“With the open-concept floor plan, this kitchen needed to have a galley layout,” Ellison says. A large island helps delineate the kitchen from the other rooms around it. These include a dining area directly behind the kitchen and a living room to the right of the dining room. This main floor also includes a small TV lounge, a powder room and a mudroom. The house sits on a slope, so this main level enjoys treehouse-like canopy views out the back. The bedrooms are on the walk-out lower level.“These homeowners liked grays and neutrals, and their style leaned contemporary,” Ellison says. “They also had a very nice art collection.” The artwork is bright and colorful, and a neutral scheme provided the perfect backdrop for it. They also liked the idea of using durable laminate finishes on the cabinetry. The laminates have the look of white oak with vertical graining. The galley cabinets are lighter and warmer, while the island has the look of white oak with a gray wash for contrast. The countertops and backsplash are polished quartzite. The quartzite adds beautiful natural veining patterns and warm tones to the room.

La Jolla

Aranelli Design

This exquisite kitchen is a symphony of contrasting elements that come together to create a space that's at once warm, contemporary, and inviting. Embracing a chic palette of rich walnut and pristine white gloss, the kitchen embodies modernity while paying homage to the traditional. Stepping into the room, the eye is immediately drawn to the sumptuous walnut cabinetry. These units are notable for their stunning depth of color and unique, intricate grain patterns that lend a sense of natural charm to the room. The robust walnut undertones are the embodiment of sophistication and warmth, imbuing the space with a comforting, homely aura. Complementing the wood's organic allure, the glossy white surfaces provide a sleek, modern counterpoint. The white gloss kitchen island and countertops are crafted with meticulous precision, their surfaces reflecting light to illuminate the room and enhance its spacious feel. The high gloss finish is incredibly smooth to the touch, adding a layer of tactile luxury to the overall aesthetic. Where the walnut provides the soul, the white gloss provides the contemporary spirit. The cabinets, outfitted in glossy white, are not only visually striking but also serve as a practical design solution, resisting stains and spills while reflecting light to make the space appear larger and brighter. The balance between the rich walnut and the crisp white gloss is expertly maintained throughout, creating a harmonious dialogue between the two. Brushed steel hardware provides a touch of industrial chic, while state-of-the-art appliances integrate seamlessly into the design. Accent features such as a walnut-topped island or a white gloss splashback continue this dynamic interplay, providing not just functionality, but a visual spectacle. The result is a kitchen space that is as breathtaking to behold as it is to function within. This walnut and white gloss kitchen effortlessly blends the traditional with the contemporary, the natural with the synthetic, the comforting with the clean. It is a testament to the power of design to create spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and thoroughly practical, creating a kitchen that's not just a place for cooking, but a hub for home life.

Southborough Road

West & Reid Ltd

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in London with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, linoleum floors, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Ristrutturazione Attico

Flavia Mosca Design

Cucina verde Salvia con gole nere, top e schienale a tutta altezza in laminam effetto marmo
Photo of a mid-sized modern galley open plan kitchen in Milan with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen remodel Windsor Park

Green Bay Remodeling

Farm house sink, Wooden cabinets and hardwood flooring. Mixing Contemporary design with rustic finishes, this galley kitchen gives off a modern feel while still maintaining a Western décor.

Black White & Wood Modern Kitchen Elegant Dark Hue Warm Tone Designed By Darash

By Darash - Kitchen Cabinets, Vanities & Closets

Modern Luxury Black, White, and Wood Kitchen By Darash design in Hartford Road - Austin, Texas home renovation project - featuring Dark and, Warm hues coming from the beautiful wood in this kitchen find balance with sleek no-handle flat panel matte Black kitchen cabinets, White Marble countertop for contrast. Glossy and Highly Reflective glass cabinets perfect storage to display your pretty dish collection in the kitchen. With stainless steel kitchen panel wall stacked oven and a stainless steel 6-burner stovetop. This open concept kitchen design Black, White and Wood color scheme flows from the kitchen island with wooden bar stools to all through out the living room lit up by the perfectly placed windows and sliding doors overlooking the nature in the perimeter of this Modern house, and the center of the great room --the dining area where the beautiful modern contemporary chandelier is placed in a lovely manner.

N 60TH PL SCOTTSDALE AZ (2)

Attractive Interiors Home Staging

Contemporary kitchen in Phoenix with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, grey floor and white benchtop.

Somerset Home Project

Clearcut Construction, Inc.

This home has lots of storage including the wood units that flank the entrance to this walk in pantry!
Mid-sized modern u-shaped open plan kitchen in Raleigh with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and vaulted.

Contemporary Island

Affinity Construction Group

Photo of a contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Miami with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Contemporary Cottage

Chris Murphy

Large contemporary eat-in kitchen in London with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

St John's Wood Luxury Apartment

VORBILD Architecture

Mid-sized modern u-shaped separate kitchen in London with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, no island and grey benchtop.

Deco House

Mihaly Slocombe

Design ideas for a large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, terrazzo floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Twickenham Kitchen

Brayer Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury single-wall eat-in kitchen in London with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Virginia Country Club

Benedict August

Inspiration for an expansive midcentury l-shaped kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Woodland

Tommy Daspit Photographer

Kitchen of modern luxury farmhouse in Pass Christian Mississippi photographed for Watters Architecture by Birmingham Alabama based architectural and interiors photographer Tommy Daspit.

Soft Contemporary in Amarra

Meredith Owen Interiors

Design ideas for a large transitional galley open plan kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Western Springs Transitional

Plain & Posh

The homeowners were in desperate need of storage and better function for their family of 6. They also needed the kitchen to be workable for several cooks. Taking the cabinetry to the ceiling and adding the large pantrys and island gave them the working space they needed. Then the fun began. The metal hood and tile were the inspirations for the rest of the rooms details. "X' details and beautiful lights and hardware!

Modern Organic Kitchen

Inspired Spaces, Inc.

Inspiration for a midcentury kitchen in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop, quartz benchtops, marble splashback and vaulted.

Keeping The View At Bay

Morrison Interiors

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped separate kitchen in Orange County with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, grey floor, grey benchtop, marble benchtops and light hardwood floors.

Roslyn Restoration

Jenny Roush Newman, Designer

Design ideas for a large traditional galley eat-in kitchen in Other with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Flat-panel Cabinets and Marble 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!