A modern Australian design with finishes that change over time. Connecting the bushland to the home with colour and texture.
This is an example of a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Perth with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, grey benchtop and vaulted.

Bay Pearl

Kirsten Johnstone Architecture

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.

Wyndham Beach House

Sky Architect Studio

We created a practical, L-shaped kitchen layout with an island bench integrated into the “golden triangle” that reduces steps between sink, stovetop and refrigerator for efficient use of space and ergonomics. Instead of a splashback, windows are slotted in between the kitchen benchtop and overhead cupboards to allow natural light to enter the generous kitchen space. Overhead cupboards have been stretched to ceiling height to maximise storage space. Timber screening was installed on the kitchen ceiling and wrapped down to form a bookshelf in the living area, then linked to the timber flooring. This creates a continuous flow and draws attention from the living area to establish an ambience of natural warmth, creating a minimalist and elegant kitchen. The island benchtop is covered with extra large format porcelain tiles in a 'Calacatta' profile which are have the look of marble but are scratch and stain resistant. The 'crisp white' finish applied on the overhead cupboards blends well into the 'natural oak' look over the lower cupboards to balance the neutral timber floor colour.

A Modern Kitchen for a Retreat in the Woods

Amazing Spaces

This is a great house. Perched high on a private, heavily wooded site, it has a rustic contemporary aesthetic. Vaulted ceilings, sky lights, large windows and natural materials punctuate the main spaces. The existing large format mosaic slate floor grabs your attention upon entering the home extending throughout the foyer, kitchen, and family room. Specific requirements included a larger island with workspace for each of the homeowners featuring a homemade pasta station which requires small appliances on lift-up mechanisms as well as a custom-designed pasta drying rack. Both chefs wanted their own prep sink on the island complete with a garbage “shoot” which we concealed below sliding cutting boards. A second and overwhelming requirement was storage for a large collection of dishes, serving platters, specialty utensils, cooking equipment and such. To meet those needs we took the opportunity to get creative with storage: sliding doors were designed for a coffee station adjacent to the main sink; hid the steam oven, microwave and toaster oven within a stainless steel niche hidden behind pantry doors; added a narrow base cabinet adjacent to the range for their large spice collection; concealed a small broom closet behind the refrigerator; and filled the only available wall with full-height storage complete with a small niche for charging phones and organizing mail. We added 48” high base cabinets behind the main sink to function as a bar/buffet counter as well as overflow for kitchen items. The client’s existing vintage commercial grade Wolf stove and hood commands attention with a tall backdrop of exposed brick from the fireplace in the adjacent living room. We loved the rustic appeal of the brick along with the existing wood beams, and complimented those elements with wired brushed white oak cabinets. The grayish stain ties in the floor color while the slab door style brings a modern element to the space. We lightened the color scheme with a mix of white marble and quartz countertops. The waterfall countertop adjacent to the dining table shows off the amazing veining of the marble while adding contrast to the floor. Special materials are used throughout, featured on the textured leather-wrapped pantry doors, patina zinc bar countertop, and hand-stitched leather cabinet hardware. We took advantage of the tall ceilings by adding two walnut linear pendants over the island that create a sculptural effect and coordinated them with the new dining pendant and three wall sconces on the beam over the main sink.

Glass House with Pool Views

Nathan Taylor for Obelisk Home

This is an example of a mid-sized modern galley kitchen pantry in Other with a farmhouse sink, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, brown floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Transitional Kitchen Renovation in Washington, DC

BOWA

Photo of a large transitional l-shaped kitchen in DC Metro with a farmhouse sink, light wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, white benchtop, exposed beam and recessed-panel cabinets.

Hollywood Actor's Off Grid Tiny Home

Tru Form Tiny

Designed by Malia Schultheis and built by Tru Form Tiny. This Tiny Home features Blue stained pine for the ceiling, pine wall boards in white, custom barn door, custom steel work throughout, and modern minimalist window trim. The Cabinetry is Maple with stainless steel countertop and hardware. The backsplash is a glass and stone mix. It only has a 2 burner cook top and no oven. The washer/ drier combo is in the kitchen area. Open shelving was installed to maintain an open feel.

Lake of the Isles Kitchen

M. Victoria Johnson Interiors

Design ideas for a beach style u-shaped open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and vaulted.

Classic Traditional

Distinctive Drywall & Painting

This is an example of a transitional l-shaped kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, light wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Wonderful White Oak and White Kitchen Renovation in Westfield, NJ

Robinwood Kitchens

This Westfield, NJ kitchen renovation features Plain & Fancy custom cabinets in white and rift cut white oak. White quartz countertops and brushed satin nickel complete the look. The wood bar features open shelving and glass cabinets.

Lloyd Park Extension

Studio Fabbri

Pivot and slide opening window seat
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in London with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, terrazzo benchtops, pink splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, linoleum floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Scandi Inspired

Nicolette Jarquin, CKD

This Scandinavian-inspired kitchen flaunts minimalism and neutral colors. The result is a comfortable, relaxing space that just feels good. We opened up the dividing wall between the kitchen and living room to create a peninsula with seating, with an open-table look with an open-ended cabinet for displaying treasures. We used a white painted upper to lighten up the space, on top of beautiful blonde maple bases. An added wood fire-box and display cubby, create a cozy, yet sophisticated element that can be seen right as you enter the home. Check out the before shots!

Australian Minimalist Ground-Up

Cathie Hong Interiors

This Australian-inspired new construction was a successful collaboration between homeowner, architect, designer and builder. The home features a Henrybuilt kitchen, butler's pantry, private home office, guest suite, master suite, entry foyer with concealed entrances to the powder bathroom and coat closet, hidden play loft, and full front and back landscaping with swimming pool and pool house/ADU.

ASC Margaritaville

Amy Storm & Company

Photo of a large transitional open plan kitchen in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and exposed beam.

La cuisine

atelier mata

This is an example of a contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Montpellier with an undermount sink, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, granite splashback, panelled appliances, travertine floors, with island, grey benchtop and exposed beam.

Cardiff Custom Home

ProPacific Builders, Inc.

Photo of a large beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Diego with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Дом с потайной лестницей

goro_da

Large contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Saint Petersburg with an undermount sink, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, white appliances, porcelain floors, with island, white floor, white benchtop and wood.

Salt Lake Mid Mod

cityhomeCOLLECTIVE

Fully custom kitchen remodel with red marble countertops, red Fireclay tile backsplash, white Fisher + Paykel appliances, and a custom wrapped brass vent hood. Pendant lights by Anna Karlin, styling and design by cityhomeCOLLECTIVE

Kitchen & Breakfast Room

Great Rooms Building Group

Large transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

All Ceiling Designs Kitchen with 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!