Custom designed and lacquered slatted curved ends to the overheads add texture and interest to the chalky matte cabinetry The use of existing timber that had been used in other areas of the home, not wanting to waste the beautiful pieces, I incorporated these into the design The kitchen needed a modern transformation, selection of chalky black slabbed doors are carefully considered whilst detailed curved slatted ends bounce natural light, concrete grey matte benches, reflective glass custom coloured back splash and solid timber details creates a beautifully modern industrial elegant interior.

Contemporary Home

Sophie Tomaras

This is an example of a contemporary kitchen in Melbourne with light wood cabinets, concrete floors and with island.

Preston townhouse

Jasmine McClelland Design

This well planned and designed industrial-style contemporary kitchen features Caesarstone benchtops, mosaic tile splashback, polished concrete flooring and black laminate which looks striking under the bank of skylights letting in the natural light.

Rose Bay House

D'Cruz Design Group

Inspiration for an expansive contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Sydney with flat-panel cabinets, with island, a double-bowl sink, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and vaulted.

Ormond New Contemporary Residence

Sketch Building Design

Photographer: Natalie Jeffcott
Photo of a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

What is Cooking - Kitchen Renovation

Comma Design Studio

The client came to comma design in need of an upgrade to their existing kitchen to allow for more storage and cleaner look. They wanted to swap their laminate bench to a sleek stone bench tops that can provide a luxurious loo to their space. Comma design worked closely with the trades on site to achieve the results.

December highlights photography 2022

Real Property Photography | Sunshine Coast South

This is an example of a contemporary galley kitchen in Sunshine Coast with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, mirror splashback, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Beverley

Stuart Osman

Contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Gold Coast - Tweed with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

City Beach Residence II

Retreat Design

Inspiration for a large contemporary galley kitchen in Perth with black cabinets, granite benchtops, with island, black benchtop, flat-panel cabinets, black splashback, stone slab splashback, black appliances, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Bayview

Bluestone Homes

Design ideas for a contemporary galley kitchen in Sydney with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Surry Hills Kitchen Island Seating

Matter Design & Make Pty Ltd

In 2019, Interior designer Alexandra Brown approached Matter to design and make cabinetry for this penthouse apartment. The brief was to create a rich and opulent space, featuring a favoured smoked oak veneer. We looked to the Art Deco inspired features of the building and referenced its curved corners and newly installed aged brass detailing in our design. We combined the smoked oak veneer with cambia ash cladding in the kitchen and bar areas to complement the green and brown quartzite stone surfaces chosen by Alex perfectly. We then designed custom brass handles, shelving and a large-framed mirror as a centrepiece for the bar, all crafted impeccably by our friends at JN Custom Metal. Functionality and sustainability were the focus of our design, with hard-wearing charcoal Abet Laminati drawers and door fronts in the kitchen with custom J pull handles, Grass Nova ProScala drawers and Osmo oiled veneer that can be easily reconditioned over time. Photography by Pablo Veiga

GEELONG 06

Ed Ewers Architecture

Photo of a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Geelong with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, blue splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Mosman

JPWK DESIGN

Contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Sydney with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, beige floor and white benchtop.

Wallan Dwelling

Dawes Design & Drafting Group

Design ideas for a contemporary kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Elegant Queenslander | Clayfield

Designtank

Mid-sized contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Brisbane with an undermount sink, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor, flat-panel cabinets and white benchtop.

Butlers Pantry

User

Spacious butlers pantry with sink, cooktop and lots of storage space.
Contemporary kitchen in Melbourne with a single-bowl sink, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, medium hardwood floors, white benchtop, flat-panel cabinets and black cabinets.

Links Road

Santamaria Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary galley kitchen in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, with island, white benchtop, window splashback, panelled appliances and grey floor.

Dark Grey Brown Sophisticated Kitchen

Joyce Kitchens

Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

Attadale Project

Western Cabinets

Polished aggregate flooring, with satin lacquered slabbed doors warmed with stained oak timber paneling and marbled benches.
Expansive contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Perth with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, black appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Sorrento House by Meredith Lee

Elizabeth Schiavello Photography

White kitchen with timber features and striking green tiled splashback
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with white cabinets, green splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

All Cabinet Finishes Contemporary Kitchen Design Ideas

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to planning your kitchen design. Where do you even start? Gathering some inspiration in a photo gallery is always a good starting point, as looking at different kitchen designs often brings up ideas you haven’t even thought of yet.

Browse Photos of Kitchen Designs for Inspiration and Collect Your Ideas

You can browse through photos of all kinds of kitchen styles, layouts and sizes on Houzz to get started before jumping into any design software or contacting a local professional for help. Here’s a few considerations to keep in mind when planning your kitchen.

1. What Makes a Good Contemporary Kitchen Design, and Why is it Important?

For starters, you want to find a balance between aesthetics and function. You may have heard of the ‘kitchen work triangle’, which refers to the space between your fridge, sink and stove. You want everything within easy reach when you’re working in the kitchen and look beautiful at the same time. It’s a good idea to take note of both when browsing our photo gallery.

2. Consider Your Space to Determine Your Kitchen Layout

Firstly, consider the space you have, and the limitations that come with it. Do you have a small kitchen and need to maximise your workspace and storage? Can you allow yourself some more space and a big island with seating? Are you designing your kitchen from scratch or renovating an existing design? Which appliances do you already own and what are their measurements? Are there windows you need to take into consideration when planning cabinets? How do kitchen, living and dining areas connect? Depending on your space and needs, you want to use a shape that suits you. U, G, or L-shaped kitchen, with or without island or peninsula? Know your dimensions, plan cabinetry carefully and consider the placement of your appliances. You don’t want to end up with a finished design, only for your significant other to question where the fridge is supposed to go. Consider from the start where your fridge, oven, microwave and sink goes to save yourself from starting again from scratch - remember the kitchen work triangle! You also want to plan the layout of your cabinets. Maybe you’re planning for a pantry and can do with less storage space in your kitchen, so that your design can be one without upper or lower cabinets for a different look. A corner cabinet can be a smart storage solution if you want to keep the look clean and simple.

3. Decide on a Kitchen Style, But Don’t Forget Practicality

You want the style of your kitchen to reflect your personality and taste. We have curated a large array of kitchen styles here at Houzz, from traditional to contemporary to transitional and everything in between. Consider what your cooking style is for a start - Italy is known for its cuisine, so italian kitchen designs are generally popular. Also consider ergonomics - depending on how much time you spend in your kitchen, the height of your counters can make a big difference to your overall health. You also want to consider colour and finishes of cabinets, countertops and splashbacks. Which colour do you want your cupboards to be? Simple, timeless white or rather making a statement in black? Maybe rather a rustic wood? Also consider the colour of your floor - if you have dark floors, you may want to keep cabinets lighter. You could also go for an all-white look and choose black appliances for contrast. Once you know which style you fancy, don’t forget how you will be using the space. You want to keep cooking in mind, as well as how easy to clean and maintain the space will be. How many cooks do you need to accommodate? Do you have kids around? How much storage do you need? Maybe you want to go for open shelves rather than cabinets and allow for easy reach of key items you use when cooking. Again - remember the triangle! Lastly, choose lighting that both enhances the look of your kitchen as well as your cooking performance, providing light in all the right places.

4. Be Conscious of Your Budget

No matter what you plan for your kitchen design, cost is always a big factor. Be sure to plan with your budget in mind. It may make more sense to go for a modular kitchen design rather than custom build. You can save a lot of money if you get at least 3 estimates from professionals before locking in the job. And don’t forget to allow a 20% buffer for emergencies. Once you are ready to hire a pro, our directory will help you find one, no matter where you are. So whether you're looking for an Interior Designer in Melbourne or an Architect in Sydney, you can be sure to find a qualified expert for the job!