Best of the Week: 37 Show-Stopping Open-Plan Kitchens
Planning a new open-plan kitchen? Be inspired by our all-time favourite examples from Houzz around the globe
Georgia Madden
14 June 2018
An open-plan kitchen tops many renovators’ wish lists. Here are 37 breathtaking designs from around the world to inspire you.
1. Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Designer: John Ellway Architect
Features: Timber and concrete set a warm, earthy tone, while black accents add punch.
Designer: John Ellway Architect
Features: Timber and concrete set a warm, earthy tone, while black accents add punch.
… and we adore how the area opens up fully to this sunny backyard.
Redoing your kitchen? Find a specialised kitchen designer on Houzz near you for expert planning advice
Redoing your kitchen? Find a specialised kitchen designer on Houzz near you for expert planning advice
2. Location: Double Bay, NSW
Designer: Anna Karin Design
Features: Minimalist lines, lashings of white… and just a splash of colour in those Thonet chairs. Elegant in its restraint.
Designer: Anna Karin Design
Features: Minimalist lines, lashings of white… and just a splash of colour in those Thonet chairs. Elegant in its restraint.
3. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: mcmahon and nerlich
Features: Rich-veined marble is the star of the show, while deep-blue cabinetry shows the luxurious material off to perfection.
Designer: mcmahon and nerlich
Features: Rich-veined marble is the star of the show, while deep-blue cabinetry shows the luxurious material off to perfection.
… here’s a closer look
4. Location: Orange, NSW
Designer: Owner Pip Brett who runs homewares store Jumbled
Features: Vintage furniture, basket lights strung from the ceiling… this open-plan kitchen/dining/living room is a riot of colour and fun.
Designer: Owner Pip Brett who runs homewares store Jumbled
Features: Vintage furniture, basket lights strung from the ceiling… this open-plan kitchen/dining/living room is a riot of colour and fun.
5. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: AD Design Develop
Features: Punches of black in the base of the island unit, light fittings and sink add gravitas to a simple white kitchen… and we can’t go past that gorgeous heavily grained timber floor.
Designer: AD Design Develop
Features: Punches of black in the base of the island unit, light fittings and sink add gravitas to a simple white kitchen… and we can’t go past that gorgeous heavily grained timber floor.
6. Location: London, UK
Designer: Mark Lewis Interior Design
Features: Mismatched kitchen units, clusters of exposed bulbs strung from the ceiling, and an old-school butler’s sink create a modern-industrial vibe.
Designer: Mark Lewis Interior Design
Features: Mismatched kitchen units, clusters of exposed bulbs strung from the ceiling, and an old-school butler’s sink create a modern-industrial vibe.
7. Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Designer: Glamuzina Architects
Features: Decorative plywood rafters, sleek handleless cabinetry and a dramatic black kitchen island – it’s a little bit country, a little bit rock ’n’ roll.
Designer: Glamuzina Architects
Features: Decorative plywood rafters, sleek handleless cabinetry and a dramatic black kitchen island – it’s a little bit country, a little bit rock ’n’ roll.
8. Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Designer: Entrance Fastighetsmakleri
Features: Soft-grey painted cabinetry, sumptuous flooring, and an industrial-inspired steel-framed glass screen. Beautifully balanced.
Designer: Entrance Fastighetsmakleri
Features: Soft-grey painted cabinetry, sumptuous flooring, and an industrial-inspired steel-framed glass screen. Beautifully balanced.
9. Location: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Designer: INT2architecture
Features: The chevron patterning on the floor and wall create a sense of unity between the different timber tones.
Designer: INT2architecture
Features: The chevron patterning on the floor and wall create a sense of unity between the different timber tones.
10. Location: Sydney, NSW
Designer: Office88
Features: A curved, tiled island and cascading greenery soften the hard lines of the brickwork, window and door frames.
Designer: Office88
Features: A curved, tiled island and cascading greenery soften the hard lines of the brickwork, window and door frames.
11. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Distinct Joinery
Features: Pale-timber cabinetry, black accents and a concrete floor. But the piece de resistance is the raised food-prep peninsula, designed for ease of use and to create a sense of separation from the dining zone.
Designer: Distinct Joinery
Features: Pale-timber cabinetry, black accents and a concrete floor. But the piece de resistance is the raised food-prep peninsula, designed for ease of use and to create a sense of separation from the dining zone.
12. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: mckimm residential design
Features: Sleek minimalist lines, oceans of white, and eye-catching metallic ceiling lights. Simply divine.
Designer: mckimm residential design
Features: Sleek minimalist lines, oceans of white, and eye-catching metallic ceiling lights. Simply divine.
13. Location: London, UK
Designer: Paper House Project
Features: Stainless-steel cabinetry, textured ceramic wall tiles and open storage – the industrial flavour of this open-plan kitchen suits its former garment-factory setting to a T.
Designer: Paper House Project
Features: Stainless-steel cabinetry, textured ceramic wall tiles and open storage – the industrial flavour of this open-plan kitchen suits its former garment-factory setting to a T.
14. Location: Sydney, NSW
Designer: Stritt Design & Construction
Features: White Caesarstone benchtops, dark-stained timber floors and a killer view – we’re loving this contemporary take on classic Hamptons styling.
Designer: Stritt Design & Construction
Features: White Caesarstone benchtops, dark-stained timber floors and a killer view – we’re loving this contemporary take on classic Hamptons styling.
… that stunning kitchen from another angle
15. Location: Sydney, NSW
Designer: Bijl Architecture
Features: Black floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, touches of luxe marble and a statement island unit featuring a patinated metal panel.
Designer: Bijl Architecture
Features: Black floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, touches of luxe marble and a statement island unit featuring a patinated metal panel.
16. Location: London, UK
Designer: Such Designs
Features: Moody-blue cabinetry, pale marble and a traditional herringbone-patterned floor. A delightful combination. We’re also loving the easy-to-access glass-fronted stemware cabinet.
Designer: Such Designs
Features: Moody-blue cabinetry, pale marble and a traditional herringbone-patterned floor. A delightful combination. We’re also loving the easy-to-access glass-fronted stemware cabinet.
17. Location: Sydney, NSW
Designer: Thomas Archer Homes
Features: An island unit clad in Quantum Quartz’s Super White Marble, splashes of warm oak, and a medley of greys. A beautifully conceived palette.
Designer: Thomas Archer Homes
Features: An island unit clad in Quantum Quartz’s Super White Marble, splashes of warm oak, and a medley of greys. A beautifully conceived palette.
18. Location: Hampshire, UK
Designer: Hobsons Choice Winchester
Features: This modern-country farmhouse kitchen boasts fuss-free lines and a simple palette of charcoal and white – the perfect balance for those eye-catching timber beams overhead.
Designer: Hobsons Choice Winchester
Features: This modern-country farmhouse kitchen boasts fuss-free lines and a simple palette of charcoal and white – the perfect balance for those eye-catching timber beams overhead.
19. Location: London, UK
Designer: Looks Lovely Limited
Features: A plain all-white kitchen is given an unexpected lift courtesy of a statement island featuring two-tone cabinetry and a warm timber benchtop.
Designer: Looks Lovely Limited
Features: A plain all-white kitchen is given an unexpected lift courtesy of a statement island featuring two-tone cabinetry and a warm timber benchtop.
20. Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Designer: Garde Hvalsoe
Features: Rustic mid-tone timber cabinetry, finger-jointed drawer fronts and recessed handles. There’s a streamlined simplicity to this country-style kitchen.
Designer: Garde Hvalsoe
Features: Rustic mid-tone timber cabinetry, finger-jointed drawer fronts and recessed handles. There’s a streamlined simplicity to this country-style kitchen.
… and here it is viewed from another angle.
21. Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Designer: Claire Stevens Interior Design
Features: For the open-plan kitchen in this small Brisbane apartment, the designer opted for a simple black-and-white palette, glossy light-reflecting finishes and plenty of built-in cabinetry to keep clutter at bay.
Designer: Claire Stevens Interior Design
Features: For the open-plan kitchen in this small Brisbane apartment, the designer opted for a simple black-and-white palette, glossy light-reflecting finishes and plenty of built-in cabinetry to keep clutter at bay.
22. Location: London, UK
Designer: Roundhouse
Features: Matt-lacquer cabinetry, greige subway tiles, glass pendants and a fireplace in the adjoining living room combine to create a warm, homey feel.
Designer: Roundhouse
Features: Matt-lacquer cabinetry, greige subway tiles, glass pendants and a fireplace in the adjoining living room combine to create a warm, homey feel.
23. Location: London, UK
Designer: Trevor Brown Architect
Features: Fine lines have been used throughout this kitchen – note the benchtop profile, light fittings and even the tile grouting – creating a sense of flow.
Designer: Trevor Brown Architect
Features: Fine lines have been used throughout this kitchen – note the benchtop profile, light fittings and even the tile grouting – creating a sense of flow.
… and another view of this open-plan stunner.
24. Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Designer: Carolyn Gundy – C-Architecture
Features: All-out timber cladding and an abundance of natural light create a laid-back vibe in this sunny Auckland beach house.
Designer: Carolyn Gundy – C-Architecture
Features: All-out timber cladding and an abundance of natural light create a laid-back vibe in this sunny Auckland beach house.
25. Location: Helsingborg, Sweden
Designer: Bjurfors Skane
Features: White Shaker-style cabinetry and pale walls and floors maximise the sense of space in this compact attic kitchen, while glossy mosaic wall tiles add a touch of glam.
Designer: Bjurfors Skane
Features: White Shaker-style cabinetry and pale walls and floors maximise the sense of space in this compact attic kitchen, while glossy mosaic wall tiles add a touch of glam.
26. Location: London, UK
Designer: Thomas Davies Kitchens
Features: The owners of this London kitchen have matched the deep-blue of the island unit with the door frames, and added small doses of brights in the pendant lights. Beautifully restrained use of colour.
Designer: Thomas Davies Kitchens
Features: The owners of this London kitchen have matched the deep-blue of the island unit with the door frames, and added small doses of brights in the pendant lights. Beautifully restrained use of colour.
27. Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Designer: WalkerMitchell
Features: Timber and white done right. And note how the recessed wooden shelving in the kitchen echoes that of the living room.
Designer: WalkerMitchell
Features: Timber and white done right. And note how the recessed wooden shelving in the kitchen echoes that of the living room.
28. Location: London, UK
Designer: Paper House Project
Features: A precast concrete benchtop, sawn-oak drawers and polished concrete floors add interest in this industrial-style kitchen.
Designer: Paper House Project
Features: A precast concrete benchtop, sawn-oak drawers and polished concrete floors add interest in this industrial-style kitchen.
29. Location: London, UK
Designer: Jo Cowen Architects
Features: A tongue-and-groove panelled island unit with expansive solid timber benchtop, and a large-format tile floor. Smart and sophisticated.
Designer: Jo Cowen Architects
Features: A tongue-and-groove panelled island unit with expansive solid timber benchtop, and a large-format tile floor. Smart and sophisticated.
30. Location: Antrim, Northern Ireland
Designer: Kitchen Stori
Features: High-gloss white cabinetry and oven, handleless doors and pale-timber floors create a clean, Scandinavian feel.
Designer: Kitchen Stori
Features: High-gloss white cabinetry and oven, handleless doors and pale-timber floors create a clean, Scandinavian feel.
31. Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Designer: Charlotte Gunnarsson
Features: Pale units and a white-painted floor allow the dramatic patterned splashback to be the star of the show.
Designer: Charlotte Gunnarsson
Features: Pale units and a white-painted floor allow the dramatic patterned splashback to be the star of the show.
32. Location: London, UK
Designer: Banda Property
Features: A bold grey kitchen island and matching cabinetry cleverly delineate the cooking zone in this open-plan space.
Designer: Banda Property
Features: A bold grey kitchen island and matching cabinetry cleverly delineate the cooking zone in this open-plan space.
33. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Studio Stamp
Features: Pops of aquamarine and raspberry and a classic AGA are the perfect ingredients for a joyful family kitchen.
Designer: Studio Stamp
Features: Pops of aquamarine and raspberry and a classic AGA are the perfect ingredients for a joyful family kitchen.
34. Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Designer: Garde Hvalsoe
Features: Two-tone timber and black cabinetry elevates this simple kitchen into something truly special.
Designer: Garde Hvalsoe
Features: Two-tone timber and black cabinetry elevates this simple kitchen into something truly special.
35. Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
Designer: Cathy Dean Interior Design
Features: Patterned drawer fronts, copper handles, and a tiled floor that’s designed to resemble a carpet – this small, open-plan kitchen is packed with appealing ideas to steal.
Designer: Cathy Dean Interior Design
Features: Patterned drawer fronts, copper handles, and a tiled floor that’s designed to resemble a carpet – this small, open-plan kitchen is packed with appealing ideas to steal.
… and a closer view of that delicious drawer detailing
36. Location: Balham, UK
Design: Imperfect Interiors
Features: Matt charcoal cabinetry, subway tiles and a mix of open and closed storage. The resulting design sits comfortably alongside the owner’s collection of furniture.
Design: Imperfect Interiors
Features: Matt charcoal cabinetry, subway tiles and a mix of open and closed storage. The resulting design sits comfortably alongside the owner’s collection of furniture.
37. Location: London, UK
Features: Greenery at every turn (even within the the kitchen itself), sleek cabinetry that keeps appliances and cooking paraphernalia hidden away, and plenty of spots to sit and enjoy the view once the cooking is done… this LG ‘Eco City Garden’ exhibition kitchen at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is surely what many a garden lover’s dreams are made of.
Your turn
Which of these kitchens catches your eye? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story and save the images for inspiration. Join the conversation.
More
Want more kitchen ideas? Check out Room of the Week: Pared-Back Perfection in a Contemporary Kitchen
Features: Greenery at every turn (even within the the kitchen itself), sleek cabinetry that keeps appliances and cooking paraphernalia hidden away, and plenty of spots to sit and enjoy the view once the cooking is done… this LG ‘Eco City Garden’ exhibition kitchen at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is surely what many a garden lover’s dreams are made of.
Your turn
Which of these kitchens catches your eye? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story and save the images for inspiration. Join the conversation.
More
Want more kitchen ideas? Check out Room of the Week: Pared-Back Perfection in a Contemporary Kitchen
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Wow pleeeease someone point me in a design direction on here - where can we go to ask design questions - I’m afraid it’s changed so much On Houzz in the last couple of years - I am moving into a place with a very ugly maroon glass splashback in the kitchen and I want to know if I can simply paint over it?
@Shauna Cohn, you can ask in our discussions section https://www.houzz.com.au/discussions. That has stayed the same. Best wishes, Vanessa
#9 is sublime.