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. 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.

Concrete and Oak Kitchen

Kitchen Matters

This is an example of a large modern single-wall open plan kitchen in Buckinghamshire with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, mirror splashback, black appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor, grey benchtop and exposed beam.

Morningside

Baptie Design

This is an example of a large transitional single-wall open plan kitchen in Edinburgh with an integrated sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, black splashback, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, orange floor and white benchtop.

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. The impressive island adds much needed extra storage and work surface space, perfect for busy family living. Placed in the centre of the kitchen, it creates a hub for friends and family to gather. A large Kohler sink, with Perrin & Rowe taps creates a practical prep area and because it’s positioned between the Aga and fridge it creates an ideal work triangle.

Crisp & Clean White Kitchen in NYC

Bilotta Kitchen & Home

This clean, contemporary, white kitchen, in a New York City penthouse, was designed by Bilotta's Goran Savic and Regina Bilotta in collaboration with Jennifer Post of Jennifer Post Design. The cabinetry is Bilotta’s contemporary line, Artcraft. A flat panel door in a high-gloss white lacquer finish, the base cabinet hardware is a channel system while the tall cabinets have long brushed stainless pulls. All of the appliances are Miele, either concealed behind white lacquer panels or featured in their “Brilliant White” finish to keep the clean, integrated design. On the island, the Gaggenau cooktop sits flush with the crisp white Corian countertop; on the parallel wall the sink is integrated right into the Corian top. The mirrored backsplash gives the illusion of a more spacious kitchen – after all, large, eat-in kitchens are at a premium in Manhattan apartments! At the same time it offers view of the cityscape on the opposite side of the apartment. Designer: Bilotta Designer, Goran Savic and Regina Bilotta with Jennifer Post of Jennifer Post Design Photo Credit:Peter Krupenye

Exeter Road Kitchen

Point 5 Kitchens Ltd

Marc Wilson, porcelain worktop
This is an example of an expansive modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in London with flat-panel cabinets, a peninsula, an integrated sink, brown splashback, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances and brown cabinets.

Blue Sky Thinking

Mowlem & Co

This bespoke ‘Heritage’ hand-painted oak kitchen by Mowlem & Co pays homage to classical English design principles, reinterpreted for a contemporary lifestyle. Created for a period family home in a former rectory in Sussex, the design features a distinctive free-standing island unit in an unframed style, painted in Farrow & Ball’s ‘Railings’ shade and fitted with Belgian Fossil marble worktops. At one end of the island a reclaimed butchers block has been fitted (with exposed bolts as an accent feature) to serve as both a chopping block and preparation area and an impromptu breakfast bar when needed. Distressed wicker bar stools add to the charming ambience of this warm and welcoming scheme. The framed fitted cabinetry, full height along one wall, are painted in Farrow & Ball ‘Purbeck Stone’ and feature solid oak drawer boxes with dovetail joints to their beautifully finished interiors, which house ample, carefully customised storage. Full of character, from the elegant proportions to the finest details, the scheme includes distinctive latch style handles and a touch of glamour on the form of a sliver leaf glass splashback, and industrial style pendant lamps with copper interiors for a warm, golden glow. Appliances for family that loves to cook include a powerful Westye range cooker, a generous built-in Gaggenau fridge freezer and dishwasher, a bespoke Westin extractor, a Quooker boiling water tap and a KWC Inox spray tap over a Sterling stainless steel sink. Designer Jane Stewart says, “The beautiful old rectory building itself was a key inspiration for the design, which needed to have full contemporary functionality while honouring the architecture and personality of the property. We wanted to pay homage to influences such as the Arts & Crafts movement and Lutyens while making this a unique scheme tailored carefully to the needs and tastes of a busy modern family.”

White and Light Oak Handleless Kitchen, Teddington

Richmond Kitchens

The cooktop of choice for this project is the Bora Professional Revolution 2.0. It comprises an induction hob, a Tepan-stainless steel grill and an extractor all together. It sits flush with the worktop and offers simplicity, functionality and excellent performance. The intelligent control knobs allow for everything from power control and function programmes to temperature indication. The wine cooler is cleverly positioned close to the Breakfast Bar and allows nice and cool beverages to be within arm's reach. Also, the change in material helps to draw attention to this trendy Kitchen appliance, a discreet mark of modern elegance. Photo by Paula Trovalusci

Regency bespoke kitchen

Sweeney Handcrafted Furniture

Mid-sized traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an integrated sink, raised-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Palm Beach Project

Dan Kitchens Australia

A striking entertainers kitchen in a beach house at Sydney's Palm Beach. Featuring a drinks bar hidden behind pocket doors, calacatta oro island bench, stainless steel benchtops with welded in sinks, walk in pantry/scullery, integrated Sub-Zero refrigerator, Wolf 76cm oven, and motorised drawers Photos: Paul Worsley @ Live By The Sea

Colourful kitchen transformation within the same space

Lima Kitchens

Lima Kitchens Contemporary handle-less kitchen in custom painted dark grey brown and vivd yellow.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Buckinghamshire with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartzite benchtops, mirror splashback, panelled appliances, vinyl floors and a peninsula.

Richmond Upon Thames

Culina

Handleless Matt Cashmere cabinetry with integrated appliances and Caesarstone Worktops and Upstands, Mirror Splashbacks and Contemporary Bar Stools. Wood Flooring throughout. Maison Photography

Bespoke Hand Painted Traditional Kitchen in Surrey

Kitchen Connection of Ascot (KCA)

Luxury bespoke kitchen designed for an exclusive new build property in Surrey. A soft colour palate with contrasting central island incorporates a walnut breakfast bar with stainless steel column below. Leather and steel handles, polished quartz worktops and a smoked mirrored splashback add a contemporary twist to the hand painted classic style furniture.

Chelsea

MWAI Architecture and Interiors

Alexander James
Design ideas for a contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in London with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Contemporary Kitchen

Design ideas for a contemporary u-shaped kitchen in London with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, mirror splashback, black appliances and light hardwood floors.

Rénovation d'un appartement

Emilie Cucchi

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in Montpellier with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, black splashback, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

German Kitchen in Esher

Thomas Davies Kitchens

Stunning Nolte German kitchen in an unusal 'T' shaped space combining a kitchen, living and dining area. The doors are a light grey/cashmere colur with the island in a genuine metal finish. Key features include a BORA induction hop with integrated extractor, corian worktops that run seamlessly with corian sinks, a Quooker Flex 3-in-1 boiling water tap, an L-Shaped breakfast bar, a full height Liebherr wine conditioning unit, Miele ovens, a tinted mirror splashback. We also designed and installed the media wall cabinetry in the area opposite. Christina Bull Photography

Antique finished mirrored splashback behind a Rangemaster range cooker - Kitchen

Spillers Kitchens

Photo of a contemporary open plan kitchen in Other with an integrated sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, metallic splashback, mirror splashback and with island.

Anthracite & Platinum grey handle-less kitchen

Arlington Interiors

This open plan kitchen is a mix of Anthracite Grey & Platinum Light Grey in a matt finish. This handle-less kitchen is a very contemporary design. The Ovens are Siemens StudioLine Black steel, the hob is a 2in1 Miele downdraft extractor which works well on the island.

Fitted Kitchens

Point 5 Kitchens Ltd

Marc Wilson
Design ideas for an expansive modern u-shaped open plan kitchen in London with flat-panel cabinets, mirror splashback, grey floor, an integrated sink, light wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, stainless steel appliances, no island and metallic splashback.

Kitchen with an Integrated Sink and Mirror 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!