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!

Photo of a traditional kitchen in Perth with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback and white appliances.

Swanbourne

By Million Dollar Makeovers

Jody D'arcy
Photo of a traditional kitchen in Perth with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback and white appliances.
Oven, splashback, decorative rangehood - tellmechelle

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, dark hardwood floors, an island, brown floor, a double-bowl sink, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass sheet splashback, white appliances and white benchtop.

Warehouse converted luxurious home

By EMKC

Contemporary style open kitchen and living area. The back lit onyx and marble island bench contrast with the dark timber joinery, defining the kitchen area. The lighter FC feature wall joinery with integrated TV and fireplace defines the living area. Photo credits: RoyBoy & Karen Choi
Lighting under the centre counter i dont like this particular picture ... but... maybe an idea - myalee3

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Mid-sized modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, stone slab splashback, an island, a single-bowl sink, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and black cabinets.

Albert Park_01

By Vos Architecture & Design

John Vos
Mid-sized modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, stone slab splashback, an island, a single-bowl sink, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and black cabinets.
Black cupboards to ceiling - but concealed appliances - azz_petrilli

Transitional Kitchen

This is an example of a transitional kitchen in Wollongong with shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, light hardwood floors, an island, beige floor and white benchtop.
like the splashback design - stellant

Contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Melbourne with beige splashback, an island, grey floor and black benchtop.

PRIMA PENTHOUSE TWO

By Twostyle

Contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Melbourne with beige splashback, an island, grey floor and black benchtop.

Popular Filters to Try:

Modern Contemporary Kitchen/Dining Kitchen Pantry Traditional Country Compact Industrial Beach Style Scandinavian Galley White Transitional Eclectic Australia Midcentury Number of Islands: 1 Budget: $

Contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Sydney with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, an island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

petersham house

By justin long design

Contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Sydney with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, an island, brown floor and grey benchtop.
I like the idea of using a coloured tile in the kitchen - blue - rebecca_pezzutti

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, window splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, an island and beige floor.

House K

By F3-Studio

Martina Gemmola [Photography]; Ruth Welsby [Styling]
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, window splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, an island and beige floor.
Kitchen Fake garden behind window - developit

Photo of a contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, dark hardwood floors, an island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Emerald Kitchen, Laundry, Bathroom & Robes

By The Kitchen Design Centre

Designer: Corey Johnson; Photographer: Yvonne Menegol
Photo of a contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, dark hardwood floors, an island, brown floor and beige benchtop.
I like this set out with the windows above, timber insert in bench for seating. - rebecca_pezzutti

Photo of a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Perth with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, red splashback, stainless steel appliances and an island.

Character Home Restoration, Relocation of rooms and Major Extension

By Two's Company Renovations

Photo of a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Perth with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, red splashback, stainless steel appliances and an island.
Staging in the kitchen with fruit - sheree_ra98

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Photo of a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Brisbane with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and an island.

mooloolaba residence

By zooi design

Cathy Schusler
Photo of a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Brisbane with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and an island.
Higher and lower out of same thing. - kateleightwo

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Hobart with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, laminate benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, white appliances, medium hardwood floors, an island and an undermount sink.

Lachlan Parade Townhouses

By S. Group

S. Group
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Hobart with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, laminate benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, white appliances, medium hardwood floors, an island and an undermount sink.
White shiny lower and timber uppers - janice_bowron

Mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sunshine Coast with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, window splashback, an island, white benchtop, white cabinets, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Carona Sunshine Kitchen

By Renovation Angel Interior Design Noosa

Two tone kitchen features white and charcoal cabinetry. Integrated fridge with aged gold handles. Pendant lights in aged gold to feature this space.

Design ideas for a contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Canberra - Queanbeyan with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, an island, grey floor and white benchtop.

A + D Residence

By The Dept of Design

H Creations
Design ideas for a contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Canberra - Queanbeyan with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, an island, grey floor and white benchtop.
Tones - steve_rischmiller

Beach style u-shaped kitchen in Central Coast with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and white benchtop.

Beach House 2

By Sally Morgan Architect

Colin Charles
Beach style u-shaped kitchen in Central Coast with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and white benchtop.
I like this use of discrete cabinets across the wall - rebecca_pezzutti

Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with white cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor, white benchtop, stainless steel appliances, a drop-in sink and shaker cabinets.

Freshwater

By Endeavour Building

Hamptons inspired kitchen and living area.
Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with white cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor, white benchtop, stainless steel appliances, a drop-in sink and shaker cabinets.
Like these floorboards with the white cabinetry - webuser_429889820

Photo of a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, concrete floors, a peninsula, grey floor and white benchtop.

Ascot Vale

By Urban Creative Studio

Photo of a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, concrete floors, a peninsula, grey floor and white benchtop.
Splash back - leahkrejcir12