Our client approached Matter in late 2019 for a new kitchen. While the existing kitchen had a reasonable layout and some great features, the cupboards weren’t optimising the space to its full potential, particularly for storage. Noting that the old kitchen aged very quickly, our client wanted the new kitchen to be constructed entirely from plywood—liking the appearance and strength of the material. They also loved vibrant use of colour and suggested we look at the kitchens featured in films by the Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar for inspiration. The result was a playful mix of hand painted navy, light blue and retro orange in combination with a ‘raw’ effect from the birch plywood. To save on cost and waste, we decided to keep certain components of the kitchen that have remained in very good condition. Some of these included the stainless steel bench tops and oven/range hood stack, as well as a polished concrete island bench top. We replaced most of the cupboards with drawer units specifically tailored to fit our client's extensive collection of cookware and appliances with adjustable partitions. An integrated Hideaway rubbish bin free’s up circulation space and a Kesseböhmer pull-out pantry will ensure no bottle of spice is ever lost to the back of a cupboard again.

Rose Bay House

D'Cruz Design Group

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.

Sumptuous Beaded Kitchen

Traditional Bespoke Furniture

Richard Gadsby
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped kitchen in Kent with beaded inset cabinets, blue cabinets, granite benchtops, glass sheet splashback, with island and medium hardwood floors.

Modern Kitchen Chislehurst

piqu

A modern stylish kitchen designed by piqu and supplied by our German manufacturer Ballerina. The crisp white handleless cabinets are paired with a dark beautifully patterned Caesarstone called Vanilla Noir. A black Quooker tap and appliances from Siemen's Studioline range reinforce the luxurious and sleek design.

Réaménager un duplex familial au coeur de Paris - Projet Branly

Mon Concept Habitation

Dans ce grand appartement, l’accent a été mis sur des couleurs fortes qui donne du caractère à cet intérieur. On retrouve un bleu nuit dans le salon avec la bibliothèque sur mesure ainsi que dans la chambre parentale. Cette couleur donne de la profondeur à la pièce ainsi qu’une ambiance intimiste. La couleur verte se décline dans la cuisine et dans l’entrée qui a été entièrement repensée pour être plus fonctionnelle. La verrière d’artiste au style industriel relie les deux espaces pour créer une continuité visuelle.Enfin, on trouve une couleur plus forte, le rouge terracotta, dans l’espace servant à la fois de bureau et de buanderie. Elle donne du dynamisme à la pièce et inspire la créativité ! Un cocktail de couleurs tendance associé avec des matériaux de qualité, ça donne ça !

White galley style kitchen

Improva

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern galley eat-in kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, white appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Küche 7

Möbel Bühler

Die Küche dieser Wohnung ist mit Nussbaum Furnier und Schichtstoff ausgestattet. Mintfarbene Glasrückwände dienen als Spritzschutz. Indirekte LED Beleuchtungen unter den Hängeschränken stellen, genau wie die zahlreichen Schubladen und Schränke, Ausstattungsdetails dar.

Haus WH

Ferreira | Verfürth Architekten

Fotos: Julia Vogel, Köln
This is an example of a large modern galley open plan kitchen in Dusseldorf with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, white appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

GKB Photography

Gainesville Kitchen & Bath

Powered by CABINETWORX Masterbrand, bright kitchen, open face cabinet storage, mosaic back splash, quartz counter tops, stainless steel hood, hanging lights, goose neck faucet, under mount sink, medium-light wood floors

Timberframe Mountain Home - Whistler, BC

ADA - arata hatanaka design atelier

Fully custom designed kitchen. Horizontal grain of American Walnut with solid Anegre raised eating bar are modern yet warm response to it's space. *illustrated images are from participated project while working with: Openspace Architecture Inc.

Macquarie Street, Roseville

Cordony Group

Elegant forties character combines with modern alfresco bliss in this tranquil home. Gracious entrance foyer, high ceilings, plantation shutters Flowing living/dining area embraces a sunlit dual aspect Alfresco deck overlooks the level north-facing backyard Abundant kitchen storage, Ilve gas range, dishwasher Serene third bedroom links to deck through French doors.

Mid-Cambridge Full Home Renovation

Fresh Start Contracting Company

Eric Roth
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and solid surface benchtops.

Blue kitchens

Moylans Design Limited

Photo of a mid-sized modern galley eat-in kitchen in Essex with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, stainless steel appliances, with island, glass sheet splashback and medium hardwood floors.

NOTTING HILL MAISONETTE No 2

STEPHEN FLETCHER ARCHITECTS

We were commissioned in 2006 to refurbish and remodel a ground floor and basement maisonette within an 1840s stuccoed house in Notting Hill. From the outset, a priority was to remove various partitions and accretions that had been added over the years, in order to restore the original proportions of the two handsome ground floor rooms. The new stone fireplace and plaster cornice installed in the living room are in keeping with the period of the building.

Kitchens

Cline Architects

San Francisco Kitchen Remodel. Cline Architects
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Foxtree Cove

Webber + Studio, Architects

© Paul Bardagjy Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern galley eat-in kitchen in Austin with stainless steel appliances, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, glass sheet splashback, an undermount sink, medium hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Contemporary Kitchen Remodel in High Point Estates Madison, WI

Sweeney Design Remodel

To create a strong focal point for the room, the fireplace was designed with a new steel facade and treated with a product that will allow it to acquire a warm patina with age.

CARRARA KITCHEN

Tommaso Giunchi Architetti

tommaso giunchi
This is an example of a large contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in Milan with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, glass sheet splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Notting Hill flat renovation and full refurbishment -Kitcehn

Organic Talents Construction

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in London with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, solid surface benchtops, glass sheet splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, no island, white floor and white benchtop.

Light Grey Shaker style U shape fitted kitchen with Amrbosia White Granite

Kettle Co. Kitchens

Light Grey Shaker style U shape fitted kitchen with Amrbosia White Granite Mandy Donneky
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Cornwall with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, beige floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Glass Sheet Splashback and Medium Hardwood Floors 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!