Like many mid century modern homes, this home has finished concrete outside as well as inside. Thia photo was taken from an outside covered patio area looking into the newly remodeled kitchen.

Lee Boulevard Whole House

Schloegel Design Remodel

Transitional basement kitchen with medium wood cabinets, stainless appliances and hood vent. Counters and peninsula topped with striking Blue Roma quartzite featuring gold veining. Glass mosaic backsplash with organic edging.

Dunrobin Shores

Christopher Simmonds Architect

Doublespace Photography
Inspiration for a modern galley open plan kitchen in Ottawa with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, brown splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors and with island.

Waite Residence

AoDK Inc.

A couple wanted a weekend retreat without spending a majority of their getaway in an automobile. Therefore, a lot was purchased along the Rocky River with the vision of creating a nearby escape less than five miles away from their home. This 1,300 sf 24’ x 24’ dwelling is divided into a four square quadrant with the goal to create a variety of interior and exterior experiences while maintaining a rather small footprint. Typically, when going on a weekend retreat one has the drive time to decompress. However, without this, the goal was to create a procession from the car to the house to signify such change of context. This concept was achieved through the use of a wood slatted screen wall which must be passed through. After winding around a collection of poured concrete steps and walls one comes to a wood plank bridge and crosses over a Japanese garden leaving all the stresses of the daily world behind. The house is structured around a nine column steel frame grid, which reinforces the impression one gets of the four quadrants. The two rear quadrants intentionally house enclosed program space but once passed through, the floor plan completely opens to long views down to the mouth of the river into Lake Erie. On the second floor the four square grid is stacked with one quadrant removed for the two story living area on the first floor to capture heightened views down the river. In a move to create complete separation there is a one quadrant roof top office with surrounding roof top garden space. The rooftop office is accessed through a unique approach by exiting onto a steel grated staircase which wraps up the exterior facade of the house. This experience provides an additional retreat within their weekend getaway, and serves as the apex of the house where one can completely enjoy the views of Lake Erie disappearing over the horizon. Visually the house extends into the riverside site, but the four quadrant axis also physically extends creating a series of experiences out on the property. The Northeast kitchen quadrant extends out to become an exterior kitchen & dining space. The two-story Northwest living room quadrant extends out to a series of wrap around steps and lounge seating. A fire pit sits in this quadrant as well farther out in the lawn. A fruit and vegetable garden sits out in the Southwest quadrant in near proximity to the shed, and the entry sequence is contained within the Southeast quadrant extension. Internally and externally the whole house is organized in a simple and concise way and achieves the ultimate goal of creating many different experiences within a rationally sized footprint. Photo: Sergiu Stoian

Modern High Performance Home

Imery Group

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Atlanta with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island and quartz benchtops.

2013 Bluebonnet

Riverside Homes LLC

Kitchen | Twist Tours
Photo of a mid-sized modern galley open plan kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island and grey floor.

2013 Bluebonnet

Riverside Homes LLC

Kitchen | Twist Tours
Mid-sized modern galley open plan kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island and grey floor.

Kitchen + Window Wall

Ware Architecture Studio

Design ideas for a large modern u-shaped kitchen pantry in Dallas with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors and multiple islands.

Rustic Modern Kitchen

Acumen Builders

Styled by - Geralyn Gormley of Acumen Builders
Mid-sized country single-wall open plan kitchen in Phoenix with dark wood cabinets, blue splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, quartzite benchtops, glass tile splashback, concrete floors and grey floor.

Kitchen 6Y

BC 11 Construction

Photo of a mid-sized transitional galley separate kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, no island, black floor and black benchtop.

Interior Design

Boutique Architectural Design Studio

Boutique Architectural Design Studio
Inspiration for a large modern single-wall open plan kitchen in Orlando with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, glass tile splashback, black appliances, concrete floors, with island and white floor.

Compass Haus

SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture

The kitchen sits as the centerpiece of the home and the open plan is designed to connect the kitchen to the entry, living, and dining areas. This design allows for these spaces to capture views of the pool and the Intracoastal waterway beyond.

Hawk's Nest

Wiedemann Architects LLC

Kitchen with dropped red ceiling. Anice Hoachlander, Hoachlander Davis Photography LLC
Mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in DC Metro with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, with island, an undermount sink, white splashback, concrete floors, quartzite benchtops, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances and black floor.

Santa Fe Contemporary

Madera Builders LLC

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Albuquerque with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, beige splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors and with island.

Modern Loft Kitchen

Liz Schupanitz Designs

•2014 MN NKBA Awards: Third Place Medium Kitchens •Photography by Karen Melvin
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, glass tile splashback, panelled appliances, concrete floors and with island.

Modern Waterfront

Maple Leaf Custom Homes

Architect: Christopher Simmonds Architect
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Ottawa with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors and with island.

Mazama House

FINNE Architects

Benjamin Benschneider
Design ideas for a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, medium wood cabinets, glass benchtops, glass tile splashback, panelled appliances, concrete floors and with island.

Kitchen Appliances

Mountain Land Design

Faces Photography
This is an example of a small arts and crafts single-wall separate kitchen in Salt Lake City with stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, no island, glass-front cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback and glass tile splashback.

Quonset Hut Kitchen

Frederick + Frederick Architects

photo by Dickson Dunlap
Design ideas for a mid-sized industrial galley eat-in kitchen in Atlanta with stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, granite benchtops, black splashback, glass tile splashback, concrete floors, with island and grey cabinets.

Bright Island Kitchen Design

The Chuba Company

Bright, functional kitchen space in modern new home
This is an example of a mid-sized country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, laminate benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances and concrete floors.

Kitchen with Glass Tile Splashback and Concrete 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!