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.

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.

Transitional Kitchen

Expansive transitional galley open plan kitchen in Sydney with shaker cabinets, with island, beige splashback, stainless steel appliances, beige benchtop, stone slab splashback, an undermount sink, black cabinets, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Port Melbourne

Jasmine McClelland Design

A creative design for a compact space in a period home.
Design ideas for a small contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Melbourne with solid surface benchtops and white benchtop.

Rainforest Retreat

Whisker Architecture

Photo of a small contemporary kitchen in Melbourne.

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.

Tahmour: Kitchen NSW 2573

The Renovation Broker

This luxurious Hamptons design offers a stunning kitchen with all the modern appliances necessary for any cooking aficionado. Featuring an opulent natural stone benchtop and splashback, along with a dedicated butlers pantry coffee bar - designed exclusively by The Renovation Broker - this abode is sure to impress even the most discerning of guests!

Cremorne Kitchen

Kaiko Design Interiors

Referencing the art deco period in which the apartment was build, a curved range hood finished in linear kit kat Japanese tiles forms the focal point of the kitchen. Light timber laminate for full height joinery with dark grey / charcoal ultra matte laminate for below bench cupboards and drawers. Quartzite bench tops in a leathered finish.

Post & Gable House

Kirsten Johnstone Architecture

Photo of an expansive contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Enamour Terrace

Kitty Lee Architecture

Design ideas for a small contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Coburg Frieze

Mihaly Slocombe

Coburg Frieze is a purified design that questions what’s really needed. The interwar property was transformed into a long-term family home that celebrates lifestyle and connection to the owners’ much-loved garden. Prioritising quality over quantity, the crafted extension adds just 25sqm of meticulously considered space to our clients’ home, honouring Dieter Rams’ enduring philosophy of “less, but better”. We reprogrammed the original floorplan to marry each room with its best functional match – allowing an enhanced flow of the home, while liberating budget for the extension’s shared spaces. Though modestly proportioned, the new communal areas are smoothly functional, rich in materiality, and tailored to our clients’ passions. Shielding the house’s rear from harsh western sun, a covered deck creates a protected threshold space to encourage outdoor play and interaction with the garden. This charming home is big on the little things; creating considered spaces that have a positive effect on daily life.

Blairs Chalet

Britt White Studio

Design ideas for a small country l-shaped kitchen pantry in Other with an undermount sink, pink cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, coloured appliances, linoleum floors, a peninsula, purple floor and grey benchtop.

Engawa House

Arcke Pty Ltd

Design ideas for a small tropical single-wall kitchen in Brisbane with an integrated sink, white cabinets, laminate benchtops, green splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, no island, grey floor and green benchtop.

Kitchen with Bronzed Mirror Splashbacks

Nouvelle Kitchens & Bathrooms

This is an example of a small contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, metallic splashback, mirror splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and beige benchtop.

WHISTLER STREET - KITCHEN + BUTLERS

Timpelle Kitchens

Stunning finishes including natural timber veneer, polyurethane & Caesarstone make for a professionally designed space. Opting for the contemporary V Groove cabinetry doors creates warmth & texture along with black accents to complete the look.

Minimalist White and Timber Contemporary Kitchen

Transform-A-Space

A light and bright minimalist design featuring two-pack painted cabinetry to match the clients freshly painted walls, subway tile stack-style, and feature timber components bring warmth into the space. 20mm Caesarstone 'Ocean Foam' benchtops in a polished finish help to reflect overhead light. A small kitchen packed with functionality.

Luxury Coastal Home Renovation

Revamper Interior Design

Revamper was engaged to assist with the Interior Design of this beautiful Coastal Home with incredible views across Freshwater Beach. Services Undertaken: Space Planning Kitchen Design Living Room Design Master Suite Design Guest Suite Design Kids Bedroom Design Custom Storage Design Solutions Bathroom Design The brief from the client was that they wanted a luxurious contemporary/coastal inspired home with a consistent and cohesive theme running through each room. This property has all the luxury any family could wish for with a Home Cinema, Sauna, Gym and a self contained Guest Suite which includes its own fully equipped Kitchen. Our client had impeccable taste, and with our joint collaboration we were able to deliver a truely remarkable family home.

Elegant Kitchen Remodel in a Soft Warm Gray

Paper Moon Painting

This gorgeous kitchen features a double range, marble counters and backsplash, brass fixtures, plus these freshly-painted cabinets in Sherwin Williams' "Amazing Gray". Design by Hilary Conrey of Courtney & Co. (Plus this is one of the prettiest islands we've ever seen!)

Сталинка на Кутузовском проспекте

Алена Сковородникова

Дизайнер Алена Сковородникова Фотограф Сергей Красюк
Inspiration for a small eclectic single-wall eat-in kitchen in Moscow with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, white appliances, multi-coloured floor, a single-bowl sink, copper benchtops, ceramic splashback, ceramic floors and orange benchtop.

Loft House apartments

Ascui & Co. Architects

Fraser Marsden Photography
Small contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, metallic splashback, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and a peninsula.

Expansive and Small 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 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!