Country kitchen in Charlotte with concrete benchtops, stainless steel appliances, with island, grey benchtop and exposed beam.

Julia Ave

Good Bones Design Build

Concrete Kitchen Countertops
Photo of a large contemporary kitchen in Sacramento with a single-bowl sink, medium wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and exposed beam.

Lithium

YUTOROSU architects

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Tokyo Suburbs with ceramic floors, black floor, wallpaper, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, concrete benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, with island and black benchtop.

Period home, Nr Petersfield, Hampshire

Vaughan Design and Development

We did a full refurbishment and interior design of the kitchen of this country home that was built in 1760.
Design ideas for a mid-sized country eat-in kitchen in Hampshire with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, pink splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, porcelain floors, with island, white floor, grey benchtop and exposed beam.

'Shooting Stars' Unbuilt Project: SunBrow

SunSwallow Design, LLC

The clients called me on the recommendation from a neighbor of mine who had met them at a conference and learned of their need for an architect. They contacted me and after meeting to discuss their project they invited me to visit their site, not far from White Salmon in Washington State. Initially, the couple discussed building a ‘Weekend’ retreat on their 20± acres of land. Their site was in the foothills of a range of mountains that offered views of both Mt. Adams to the North and Mt. Hood to the South. They wanted to develop a place that was ‘cabin-like’ but with a degree of refinement to it and take advantage of the primary views to the north, south and west. They also wanted to have a strong connection to their immediate outdoors. Before long my clients came to the conclusion that they no longer perceived this as simply a weekend retreat but were now interested in making this their primary residence. With this new focus we concentrated on keeping the refined cabin approach but needed to add some additional functions and square feet to the original program. They wanted to downsize from their current 3,500± SF city residence to a more modest 2,000 – 2,500 SF space. They desired a singular open Living, Dining and Kitchen area but needed to have a separate room for their television and upright piano. They were empty nesters and wanted only two bedrooms and decided that they would have two ‘Master’ bedrooms, one on the lower floor and the other on the upper floor (they planned to build additional ‘Guest’ cabins to accommodate others in the near future). The original scheme for the weekend retreat was only one floor with the second bedroom tucked away on the north side of the house next to the breezeway opposite of the carport. Another consideration that we had to resolve was that the particular location that was deemed the best building site had diametrically opposed advantages and disadvantages. The views and primary solar orientations were also the source of the prevailing winds, out of the Southwest. The resolve was to provide a semi-circular low-profile earth berm on the south/southwest side of the structure to serve as a wind-foil directing the strongest breezes up and over the structure. Because our selected site was in a saddle of land that then sloped off to the south/southwest the combination of the earth berm and the sloping hill would effectively created a ‘nestled’ form allowing the winds rushing up the hillside to shoot over most of the house. This allowed me to keep the favorable orientation to both the views and sun without being completely compromised by the winds.

Moonah Links House

BD Building Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern galley open plan kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, grey benchtop and vaulted.

Sawtell Residence

Dan Bowland Design

Velux opening skylights Mafi Oak Vulcano - Brushed natural oil floors Custom concrete benchtop by Luxcrete Miele Appliances Custom 2Pac cabinets. Clipsal Iconic power points James Hardie V Groove ceilings with exposed rafters

Bury, Greater Manchester - Extension

Kimble Roden Architects

Design ideas for a large contemporary eat-in kitchen in Cheshire with flat-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, concrete benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor, grey benchtop and vaulted.

Maison Léon

Nomad Eleven

This is an example of a mediterranean single-wall open plan kitchen in Other with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, white appliances, concrete floors, no island, white floor and white benchtop.

Bushland House

Arcke Pty Ltd

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Brisbane with a double-bowl sink, open cabinets, medium wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, grey benchtop and timber.

Moonah Links House

BD Building Design

Black Kitchen Collection By Darash

By Darash - Kitchen Cabinets, Vanities & Closets

Large modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Austin with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, concrete benchtops, black splashback, cement tile splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Stubbs Residence

Geoff Chick & Associates

Photo of a large beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, multiple islands, brown floor, white benchtop and coffered.

Modern Kitchen and More

Drury Design

This beautiful combination of rooms was part of a whole house design that we put together to flow within the owner’s overall vision of modern style and functionality. THE SETUP The house was partially built when the owner purchased it, so we tweaked the layout to fit his needs. Like so many homeowners today, our client is a casual diner and would rather not have space dedicated as a formal dining room. Island seating and a large table off the kitchen make more sense for his lifestyle. Our client wanted a clean, contemporary look with a layout that works for one person preparing meals most of the time, but adaptable for entertaining at different scales at other times. THE RENEWED SPACE The first thing we did was design a bar in the space formerly designated for a formal dining room. It is open to the front entry foyer on one side and flows easily into the butler’s pantry on the other side. A TV for sports viewing is centered between a full-sized wine cooler and a glass cabinet for barware. The u-shaped bar top seats five people comfortably and hides the lower bar prep countertop from view from the entry. The butler’s pantry is situated between the kitchen eating area and the front bar. The walls on the sides of this area were opened to help the areas flow together into one great room. An icemaker and under-counter refrigerator drawers were incorporated into the butler’s pantry to help it function as a place to set up drinks etc. to be used in the kitchen eating area. The floating shelves also helped open the space up. Across from the butler’s area is a clean contemporary powder room with indirect lighting below floating cabinetry to complete the look. The kitchen uses an array of man-made materials for ease of maintenance and durability. The layout includes a perfect work triangle for a one-cook kitchen with all the amenities. A range with double ovens, a built-in microwave and a warming drawer are all conveniently located. The countertop is a man-made quartz that looks like rugged concrete. The refrigerator and freezer are below a decorative niche, which gives them a furniture-type appearance. Across from the kitchen is a family room with a fireplace surrounded by a quartz material and wooden wall panels that match the kitchen’s countertop and refrigerator cabinetry. THE RENEWED SPACE The overall effect is a beautiful area with separate spaces for living life comfortably and artistically. Everything flows together, facilitating life’s daily needs and a wide range of purposeful gatherings with family and friends.

Forgotten Garage apartment gets industrial make-over

Modern & Contemporary Interior Design

Creating an open space for entertaining in the garage apartment was a must for family visiting or guests renting the loft. The kitchen is open plan with the lounge and stairs, the custom industrial elements including the railing, island unit legs, light fixtures and shelf supports are all custom design and make.

Sandown Rd

Aesir Construction Limited

Large scandinavian single-wall open plan kitchen in Kent with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, grey splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, grey benchtop and vaulted.

Kite Hill Rd, Santa Cruz, CA

Jennifer A. Emmer/Feng Shui Style

The much sought after, gated community of Pasatiempo features one of America's top 100 golf courses and many classic, luxury homes in an ideal commute location. This home stands out above the rest with a stylish contemporary design, large private lot and many high end features.

Küche

Tischlerei Derner

offene Wohnküche mit geölten Eiche Massivholz Fronten
Design ideas for a mid-sized scandinavian galley open plan kitchen in Hamburg with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, no island and wallpaper.

LOFT PARIS BELLEVILLE

Anabel Messens Architecte

plan de travail beton
Inspiration for a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Paris with an undermount sink, grey cabinets, concrete benchtops, green splashback, stone tile splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and exposed beam.

Rainforest Retreat

Whisker Architecture

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary galley kitchen pantry in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, concrete benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and wood.

All Ceiling Designs 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!