A Modern Kitchen for a Retreat in the Woods

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.

Cedar Shores Lake Cottage

Jethany Lee, CKD

Open floor plan with kitchen and dining in this lake cottage
Photo of a mid-sized beach style l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Grand Rapids with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Modern Spanish Courtyard on the Lake

Wyrick Residential Design

Photo of a large modern u-shaped open plan kitchen in Houston with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

Wide Open Spaces

Design Harmony

Cory Holland
Transitional u-shaped kitchen pantry in Seattle with open cabinets, white cabinets, brick splashback, light hardwood floors, no island and beige floor.

Modern Montecito, Danville, CA

Lauren Evans Interiors, LLC

This is an example of a transitional l-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Mid-Century Modern Deck House

The Design Gallery

Mid-sized midcentury u-shaped kitchen in Other with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, green splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Wedgewood

MMI Design

Design ideas for a large transitional open plan kitchen in Houston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, travertine floors, multiple islands, beige floor and white benchtop.

Oak Hills Mid Century Modern

Mosaik Design & Remodeling

This outdated kitchen came with flowered wallpaper, narrow connections to Entry and Dining Room, outdated cabinetry and poor workflow. By opening up the ceiling to expose existing beams, widening both entrys and adding taller, angled windows, light now steams into this bright and cheery Mid Century Modern kitchen. The custom Pratt & Larson turquoise tiles add so much interest and tie into the new custom painted blue door. The walnut wood base cabinets add a warm, natural element. A cozy seating area for TV watching, reading and coffee looks out to the new clear cedar fence and landscape.

Wilmington Court - Kitchen

Paul N. Brow, Architect, LLC

Renovated kitchen with distressed timber beams and plaster walls & ceiling. Huge, custom vent hood made of hand carved limestone blocks and distressed metal cowl with straps & rivets. Countertop mounted pot filler at 60 inch wide pro range with mosaic tile backsplash.

French Country Florida Style

Waterview Kitchens

Gorgeous French Country style kitchen featuring a rustic cherry hood with coordinating island. White inset cabinetry frames the dark cherry creating a timeless design.

Adobe Falls Kitchen Remodel

M Prevost Design

kitchen remodel
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, terra-cotta splashback, black appliances, vinyl floors, with island, beige floor, black benchtop and grey cabinets.

Eclectic Kitchen Design

Karr Bick Kitchen and Bath

Design ideas for a transitional l-shaped kitchen pantry in St Louis with white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, porcelain floors, open cabinets, grey splashback, black floor and black benchtop.

Логово Степного Волка

Дом архитектуры и дизайна Кирилла Егорова

Кухонный гарнитур, дополненный стеллажом, стеновыми панелями и карнизом в классическом стиле, выглядит полностью встроенным. Гарнитур становится неотъемлемой частью всего интерьера. Это зрительно увеличивает пространство. Архитектор: Егоров Кирилл Текстиль: Егорова Екатерина Фотограф: Спиридонов Роман Стилист: Шимкевич Евгения

Modern Design and Outdoor Living

Freestyle Interiors

Photo of a large modern l-shaped kitchen in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, panelled appliances, multiple islands, white benchtop, an undermount sink, porcelain floors and beige floor.

Las Canoas Remodel Kitchen

Allen Construction

Architect: Richard Warner General Contractor: Allen Construction Photo Credit: Jim Bartsch Award Winner: Master Design Awards, Best of Show
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Santa Barbara with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, panelled appliances and beige floor.

Wedgewood

MMI Design

Large modern open plan kitchen in Houston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, travertine floors, multiple islands, beige floor and white benchtop.

A Modern Kitchen for a Retreat in the Woods

Amazing Spaces

Old Town Alexandria Kitchen

Elena Eskandari - Case Design/Remodeling Inc.

Design ideas for a large traditional l-shaped separate kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Wallis Residence

Cornerstone Architects

Photography by Chase Daniel
Design ideas for an expansive mediterranean l-shaped kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, white splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, beige floor and white benchtop.

University Park

Faulkner Perrin Custom Homes

Contemporary kitchen in Dallas with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Beige Floor and Black Floor 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!