Three small rooms were demolished to enable a new kitchen and open plan living space to be designed. The kitchen has a drop-down ceiling to delineate the space. A window became french doors to the garden. The former kitchen was re-designed as a mudroom. The laundry had new cabinetry. New flooring throughout. A linen cupboard was opened to become a study nook with dramatic wallpaper. Custom ottoman were designed and upholstered for the drop-down dining and study nook. A family of five now has a fantastically functional open plan kitchen/living space, family study area, and a mudroom for wet weather gear and lots of storage.

Randall Residence - Ryde

Perfect Square Design

Complete transformation of 1950s single storey residence to a luxury modern double storey home
This is an example of a mid-sized modern galley eat-in kitchen in Sydney with a drop-in sink, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, marble floors, with island, white floor and white benchtop.

Contemporary Australian Cabin Kitchen

Element Design Studio

A modern Australian design with finishes that change over time. Connecting the bushland to the home with colour and texture.
This is an example of a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Perth with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, grey benchtop and vaulted.

Lake Wendouree House

de.arch

kitchen
Design ideas for a large contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, medium hardwood floors, with island and exposed beam.

Highlands Residence

Wildly Illuminating

Custom kitchen from Reed Brothers Joinery with pendant lights by Il Finale from Light Co,
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Other with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, marble floors, with island, grey floor, grey benchtop and wood.

Small house Renovations

TEMPO STUDIO

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Perth with a single-bowl sink, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, engineered quartz splashback, cement tiles, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Kenthurst - Kitchen

Patterson Built Pty Ltd

Design ideas for an expansive modern galley open plan kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, black appliances, with island, beige floor, grey benchtop, vaulted, granite benchtops, grey splashback, granite splashback and vinyl floors.

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.

Traveston

Cabinet House

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped separate kitchen in Sunshine Coast with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop, timber and brown floor.

Toorak Residence

MR.MITCHELL

Photo of a large contemporary eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with an integrated sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, stone slab splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, beige floor, beige benchtop and exposed beam.

Paddington Terrace

Sonya Vidic Interiors & Styling

Inspiration for a contemporary single-wall kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, grey floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Gordon Park House

Shane Marsh Architects

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Brisbane with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, window splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and recessed.

Connewarre Gable

Holman Designs

Contemporary galley kitchen in Geelong with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop, timber and vaulted.

1840's Sweet Shoppe

Hi Tech Projects

Inspiration for a mid-sized country galley open plan kitchen in Brisbane with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, brown floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Caulfield House

User

White walls and ceiling are combined with wood and sand tones to create this beautiful open plan kitchen.
Design ideas for a large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Scissor House

Owen David Architecture

The kitchen sits under the low ceiling of the existing house and acts as a separation between living and dining. The benchtops and cupboards are made from solid plywood with white laminate veneer and exposed ply edges. The lower doors and draws feature cut-out handles, while the upper ones are touch-catch to maintain the clean modern aesthetic.

Kitchen

Dennehy Builders Pty Ltd

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Geelong with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, black appliances, concrete floors, with island, white benchtop, wood and grey floor.

Apartment Joinery in Essen (Germany)

Haus Designs

Beautiful Joinery concept in an apartment in Essen (Germany)
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary galley separate kitchen in Melbourne with a drop-in sink, beaded inset cabinets, beige cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and wallpaper.

Middle Dural

ENI Design Interior Architecture

Large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sydney with a farmhouse sink, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop, vaulted and shaker cabinets.

Keon House

Demardi

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped kitchen pantry in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, medium hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and vaulted.

All Ceiling Designs 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!