A creative design for a compact space in a period home.
Design ideas for a small contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Melbourne with solid surface benchtops and white benchtop.

Elsternwick House

de.arch

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern galley eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with a drop-in sink, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and grey benchtop.

Naremburn

Sartorial Interiors

Photo of a large contemporary kitchen in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Weerona House

Demardi.

This Kitchen was relocated from the middle of the home to the north end. Four steel trusses were installed as load-bearing walls and beams had to be removed to accommodate for the floorplan changes. There is now an open Kitchen/Butlers/Dining/Living upstairs that is drenched in natural light with the most undisturbed view this location has to offer. A warm and inviting space with oversized windows, gorgeous joinery, a curved micro cement island benchtop with timber cladding, gold tapwear and layered lighting throughout to really enhance this beautiful space.

Kitchen

Dennehy Builders Pty Ltd

This is an example of a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Geelong with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, black appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and black cabinets.

WHISTLER STREET - KITCHEN + BUTLERS

Timpelle Kitchens

Stunning finishes including natural timber veneer, polyurethane & Caesarstone make for a professionally designed space. Opting for the contemporary V Groove cabinetry doors creates warmth & texture along with black accents to complete the look.

YORK RESIDENCE

Kitchens by Emanuel

CURVES & TEXTURE - Custom designed & manufactured cabinetry in 'matte black' polyurethane - Large custom curved cabinetry - Feature vertical slates around the island - Curved timber grain floating shelf with recessed LED strip lighting - Large bifold appliance cabinet with timber grain internals - 20mm thick Caesarstone 'Jet Black' benchtop - Feature textured matte black splashback tile - Lo & Co matte black hardware - Blum hardware Sheree Bounassif, Kitchens by Emanuel

TOWNHOUSE LUXURY IN DULWICH/RESIDANCE 2

Claridge Construction

Design ideas for a large modern galley eat-in kitchen in Adelaide with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, red splashback, brick splashback, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Glebe Kitchen - Front

Matter Design & Make Pty Ltd

Our client approached Matter in late 2019 for a new kitchen. While the existing kitchen had a reasonable layout and some great features, the cupboards weren’t optimising the space to its full potential, particularly for storage. Noting that the old kitchen aged very quickly, our client wanted the new kitchen to be constructed entirely from plywood—liking the appearance and strength of the material. They also loved vibrant use of colour and suggested we look at the kitchens featured in films by the Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar for inspiration. The result was a playful mix of hand painted navy, light blue and retro orange in combination with a ‘raw’ effect from the birch plywood. To save on cost and waste, we decided to keep certain components of the kitchen that have remained in very good condition. Some of these included the stainless steel bench tops and oven/range hood stack, as well as a polished concrete island bench top. We replaced most of the cupboards with drawer units specifically tailored to fit our client's extensive collection of cookware and appliances with adjustable partitions. An integrated Hideaway rubbish bin free’s up circulation space and a Kesseböhmer pull-out pantry will ensure no bottle of spice is ever lost to the back of a cupboard again.

Coburg Frieze

Mihaly Slocombe

Coburg Frieze is a purified design that questions what’s really needed. The interwar property was transformed into a long-term family home that celebrates lifestyle and connection to the owners’ much-loved garden. Prioritising quality over quantity, the crafted extension adds just 25sqm of meticulously considered space to our clients’ home, honouring Dieter Rams’ enduring philosophy of “less, but better”. We reprogrammed the original floorplan to marry each room with its best functional match – allowing an enhanced flow of the home, while liberating budget for the extension’s shared spaces. Though modestly proportioned, the new communal areas are smoothly functional, rich in materiality, and tailored to our clients’ passions. Shielding the house’s rear from harsh western sun, a covered deck creates a protected threshold space to encourage outdoor play and interaction with the garden. This charming home is big on the little things; creating considered spaces that have a positive effect on daily life.

Rosanna Family Home

Sally Feeney Interior Design Pty Ltd

An inviting kitchen and living space for family and friends to gather.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island and beige floor.

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.

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.

Diane

Watara Homes

Mid-century meets modern – this project demonstrates the potential of a heritage renovation that builds upon the past. The major renovations and extension encourage a strong relationship between the landscape, as part of daily life, and cater to a large family passionate about their neighbourhood and entertaining.

Ticked all the boxes

Collaroy Kitchen Centre

Design ideas for a large contemporary l-shaped kitchen pantry in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mirror splashback, black appliances, laminate floors, with island and multi-coloured benchtop.

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.

Federation semi extension

Refresh Renovations Illawarra Guy Allenby

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional kitchen in Sydney.

Open Plan Kitchen and Dining Room

Order & Grace

Design ideas for a large beach style u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sydney with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, no island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Blue Kitchen with Terrazzo Benchtops

Improva

A kitchen that combines sleek modern design with natural warmth. This beautifully crafted space features a curved island as its centrepiece, creating a dynamic flow that enhances both functionality and aesthetics. The island is clad with elegant terrazzo stone adding a touch of contemporary charm. The combination of the Dulux Albeit-coloured joinery and the Milano oak wall cabinets creates a captivating interplay of colours and textures, elevating the visual impact of the kitchen.

Aranda Renovation

Studio Black Interiors

Built by Pettit & Sevitt in the 1970s, this architecturally designed split-level home needed a refresh. Studio Black Interiors worked with builders, REP building, to transform the interior of this home with the aim of creating a space that was light filled and open plan with a seamless connection to the outdoors. The client’s love of rich navy was incorporated into all the joinery. Fifty years on, it is joyous to view this home which has grown into its bushland suburb and become almost organic in referencing the surrounding landscape. Renovation by REP Building. Photography by Hcreations.

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!