Rory Corrigan
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Dublin with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, metallic splashback, glass sheet splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula and multi-coloured floor.

Rear and Kitchen Extension in Richmond

Architect Your Home

Centre island unit
This is an example of a large eclectic u-shaped open plan kitchen in Surrey with an integrated sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, metallic splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, terrazzo floors and with island.

Euston Apartment

Maxwell & Company Architects

Photo of a small contemporary galley kitchen in London with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, metallic splashback, stainless steel appliances and no island.

Modern Kitchen

Lankford Design Group

Transitional kitchen in Other with stainless steel benchtops, an integrated sink, stainless steel cabinets, metallic splashback, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances and flat-panel cabinets.

Contemporary Intuo Matt Glass Kitchen with Bespoke Additions

Searle & Taylor

As part of a large open-plan extension to a detached house in Hampshire, Searle & Taylor was commissioned to design a timeless modern handleless kitchen for a couple who are keen cooks and who regularly entertain friends and their grown-up family. The kitchen is part of the couples’ large living space that features a wall of panel doors leading out to the garden. It is this area where aperitifs are taken before guests dine in a separate dining room, and also where parties take place. Part of the brief was to create a separate bespoke drinks cabinet cum bar area as a separate, yet complementary piece of furniture. Handling separate aspects of the design, Darren Taylor and Gavin Alexander both worked on this kitchen project together. They created a plan that featured matt glass door and drawer fronts in Lava colourway for the island, sink run and overhead units. These were combined with oiled walnut veneer tall cabinetry from premium Austrian kitchen furniture brand, Intuo. Further bespoke additions including the 80mm circular walnut breakfast bar with a turned tapered half-leg base were made at Searle & Taylor’s bespoke workshop in England. The worktop used throughout is Trillium by Dekton, which is featured in 80mm thickness on the kitchen island and 20mm thickness on the sink and hob runs. It is also used as an upstand. The sink run includes a Franke copper grey one and a half bowl undermount sink and a Quooker Flex Boiling Water Tap. The surface of the 3.1 metre kitchen island is kept clear for when the couple entertain, so the flush-mounted 80cm Gaggenau induction hob is situated in front of the bronze mirrored glass splashback. Directly above it is a Westin 80cm built-in extractor at the base of the overhead cabinetry. To the left and housed within the walnut units is a bank of Gaggenau ovens including a 60cm pyrolytic oven, a combination steam oven and warming drawers in anthracite colourway and a further integrated Gaggenau dishwasher is also included in the scheme. The full height Siemens A Cool 76cm larder fridge and tall 61cm freezer are all integrated behind furniture doors for a seamless look to the kitchen. Internal storage includes heavyweight pan drawers and Legra pull-out shelving for dry goods, herbs, spices and condiments. As a completely separate piece of furniture, but finished in the same oiled walnut veneer is the ‘Gin Cabinet’ a built-in unit designed to look as if it is freestanding. To the left is a tall Gaggenau Wine Climate Cabinet and to the right is a decorative cabinet for glasses and the client’s extensive gin collection, specially backlit with LED lighting and with a bespoke door front to match the front of the wine cabinet. At the centre are full pocket doors that fold back into recesses to reveal a bar area with bronze mirror back panel and shelves in front, a 20mm Trillium by Dekton worksurface with a single bowl Franke sink and another Quooker Flex Boiling Water Tap with the new Cube function, for filtered boiling, hot, cold and sparkling water. A further Gaggenau microwave oven is installed within the unit and cupboards beneath feature Intuo fronts in matt glass, as before.

Hillside Makeover

Martha Berndt Design Studio, LLC

Inspiration for a modern eat-in kitchen in Portland with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, granite benchtops, metallic splashback, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Loft Conversion

Hammer & Hand

This commercial-to-residential remodel took an abandoned commercial building in southeast Portland and transformed it into an open, light-filled celebration of simplicity. Architect Elizabeth Williams of Pencil Work Studio designed the remodel of the building, which in its hundred-year life had served as nickelodeon, school, place of worship, and dance hall. The loft living space occupies the second floor, while music and rehearsal space occupies the first. After converting the building into a livable loft space, Hammer & Hand returned to remodel the existing kitchen with design by Risa Boyer Architecture.

Mondrian South Beach

Daniel Rodriguez

Daniel Rodriguez, Clear Photography
Photo of a small contemporary l-shaped separate kitchen in Miami with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, metallic splashback, metal splashback and a peninsula.

CASA D'EN JAUME

GUILLEM CARRERA arquitecte

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, metallic splashback, white appliances, ceramic floors, with island, beige floor and brown benchtop.

South Park Family Home, Fulham

Into interior design

Photo Rachael Smith
This is an example of a large contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, laminate benchtops, metallic splashback, panelled appliances, with island, metal splashback, light hardwood floors, beige floor and white benchtop.

Omega Cabinetry: Modern Textured Laminate Kitchen

MasterBrand Cabinets

Photo of a large contemporary eat-in kitchen in Other with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, metallic splashback, stainless steel appliances and with island.

A Beautiful, Traditional Open Plan Kitchen In Sevenoaks

burlanes interiors

Located amongst acres of fields and farmland and set back away from the hustle and bustle of Sevenoaks, this property boasts beautiful views of the countryside. To make the most of this, the homeowners embarked on an extension to the rear of the home, creating a stunning orangery style kitchen and dining room, and Burlanes were commissioned to design, handmake and install a traditional style shaker kitchen with all the benefits of contemporary living. Sarah London Photographer

Contemporary Grey Kitchen

Tom Howley

The Hartford collection is an inspired modern update on the classic Shaker style kitchen. Designed with simplicity in mind, the kitchens in this range have a universal appeal that never fails to delight. Each kitchen is beautifully proportioned, with an unerring focus on scale that ensures the final result is flawless. TThe Hartford collection is an inspired modern update on the classic Shaker style kitchen. Designed with simplicity in mind, the kitchens in this range have a universal appeal that never fails to delight. Each kitchen is beautifully proportioned, with an unerring focus on scale that ensures the final result is flawless. The L shaped kitchen has a main run of cabinets along the back wall with an abundance of practical storage and integrated appliances on the other. Floor-to-ceiling cabinets utilise every inch of space, making the kitchen feel grand. With busy lives it’s often hard to control everyday clutter, keeping all belongings well organised. Cleverly concealed pantry style storage creates much-needed space for essential food items and utensils, whilst an adjoining utility room provides a separate space for cleaning goods, dirty boots and washing.

Kitchen Island.

User

Gareth Byrne Photography
Large contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in Dublin with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, metallic splashback, metal splashback, panelled appliances, ceramic floors and a peninsula.

Rear and Kitchen Extension in Richmond

Architect Your Home

View from kitchen through to cloakroom and utility room
This is an example of a large contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Surrey with an integrated sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, metallic splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, terrazzo floors and with island.

Jobs Lane, Bridgehampton, NY

Arclinea NY

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, metallic splashback, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands and beige floor.

Contemporary Kitchen

This is an example of a contemporary galley kitchen in New York with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, metallic splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Bond Street Loft

Axis Mundi

This NoHo apartment, in a landmarked circa 1870 building designed by Stephen Decatur Hatch and converted to lofts in 1987, had been interestingly renovated by a rock musician before being purchased by a young hedge fund manager and his gallery director girlfriend. Naturally, the couple brought to the project their collection of painting, photography and sculpture, mostly by young emerging artists. Axis Mundi accommodated these pieces within a neutral palette accented with occasional flashes of bright color that referenced the various artworks. Major furniture pieces – a sectional in the library, a 12-foot-long dining table–along with a rich blend of textures such as leather, linen, fur and warm woods, helped bring the sprawling dimensions of the loft down to human scale. Photography: Mark Roskams

Hayden Lane Residence, Bucks County, PA

Billinkoff Architecture PLLC

Mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, metallic splashback, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Bespoke Luxury in Christchurch

AO Architecture

Inspiration for a large modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Christchurch with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, metallic splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, grey floor, black benchtop and wood.

Kitchen with an Integrated Sink and Metallic Splashback 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!