Modern Minimalism - Ground Floor Renovation

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.

Double Storey Extension - Ashgrove, Brisbane

Smith & Sons Renovations & Extensions Ashgrove

Photo of a contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Brisbane with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, window splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, beige floor and white benchtop.

So much storage

Collaroy Kitchen Centre

This renovation included kitchen, laundry, powder room, with extensive building work.
Inspiration for an expansive transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, laminate floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

The Art of Modern Kitchen Design

Nest n Style Design

Mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sydney with white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, with island, white benchtop, a double-bowl sink, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, brown floor, flat-panel cabinets and dark hardwood floors.

COASTAL HAMPTONS LUXE HOME | Stephanie & David

INNOVATIVE KITCHENS

Inspiration for a large beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in Adelaide with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, metallic splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, laminate floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Cremorne Residence

Jodie Carter Design

Coastal Luxe style kitchen in our Cremorne project features cabinetry in Dulux Blue Rapsody and Snowy Mountains Quarter, and timber veneer in Planked Oak.

Wallan Dwelling

Dawes Design & Drafting Group

Design ideas for a contemporary kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey 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.

Ducat Street Renovation

East Coast Village Homes

Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Gold Coast - Tweed with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium 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.

Manly 20

Watershed Architects

Design ideas for a contemporary galley kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, panelled appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Sorrento House by Meredith Lee

Elizabeth Schiavello Photography

White kitchen with timber features and striking green tiled splashback
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with white cabinets, green splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey 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.

Southbank Apartment

Jasmine McClelland Design

Fresh, clean, white apartment kitchen with living room in mirrored reflection.
Inspiration for a small contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Brightside

Hunt & Design

A light and bright open kitchen and dining.
Design ideas for a contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and white benchtop.

Holland Park staging project

Signature Home Styling

Photo of a transitional galley open plan kitchen in Brisbane with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

The Bromley

Dalecki Design

Design ideas for a contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Perth with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, white appliances, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Hindley & Co - Kitchen

Hindley & Co Architecture & Interior Design

Blue-green and white kitchen with timber details. recessed pull handles and kickers in contrasting colours.
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.

Port Melbourne

Jasmine McClelland Design

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.

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.

Kitchen with White Benchtop 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!