Kitchen Ideas and Designs

In our latest Kitchen ‘stories’ series, we share the journey behind the transformation of this Somerset farmhouse. This was a complete renovation project in the true sense of the word, involving both the vision of the owner and one of David Salisbury’s most experienced designers. The period property had an existing kitchen which was simply too small and clearly not suitable for a busy family, with a fondness for entertaining. The masterstroke was the decision to relocate the kitchen to what was the former living room and open up the property with a glazed extension, instantly adding in light-bathed space and creating the all-important connection to the garden. The idea to position the kitchen in a new, purpose-built space provided the opportunity to start with a blank canvas: a kitchen designer’s dream! Planning the new kitchen without the constraints of services, such as existing electrics and plumbing, meant we could set about creating a space that was truly tailored to our client. First of all this meant really understanding the home owner and listening to how this busy family lived their lives at home – very socially was the answer! With a substantial new space to work with, we designed a large island to form the centrepiece of the new kitchen, along with an informal entertaining space with comfy bar stools. Having considered a number of different cooking options, our client chose an Everhot range cooker, having visited our showroom in Chelsea to see the existing display and get a better understanding of their reputation for energy efficiency and contemporary cooking functionality. The soft grey tone of the Everhot (Dove Grey) not only acted as a strong focal point, but a warming source of heat for the family (and dog!) to snuggle around. The striking choice of paint finish, ‘Drammen’ from David Salisbury’s unique palette, accentuates the quality of the joinery and is the perfect pairing with our solid oak carcasses – we could look at this eye-catching combination all day! The mix of busy family and social life meant choice of refrigeration was important to get right. The French door fridge freezer from Fisher & Paykel not only maximised storage, it also included a built-in ice maker, a must-have for hosting informal drinks or a weekend night in. Plenty of flexible space for larder essentials was provided by the bespoke pantry cupboard, situated alongside the fridge, with bottle and spice racks and even a cold shelf in matching quartz. Introducing a bench seat under the window allowed a seamless continuation of the kitchen cabinetry and another great space to bring family and guests together, when cooking and entertaining. Safe to say, it’s now the favourite space for Orla (the family’s dog) to take in the views of the garden! Whilst last, but by no means least, the final feature of the kitchen, was a bespoke media unit with bi-fold doors to conceal the TV, which doubled up as a drinks cabinet with integrated wine cooler. Designed from scratch, the new kitchen for this Somerset farmhouse is a combination of timeless design and modern luxury. Being able to cook for and entertain family and guests, in the same space at the same time, meant the final design was perfectly done!

Modern Minimalism - Ground Floor Renovation

Revamper Interior Design

Light and airy contemporary kitchen with minimalist features. The large, stone clad island and expansive skylight hero the space.

Shawnee Woods

Tays & Co Design Studios

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Shawnee Woods

Tays & Co Design Studios

Family Home in Hancock Park

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The Ogden House

Meridith Baer Home

Photography by Anthony Barcelo

Spanish themed kitchen

Design by Numbers / Rebecca Zajac LLC

Anthony Abode

Emily Pueringer Design Studio

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.

Mr. Jackson & Mrs. Minnu Jackson Residence

National Design Groups

SubZero Refrigerator

Thayer Design Build

Australian Minimalist Ground-Up

Cathie Hong Interiors

This Australian-inspired new construction was a successful collaboration between homeowner, architect, designer and builder. The home features a Henrybuilt kitchen, butler's pantry, private home office, guest suite, master suite, entry foyer with concealed entrances to the powder bathroom and coat closet, hidden play loft, and full front and back landscaping with swimming pool and pool house/ADU.

Updated Two-Tone Kitchen with Saltillo Tile Floors

Paper Moon Painting

Painting this kitchen's cabinets in Sherwin Williams "Alabaster" (for the range wall cabinets) and Benjamin Moore "Iron One" (for the fridge wall and island) completely transformed this space.

Northwest Hills Remodel and Addition

Remodel Boutique

Modern Mediterranean

Model Remodel

Encaustic cement tile backsplash with Moroccan pendant lights and built-in island seating.

Modern Victorian

Zimmer Design LLC

Kitchen renovation replacing the sloped floor 1970's kitchen addition into a designer showcase kitchen matching the aesthetics of this regal vintage Victorian home. Thoughtful design including a baker's hutch, glamourous bar, integrated cat door to basement litter box, Italian range, stunning Lincoln marble, and tumbled marble floor.

Cliffside

LaRue Architects

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.

Palo Alto Craftsman

Haller Architecture & Design

Sunny breakfast nook with patio access.

Kitchen Ideas and Designs

Want to discover beautiful kitchen ideas to inspire your new kitchen design? You’ve come to the right place. You can discover millions of kitchen designs and ideas; from kitchen islands and storage units, to all sorts of kitchen lighting ideas, such as pendant lighting or under cabinet lighting. Whether you want inspiration for all-in-one fitted kitchen designs, some small kitchen ideas or maybe just some tips for improving your kitchen decor, there are tons of photos to inspire you for your next kitchen project on Houzz.

What kind of kitchen design should I go for?

With so many kitchen ideas and photos to look at you might be a bit overwhelmed when it comes to picking your own kitchen design. If you are updating your kitchen you know what a big and important decision it is to get the design right – the kitchen can be the hub and heart of the home, and it’s unlikely that you would invest in renovating your kitchen again in a few years. But fear not, focusing first on the important elements like layout, cabinet style, worktops and appliances will help you to bring together your dream kitchen design. Additional elements like kitchen lighting, cupboard storage and decor can come after in the kitchen planning process. A kitchen designer or fitter can help you to decide the layout of your kitchen in terms of where to place your kitchen units, appliances and island (if you’re having one), but if you prefer to handle this yourself you can focus on where you want your key elements of your kitchen to be – the oven, hob, sink and fridge. Of course you might be constricted by space, but try to envisage the easiest and most efficient layout based on how you usually like to cook and prepare your food. If you’re fed up of always having to carry dirty pans and pots across the room to the sink, place the sink closer to your oven and hob. Once you have the core elements sorted, consider extra layout considerations, such as where your bins will be stored, where the cutlery draw should be and where small kitchen appliances can be installed.

Should I include a kitchen island?

Kitchen island ideas are abundant these days; it seems most kitchen designs include a kitchen island, if not multiple islands. However, if the layout doesn’t work, especially if you have a small kitchen, then there’s no necessity to add in a kitchen island. You can add a breakfast bar or counter to your existing kitchen units, or stick with a good old-fashioned dining table if you don’t need the extra work surfaces. That said, if you do have the room, take a look at some kitchen island ideas to see if the designs inspire you for your kitchen. There are a huge variety of island designs to cater to different needs – you can have sinks, ovens, hobs, wine storage and all sorts of drawers and organisers built-in, you can have separate bars and counters that extend from your island, or you could go for a kitchen island on wheels to make your kitchen layout more versatile.

How do I choose my kitchen units and cabinets?

When picking out kitchen units and cupboard styles for a fitted kitchen, you’ll first want to consider the more practical questions – how many units do you need? How many cupboards and drawers do you need? Do you need extra kitchen storage built into your units? It’s always best to overestimate how much kitchen storage you’ll need as we all tend to have a habit of filling up whatever current space we have to the maximum. Next you can consider kitchen cabinet style and colour. Shaker style cabinets and raised and recessed panel cabinets offer a more traditional kitchen cabinet look, while flat panel cabinet doors tend to lend more to the modern and contemporary style. However, going for raised or recessed panel work in a striking colour such as dark blue, green or black can still work with contemporary kitchen ideas. White kitchens can give a sleek and clean feel, but remember you may have to do a bit more cleaning of those cupboard doors if you want everything to stay shiny and fresh. Of course, grey kitchens are the neutral colour choice du jour and can be paired with pale and rich shades alike if you want your fitted kitchen cupboards to contrast with your worktop, splashback, floor, or all of the above. Exposed shelving and storage is also popular for eclectic, Scandi and industrial-inspired looks, so you could opt for glass-fronted cabinets or no wall-mounted cabinets at all. Remember that this will require more restraint in what you can store and more effort in keeping it looking presentable compared to what is stored away hastily behind cupboard doors. The kitchen cupboard handles are also another element to decide upon – do you want traditional round knobs, modern metal bars, country kitchen cup handles or maybe to go ultra sleek with a completely handleless kitchen?

What kitchen storage ideas should I consider?

If you want to keep your kitchen well-stocked and well-equipped but don’t want it spilling over with clutter, then you’ll need to rely on good kitchen storage. Apart from the usual fitted kitchen cupboards and drawer space, there are many other ways of keeping your kitchen tidy. Whilst a large kitchen pantry is the dream of most homeowners, it can’t always be a reality. However, there are now lots of pull out compartments and drawers with trays and shelving that can act as mini kitchen pantries, and you can install handy cupboard organisers that fit onto the inside of the door to make the most of your cupboard space. You can also look at corner drawers and cupboards that open up to reveal lots of extra storage. Rails or small shelves along your kitchen walls or splashback can help with hanging utensils or pans, or storing small items like herbs and spices in an usually empty space. Buy extra kitchen storage products for your home on Houzz

Are there small kitchen ideas for small spaces?

If you’re working with a galley kitchen, a one-wall kitchen in an open plan space or just a pretty small kitchen, there are some small kitchen ideas that can help you get the most out of your cooking and dining area. If you find that you don’t utilise the back of your cupboards (maybe they become the graveyard for out-of-date tin cans), you could decide to go with shallower kitchen units to free up some extra floor space in front of your cabinets. As mentioned, open shelving or glass-fronted cabinets are a popular trend and they should make the space feel more open and less boxed-in. However, if you have the capacity for it, cupboards and kitchen units that maximise the floor-to-ceiling space you have will mean you can use all of that for valuable kitchen storage. Wall or ceiling racks could be a useful solution for hanging pans and pots if you’ve run out of cupboards in which to store them. Kitchen ideas and accessories such as baskets, trolleys and storage jars are both aesthetically pleasing and practical as they give you extra storage space. Kitchen appliances like a fridge or dishwasher can be tucked away in built-in units in fitted kitchens so they blend into your layout and don’t make the space look crowded. Discover all the small kitchen ideas you could need by taking a look at photos of compact kitchens.

What sort of kitchen lighting should I go for?

In the kitchen you need to have practical lighting – no one wants to chop, cut and cook in a dingy room. Kitchen ceiling lights are probably the best way to go, but should you opt for recessed spotlights or traditional hanging ceiling lights? While spotlight LED kitchen lighting will give you excellent light, they may not fit with a design that’s not contemporary. Traditional chandelier lights could work for other kitchen styles, and of course, kitchen pendant lighting comes in all sorts of styles, colours and designs. While the popular choice is to go with one or two pendant lights over your kitchen island, you could also opt for a single pendant light over your dining space, or a few spaced out across your kitchen. Of course, if you want good lighting for your worktops, under-cabinet lighting is the way forward. Speak to your kitchen supplier about having this pre-installed, or there are a number of easy-install options you can fit yourself or with the help of a lighting expert or electrician. In the market for your kitchen lighting today? Once you’ve found some inspiring kitchen lighting ideas here, take a look at our kitchen lighting products to find the new lights for your kitchen project.

Check out these popular kitchen pages below:

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.

Ireland

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