Tempering light, heat, privacy and security by way of a dynamic facade, this Well Tempered House offers an energy efficient response to a narrow inner-Melbourne site. The renovation and extension has created a healthy, thermally comfortable home that takes advantage of its position on a north-facing laneway to enhance the lifestyles of our clients, a couple of young professionals. With the thoughtful combination of a naturally heated thermal mass slab, a high level of insulation, adjustable shading, natural light and cross-ventilation, this beautiful home will maintain a comfortable temperature with minimal energy consumption year in, year out.

Aranda Renovation

Studio Black Interiors

Built by Pettit & Sevitt in the 1970s, this architecturally designed split-level home needed a refresh. Studio Black Interiors worked with builders, REP building, to transform the interior of this home with the aim of creating a space that was light filled and open plan with a seamless connection to the outdoors. The client’s love of rich navy was incorporated into all the joinery. Fifty years on, it is joyous to view this home which has grown into its bushland suburb and become almost organic in referencing the surrounding landscape. Renovation by REP Building. Photography by Hcreations.

Toorak Residence

MR.MITCHELL

Photo of a large contemporary eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with an integrated sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, stone slab splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, beige floor, beige benchtop and exposed beam.

Hindley & Co - Kitchen

Hindley & Co Architecture & Interior Design

Blue-green and white kitchen with timber details. recessed pull handles and kickers in contrasting colours.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Enamour Terrace

Kitty Lee Architecture

Design ideas for a small contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Cremorne Residence

Jodie Carter Design

Coastal Luxe style kitchen in our Cremorne project features cabinetry in Dulux Blue Rapsody and Snowy Mountains Quarter, and timber veneer in Planked Oak.

MId Century Family Home

Sally Feeney Interior Design Pty Ltd

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, terrazzo benchtops, subway tile splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, beige floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

So much storage

Collaroy Kitchen Centre

This renovation included kitchen, laundry, powder room, with extensive building work.
Inspiration for an expansive transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, laminate floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Adobe Falls Kitchen Remodel

M Prevost Design

kitchen remodel
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, terra-cotta splashback, black appliances, vinyl floors, with island, beige floor and black benchtop.

Rénovation totale d'un appartement de 80m2

CT Architecture d'intérieur

Design ideas for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Paris with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, black appliances, concrete floors, no island, grey floor and white benchtop.

West End, Glasgow Full house refurbishment

Karen Parry Architect

Family kitchen area
Eclectic galley open plan kitchen in Glasgow with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, grey splashback, black appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

ЖК Лефортово парк

Ольга Танцурина

Photo of a contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Moscow with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Berry Project

Germano Creative Interior Contracting Ltd

This kitchen renovation consisted of a kitchen reface, where we updated the cabinets with an MDF Michigan door style in colour SW6251 - Outerspace featuring black handles. We installed a Quartzite Negresco Honed countertop with a granite sink in pearl black and a chrome faucet and drinking faucet. A white Teramoda tile was installed for the kitchen backsplash. Two pendant lights were installed over the peninsula and we replaced the ceiling light in the dinette area. Vinyl plank flooring was installed throughout the kitchen, dinette area, laundry room and hallway/closet leading to garage and baseboards were installed. The entire kitchen, laundry room and hallway area were painted. We also updated the ceiling fixture over the kitchen with pot lights.

Stoke Newington

Cassidy Hughes Interior Design

Inspiration for a large eclectic eat-in kitchen in London with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, granite benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors and grey benchtop.

Kitchen Living Area

The House Ministry Limited

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Gloucestershire with an integrated sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, vinyl floors, a peninsula, grey floor and white benchtop.

#Hutton

Stonemill Kitchens

This Prussian Blue Skinny Shaker Kitchen has been transformed from a dark and cramped space to this light and beautiful extended kitchen. A Double Pantry sits pride of place in the centre of the space, with internal drawers and wine holders. A quartz waterfall edged worktop maintains the flow of the space, with Neff Hide and Slide Oven and CDA Induction Hob. Underneath the window features a double butler sink with Franke Minerva 3 in 1 Boiling Water Tap for convenience and style. There are hidden gems in the kitchen, with pull out bins, electrical points in the pantry for small appliances, and a secret slim cupboard with electrical point to charge our clients hoover!

Ravenswood Ground Floor Conversion

Studio Fabbri

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary eat-in kitchen in London with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, cork floors, with island and brown floor.

Midtown Contemporary Kitchen

TSG Renovations

Beautiful and bold galley kitchen with peacock blue cabinets by R.D. Henry & Co., gold fixtures, quartz countertops, beveled subway tile backsplash, and undermount sink.

Edward Road

Noel Dempsey Design

Luxury handmade kitchen from our New Hampshire Collection. The hand painted kitchen is custom made in our solid wood framed cabinet style with detailed doors and drawers. Armac Martin handles complete the look.

Brayer Design Studio Kitchen

Brayer Design

Nick Smith
Inspiration for a traditional single-wall eat-in kitchen in Surrey with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, beige floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Blue Cabinets and Black Appliances 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!