The walk-in prep kitchen and pantry is an organizational dream that displays easy-access open shelving for your glassware & dishes, while the cabinetry provides hidden shelving for your additional storage needs.

Sliding Doors . la cuisine

ABACO | architecture et design

Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Paris with flat-panel cabinets, medium hardwood floors, with island, black benchtop, an undermount sink, light wood cabinets, black splashback, marble splashback, black appliances and grey floor.

Raleigh Hills Mid Century Modern

Northland Design & Build

Photo of a midcentury kitchen in Portland with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, marble splashback, terra-cotta floors, with island, black floor and vaulted.

Wildwood - Kitchen

Giulietti Schouten Weber Architects

Contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Portland with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and wood.

700 Admiralty

Kukk Architecture & Design P.A.

Photo of a contemporary galley kitchen in Miami with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, grey benchtop, recessed and wood.

Eichler - Inspired Home

Carmit Oron Interior Design

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury galley eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and timber.

SOGGIORNO CON CUCINA OPEN SPACE

Andrea Vertua Architetto

Soggiorno open space con cucina. Penisola divisoria con sgabelli. Elementi in laminato rovere nordico e basi in laminato laccato bianco lucido. Divano ad angolo e parete giorno su misura.

Wyndham Beach House

Sky Architect Studio

we created a practical, L-shaped kitchen layout with an island bench integrated into the “golden triangle” that reduces steps between sink, stovetop and refrigerator for efficient use of space and ergonomics. Instead of a splashback, windows are slotted in between the kitchen benchtop and overhead cupboards to allow natural light to enter the generous kitchen space. Overhead cupboards have been stretched to ceiling height to maximise storage space. Timber screening was installed on the kitchen ceiling and wrapped down to form a bookshelf in the living area, then linked to the timber flooring. This creates a continuous flow and draws attention from the living area to establish an ambience of natural warmth, creating a minimalist and elegant kitchen. The island benchtop is covered with extra large format porcelain tiles in a 'Calacatta' profile which are have the look of marble but are scratch and stain resistant. The 'crisp white' finish applied on the overhead cupboards blends well into the 'natural oak' look over the lower cupboards to balance the neutral timber floor colour.

Mid-Century Classic

Lucy Johnson Interior Design

Enlarged kitchen by removing a wall, back door & window, creating a U-shaped kitchen. Open site lines into Dining & Living room now.
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Seattle with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, a peninsula, grey floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

White Kitchen

AAI-Poggenpohl

This is an example of a contemporary galley kitchen in DC Metro with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Boerum Hill Duplex

Mago Architecture

The kitchen features cesarstone countertops with maple cabinets below. The island inverts this motif with a maple countertop and white cabinets below. The existing door and window to the roof terrace were replaced with Kolbe&Kolbe Historic windows.

Beach Beauty

ABT Custom Homes, LLC

Open, light and airy Chef's kitchen
Photo of a country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and beige floor.

Waterfront Townhouse

Sashya Thind

Photo of a contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Golden Valley Kitchen Remodel

10K Architecture

Daylight was maximized in a previously segmented and enclosed space by removing a load-bearing wall to the living room. The kitchen design incorporates a new island for added countertop space and entertaining. 10K worked closely with our clients to ensure the existing mid-century integrity of the home was maintained.

Sous les toits

Florent Chagny Architecture

Mid-sized industrial u-shaped open plan kitchen in Paris with an undermount sink, light wood cabinets, black splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, black benchtop, flat-panel cabinets, stone slab splashback, a peninsula, beige floor and exposed beam.

Larchmont Village House

Stephen Moser Architect

View of the Kitchen and oak cabinetry
Inspiration for a scandinavian l-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and white benchtop.

Bellevue Modern Kitchen and Bath Renovation

Nip Tuck Remodeling

Inspiration for a large modern kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Akaroa kitchen

Modern Age Kitchens & Joinery Ltd

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in Christchurch with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and stainless steel appliances.

Alder Street Residence

Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects

Mid-sized modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor and brown benchtop.

ЖК "Сердце Столицы"

Дарья Рыбак

This is an example of a contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Moscow with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, a peninsula, grey floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Flat-panel Cabinets and Light Wood 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!