Inspiration for an expansive contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Sydney with flat-panel cabinets, with island, a double-bowl sink, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and vaulted.

Central Residence

Dylan Barber Building Design

Design ideas for a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Geelong with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, engineered quartz splashback, concrete floors, with island and grey floor.

Architectural Photography - Port Douglas

COCO + PALM PRODUCTIONS

This is an example of an expansive contemporary galley kitchen in Cairns with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

Borenore Nashdale House Island Bench

Source Architects

The existing house was poorly planned after a many renovations. The entry to the house was through a verandah that had previously been enclosed and the cottage had multiple unconnected living spaces with pour natural light and connection to the beautiful established gardens. With some simple internal changes the renovation allowed removal of the enclosed verandah and have the entry realigned to the central part of the house. Existing living areas where repurposed as sleeping spaces and a new living wing established to house a master bedroom and ensuite upstairs. The new living wing gives you an immediate sense of balance and calm as soon as you walk into the double-height living area. The new wing area beautifully captures filtered light on the north and west, allowing views of the established garden on all sides to enter the interior spaces.

Bathing Bliss

Smith & Sons Hornsby / Turramurra

Design ideas for a contemporary galley kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, green splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Pi_Pad

Mcmahon and Nerlich

Light filled kitchen and dining space, with bespoke dining table and featuring Australian artists.
Mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, glass sheet splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Kitchen with Bronzed Mirror Splashbacks

Nouvelle Kitchens & Bathrooms

This is an example of a small contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, metallic splashback, mirror splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and beige benchtop.

Fringe Dweller

Mihaly Slocombe

Fringe Dweller’s sculpted extension transforms an unassuming weatherboard cottage into a proud forever home. It walks multiple tightropes at once: balancing openness with privacy, strength with softness, and a rich history with our clients’ future needs. On Clifton Hill’s suburban edge, the house sits opposite the leafy Quarries Park Reserve. Our clients, Ishtar and Craig, have three children and purchased their cottage to create a long-term family home. Lying within a heritage overlay, the cottage’s traditional layout is largely preserved – only tweaked, in a wise parenting move, to form three equally sized bedrooms. The extension’s shared spaces feature rich materials, a warm palette and curved edges, creating a feeling of softness and easing transitions between zones. A staircase arcing through the living areas leads up to the lounge and main suite. Elevated above street level, these spaces can more freely relate to the park: the lounge’s attached balcony overlooks the park’s open field, while the main bedroom’s floor-to-ceiling window frames magnificent foliage. Downstairs, sliding doors connect the living areas to a semi-covered deck, while the garden beyond is embraced by a self-contained studio at the rear and high walls on either side. A brick wall interspersed with permeable screens lines the site’s public edge, balancing backyard privacy with neighbourhood connection. For passers-by, it’s a strong addition to the streetscape, granting glimpses of the lush garden within. Fringe Dweller embraces its presence on the fringe of the parklands, balancing its historical context with its future as a nurturing family home.

Ivanhoe period home

YORCON

A 2018 completed project: a custom period architectural home in Ivanhoe in Melbourne's inner north/east.Exquisite detailing went into every part of this home- internally and externally! All the work from design to completion was done by our team!!!

Hindley & Co - Kitchen Joinery

Hindley & Co Architecture & Interior Design

A secret door leads to a laundry and powder room under the stair
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Wanneroo Project

Western Cabinets

Custom designed and lacquered slatted curved ends to the overheads add texture and interest to the chalky matte cabinetry The use of existing timber that had been used in other areas of the home, not wanting to waste the beautiful pieces, I incorporated these into the design The kitchen needed a modern transformation, selection of chalky black slabbed doors are carefully considered whilst detailed curved slatted ends bounce natural light, concrete grey matte benches, reflective glass custom coloured back splash and solid timber details creates a beautifully modern industrial elegant interior.

Killara Project

Design Artistry

This is an example of a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Mosman

JPWK DESIGN

Contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Sydney with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, beige floor and white benchtop.

Brooklyn Project

Anoushka Allum Design

Inspiration for a large contemporary kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Markham Project

Lynda MacDonald Interior Design

Design ideas for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Gold Coast - Tweed with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Brunswick Californian Bungalow

Jacqui Koska

Inspiration for a contemporary u-shaped separate kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Brighton Villa

rosstang architects

Design ideas for a contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and white benchtop.

Bayview House

Aatos Design

Light-filled kitchen and dining.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, mosaic tile splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, grey splashback, beige floor, grey benchtop and wood.

Modern Estate Home

Kylie Sargent

Design ideas for a contemporary separate kitchen in Geelong with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

The Bromley

Dalecki Design

Design ideas for a contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Perth with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, white appliances, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Flat-panel 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!