Sky High Executive Penthouse, Toronto ON

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor, white benchtop and grey cabinets.

Pearl Studio Residence

Pedini NW

This is an example of a mid-sized modern galley eat-in kitchen in Portland with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, ceramic floors, no island, white floor and white benchtop.

Pacific NW Modern Dwelling

User

Clean lines and warm tones abound in this deliciously modern kitchen with hardworking stainless-steel appliances. Ivory walls and ceilings are trimmed with honey stained alder, a color seen again in the cabinetry. Off-white quartz countertops cap the perimeter cabinets and climb the backsplash creating a seamless look. An extra thick countertop of the same material covers the island and waterfalls to the floor on one end. The other end of the island features a raised bar supported by bronze hairpin legs. A set of Danish modern bar stools with green vinyl seats conveniently pull up to the counter. The island is punctuated by inset drawers which are clad in a durable laminate. The depth of the stained oak flooring serves to ground the space.

Middle Cove House

INSITE STUDIO

Photo of a large contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and flat-panel cabinets.

Watene Renovation

Sophie Bishop Architects

Simple and functional kitchen with plenty of storage
Inspiration for a large modern galley eat-in kitchen in Auckland with a double-bowl sink, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop, flat-panel cabinets and beige floor.

Ranch Redux

RAO Design Studio, Inc.

A mixed palette of materials both enlivens and modulates this simple kitchen. Handle-free SieMatic Pure Design cabinetry in a light pine woodgrain laminate balance with the peninsula which acts as a room divider and which contrasts in a gloss graphite gray. The unifying element is the Caesarstone London Grey countertops and backsplashes, which are nearly white in color with subtle veining. The composition is interesting but not overstated in contrast or tone.

Berkeley modern

Knocknock

This project was so much fun! The kitchen originally stopped where the glass window areas start and it was a crowded dining area full of items that didn't have a place to be stored in the smaller kitchen. By extending the cabinets all the way to the end we added more storage , more counter space and a more open areas to dine and hang out. Swing is by baboosf.com

Contemporary Kitchen

This is an example of a large contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Oxfordshire with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, ceramic floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen with double bowl sink

Improva

Inspiration for a large contemporary u-shaped separate kitchen in Sydney with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Pacific NW Modern Dwelling

User

Manzanita Residence

Pedini NW

Photo of an expansive contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Portland with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Engineered Quartz Splashback 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!