Design ideas for a mid-sized modern galley eat-in kitchen in Lyon with a single-bowl sink, black cabinets, tile benchtops, white splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, a peninsula, black floor and black benchtop.

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.

Panda / Absolute Black Select

Italcer USA

Panda presents an elegant contrast of white and black shades and a unique design that gives real character to any space or decor. The glossy finish gives depth to the color and beauty to the details of this gorgeous product. Absolute Black Select enhances the technological virtuosity of this imposing porcelain slab, enhancing the architectural versatility, once again at the complete disposal of the design inspiration.

Lancaster Modern Cottage

Barefoot Dwelling

Phase 2 of our Modern Cottage project was the complete renovation of a small, impractical kitchen and dining nook. The client asked for a fresh, bright kitchen with natural light, a pop of color, and clean modern lines. The resulting kitchen features all of the above and incorporates fun details such as a scallop tile backsplash behind the range and artisan touches such as a custom walnut island and floating shelves; a custom metal range hood and hand-made lighting. This kitchen is all that the client asked for and more!

Stunning Dark Veneer and Marble kitchen

Degabriele Kitchens

Design ideas for a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, mirror splashback, panelled appliances, with island, black floor and grey benchtop.

Award-Winning Modern Condo Remodel

The Renowned Group

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern u-shaped kitchen pantry in Dallas with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, dark hardwood floors, no island, black floor and white benchtop.

Projet 4

ARMONY Cucine

Photo of a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Paris with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, black splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, black floor and black benchtop.

Montmartre

Studio Zerck

This is an example of a mid-sized industrial l-shaped open plan kitchen in Paris with a single-bowl sink, green cabinets, wood benchtops, beige splashback, terra-cotta splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, black floor and beige benchtop.

90 8th Ave

Richard Massa Architect

Design ideas for a small transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, no island, black floor and grey benchtop.

Best of Winter 2017

Charleston Home + Design Mag

Country u-shaped kitchen in Charleston with shaker cabinets, green cabinets, green splashback, black appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, black floor and white benchtop.

BURLINGAME KITCHEN

Dyer Studio Inc.

This is an example of a small u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, terrazzo floors, black floor and white benchtop.

Custom Cabinet Freshen Up

Woodham's Cabinet Shop, Inc.

Photo of a large transitional u-shaped kitchen pantry in Other with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, orange floor and white benchtop.

Andersen Windows & Doors

Great Plains Windows and Doors

This is an example of a contemporary galley kitchen in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, black splashback, with island, black floor and black benchtop.

Rénovation complète d'un appartement 110m2

Optimiz Rénovation

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Paris with an undermount sink, black cabinets, porcelain floors, with island, black floor and black benchtop.

Rénovation complète d'une maison, lumineuse et colorée

Horizon déco

La cuisine a été repensée dans sa totalité. Les lumières naturelles et artificielles ont été repensées. La maîtresse de maison a voulu garder le carrelage d'origine. Un aplat orange sur un mur permet d'accepter sa présence dans cette pièce devenue contemporaine

Projet Escher

Clémentine Mailhac

Rénovation de la cuisine suite au réaménagement de la salle d'eau. Photo : Léandre Cheron
Inspiration for a small contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Paris with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, cement tile splashback, cement tiles, black floor, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and beige benchtop.

Coulwood

Reynolds Architecture

Nigel Rigden
Photo of a mid-sized country u-shaped kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, black floor and beige benchtop.

Roseville

Integriti Projects

Josephine Willcox
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional galley kitchen in Sydney with recessed-panel cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, multiple islands, black floor and white benchtop.

Hausmesse 2018

pronorm Einbauküchen GmbH

CA Keramik Perla
This is an example of a large contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Other with a drop-in sink, ceramic splashback, black appliances, concrete floors, multiple islands, black floor, black benchtop, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets and grey splashback.

Anigre on Ottawa Rd

Cherry Creek, Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, green splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, orange floor and green benchtop.

Kitchen with Black Floor and Orange 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!