Photo of an expansive contemporary open plan kitchen in London with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, panelled appliances, with island and solid surface benchtops.

Lakes by Yoo projects

Earl Smith Photographer

Earl Smith - Bannenberg & Rowell kitchen design http://bannenbergandrowell.com

Leicht USA | Arete Logan's Hollow

LeichtUSA

LeichtUSA Orlando Stone Oak | Luna Acrylic AG12, Tom Wilkinson Leicht Austin | Arete,
Inspiration for an expansive contemporary open plan kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white splashback and with island.

Gannatra

Marazzi Design

Expansive contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in London with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, metallic splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors and with island.

Contemporary Kitchen Extension

Davonport Kitchen & Home

From this angle, looking across the island from the perspective of the cook, the breakfast bar, armchairs and dining table are all visible. The open plan nature of the room is evident. Though the space is large, with such distinct 'zones', each area has a specific purpose which come together beautifully and ergonomically.

Gloss White & Grey

Dillons Kitchens & Bedrooms

A stunning white contempoary acrylic white gloss kitchen with contrasting dark grey from our Contemporary Collection. The kitchen forms part of a major renovation & extension of an exclusive house in Malahide. 20mm Silestone Quartz countertop completes the look of this modern design with waterfall gable on the island. The kitchen features two sinks, a Faber downdraft extractor and a Quoter fusion boiling water tap. A bespoke light scheme has been incorporated allowing the dynamic of the kitchen to change from day to night. Designer - Lee Dillon Images Infinity Media

Contemporary Kitchen Extension

Davonport Kitchen & Home

Our clients came to Davonport looking for a kitchen for their newly built extension. The room itself was very large, therefore a variety of colours and textures were used on the cabinetry. A bespoke stain was used on the oak cabinet doors in order to achieve the exact colour our client was looking for. A matt lacquer by Little Greene was used on the island and sink area to complement the unique stain on the rest of the furniture.

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!