter top. Early in the project, we took inventory of every item our clients wanted to store in the kitchen and ensured that every spoon, gadget, or bowl would have a dedicated "home" in their new kitchen. The finishes were meticulously selected to ensure continuity throughout the house. We also played with the color scheme to achieve a bold yet natural feel.This kitchen is a prime example of how color can be used to both make a statement and project peace and balance simultaneously. While busy at work on our client's kitchen improvement, we also updated the entry and gave the homeowner a modern laundry room with triple the storage space they originally had. End result: ecstatic clients and a very happy design team. That's what we call a big success! John Granen.

Plano | Normandy Estates | Kitchen & Butler Cabinets (Partner)

Kitchen Design Concepts

The builder we partnered with for this beauty original wanted to use his cabinet person (who builds and finishes on site) but the clients advocated for manufactured cabinets - and we agree with them! These homeowners were just wonderful to work with and wanted materials that were a little more "out of the box" than the standard "white kitchen" you see popping up everywhere today - and their dog, who came along to every meeting, agreed to something with longevity, and a good warranty! The cabinets are from WW Woods, their Eclipse (Frameless, Full Access) line in the Aspen door style - a shaker with a little detail. The perimeter kitchen and scullery cabinets are a Poplar wood with their Seagull stain finish, and the kitchen island is a Maple wood with their Soft White paint finish. The space itself was a little small, and they loved the cabinetry material, so we even paneled their built in refrigeration units to make the kitchen feel a little bigger. And the open shelving in the scullery acts as the perfect go-to pantry, without having to go through a ton of doors - it's just behind the hood wall!

Lake House Tranquility

Geneva Cabinet Company, LLC

http://genevacabinet.com, GENEVA CABINET COMPANY, LLC , Lake Geneva, WI., Lake house with open kitchen,Shiloh cabinetry pained finish in Repose Grey, Essex door style with beaded inset, corner cabinet, decorative pulls, appliance panels, Definite Quartz Viareggio countertops

South Hampton Charm

Tom Williams Residential, Inc.

Galveston St. House

MK Development & Investment LLC

This Pantry has plenty of built-in shelves to store food and appliances alike. The shelves are supported by pipes, which carry the industrial look in from the Kitchen and Dining Room. The neutral palette of white and medium-toned wood remains cohesive with the Kitchen.

Hanging in Balance Kitchen Design | Astro Design Centre | Ottawa, Canada

Astro Design Centre

This old tiny kitchen now boasts big space, ideal for a small family or a bigger gathering. It's main feature is the customized black metal frame that hangs from the ceiling providing support for two natural maple butcher block shevles, but also divides the two rooms. A downdraft vent compliments the functionality and aesthetic of this installation. The kitchen counters encroach into the dining room, providing more under counter storage. The concept of a proportionately larger peninsula allows more working and entertaining surface. The weightiness of the counters was balanced by the wall of tall cabinets. These cabinets provide most of the kitchen storage and boast an appliance garage, deep pantry and a clever lemans system for the corner storage. Design: Astro Design Centre, Ottawa Canada Photos: Doublespace Photography

Contemporary Mid Century Kitchen Remodel

J. Bryant Boyd, Design-Build

Cargill Residence

East Mountain Design

Kitchen with clerestory lighting and "bridge" incorporating stove vent and lighting. Michael Matsil Photography

Streeterville Apartment II

Eva Quateman Interiors

Werner Straube Photography

Mid Century Modern Kitchen that's Connected to Nature

Normandy Remodeling

This mid-century modern home celebrates the beauty of nature, and this newly restored kitchen embraces the home's roots with materials to match. Walnut cabinets with a slab front in a natural finish complement the rest of the home's paneling beautifully. A thick quartzite countertop on the island, and the same stone for the perimeter countertops and backsplash feature an elegant veining. The natural light and large windows above the sink further connect this kitchen to the outdoors, making it a true celebration of nature.\

Modern Fun House, Danville, CA

Lauren Evans Interiors, LLC

Warren Terrace Hinsdale

Plain & Posh

These homeowners were ready to update the home they had built when their girls were young. This was not a full gut remodel. The perimeter cabinetry mostly stayed but got new doors and height added at the top. The island and tall wood stained cabinet to the left of the sink are new and custom built and I hand-drew the design of the new range hood. The beautiful reeded detail came from our idea to add this special element to the new island and cabinetry. Bringing it over to the hood just tied everything together. We were so in love with this stunning Quartzite we chose for the countertops we wanted to feature it further in a custom apron-front sink. We were in love with the look of Zellige tile and it seemed like the perfect space to use it in.

RYE NY - Suburban Sophistication

DEANE Inc | Distinctive Design & Cabinetry

This beautiful yet highly functional space was remodeled for a busy, active family. Flush ceiling beams joined two rooms, and the back wall was extended out six feet to create a new, open layout with areas for cooking, dining, and entertaining. The homeowner is a decorator with a vision for the new kitchen that leverages low-maintenance materials with modern, clean lines. Durable Quartz countertops and full-height slab backsplash sit atop white overlay cabinets around the perimeter, with angled shaker doors and matte brass hardware adding polish. There is a functional “working” island for cooking, storage, and an integrated microwave, as well as a second waterfall-edge island delineated for seating. A soft slate black was chosen for the bases of both islands to ground the center of the space and set them apart from the perimeter. The custom stainless-steel hood features “Cartier” screws detailing matte brass accents and anchors the Wolf 48” dual fuel range. A new window, framed by glass display cabinets, adds brightness along the rear wall, with dark herringbone floors creating a solid presence throughout the space.

Spanish Mission Revival in Delray Beach

Olga Adler

Large open transitional kitchen with white cabinets and dark island, white quartz counters and glass tile. Bertazzoni appliances, Dornbracht and Kohler fixtures.

Class Romantic Ranch

KBG Design

Kitchen Design - Piedmont, CA

Story & Space Interior Design

BAJO SOLEADO

bymariellamarquez - InteriorismoDecoraciónReformas

Modern Farmhouse

Lauren Jacobsen Interior Design

Beautiful warm wood and white kitchen with large size island that seats 5. Off to the right through the hallway is a pantry and butlers serving area that runs adjacent to the dining room. It is about mixing materials in today's kitchens. So, a combination of cabinetry stain and paint finishes adds interest to a kitchen.

Kitchen

Thompson Construction

The cabinet paint color is Sherwin-Williams - SW 7008 Alabaster

Lake Minnetonka Modern

Mark D. Williams Custom Homes, Inc.

U-shaped Kitchen with White 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 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!