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4. Open Things Up With Open Shelves
Open shelving offers a welcome pause from solid cabinetry. It introduces breathing room, keeps go-to items close at hand and gives homeowners a chance to layer in personality through curated displays.
In this Indianapolis kitchen by Compendium Group, three floating shelves on the sink wall introduce a lighter, more open feel. Matching single shelves flanking the range echo the look, breaking up the cabinetry while providing space for display or easy-to-reach essentials. The kitchen earned Compendium Group a Best of Houzz Design award. The home builders also won a Best of Houzz Service award.
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3. Built-In Sorting Systems
Designer: Erica Peale Design
Location: Arlington, Virginia
Size: 108 square feet (10 square meters); 9 by 12 feet
Homeowner’s request. “The homeowner wanted a more functional, well-organized space with dedicated storage for laundry and cleaning supplies,” says designer Erica Peale. “Previously, the room lacked proper laundry hampers, causing baskets to pile up on the floor, and there was no storage for linens or cleaning supplies, leaving the space cluttered. Painted a jarring orange, the room felt anything but inviting.”
Peale uses Houzz Pro software to help run her business. “We use Houzz for website hosting, 3D floor planning, project library and client reviews,” she says. “Houzz is an invaluable tool to help with our projects.”
Storage strategies. “Thoughtful design transformed this laundry room into a highly functional and organized space,” Peale says. “Open cubbies were created to house rolling laundry hampers, keeping them accessible yet neatly tucked away. Pullout drying racks add convenience for air-drying garments, while custom cabinetry provides ample storage for cleaning supplies, detergents and household linens. Additional features such as adjustable shelving, a built-in ironing board, concealed waste bins and dedicated folding surfaces ensure everything has a place, making daily laundry tasks more efficient and enjoyable.”
Other special features. “The custom cabinetry was painted in a soft, soothing spa-like blue, (Sherwin-Williams’ Stardew), bringing a calm and refined feel to the space,” Peale says. “Large-format 12-by-18-inch travertine floor tiles ground the room with warmth and texture, while a polished marble 1-inch hexagon backsplash adds a timeless, elevated touch. Floating shelves with brass ceiling-mounted brackets introduce both style and function, complemented by brass cabinet hardware that adds warmth and subtle contrast. A full-size utility sink enhances everyday usability, while Steele Canvas laundry baskets provide an efficient system for separating whites, darks and dry cleaning.”
Designer tip. “A key design approach we recommend is choosing a softer, more restful color palette and prioritizing closed storage to minimize visual clutter,” Peale says. “Layering a mix of textures and varying sheens not only reflects light throughout the space but also creates depth and visual interest, transforming a functional room into one that feels calm, polished and intentional.”
General contractor: Connor Bentley; wall paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore
25 Home Design Trends Defining How We’ll Live in 2026
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The low, beamed ceiling in this room in a centuries-old English house presented a challenge for kitchen specialist Chisholm Design. The firm had been tasked with creating a kitchen here where there once was none. In doing so, they needed to incorporate plentiful storage without the space feeling cramped. This was especially important because the front of the home dates from the 18th or early 19th century, with high ceilings and big windows, and the back of the house, where the kitchen is located, is 16th century, with low ceilings.
“There’s quite a mismatch in the feel of the house as you go through it, so it was important the spaces flowed together,” designer Joanna Chisholm says. She did this by keeping the kitchen light and open, so the low ceiling and reduced light is less apparent, and by building storage neatly into all the available space, including under the stairs and within the fireplace.
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The low, beamed ceiling in this room presented a challenge for kitchen specialist Chisholm Design: how to incorporate plentiful storage without the space feeling cramped. This was especially important because the front of the English house is Georgian architecture, with high ceilings and big windows, and the back of the house, where the kitchen is located, is 16th century, with low ceilings.
“There’s quite a mismatch in the feel of the house as you go through it, so it was important the spaces flowed together,” designer Joanna Chisholm says. She did this by keeping the kitchen light and open, so the low ceiling and reduced light is less apparent, and building storage neatly into all the available space, including under the stairs and within the fireplace.
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Photo by Elizabeth Patton Photography
After: Now the kitchen has a streamlined look with dedicated storage and a refreshing cream-and-blue palette. Gone is the awkward butler’s pantry, replaced by glass-front cabinets for glassware and dishes. To the left of the new paneled fridge, an area that used to be a walk-in pantry now has cabinets for small appliances, bakeware, dry goods and a microwave.
To the right of the stove, a countertop cabinet hides a pullout shelf with a coffee bar and toaster, as well as stationary shelves for mugs and more. To the right of the sink, a cabinet with hammered glass doors keeps more dishware at hand.
Ramsay also removed a dining table and chairs (where the previous photo was taken from) and relocated a desk on the sink-side wall. This allowed for a more spacious island with seating for three, plus French doors that bathe the space in light. Wood-look luxury vinyl flooring grounds the space in beauty and practicality
Perimeter cabinet paint: Dumpling, Sherwin-Williams; island base paint: Hale Navy, Benjamin Moore
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Designer: Harmony Young Design
Location: Heber City, Utah
Size: 80 square feet (7.4 square meters); 8 by 10 feet
Location: Heber City, Utah
Size: 80 square feet (7.4 square meters); 8 by 10 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This space is located right off the front door and the garage door, so it gets used multiple times a day,” designer Harmony Young says. “The homeowner wanted a place for storage, along with somewhere to sit and put on shoes. Because it’s near the entry, they also wanted it to feel warm and inviting. Our goal was to make the space welcoming and cozy right as you walk in, while keeping it functional and organized so everything can be neatly tucked away.”
Mudroom storage features. “We created a bench with cubbies underneath for shoe storage, along with a shelf above for grab-and-go items,” Young says. “This also provided a place to accessorize and make the space feel warm, inviting and pulled together. Since there’s already a coat closet in the space, the homeowners didn’t feel they needed much enclosed storage. Instead, we focused on creating more of a furniture piece rather than a storage cabinet.”
Other special features. “We wanted to bring in some color, and green felt like the perfect complement to this mountain home,” Young says. “The color we chose is Sherwin-Williams Pewter Green. To add warmth, depth and dimension, we incorporated a beautiful white oak wood tone. We finished the look with brushed brass coat hooks and black rattan baskets for shoe storage. We love the harlequin black-and-tan rug. It’s the perfect complement to the space and is durable enough to withstand the Utah climate.”
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid to mix materials,” Young says. “We incorporated both wood and paint, which I feel added an extra layer of detail and warmth. Even though the space is highly functional, we included decor pieces and artwork to add interest and make it feel more like an entryway than a mudroom.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When the wood paneling first went in, I was a little unsure about the color we had chosen,” Young says. “But once we pulled everything together, I knew it was the perfect complement to the green paint.”
Project photography: Cristina Zolotaia
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“Getting more light in was a priority,” says Sarah Woodford of Woodford Architecture and Interiors, who transformed this classic stone cottage in Cornwall, England, with her partner, architect Gavin Woodford. “It was very outdated, dark and damp.” The challenge was to pull in extra light without compromising the style of the riverside property.
Clever changes, including opening up the stairwell, adding skylights in the bathrooms and installing more windows, had a huge impact. “It’s made it a house you want to be in as opposed to one that felt a bit dingy before,” Sarah says. Scroll down to see their inspiring renovation.
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Photos by Cody Simmons
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Duanesburg, New York
Size: 275 square feet (26 square meters)
Design-build pro: Marianne A. Clifford of Marianne Ashley Designs
Clifford removed the old appliances, cabinets, counters and floor, along with the two-level island, making way for a more than 12-foot-wide, one-level island with seating and storage. “It offers a lot more options on how the island can be used,” she says. The new layout improves sightlines and makes the kitchen feel open and inviting.
The island base and perimeter cabinets are semicustom cherry flat-panels with a natural finish and matte black ledge pulls. “A lot of the woodwork in their home was already cherry, so we wanted to create a unified look,” Clifford says.
The upgraded stainless steel refrigerator stayed in place, while an added open upper cabinet and tall pantry on the side expand storage. “There are hooks inside that pantry cabinet for hanging a step stool and broom,” Clifford says.
Modern counter stools with cognac leather upholstery and curved low backs sit at the island, while contemporary pendant lights with etched opal glass shades and matte black frames hang overhead. The ceiling has new LED recessed lights on dimmers. “This gives them full control,” Clifford says.
Pendant lights: Somerset, Hinkley Lighting; stools: Zion, Ballard Designs
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4. Twin Set
Pullouts flanking the range are just one of several custom storage options that Yolanda Badia of YB Interiors added to this Georgia kitchen for a family of four. The homeowners wanted a kitchen that would always look and feel organized, and they got exactly that with these pullouts, two appliance garages, a cabinet with a lift-up mechanism for an air fryer, pullouts for trash and recycling, and more. The storage is a mix of enclosed and glass-front cabinets and open shelving, but the generous use of white creates a unified look.
Cabinets: AB Furniture Refinishing
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Vanity drawers beneath a sink are often more complicated than they appear. Plumbing usually limits the space, forcing designers to create shallow or U-shaped drawers that wrap around pipes. Many experts, however, advocate for going big with a full-size drawer below a cabinet, a solution that maximizes storage without compromise. In this Bridgeport, Connecticut, bathroom, Design by the Jonathans implemented a full-size bottom drawer, providing generous room for towels, toiletries or other commonly used items while keeping the space feeling seamless and functional. Design by the Jonathans won a Best of Houzz Design award for this bathroom. The firm also won a Best of Houzz Service award.