The Aga is lit from above by lights within the chimney breast. CLPM project manager tip - always make sure working areas of your kitchen such as cookers and preparation areas are well lit.

Ultra Modern Home

Amandine Tosello

Peter Giles
Photo of an expansive contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Nice with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, solid surface benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, white floor and white benchtop.

Streamlined Suburban Gray Kitchen

Studio M Kitchen & Bath

This kitchen is the perfect example of how dark stained cabinets don't necessarily create a dark space. The natural and artificial light in this kitchen's design allow the space to be bright and welcoming. Scott Amundson Photography, LLC

Custard Kitchen Case Study

Roundhouse

Roundhouse Metro matt lacquer bespoke kitchen in Farrow & Ball Railings with recessed Bronze handle detail and Farrow & Ball Charlotte Lock inside pocket door unit. Grigio Piombo Lapitec Satin worksurface and stainless steel splashback. Designed in collaboration with Samantha Todhunter Deisgn. Photography by Nick Kane

Modern English Farmhouse | Hillsboro, Oregon

Westlake Development Group, LLC

Justin Krug Photography
Inspiration for an expansive country u-shaped kitchen in Portland with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, quartz benchtops and medium hardwood floors.

Daniel Island Drive

Delpino Custom Homes

Photo of an expansive country single-wall open plan kitchen in Charleston with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, with island and white benchtop.

Cherry Island with Glass Fronted Cabinets

Orren Pickell Building Group

**Project Overview** This new construction home built next to a serene lake features a gorgeous, large-scale kitchen that also connects to a bar, home office, breakfast room and great room. The homeowners sought the warmth of traditional styling, updated for today. In addition, they wanted to incorporate unexpected touches that would add personality. Strategic use of furniture details combined with clean lines brings the traditional style forward, making the kitchen feel fresh, new and timeless. **What Makes This Project Unique?* Three finishes, including vintage white paint, stained cherry and textured painted gray oak cabinetry, work together beautifully to create a varied, unique space. Above the wall cabinets, glass cabinets with X mullions add interest and decorative storage. Single ovens are tucked in cabinets under a window, and a warming drawer under one perfectly matches the cabinet drawer under the other. Matching furniture-style armoires flank the wall ovens, housing the freezer and a pantry in one and custom designed large scale appliance garage with retractable doors in the other. Other furniture touches can be found on the sink cabinet and range top cabinet that help complete the look. The variety of colors and textures of the stained and painted cabinetry, custom dark finish copper hood, wood ceiling beams, glass cabinets, wood floors and sleek backsplash bring the whole look together. **Design Challenges* Even though the space is large, we were challenged by having to work around the two doorways, two windows and many traffic patterns that run through the kitchen. Wall space for large appliances was quickly in short supply. Because we were involved early in the project, we were able to work with the architect to expanded the kitchen footprint in order to make the layout work and get appliance placement just right. We had other architectural elements to work with that we wanted to compliment the kitchen design but also dictated what we could do with the cabinetry. The wall cabinet height was determined based on the beams in the space. The oven wall with furniture armoires was designed around the window with the lake view. The height of the oven cabinets was determined by the window. We were able to use these obstacles and challenges to design creatively and make this kitchen one of a kind. Photo by MIke Kaskel

Cooper Woods Modern Tudor

Havlicek Builders Inc.

This 2 story home with a first floor Master Bedroom features a tumbled stone exterior with iron ore windows and modern tudor style accents. The Great Room features a wall of built-ins with antique glass cabinet doors that flank the fireplace and a coffered beamed ceiling. The adjacent Kitchen features a large walnut topped island which sets the tone for the gourmet kitchen. Opening off of the Kitchen, the large Screened Porch entertains year round with a radiant heated floor, stone fireplace and stained cedar ceiling. Photo credit: Picture Perfect Homes

Mediterranean Kitchen

This is an example of an expansive mediterranean u-shaped separate kitchen in Phoenix with a farmhouse sink, quartzite benchtops, terra-cotta splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor, raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, beige splashback and beige benchtop.

When Three Become One

Square Footage Inc.

Photos by Valerie Wilcox
This is an example of an expansive transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

32- Provo, Utah Residence

Masterpiece Millwork & Door

Joshua Caldwell
Expansive transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Salt Lake City with a farmhouse sink, marble benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, beige floor, white benchtop, shaker cabinets and dark wood cabinets.

Private Residence IV

Italkraft

This is an example of an expansive contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Coastal Contemporary

The Decorators Unlimited

This contemporary home is a combination of modern and contemporary styles. With high back tufted chairs and comfy white living furniture, this home creates a warm and inviting feel. The marble desk and the white cabinet kitchen gives the home an edge of sleek and clean.

Park City Parade of Homes 2017

Foremost Interiors

Design ideas for an expansive contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Salt Lake City with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and grey floor.

Private Residence

Duet Design Group

Contemporary and Eclectic Kitchen with Wooden Ceiling and Moooi Lighting, Photo by David Lauer Photography
Expansive contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, an undermount sink, marble benchtops, white splashback and beige floor.

South Carolina Celebrity Architects

Fratantoni Design / Residential Architects

We don't know which of these design elements we like best; the open shelves, wood countertops, black cabinets or the custom tile backsplash. Either way, this luxury kitchen has it all.

Modern Kitchen

Expansive modern u-shaped kitchen in Phoenix with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, terra-cotta splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor and white benchtop.

3952 Caliente Circle - Hidden Creek Model

Overstreet Builders, Inc.

Our 4553 sq. ft. model currently has the latest smart home technology including a Control 4 centralized home automation system that can control lights, doors, temperature and more. The kitchen is state of the art with marble countertops, hardwood floors, and custom cabinets throughout. This kitchen also has a walk in pantry nearby.

Large Kitchen Island

Fratantoni Interior Designers

This French Country kitchen features a large island with a butcher block countertop and bar stool seating. Black kitchen cabinets with gold hardware surround the kitchen. Open shelving is on both sides of the gas-burning stove. A floral loveseat sits against the window with an oval dining table to create a pop of color.

Gemütliche Wohnküche mit cleveren Stauraumlösungen und einer Sitznische

KitchenAdvisor

Wohnküche mit Insel in hellem Design
Expansive contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Hamburg with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, glass benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, multiple islands and brown floor.

All Cabinet Finishes Expansive 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!