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.

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.

Markham Project

Lynda MacDonald Interior Design

Design ideas for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Gold Coast - Tweed with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Glebe Kitchen - Front

Matter Design & Make Pty Ltd

Our client approached Matter in late 2019 for a new kitchen. While the existing kitchen had a reasonable layout and some great features, the cupboards weren’t optimising the space to its full potential, particularly for storage. Noting that the old kitchen aged very quickly, our client wanted the new kitchen to be constructed entirely from plywood—liking the appearance and strength of the material. They also loved vibrant use of colour and suggested we look at the kitchens featured in films by the Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar for inspiration. The result was a playful mix of hand painted navy, light blue and retro orange in combination with a ‘raw’ effect from the birch plywood. To save on cost and waste, we decided to keep certain components of the kitchen that have remained in very good condition. Some of these included the stainless steel bench tops and oven/range hood stack, as well as a polished concrete island bench top. We replaced most of the cupboards with drawer units specifically tailored to fit our client's extensive collection of cookware and appliances with adjustable partitions. An integrated Hideaway rubbish bin free’s up circulation space and a Kesseböhmer pull-out pantry will ensure no bottle of spice is ever lost to the back of a cupboard again.

27th St. Noe Valley

designpad architecture - Patrick Perez Architect

Adam Rouse & Patrick Perez
Contemporary galley kitchen in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, concrete benchtops, blue splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Indigo Kitchen

Karr Bick Kitchen and Bath

Photo of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in St Louis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Stormville Contemporary

Quatrefoil Inc.

Design ideas for a contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, concrete floors, no island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

kitchen

Otta Design

The new kitchen extension provided a foot print of approx 8.6m by 5.6m. We took a small space out of this footage by elongating the hallway to provide a utility room opposite a full height, double coat cupboard before entering the new kitchen. As this is a new part of the house we embraced the modernity and choose sleek, handleless blue cabintery. The bronzed mirrored splashback adds warmth as well as maximising the sense of space. Photography by @paullcraig

Log Cabin gets a Blue Kitchen

Lampert Lumber - Rice Lake

The coziest of log cabins got a hint of the lake with these blue cabinets. Integrating antiques and keeping a highly functional space was top priority for this space. Features include painted blue cabinets, white farm sink, and white & gray quartz countertops.

Hen House

Classic Kitchens & Interiors

Brian Vanden-Brink, Photographer
Photo of a small country kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, metallic splashback, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances and light hardwood floors.

Mountview

Martins Camisuli Architects

What struck us strange about this property was that it was a beautiful period piece but with the darkest and smallest kitchen considering it's size and potential. We had a quite a few constrictions on the extension but in the end we managed to provide a large bright kitchen/dinning area with direct access to a beautiful garden and keeping the 'new ' in harmony with the existing building. We also expanded a small cellar into a large and functional Laundry room with a cloakroom bathroom. Jake Fitzjones Photography Ltd

Warm Wood Loves Colour

Rembrandt Renovations Ltd.

This is an example of a small contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Vancouver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, grey splashback, stone tile splashback, black appliances, cork floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Streathbourne Road

Ben Waterhouse Photography

Photo of a contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in London with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Colourful Kitchen Project Tivoli

Contour

The U-shape kitchen in Fenix, Midnight Blue, and Synthia, Limes Oak enabled the client to retain a dining table and entertaining space. A purposefully placed parapet discreetly conceals the kitchen's working area and hob when approaching from the hallway. The Vero cabinet's soft lighting and the play on heights are a modern interpretation of a traditional dresser, creating an ambience and space for a choice of personalised ornaments. Additionally, the midi cabinet provided additional storage. The result was a playfully bright kitchen in the daylight and an atmospherically enticing kitchen at night.

Forest Hills

Millwerks

Large scandinavian l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Vancouver with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

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.

Mid-Century Modern Highland Park West Home

Mosier Luxury Homes

Photo of a large midcentury galley eat-in kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and white benchtop.

Framework House

Amos Goldreich Architecture

Amos Goldreich Architecture has completed an asymmetric brick extension that celebrates light and modern life for a young family in North London. The new layout gives the family distinct kitchen, dining and relaxation zones, and views to the large rear garden from numerous angles within the home. The owners wanted to update the property in a way that would maximise the available space and reconnect different areas while leaving them clearly defined. Rather than building the common, open box extension, Amos Goldreich Architecture created distinctly separate yet connected spaces both externally and internally using an asymmetric form united by pale white bricks. Previously the rear plan of the house was divided into a kitchen, dining room and conservatory. The kitchen and dining room were very dark; the kitchen was incredibly narrow and the late 90’s UPVC conservatory was thermally inefficient. Bringing in natural light and creating views into the garden where the clients’ children often spend time playing were both important elements of the brief. Amos Goldreich Architecture designed a large X by X metre box window in the centre of the sitting room that offers views from both the sitting area and dining table, meaning the clients can keep an eye on the children while working or relaxing. Amos Goldreich Architecture enlivened and lightened the home by working with materials that encourage the diffusion of light throughout the spaces. Exposed timber rafters create a clever shelving screen, functioning both as open storage and a permeable room divider to maintain the connection between the sitting area and kitchen. A deep blue kitchen with plywood handle detailing creates balance and contrast against the light tones of the pale timber and white walls. The new extension is clad in white bricks which help to bounce light around the new interiors, emphasise the freshness and newness, and create a clear, distinct separation from the existing part of the late Victorian semi-detached London home. Brick continues to make an impact in the patio area where Amos Goldreich Architecture chose to use Stone Grey brick pavers for their muted tones and durability. A sedum roof spans the entire extension giving a beautiful view from the first floor bedrooms. The sedum roof also acts to encourage biodiversity and collect rainwater. Continues Amos Goldreich, Director of Amos Goldreich Architecture says: “The Framework House was a fantastic project to work on with our clients. We thought carefully about the space planning to ensure we met the brief for distinct zones, while also keeping a connection to the outdoors and others in the space. “The materials of the project also had to marry with the new plan. We chose to keep the interiors fresh, calm, and clean so our clients could adapt their future interior design choices easily without the need to renovate the space again.” Clients, Tom and Jennifer Allen say: “I couldn’t have envisioned having a space like this. It has completely changed the way we live as a family for the better. We are more connected, yet also have our own spaces to work, eat, play, learn and relax.” “The extension has had an impact on the entire house. When our son looks out of his window on the first floor, he sees a beautiful planted roof that merges with the garden.”

Logan

KitchenLab Interiors

Inspiration for a contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, light hardwood floors and with island.

Rykestrasse Entire Home Interior Design/Furniture sourcing

Cocobird Design

Design ideas for an eclectic single-wall eat-in kitchen in London with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, metallic splashback, no island and brown benchtop.

Kitchen with Flat-panel Cabinets and Blue 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!