2011 EcoHome Design Award Winner Key to the successful design were the homeowner priorities of family health, energy performance, and optimizing the walk-to-town construction site. To maintain health and air quality, the home features a fresh air ventilation system with energy recovery, a whole house HEPA filtration system, radiant & radiator heating distribution, and low/no VOC materials. The home’s energy performance focuses on passive heating/cooling techniques, natural daylighting, an improved building envelope, and efficient mechanical systems, collectively achieving overall energy performance of 50% better than code. To address the site opportunities, the home utilizes a footprint that maximizes southern exposure in the rear while still capturing the park view in the front. ZeroEnergy Design | Green Architecture & Mechanical Design www.ZeroEnergy.com Kauffman Tharp Design | Interior Design www.ktharpdesign.com Photos by Eric Roth

Stamford Kitchen Detail

Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects

Concrete countertops and white painted cabinets contrast with the texture of the savalged wideplank wood floors in this kitchen.
Design ideas for a traditional l-shaped kitchen in Austin with stainless steel appliances, subway tile splashback, an undermount sink, concrete benchtops, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets and white splashback.

Kitchen/Scullery

Bosanac Builders

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern single-wall eat-in kitchen in Auckland with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor, grey benchtop and vaulted.

Dot's House: Kitchen

Atlas Architects

This is an example of a small contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Allambie Heights Kitchen

Danielle Victoria Design Studio P/L

This tired kitchen was updated with new paint, cabinetry, appliances and splashback tiles. It's been transformed into a calm and serene space with loads of additional storage including deep drawers for this small family that loves to cook. The subtle green cabinetry is soothing and modern, yet classic and timeless.

Eichler Home

Lewis Builders

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury eat-in kitchen in Other with glass-front cabinets, grey cabinets, concrete benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback, panelled appliances, brown floor, grey benchtop, an undermount sink and light hardwood floors.

Upstate Farmhouse

Chango

Architectural advisement, Interior Design, Custom Furniture Design & Art Curation by Chango & Co. Architecture by Crisp Architects Construction by Structure Works Inc. Photography by Sarah Elliott See the feature in Domino Magazine

Irwin Farmhouse

Irwin Construction, LLC

Darby Kate Photography
Photo of a mid-sized country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Brighton - Rustic Modern Custom Home

Emery Design | Build

Phoenix Photographic
This is an example of a large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Detroit with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, distressed cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Project Fig Tree Pocket

Urban Kitchens and Joinery

Alex Coppo Photography
Mid-sized modern galley kitchen in Brisbane with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, concrete benchtops, concrete floors, grey floor and white benchtop.

West London Kitchen and Living Room

Uncommon Projects Ltd

Bespoke Uncommon Projects plywood kitchen. Oak veneered ply carcasses, stainless steel worktops on the base units and Wolf, Sub-zero and Bora appliances. Island with built in wine fridge, pan and larder storage, topped with a bespoke cantilevered concrete worktop breakfast bar. Photos by Jocelyn Low

Kitchen Extension Dulwich

dRAW Architecture

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in London with an integrated sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island and grey floor.

Sophisticated Mercer Island interior

Cleft Painting

Design ideas for a mid-sized arts and crafts u-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island, multi-coloured floor, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets and concrete benchtops.

L. Wipf: Mitchell, SD

HELMÜT

Cipher Imaging
This is an example of a mid-sized country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, distressed cabinets, concrete benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Holton Street

Paper House Project

Set within the Carlton Square Conservation Area in East London, this two-storey end of terrace period property suffered from a lack of natural light, low ceiling heights and a disconnection to the garden at the rear. The clients preference for an industrial aesthetic along with an assortment of antique fixtures and fittings acquired over many years were an integral factor whilst forming the brief. Steel windows and polished concrete feature heavily, allowing the enlarged living area to be visually connected to the garden with internal floor finishes continuing externally. Floor to ceiling glazing combined with large skylights help define areas for cooking, eating and reading whilst maintaining a flexible open plan space. This simple yet detailed project located within a prominent Conservation Area required a considered design approach, with a reduced palette of materials carefully selected in response to the existing building and it’s context. Photographer: Simon Maxwell

San Francisco Four Seasons Apartment

Cheng Design

by CHENG Design, San Francisco Bay Area | Modern kitchen with warm palette through color and materials: wood, concrete island, custom copper hood, concrete countertops, bamboo cabinetry, hardwood floors | Photo by Matthew Millman

Elfin Kitchen

Rock Paper Hammer

Construction by Deep Creek Builders, Photography by Sara Rounsavall
Mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Louisville with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, concrete benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Kitchen Renovation Balmain Terrace House

Annie Bowen Design

A contemporary kitchen for homeowners who love to cook and entertain. A polished concrete island bench, timber veneer and white polyurethane cupboards and stainless steel bench with splash back. Beautiful copper pendant lights. Photo by Cameron Bloom.

South Beach Exquisite House

2id Interiors

Large country galley separate kitchen in Miami with metallic splashback, dark hardwood floors, a farmhouse sink, open cabinets, medium wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island and black floor.

Walters Renovation

Timeless Kitchen Cabinetry

Gridley+Graves Photographers
Mid-sized country single-wall eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, brick floors, with island, beige cabinets, concrete benchtops, panelled appliances, red floor and grey benchtop.

Kitchen with Concrete Benchtops 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!