Let’s get back down to earth for a minute, yet still get inspired by beautiful kitchen designs. Below you’ll find 44 examples of custom upscale kitchen designs in all styles, sizes and colors. While these aren’t $100,000, they are spectacular.
The interesting design concept here is how the tile floor matches the cabinetry creating a unified color scheme, yet the slightly different shades of the tiles create sufficient contrast to avoid a boring aesthetic.Here’s one of those designs that most people love. This is definitely a high-end kitchen, but because we can’t verify it cost $100,000, we put it in this section. My only suggestion with this design would be to add hardwood flooring instead of tile (I have a hardwood flooring bias though).It’s amazing how the wood tone can dictate one’s reaction to a kitchen. This is a muted wood tone which works well although I like a little more pop.This overall space is wonderful with the large sunroom area lighting up the already bright white space. The kitchen embraces the light with white cabinetry offset by dark wood flooring.Another long galley kitchen with long island. This is an example of where the island doesn’t contrast the the rest of the kitchen. It works, but I think it lacks an accent element.The ornament attention to detail really takes this design to the next level. While I’ve repeatedly expressed how I like contrasting elements, I’m not so sure I like that dark brown freestanding cabinet on the far side of the room. It results in there being too much going on.I’m of two minds about this design. I like the glass-faced island cabinets, but would worry about putting my foot through the glass. It’s interesting and not something you see too often.In a regular height room, this kitchen would be gorgeous. In the room with tall vaulted ceilings it’s spectacular. I love that stove hood how it rises up really high drawing the eye up to the incredible cathedral ceiling.Notice how the long row of windows makes a kitchen such a nice space compared to other kitchens in this photo gallery without windows or not enough windows.Another example of using the island to add contrast within in the overall design. That island is the star. Notice how it’s a taller island which makes for a comfortable workspace.This is a masculine modern design with flat-panel dark cabinets and straight lines. It’s actually a pretty simple design, but the silver hardware on the dark brown cabinets look great.This kitchen picture showcases a luxury great room with kitchen, dining area and living room. But as you can see, that’s one very nice corner kitchen with curved island. I love how the white ties the room together.Not a huge kitchen design, but you can see exceptional attention to detail in every square inch. I like the double-sided glass-faced hanging cabinets above the peninsula.This is gorgeous and I like how one of the peninsulas doubles as a breakfast bar but the only trouble here is the lack of cabinets for storage.I’m not a huge fan of this design, but included it in our upscale kitchens because it’s an expensive design and is a good example of a curved kitchen layout.Here’s an expensive modern kitchen example that combines white with natural wood tone. One design concept I like is using a different color or material for islands… it’s a great way to juxtapose the main materials and colors used for the main cabinets.Here’s another view of the kitchen above.This large and open l-shape kitchen is pretty good; what makes it beautiful is the stunning dark wood island.Here’s a fancy design, especially with the black (or near black… hard to tell sometimes) island. Great contrast tied together with medium-tone hardwood flooring. I think it’s risky using different tone wood in a kitchen, but it works when the contrast is sufficient enough like in this photo example.This is a little cavernous for my liking, but sometimes you have to work with the space you have and in this case the actual kitchen is beautiful.The chocolate brown custom cabinetry is the standout here. The u-shape offers plenty of storage and the large center island creates plenty of counter space. In fact, you’ll notice the only real counter space is that offered by the island.Look closely and you’ll see the massive island is two-tiers, which is a cool design both aesthetically and functionally because it demarcates workspace from eating space.I simply love that island with how the side glass-faced cabinets are lit. It creates a really great lighting effect that outshines much of the rest of the kitchen.This is a perfect example of a modern kitchen that’s not sterile or cold. The lines and materials are modern in every way, yet the liberal use of a medium tone wood gives the space a nice warmth.This is an unusual kitchen that I’m not to fond of but included it because it’s high-end in many ways. Definitely a custom build. It appears the entire home’s interior design is unique.I love the layout of this kitchen with how it sits in the middle of the living and dining rooms. The flow is good too with wide aisles between the island and main counters.The standout here are the cabinet hardware. With many drawers (probably too drawer-heavy), the hardware jumps out and looks great.This is a massive kitchen verging on rustic style. Perhaps a bit too much wood, but the island offers a great wine storage feature.Few people would complain about this simple, but elegant kitchen design. It’s not huge, but large enough for a great kitchen.I’ve commented on how some kitchens have too much wood and no doubt this one has plenty of wood, but it’s done in a way that it really works well. I never get tired looking at this stunning example. There’s even wood framing the tray ceiling.This is one of those examples that make you stop and go “wow!”. While it’s not my preferred design and I’m not wild about the island color, overall it works really well except for lack of windows.Not much to say here except it’s an elegant kitchen and dining space that’s very well done and certainly didn’t cost anywhere near $100K.If you like open, this is a good example. I think there’s too much empty space, but the kitchen is nicely designed on its own.The windows and stainless steel counters make this fabulous. I love stainless steel counters because they’re so perfect for working on. The downside is they don’t often look as nice as granite or engineered quartz. However, this photo shows that with the right cabinets, stainless steel counters can look amazing.The galley layout with island in the center looks cool and gives you plenty of storage and work space, but the island is an obstacle. Nevertheless, this kitchen is so nicely designed, especially the island, that I had to include it in this gallery.I’m not wild about this at all, but it’s upscale in every respect. Overall I don’t care for curved kitchens; I prefer straight lines, but this gargantuan kitchen is an interesting concept and for that reason it’s included.I absolutely love how something as simple as 3 bright red stools can take a kitchen design to the next level. Imagine this with brown stools. It just wouldn’t be as nice. The take-away with kitchen design is to consider how you can add an “access” design element, whether wall, lights or stools.The arched doors frame this elegant dark kitchen nicely.Here’s a fairly simple design. Notice the lack or ornament on the island and cabinetry. It’s not plain, but many examples we’ve featured here are very ornate. This design goes in another direction.Instead of an island, this kitchen opted to put a large square dining table in the center of the l-shape layout. I think it’s brilliant because it’s so convenient to eat in the kitchen like that. In this case the space is large enough to accommodate the large table without feeling cramped.I love the rich wood used here, but have to wonder if the tone of the floor is too close to the cabinets making it a little clumsy.Modern and functional describes this kitchen. It’s large with work-friendly surfaces. Unique in many ways.Check out the tall coffered ceiling capping this great room. The kitchen island is stunning with some glass-faced cabinets which always add a nice ornate touch.
