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.

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.

カドニワハウス（設計：しまだ設計室島田貴史氏）

相羽建設株式会社

Large asian galley kitchen in Tokyo Suburbs with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, wood benchtops, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, beige benchtop, green splashback and subway tile splashback.

Puget Sound Kitchen

Lucy Johnson Interior Design

Custom cabinets showing pull-out pantry and appliance garage which is lit from within.
Inspiration for a large midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, porcelain floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

AMAROO HOUSE

User

This is an example of a contemporary galley kitchen in Brisbane with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Brookside Neighborhood Custom New Build

Woodstock Cabinet Company

Contemporary eat-in kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, white splashback, panelled appliances, with island, beige floor, white benchtop, light wood cabinets and stone slab splashback.

5 Boulderback Drive | Marmol Radziner

Ascaya

Contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Las Vegas with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, beige splashback, panelled appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Old Naples- Private Residence

BCB Homes, Inc.

Inspiration for a large transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Miami with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors and multiple islands.

South Lake WA Remodel

Soundesign Group Architects, PLLC

Design ideas for a large arts and crafts galley open plan kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, slate splashback, panelled appliances, slate floors, a peninsula, multi-coloured floor and black benchtop.

Spacious Newly-Completed Boca Kitchen with Aqua Accents

The Place for Kitchens and Baths

Photography by IBI Designs ( http://www.ibidesigns.com/)

Adolfo Perez Architect

Boston Design Guide

This is an example of an expansive industrial open plan kitchen in Boston with with island, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, green splashback, mosaic tile splashback, panelled appliances and slate floors.

Magnolia Renovation

FINNE Architects

The Magnolia Renovation has been primarily concerned with the design of a new, highly crafted modern kitchen in a traditional home located in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle. The kitchen design relies on the creation of a very simple continuous space that is occupied by highly crafted pieces of furniture, cabinets and fittings. Materials such as steel, bronze, bamboo, stained elm, woven cattail, and sea grass are used in juxtaposition, allowing each material to benefit from adjacent contrasts in texture and color. The existing kitchen and dining room consisted of separate rooms with a dividing wall. This wall was removed to create a long, continuous, east-west space, approximately 34 feet long, with cabinets and counters along each wall. The west end of the space has glass doors and views to the Puget Sound. The east end also has glass doors, leading to a small garden space. In the center of the new kitchen/dining space, we designed two long, custom tables from reclaimed elm planks (20" wide, 2" thick). The first table is a working kitchen island, the second table is the dining table. Both tables have custom blued-steel bases with laser-cut bronze overlay. We also designed custom stools with blued-steel bases and woven cattail rush seats. The lighting of the kitchen consists of 15 small, candle-like fixtures arranged in a random array with custom steel brackets. The cabinets are custom designed, with bleached Alaskan yellow cedar frames and bamboo panels. The counters are a dark limestone with a beautiful stone mosaic backsplash with a bamboo-like pattern. Adjacent to the backsplash is a long horizontal window with a “beargrass” resin panel placed on the interior side of the window. The “beargrass” panel contains actual sea grasses, which are backlit by the window behind the panel. Photo: Benjamin Benschneider

Blonde Beauty

Midland Cabinet Company

Another view of the custom dowel dish racks. Rusty Reniers
Mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, light wood cabinets, tile benchtops, beige splashback, limestone splashback, panelled appliances, travertine floors, with island, beige floor and beige benchtop.

A charming european-style home in Montreal

Moutarde Décor

The old fashioned charm of this kitchen blends well with its modern and high-tech appliances.
Inspiration for a contemporary eat-in kitchen in Montreal with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets and panelled appliances.

Monterey Modern

Catherine Garrison Architect, Inc

Photo of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with a double-bowl sink, beaded inset cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, ceramic floors, no island, black floor and grey benchtop.

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.

The Bedford House

Lori Dennis, Inc.

Modern Kitchen with Wood Accents. Flat panel wood cabinets and flat panel grey cabinets blended together with white marble counter and blacksplash. Round glass light pendants hang above contemporary kitchen island, white modern bar stools sit on wide plank light wood flooring.

Navarin

BAT & CO

This is an example of a large contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Paris with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, beige splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Un 63m2 en VEFA twisté à Paris

Atelier Germain

Atelier Germain
Inspiration for a mid-sized scandinavian u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Paris with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, panelled appliances, travertine floors, no island and beige floor.

RIVER FOREST CONTEMPORARY BAMBOO KITCHEN

Denise Hauser Design Co.

Design ideas for a small modern single-wall eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, porcelain floors and with island.

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!