Photo of a midcentury single-wall eat-in kitchen in Kansas City with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, granite splashback, panelled appliances, slate floors, with island, black floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

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.

West Hollywood - New Construction

Luxe Remodel

Large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, panelled appliances, marble floors, with island, black floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Pool House

William Leavy Architecture PLLC

This is an example of a beach style single-wall open plan kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, black floor, white benchtop, timber and vaulted.

Elégance et modernité au cœur du 5ème arrondissement de Paris – Projet Panthéon

Mon Concept Habitation

Dans l’entrée - qui donne accès à la cuisine ouverte astucieusement agencée en U, au coin parents et à la pièce de vie - notre attention est instantanément portée sur la jolie teinte « Brun Murcie » des menuiseries, sublimée par l’iconique lampe Flowerpot de And Tradition.

Reforma a Gràcia

Parramon + Tahull arquitectes

Zona menjador Constructor: Fórneas Guida SL Fotografia: Adrià Goula Studio Fotógrafa: Judith Casas
This is an example of a small scandinavian u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, open cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, ceramic floors, with island, black floor and white benchtop.

S + S Home

Taylor + Taylor

Design ideas for a mid-sized mediterranean galley open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, ceramic floors, no island, black floor and white benchtop.

Polished Traditional

PB Kitchen Design

The light filled space has large windows and four doors, but works well in the strategically configured floor plan. Generous wall trim, exquisite light fixtures and modern stools create a warm ambiance. In the words of the homeowner, “it is beyond our dreams”.

North Shore Villa

Lauren Coburn LLC

Mid-sized traditional galley kitchen pantry in Chicago with beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, black floor and grey benchtop.

Appartement - rénovation complète

design d'S-pace

Photo of a small transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Toulouse with an integrated sink, louvered cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, cement tiles, with island, black floor, black benchtop and recessed.

Historic Hastings

User

Regan Wood Photography
Inspiration for a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, with island, black floor, grey benchtop, granite benchtops and cement tiles.

Lake Washington Remodel

Adams Architecture

photography by Sean Airhart
Inspiration for a transitional galley kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, panelled appliances, slate floors, with island, black floor and grey benchtop.

Rustic Modern Lodge

Diane Hasso Studios

Lodge style kitchen with classic materials, subway tile, rift white oak cabinets, and a mix and match custom black stained oak panel ready dual refrigerator and matching floating shelves.

S + S Home

Taylor + Taylor

Design ideas for a mid-sized mediterranean open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, ceramic floors, no island, black floor and white benchtop.

Transitional Family Home

Interiors by Design

Large transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, porcelain floors, with island, black floor and white benchtop.

Custom Kitchen Remodel

Goraya Construction Corp

Photo of a mid-sized traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, metallic splashback, mosaic tile splashback, panelled appliances, porcelain floors, with island, black floor and black benchtop.

Aerie Point

Birdseye Building

Jim Westphalen Photography
Photo of a country galley kitchen in Burlington with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, window splashback, panelled appliances, with island, black floor and white benchtop.

The Grace Kitchen

Husk

Photographer - Brett Charles
Design ideas for a small scandinavian single-wall open plan kitchen in Other with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback, panelled appliances, painted wood floors, no island, black floor and brown benchtop.

St John's Wood Luxury Apartment

VORBILD Architecture

Mid-sized modern u-shaped separate kitchen in London with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, no island, black floor and grey benchtop.

Dekton Domoos

Cosentino North America

This is an example of an expansive contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Miami with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, wood benchtops, panelled appliances, porcelain floors, with island, black floor and brown benchtop.

Kitchen with Panelled Appliances 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!