Joanne Green Landscape and Interior transformed a dated interior into a relaxed and fresh apartment that embraces the sunlit marine setting of Sydney's Barrenjoey peninsula. The client's brief was to create a layered aesthetic that captures the property's expansive view and amplifies the flow between the interior and exterior spaces. The project included updates to three bedrooms, an ensuite, a bathroom, a kitchen with a butler's pantry, a study nook, a dedicated laundry, and a generous dining and living area. By using thoughtful interior design, the finished space presents a unique, comfortable, and contemporary atmosphere to the waterfront home.

Property Styling - Ryde

Issy & H Creative

Photo of a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, light wood cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Seattle Contemporary Waterfront

H2 View

Open format kitchen includes gorgeous custom cabinets, a large underlit island with an induction cooktop and waterfall countertops. Full height slab backsplash and paneled appliances complete the sophisticated design.

A Modern Kitchen for a Retreat in the Woods

Amazing Spaces

This is a great house. Perched high on a private, heavily wooded site, it has a rustic contemporary aesthetic. Vaulted ceilings, sky lights, large windows and natural materials punctuate the main spaces. The existing large format mosaic slate floor grabs your attention upon entering the home extending throughout the foyer, kitchen, and family room. Specific requirements included a larger island with workspace for each of the homeowners featuring a homemade pasta station which requires small appliances on lift-up mechanisms as well as a custom-designed pasta drying rack. Both chefs wanted their own prep sink on the island complete with a garbage “shoot” which we concealed below sliding cutting boards. A second and overwhelming requirement was storage for a large collection of dishes, serving platters, specialty utensils, cooking equipment and such. To meet those needs we took the opportunity to get creative with storage: sliding doors were designed for a coffee station adjacent to the main sink; hid the steam oven, microwave and toaster oven within a stainless steel niche hidden behind pantry doors; added a narrow base cabinet adjacent to the range for their large spice collection; concealed a small broom closet behind the refrigerator; and filled the only available wall with full-height storage complete with a small niche for charging phones and organizing mail. We added 48” high base cabinets behind the main sink to function as a bar/buffet counter as well as overflow for kitchen items. The client’s existing vintage commercial grade Wolf stove and hood commands attention with a tall backdrop of exposed brick from the fireplace in the adjacent living room. We loved the rustic appeal of the brick along with the existing wood beams, and complimented those elements with wired brushed white oak cabinets. The grayish stain ties in the floor color while the slab door style brings a modern element to the space. We lightened the color scheme with a mix of white marble and quartz countertops. The waterfall countertop adjacent to the dining table shows off the amazing veining of the marble while adding contrast to the floor. Special materials are used throughout, featured on the textured leather-wrapped pantry doors, patina zinc bar countertop, and hand-stitched leather cabinet hardware. We took advantage of the tall ceilings by adding two walnut linear pendants over the island that create a sculptural effect and coordinated them with the new dining pendant and three wall sconces on the beam over the main sink.

Three Arch Cottage

Nate Fischer Interiors

Bright and airy cottage kitchen with natural wood accents and a pop of blue.
This is an example of a small beach style single-wall open plan kitchen in Orange County with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, terra-cotta splashback, panelled appliances, with island, white benchtop and vaulted.

White Sails Mid-Century Modern

Patterson Custom Homes

This is an example of a midcentury kitchen in Orange County with marble benchtops, multiple islands, white benchtop, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Michael Habachy

Marc Mauldin Photography, Inc.

Marc Mauldin Photography, Inc.
This is an example of a contemporary galley kitchen in Atlanta with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, black splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Modern & Natural White Oak Kitchen with Full Height Back Splash

Chervin Kitchen & Bath Inc.

In this modern cottage kitchen, sophistication meets rustic charm with white oak cabinets and a quartzite full-height backsplash. The natural beauty of the quartzite, with its unique veining and texture, adds a touch of elegance to the space. Paired with the clean lines of the white oak cabinets, the kitchen exudes a timeless appeal. The full-height backsplash not only provides a stunning focal point but also offers practical benefits, protecting the walls and making cleaning a breeze. Together, these elements create a space that is both stylish and functional, blending seamlessly into the cottage aesthetic while adding a touch of contemporary luxury.

Projet Dupré

Mon Concept Habitation

Dans cet appartement familial de 150 m², l’objectif était de rénover l’ensemble des pièces pour les rendre fonctionnelles et chaleureuses, en associant des matériaux naturels à une palette de couleurs harmonieuses. Dans la cuisine et le salon, nous avons misé sur du bois clair naturel marié avec des tons pastel et des meubles tendance. De nombreux rangements sur mesure ont été réalisés dans les couloirs pour optimiser tous les espaces disponibles. Le papier peint à motifs fait écho aux lignes arrondies de la porte verrière réalisée sur mesure. Dans les chambres, on retrouve des couleurs chaudes qui renforcent l’esprit vacances de l’appartement. Les salles de bain et la buanderie sont également dans des tons de vert naturel associés à du bois brut. La robinetterie noire, toute en contraste, apporte une touche de modernité. Un appartement où il fait bon vivre !

Kitchen Cooking Alcove

Great Rooms Building Group

Photo of a large transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, exposed beam and white splashback.

Range Hoods | Rustic Modern

Raw Urth Designs

Raw Urth's hand-crafted custom Wash Park range hood Finish: Rustic Iron on steel. *Design by Elevation Architects. *Photo by Open Homes Photography.
Photo of a contemporary kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, panelled appliances, with island and brown floor.

Modern Kitchen

SEK Architects

Image by Peter Rymwid Architectural Photography
Large contemporary kitchen in New York with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, panelled appliances, cement tiles, multiple islands, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Highgate

Black and Milk | Interior Design | London

See https://blackandmilk.co.uk/interior-design-portfolio/ for more details.

PORT CREDIT PENTHOUSE

HARRISON FAE DESIGN

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Rénovation complète d'une maison individuelle

Anne Rose BOUYER - KAURI ARCHITECTURE

Création d'une cuisine sur mesure avec "niche" bleue. Conception d'un casier bouteilles intégré dans les colonnes de rangements. Joints creux parfaitement alignés. Détail des poignées de meubles filantes noires.

Riverside Transitional Modern Home

Osada Construction

Mid-sized transitional l-shaped kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, cement tiles, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

East Hampton Village 4

Kevin O'Sullivan + Associates

Kitchen with satin lacquer uppers and bleached white oak lowers with frame of Calacatta Lincoln in leather finish. Faucet by Dornbracht USA.
Large contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

East Hampton Village 4

Kevin O'Sullivan + Associates

Kitchen Cooking Alcove

Great Rooms Building Group

Rift Cut White Oak and Brass Beauty - Kitchen

Tobias Design LLC

Design ideas for a large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Light Wood Cabinets and Panelled Appliances 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!