View of kitchen from open plan dining/ living area.
Mid-sized contemporary open plan kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, green cabinets, white splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

This Is The One

G&M Craftsman Cabinets

Returning clients are our favourite clients. The journey we have been on with these clients is we started on a smaller project, and over time they have ended up moving into their dream home on their dream property, and of course, they need their dream kitchen! Drawing inspiration from Hampton and Country styles, we worked with the client to combine these elements into this beautiful and inviting space where the family can make memories for years to come. Some of the big features like the piece of Santorini Quartzite Natural Stone in Honed Finish on the island bench and Nostalgie Series Appliances by ILVE make this kitchen personal and individual to the owners taste. There is something so humbling about a client coming back time and time again entrusting us with their next project, and this one was a great honour to be a part of.

Manly Vale Kitchen

Northern Beaches Kitchens and Bathrooms

Large beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, multi-coloured floor, grey benchtop and coffered.

Tri-Color Kitchen

Miyuki Yamaguchi Design Studio

Photo of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, recessed, wood and medium wood cabinets.

Ormond New Contemporary Residence

Sketch Building Design

Photographer: Natalie Jeffcott
Photo of a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

East Fremantle Renovation - Before & After Photos

Moda Interiors

Kitchen space - after photo. Features: - Integrated fridge and freezer. - Industrial pendant lighting - Industrial stools - Mounted oven - Pantry - Modern industrial cabinetry - Black appliances - Drop-in dual basin sink - Dekton island bench, kitchen bench tops and splash back

Carnegie Residence

Construct Melbourne

Morphing a dreamy combination of raw oak flooring making its way throughout the entirety of the ground floor before meeting the delicate full-height sheer curtains throughout the kitchen, dining and living area in what is the fusion of minimalist sophistication and the ever-changing shadow play of dappled light. Grey veins of solid Dolomite marble meet the otherwise entirely white kitchen to provide a canvas for everyday rituals. Build Construct Melbourne Photography by Simon Shiff Architect Instyle Design

U House

C. Kairouz Architects

White and black kitchen design with integrated fridge, VZUG appliances, central island bench and high window facing the open plan living and dining with views out towards the central courtyard.

Modern Minimalism - Ground Floor Renovation

Revamper Interior Design

Light and airy contemporary kitchen with minimalist features. The large, stone clad island and expansive skylight hero the space.
Photo of a large modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, laminate floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Links Road

Santamaria Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary galley kitchen in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, with island, white benchtop, window splashback, panelled appliances and grey floor.

Contemporary Kitchen, New Lambton Heights

Vista Kitchens Newcastle

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Newcastle - Maitland with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, with island and white benchtop.

Hindley & Co - Kitchen Joinery

Hindley & Co Architecture & Interior Design

A secret door leads to a laundry and powder room under the stair
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Teneriffe Kitchen & Living Area Project

New Leaf Design Studios

A bold and contemporary kitchen with extension of cabinetry into the living area creates a seemless look for this high end inner city apartment.
This is an example of a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Brisbane with an undermount sink, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, ceramic floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Surry Hills Kitchen Island Seating

Matter Design & Make Pty Ltd

In 2019, Interior designer Alexandra Brown approached Matter to design and make cabinetry for this penthouse apartment. The brief was to create a rich and opulent space, featuring a favoured smoked oak veneer. We looked to the Art Deco inspired features of the building and referenced its curved corners and newly installed aged brass detailing in our design. We combined the smoked oak veneer with cambia ash cladding in the kitchen and bar areas to complement the green and brown quartzite stone surfaces chosen by Alex perfectly. We then designed custom brass handles, shelving and a large-framed mirror as a centrepiece for the bar, all crafted impeccably by our friends at JN Custom Metal. Functionality and sustainability were the focus of our design, with hard-wearing charcoal Abet Laminati drawers and door fronts in the kitchen with custom J pull handles, Grass Nova ProScala drawers and Osmo oiled veneer that can be easily reconditioned over time. Photography by Pablo Veiga

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.

Coogee Residence

Jodie Carter Design

Family Kitchen in Coogee Home
Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, window splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and grey benchtop.

Wiley Park

Alamay Constructions Pty Ltd

Part of a massive open planned area which includes Dinning, Lounge,Kitchen and butlers pantry. Polished concrete through out with exposed steel and Timber beams.

Elsternwick, VIC - renovation and extension

My Architect

Photo of a scandinavian open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Kitchen with hand painted Glass panel doors

Nouvelle Kitchens & Bathrooms

Photo of a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and vaulted.

Bonaventure

Lindon Homes Pty Ltd

Modern Galley Kitchen.
Photo of a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Brisbane with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, glass sheet splashback, black appliances, porcelain floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

All Backsplash Materials All Islands 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!