Contemporary kitchen in Newcastle - Maitland with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Brickworks Inspiration

Brickworks Building Products

Photo of an industrial kitchen in Sydney with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, wood benchtops, stainless steel appliances, brown floor, brown benchtop, vaulted and wood.

Custom Home, Casuarina NSW

GCHomes

This is an example of a beach style galley kitchen in Gold Coast - Tweed with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white appliances, with island, beige floor and brown benchtop.

Doonan House

Kelly Martin Architecture

Inspiration for a contemporary galley kitchen in Sunshine Coast with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, green splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Brunswick Californian Bungalow

Jacqui Koska

Inspiration for a contemporary u-shaped separate kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Dartmouth House

Shane Marsh Architects

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Brisbane with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, black cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, window splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island, grey floor, brown benchtop and exposed beam.

Dorset Rd - Kitchen

Peter Gionfriddo Architect

Contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, black splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, grey floor, brown benchtop and vaulted.

Point Lonsdale II

Stonehouse + Irons Architecture

Practical and durable but retaining warmth and texture as the hub of the family home.Rear works benches are stainless steel providing durable work surfaces while the timber island provides warmth when sitting around with a cuppa! The darker colours with timber accented shelves creates a recessive quality with earth and texture. Shelves used to highlight ceramic collections used daily.

Blue Preston

Kitchen Centre

This is an example of a country galley kitchen in Hobart with a drop-in sink, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Eleventh Ave

D Pearce Constructions Pty Ltd

Designed by Mint Designer Kitchens
This is an example of a country galley kitchen in Brisbane with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, red splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

The unfitted Kitchen Project

Groth & Sons

Inspiration for an expansive industrial u-shaped kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, blue cabinets, brown splashback, brick splashback, stainless steel appliances, grey floor, brown benchtop and exposed beam.

Wombat House

Richard Cole Architecture

A new house in Wombat, near Young in regional NSW, utilises a simple linear plan to respond to the site. Facing due north and using a palette of robust, economical materials, the building is carefully assembled to accommodate a young family. Modest in size and budget, this building celebrates its place and the horizontality of the landscape.

Geelong West Weatherboard Renovation and Extension

Gentrify

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen in Geelong with a double-bowl sink, wood benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown benchtop, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, with island and brown floor.

Observation Crescent, Hope Island

BJF Joinery

This is an example of a large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Gold Coast - Tweed with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Glenthorne

Mid North Coast Drafting & Construction

Photo of a country l-shaped kitchen in Other with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

You can do black in a small room

Collaroy Kitchen Centre

25 year old modular kitchen with very limited benchspace was replaced with a fully bespoke kitchen with all the bells and whistles perfect for a keen cook.

Allan House

AD DESIGN DEVELOP

Small scandinavian l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, metal splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, no island, brown floor, brown benchtop and vaulted.

On the Beach Byron Bay

Design Spec Joinery + Kitchens

This is an example of a beach style galley kitchen in Other with recessed-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Salt Addition

Lurie Concepts

Design work started with a modest design focused on improving the kitchen, living, dining and outdoor living areas. However, a feasibility study determined that a better option was to fully remodel the existing dwelling, resulting in reclaiming some of the front veranda to increase the size of the living and dining areas. The remaining section created an alcove to the main bedroom, increasing privacy and creating a dedicated outdoor area. A large awning, cantilevered so as not to impose on the existing septic, created a separate outdoor living area. A teak facade, that will weather to grey in the salty sea air over time, was added to extend high above the box gutter, conceal the solar panels and cap the ends of the separation walls. The roof was repitched and the internal ceilings raked upwards from the teak facade, thereby increasing the internal volume and allowing for the addition of high-light windows in rooms on the ridge side of the dwelling to capture the vista, increase natural light, ventilation and sense of space. A skillion roof outside the back kitchen area was strategically positioned out of sight from the inside of the home and created a second outdoor area in the rear courtyard, serving as the main entry point. A gate house was incorporated in the rear fence to enhance the entry. The rear courtyard reclaimed an existing parking bay to create space for the cellar/music room.

Wavell Heights Post War

User

Transitional u-shaped kitchen in Brisbane with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, white appliances, dark hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Kitchen with Brown Benchtop 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!