Traditional custom kitchen Photo by Marcel Page Photography
Large elegant galley dark wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

We packed all of the luxuries of a larger home into this compact urban apartment renovation. From the spaceous kitchen/living room to the sophisticated bathroom, this small home has it all. We removed walls to open up the kitchen into the large living and dining room, perfect for entertaining. The kitchen includes full size stainless steel appliances, porcelain floor tile, quartz countertops, a glass tile mosaic backsplash, and custom Shaker style island and cabinets in a white satin finish. Midway through the project we decided to install a new through the wall integrated heating and air-conditioning (PTAC) system incorporating the building steam system, which required building and architectural approval. By removing the window air conditioners, we completely improved the light and aesthetic. Tapping into the building's steam heat system also saves money. For another budget saver, we dressed up its factory metal cover by wrapping the baseboard around it.

This young couple wanted to maximize their odd kitchen and dining room for entertaining their family and friends. With a separate formal dining space elsewhere, we opted for a more casual kitchen island for working, eating, baking, and having an occasional glass of wine with a friend. We agreed on maintaining the original galley style kitchen floorpan but decided to shift a few appliances in order to improve efficiency. We added a large island allowing for additional storage, seating, and countertop space and then created a dedicated “beverage bar” to house the espresso machine and large wine refrigerator. We had a lot of fun playing with finishes in this space. We layered a mix of “cool” and “warm” tones to create a multi-depth effect which registers as eclectic and pulled together. Interior Design by Bennett Design Co. Photo by Mike Kaskel

Inspiration for a small transitional galley medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Seattle with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and white countertops

Handleless Cabinets The minimalist aesthetic continues with handleless cabinets. For buyers and homeowners seeking a sleek design, handleless cabinets are a must. If you’re having trouble finding handleless cabinets, try looking at home design companies like Ikea and Scandinavian Designs.

Stephanie Wiley Photography
Huge beach style galley medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Example of a large classic galley light wood floor open concept kitchen design in Other with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Mid-sized elegant galley medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in Denver with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Photo by Caleb Vandermeer Photography
Example of a large mid-century modern galley porcelain tile and gray floor eat-in kitchen design in Portland with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, an island, white countertops and paneled appliances

Down-to-studs remodel and second floor addition. The original house was a simple plain ranch house with a layout that didn’t function well for the family. We changed the house to a contemporary Mediterranean with an eclectic mix of details. Space was limited by City Planning requirements so an important aspect of the design was to optimize every bit of space, both inside and outside. The living space extends out to functional places in the back and front yards: a private shaded back yard and a sunny seating area in the front yard off the kitchen where neighbors can easily mingle with the family. A Japanese bath off the master bedroom upstairs overlooks a private roof deck which is screened from neighbors’ views by a trellis with plants growing from planter boxes and with lanterns hanging from a trellis above. Photography by Kurt Manley. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/modern-mediterranean/

A new portal surrounded by floor to ceiling cabinets opens to the formal dining room and provides easy access and flow from the kitchen. Eric Rorer Photography

Cabinets: Dove Gray- Slab Door Box shelves Shelves: Seagull Gray Countertop: Perimeter/Dropped 4” mitered edge- Pacific shore Quartz Calacatta Milos Countertop: Islands-4” mitered edge- Caesarstone Symphony Gray 5133 Backsplash: Run the countertop- Caesarstone Statuario Maximus 5031 Photographer: Steve Chenn

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   This client was referred to us from a past client. They are a busy 2-career household with young children and enjoy entertaining friends and family in their home. They have a beautiful open concept home but unfortunately the kitchen was not fitting for the rest of the home. They were not quite sure what to do with the space. We talked about trying to refresh it or do more of a minor remodel, but in the end they decided a full gut would get them to where they wanted to be. One problem was there was no place for guests to hang out other than the large and awkward banquette area. The brick wall and tiled hood area were feeling a bit dated and tired. The space was just not functional for their lifestyle. There was no prep space near the cooktop and no landing area for items coming out of the ovens or refrigerator, plus a big dead zone in the center of the room. Banquettes, like the one they previously had in the space, are great for small spaces, but when they get really large like this one, it makes getting in and out of the seating area awkward and uncomfortable. Plus, there was room for a large table, so we eliminated the awkward built in. We started by removing the faux brick wall between the kitchen and back entry. We relocated the entry to the garage over a couple feet in order to get every last inch out of the new kitchen. We also made the decision to close up the primary window that faced the pretty ho hum brick wall of the neighbor’s house. There was plenty of light coming in from the seating area, so we just didn’t feel the window was adding much to the room. Construction went smoothy. There was a bit of rework with electrical, flooring and HVAC, but in the end, we think it was well worth it. The clients really wanted a sleek contemporary look, and we originally had planned for a full height slab backsplash, but due to it’s size, it was a budget buster. Instead, we got creative and settled on large format porcelain tiles that have a similar feel but were a fraction of the cost. We made sure the wall was plumb and level so that the fit and finish would mimic that of slab material. The final space was quite a change. A large prep sink sits directly across from the new pro-style range with plenty additional prep space on the large island. The refrigerator and ovens now have miles of landing space, and a nice tight work triangle makes cooking a breeze. Since we wanted a more contemporary feel, not many wall cabinets were included. Instead, we outfitted some of the drawers for dish storage with a peg system. Two large pantries flanking the refrigerator hold baking supplies and small appliances. Large drawers by the cooktop hold pots and pans, and an appliance garage tucked away to the left of the range hides away miscellaneous items. The large island also houses a microwave drawer and tons of storage, most of which is drawers offering maximum convenience. The island now seats 5-6 people comfortably along with the new table in the seating area which can seat up to 8. Entertaining will be a breeze in this space. With such a clean backdrop, we knew we would need some drama with the lighting, so we chose two sets of staggered pendants, which we adjusted for the right visual balance above the island. We also included a small coffee station to the right of the main kitchen, which helps keep the coffee clutter out of the kitchen proper. Two tones of complimentary gray are featured in this kitchen. The perimeter is a light gray that reads almost white. The island is a gray stain that adds some depth and interest with the visible wood texture. The countertops are clean white quartz, and the hardware, barstools and light fixtures add warm brass tones. I see lots of cooking and entertaining with family and friends in the near future in this bright and airy new space. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Susan Brenner
Inspiration for a huge transitional galley dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Denver with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Custom designed Coffee and beverage center to service today's on the go family. Photography by Carlson Productions, LLC
Example of a huge transitional galley dark wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Detroit with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

The white farmhouse sink is so perfect for this house. And the quartz compliments the gray cabinet with its flecks of black and gray.
Kitchen - mid-sized craftsman galley kitchen idea in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, white appliances and no island

Stacy Zarin Goldberg Photography
Example of a transitional galley painted wood floor and black floor enclosed kitchen design in DC Metro with white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, shaker cabinets and a farmhouse sink

Lisa Garcia Architecture + Interior Design
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional galley porcelain tile eat-in kitchen remodel in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Robin McCarthy Architect and Michael Hospelt Photography
Open concept kitchen - large transitional galley medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen idea in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island