Photo of a large modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and timber.

Calder Street House

Charles Maccora Design

Mid-sized tropical galley eat-in kitchen in Geelong with a drop-in sink, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, engineered quartz splashback, concrete floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Southborough Road

West & Reid Ltd

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in London with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, linoleum floors, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Riverside Home in New Hope, Bucks County, PA

OMNIA Group Architects

Perched above the beautiful Delaware River in the historic village of New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania sits this magnificent custom home designed by OMNIA Group Architects. According to Partner, Brian Mann,"This riverside property required a nuanced approach so that it could at once be both a part of this eclectic village streetscape and take advantage of the spectacular waterfront setting." Further complicating the study, the lot was narrow, it resides in the floodplain and the program required the Master Suite to be on the main level. To meet these demands, OMNIA dispensed with conventional historicist styles and created an open plan blended with traditional forms punctuated by vast rows of glass windows and doors to bring in the panoramic views of Lambertville, the bridge, the wooded opposite bank and the river. Mann adds, "Because I too live along the river, I have a special respect for its ever changing beauty - and I appreciate that riverfront structures have a responsibility to enhance the views from those on the water." Hence the riverside facade is as beautiful as the street facade. A sweeping front porch integrates the entry with the vibrant pedestrian streetscape. Low garden walls enclose a beautifully landscaped courtyard defining private space without turning its back on the street. Once inside, the natural setting explodes into view across the back of each of the main living spaces. For a home with so few walls, spaces feel surprisingly intimate and well defined. The foyer is elegant and features a free flowing curved stair that rises in a turret like enclosure dotted with windows that follow the ascending stairs like a sculpture. "Using changes in ceiling height, finish materials and lighting, we were able to define spaces without boxing spaces in" says Mann adding, "the dynamic horizontality of the river is echoed along the axis of the living space; the natural movement from kitchen to dining to living rooms following the current of the river." Service elements are concentrated along the front to create a visual and noise barrier from the street and buttress a calm hall that leads to the Master Suite. The master bedroom shares the views of the river, while the bath and closet program are set up for pure luxuriating. The second floor features a common loft area with a large balcony overlooking the water. Two children's suites flank the loft - each with their own exquisitely crafted baths and closets. Continuing the balance between street and river, an open air bell-tower sits above the entry porch to bring life and light to the street. Outdoor living was part of the program from the start. A covered porch with outdoor kitchen and dining and lounge area and a fireplace brings 3-season living to the river. And a lovely curved patio lounge surrounded by grand landscaping by LDG finishes the experience. OMNIA was able to bring their design talents to the finish materials too including cabinetry, lighting, fixtures, colors and furniture.

Maple Kitchen Remodel

JDI Construction NW

Gorgeous kitchen renovation featuring elegant maple shaker cabinets. Abundant unique features, such as concealed refrigerator and dishwasher panels, a convenient pull-out pantry, and discreetly integrated kitchen appliances. The spacious layout boasts a massive picture window with a view of the backyard.

5 B

Studio MW

Inspiration for a large country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Paris with a drop-in sink, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, white appliances, black floor and white benchtop.

Design: Kitchen Remodel

Elle Maven Homes

Kitchen remodel.
Mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Inner city north facing house

Baker Drofenik Architects Pty Ltd

Open kitchen with island bench and feature blackboard wall
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Bouldin Pied-Á-Terre

Ashby Collective

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in Austin with a drop-in sink, open cabinets, light wood cabinets, limestone benchtops, white splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Oneida-2

CANTILEVER STUDIO

kitchen, mobile island, maple cabinets, flush cabinets, linoleum floor, ceiling fan, barn wood trim, led light, Quartz tile backsplash
This is an example of a small contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Other with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, laminate benchtops, grey splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, linoleum floors, with island, multi-coloured floor, black benchtop and vaulted.

Eichler - Inspired Home

Carmit Oron Interior Design

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury galley eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and timber.

長湫の家／アイランドキッチンとアトリエのある家

松原建築計画／matsubara architect design office

2階リビング、ダイニング、キッチン。家具職人が手掛けたアイランドキッチン
Photo of a mid-sized asian galley open plan kitchen in Nagoya with a drop-in sink, light wood cabinets, wood benchtops, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, beige benchtop, shaker cabinets, white splashback and shiplap splashback.

PADDINGTON Apartment

STUDIO OSCAR LEA.

Inspiration for a small contemporary u-shaped separate kitchen in Sydney with a drop-in sink, light wood cabinets, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, black appliances, cement tiles, no island, grey floor, white benchtop and flat-panel cabinets.

Rénovation totale dans le XIXème

ICI ET MAINTENANT. HOME STAGING. MÉTAMORPHOSES.

Vue d'ensemble de la cuisine. Le couloir menant à la salle de bains supprimé. Le sol rénovée en sol vinyles imitation carreau de ciment. La table de cuisson disposée vers la fenêtre Crédits photos@Marie-Christine Devineau & Shoootin

Лофт в студии

Студия света Лед-Марк

Inspiration for a contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in Saint Petersburg with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, grey splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, grey benchtop, a drop-in sink and no island.

Coastal Contemporary

Sligh Cabinets Inc.

©2018 Sligh Cabinets, Inc. | Custom Cabinetry by Sligh Cabinets, Inc.
Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Luis Obispo with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, with island, beige floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Moderne Design-Holzküche

BAUR WohnFaszination GmbH

www.foto-und-design.com
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Other with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, black appliances, slate floors, with island, black floor and black benchtop.

York Home

Mari Woods Kitchen Bath Home, LLC

Photo by Brittany Fecteau
Large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland Maine with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and beige floor.

In The Spotlight

Morrison Interiors

A combination of stain finishes and textures along with the waterfall island bring interest to this gorgeous kitchen. Photos by: Rod Foster
Inspiration for an expansive beach style galley open plan kitchen in Orange County with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, limestone floors and with island.

Rift White Oak Kitchen

Doyle Design, Inc.

Aileen Bannon. This kitchen done in rift white oak, has sequence matched veneer flat panels. Mahogany floors and carrera marble counter tops complete this design

Kitchen with a Drop-in Sink and Light Wood Cabinets 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!