Interior Design · Topic hub
Kitchen Design
Compare one kitchen in three style directions and in three cabinet colours, then the layout and storage decisions that shape how it works.
26 guides in this topic · Updated
3D illustration · not a photographI like this look
Style and palette directions: kitchens
Each comparison keeps the room, the window, the camera and the daylight the same, and says exactly what changes — a whole style scheme, or only the colours.
Style directionsOne kitchen, three style directionsIf I keep the same layout, what do cabinets, worktop, splashback and handles do to the style?ScandinavianContemporary classicWarm minimalCompare them in the same room 
Palette comparisonOne galley kitchen, three cabinet colouringsOne colour, two tones or dark all over: which way round should my cabinet colours go?One pale colourDark base, pale wall cabinetsOne dark colourCompare them in the same room
I’m solving a problem
Problems people get stuck on, shown in the room
Problem and optionsIsland, peninsula, or no island at allIs my kitchen big enough for an island — and if not, what instead?A freestanding islandA peninsula from the side wallNo island, a table insteadCompare them in the same room 
Problem and optionsOpen shelves, upper cabinets, or a mixOpen shelves look lovely online. Will they work in my kitchen?Open shelvesUpper cabinetsCabinets with one open sectionCompare them in the same room
More planning guides for this room
About this topic
What the guides here cover
The kitchen is the hardest-working room in most homes. This hub gathers kitchen interior planning guides — layout, cabinetry, lighting, storage and workflow.
Educational planning only. Electrical, plumbing and ventilation work is carried out by qualified professionals; requirements vary by location and project.
Topic diagram
Room layout planning concept
Conceptual editorial diagram — not a construction drawing or to-scale plan. Requirements vary by project and are confirmed with qualified professionals.
Browse by topic
Related topic hubs
Bathroom Design →Planning a bathroom interior — layouts, showers, tubs, vanities, storage, lighting and ventilation.Storage & Organization →Planning storage and organization throughout the home — built-ins, closets, pantries, drawers and entry storage.Style & Palettes →Planning interior style, color, lighting and material palettes — from overall direction to room-by-room finishes.All Interior →Back to the full Interior Design section.
Start here
Featured guides
Apartment Kitchen Planning →A practical apartment kitchen planning guide — workflow, storage, ventilation, appliance placement, lighting, materials and the plumbing and electrical constraints unique to apartments. Educational planning only.Apartment Kitchen Renovation Cost Factors →What affects apartment kitchen renovation costs — layout changes, cabinetry, countertop and material choices, appliances, lighting, ventilation, plumbing and electrical constraints, flooring, storage and hidden conditions. Educational planning only, no prices.Kitchen Renovation Planning →A practical kitchen renovation planning guide — workflow and the work triangle, storage, cabinets, countertops, lighting, appliances, ventilation, plumbing and electrical constraints, materials and professional review. Educational planning only, with no plumbing or electrical instructions.Kitchen Cabinet Planning →A practical guide to planning kitchen cabinets before ordering or briefing professionals — storage zones, base cabinets, wall cabinets, drawers, pantry storage, appliance clearances, finishes, hardware, maintenance and the importance of careful measuring. Educational planning only.Kitchen Lighting Planning →A high-level kitchen lighting planning guide — ambient lighting, task lighting, under-cabinet lighting, island and peninsula lighting, glare control, colour temperature as a planning concept, and controls. Electrical work should be carried out by qualified electricians; no wiring instructions here.Kitchen Layout Basics →A practical guide to kitchen layout planning — workflow zones, storage, lighting, appliances, ventilation, plumbing and electrical constraints and when to involve a professional.Kitchen Cabinet Moisture Damage Planning →An educational planning guide to documenting moisture damage around kitchen cabinets — sink and dishwasher areas, ventilation, material swelling and leak suspicion as planning topics, plus when professional review helps. No plumbing instructions.Kitchen Ventilation Problem Planning →An educational planning guide to kitchen ventilation concerns — cooking odors, moisture, windows, the range hood as a planning topic and building constraints, plus when professional review helps. No electrical or ductwork instructions.
In this topic
All guides
Every planning guide grouped under this topic, for quick scanning and crawlable navigation.
Pantry Remodel Planning →A practical educational planning guide for pantry remodeling — shelves, walk-in versus cabinet pantry, lighting, inventory visibility, dry goods, appliances and ventilation as a planning topic. Not a feasibility determination.Small Kitchen Remodel Planning →A practical educational planning guide for small kitchen remodels — layout priorities, storage, work zones, appliance placement, lighting, materials, circulation and professional review. Not a feasibility determination.Galley Kitchen Layout Planning →An educational planning guide for galley kitchen layouts — the two-wall workflow, aisle space, storage, lighting, appliances, ventilation and materials, plus professional review. Not a feasibility determination.L-Shaped Kitchen Layout Planning →An educational planning guide for L-shaped kitchen layouts — corner storage, workflow, open-plan connection, lighting, island possibility, material continuity and professional review. Not a feasibility determination.U-Shaped Kitchen Layout Planning →An educational planning guide for U-shaped kitchen layouts — work zones, corner storage, appliance placement, lighting, circulation and storage density, plus professional review. Not a feasibility determination.Open-Plan Kitchen Remodel Planning →A practical educational guide for planning open-plan kitchen remodels — the kitchen/living relationship, noise, odors, lighting, island or peninsula planning, flooring transitions, ventilation and professional review. Not a feasibility determination.Kitchen Island Planning Guide →A planning guide for kitchen islands before professional consultation — function, seating, circulation, storage, lighting, and appliance, plumbing and electrical constraints as planning topics, plus professional review. No plumbing or electrical instructions.Kitchen Storage Planning Guide →A practical educational guide to kitchen storage planning — pantry, base and wall cabinets, drawers, vertical and corner storage, appliance storage and daily workflow. Not a feasibility determination.Kitchen Drawer and Cabinet Organization →An educational planning guide for organizing kitchen storage zones — utensils, cookware, food storage, cleaning supplies, small appliances, drawer-versus-cabinet decisions and accessibility. Not a feasibility determination.Walk-In Pantry Planning →A planning guide for walk-in pantry spaces — shelving, visibility, dry goods, small appliances, lighting, ventilation as a planning topic, and cleaning and maintenance. Not a feasibility determination.Butler's Pantry Planning →A planning guide for butler's pantry concepts — staging area, storage, serving flow, sink and appliance constraints as planning topics, lighting, material durability and professional review. Not a feasibility determination.Loose Worktop →Learn how to record a kitchen worktop that lifts, shifts or pulls away from cabinets, including where and how, so a fitter can assess the fixings and support.Closed vs Open Kitchen →Compare a closed kitchen with an open-plan layout on noise, cooking smells, sociability and flexibility, to plan the right fit for your home.Eat-In vs Dining Room →Compare an eat-in kitchen with a separate dining room on space, formality, flow and flexibility, to plan where your household will eat.Galley vs L-Shaped →Compare galley and L-shaped kitchen layouts on workflow, counter space, circulation and how each one suits the shape and size of your room.Island vs Peninsula →Compare a kitchen island with a peninsula on flow, seating, clearance and space, to plan the right central feature for your kitchen.U-Shaped vs L-Shaped →Compare U-shaped and L-shaped kitchen layouts on counter run, corners, openness and room fit, to plan the right configuration for your space.Walk-In vs Cabinet Pantry →Compare walk-in and cabinet pantries on footprint, access, capacity and budget, to plan the right kind of food storage for your kitchen.
From the Ideas Library
Related design ideas
Educational design inspiration and owner-side planning ideas related to this topic — planning directions and questions to explore, not advice or built projects.
Kitchen →Kitchen design and layout ideas for owner-side planning — work zones, storage, materials and finishes to discuss with qualified professionals.Flooring →Flooring design ideas for planning — material directions, room-by-room flooring, transitions and durability questions to explore with professionals.Lighting →Lighting design ideas for planning — layered lighting, task and ambient directions, and the electrical and control questions to raise with professionals.
Owner-side preparation
Related planning checklists
Educational preparation checklists for this topic: decisions to record, documents to gather and questions to bring to a qualified professional.
Interior Design
Ideas and planning guidance for kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, bedrooms, layouts, lighting and interior styles.
Explore the full Interior Design section →