Small scandinavian galley open plan kitchen in Canberra - Queanbeyan with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and black benchtop.

Crick Project

Improva

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and white benchtop.

Lindsay Court Stage 2

Lisa Cannon Interior Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, black appliances, a peninsula and white benchtop.

Marrickville Warehouse

Adele McNab Architect

Photo of a mid-sized industrial single-wall eat-in kitchen in Sydney with a single-bowl sink, grey cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, grey splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, plywood floors, with island, white floor and grey benchtop.

Jimbell St Additions

steelehouse

Inspiration for a modern galley eat-in kitchen in Perth with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, window splashback, concrete floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop, vaulted, quartz benchtops and stainless steel appliances.

Range Rd

User

This is an example of a contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Adelaide with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, brick splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, no island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Two tone matt finishes balance this multi-room project

Ultimate Kitchens & Bathrooms

Warm wood grain finishes balance this contemporary multi-room project which features a kitchen, walk-in pantry, laundry and refreshing powder room. The divine two tone kitchen has stunning features of black & oak wood grain with timber floors. The contrasting wood grain handles creates a real impact on the black finishes. Having a large Island bench in Caesarstone and the surrounding work surfaces in Dekton, make's this bright and light kitchen an entertainer's delight.

Geelong Heritage

BD Building Design

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Geelong with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, black splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Timber White & Grey Kitchen with a Coastal Vibe

Transform-A-Space

Beautiful light and bright open kitchen with a coastal feel. An amazing transformation from a 25+ year old all timber kitchen which made the space feel dark and closed in.

Watsonia North - Kitchen & Meals

GDP Interior Design

With functionality and a clean look in mind, this bright open kitchen delivers and becomes the heart of the this traditional home. Prep space and storage includes a study nook

Berkeley Vale Home

AMA Studio Interiors

Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in Central Coast with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, terra-cotta splashback, white appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

West End Renovation

Clements Clarke Architects

Modern kitchen
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Brisbane with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, black appliances, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and medium hardwood floors.

Botanica at South Nowra

McDonald Jones Homes

The Botanica is an inspiring example of contemporary industrial styling. A cool grey, black and white colour palette, with accents of metals and raw materials, which translate to an effortlessly chic home. See the floor plan here https://www.mcdonaldjoneshomes.com.au/home-design/botanica

Henry House

Ochre Studio

Recycled messmate timber cupboards, smartstone and stainless stell benchtop, V-zug appliances, original Les Arks vintage leather stools, barn door to walk in pantry.

Complete Makeover, Castle Hill

Inspired Spaces

The spacious Hamptons inspired kitchen includes an island that also acts as breakfast bar
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Warwick Home 2

Western Cabinets

Cookbooks. A place for my clients much loved books was high on the list of reccommendations for thier family‘s new kitchen design. Not being able to part from any, my client needed a dedicated space for them to display amongst the design. The existing formal closed loving at the front of the home, entered into a separate compact kitchen and dining were to be transformed into an open, free flowing interior not disrupted by walls but somewhere the whole family were able to gather. A soft palette layered with fresh whites, large slabs of clouded concrete benches, planked Jarrah timber floors finished with solid timber Blackbutt accents allow for seamless integration into the home‘s interior. Cabinetry compliments the expansive length of the kitchen, whilst the simplicity of design provides impact to the home.

Sorrento Beach House

Meredith Lee

White kitchen featuring timber ends to island bench and timber overhead cupboards. Green Japanese tile splashback and polished concrete floors.
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, green splashback, with island, grey floor, white benchtop, an undermount sink, quartz benchtops, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances and concrete floors.

A clever family-friendly solution 2

Refresh Renovations Sydney - Michael Harich

seven hungry mouths can be fed at this huge island, quirky and clever lighting sets the mood and the integrated cupboards and bottle storage provide room for everything that needs to be stowed out of sight.

Contemporary Kitchen

Cosentino Australia

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and white benchtop.

Rosanna Residence

Lume Architecture

contemporary kitchen
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern galley open plan kitchen in Melbourne with dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, glass sheet splashback, concrete floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

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!