Periscope House draws light into a young family’s home, adding thoughtful solutions and flexible spaces to 1950s Art Deco foundations. Our clients engaged us to undertake a considered extension to their character-rich home in Malvern East. They wanted to celebrate their home’s history while adapting it to the needs of their family, and future-proofing it for decades to come. The extension’s form meets with and continues the existing roofline, politely emerging at the rear of the house. The tones of the original white render and red brick are reflected in the extension, informing its white Colorbond exterior and selective pops of red throughout. Inside, the original home’s layout has been reimagined to better suit a growing family. Once closed-in formal dining and lounge rooms were converted into children’s bedrooms, supplementing the main bedroom and a versatile fourth room. Grouping these rooms together has created a subtle definition of zones: private spaces are nestled to the front, while the rear extension opens up to shared living areas. A tailored response to the site, the extension’s ground floor addresses the western back garden, and first floor (AKA the periscope) faces the northern sun. Sitting above the open plan living areas, the periscope is a mezzanine that nimbly sidesteps the harsh afternoon light synonymous with a western facing back yard. It features a solid wall to the west and a glass wall to the north, emulating the rotation of a periscope to draw gentle light into the extension. Beneath the mezzanine, the kitchen, dining, living and outdoor spaces effortlessly overlap. Also accessible via an informal back door for friends and family, this generous communal area provides our clients with the functionality, spatial cohesion and connection to the outdoors they were missing. Melding modern and heritage elements, Periscope House honours the history of our clients’ home while creating light-filled shared spaces – all through a periscopic lens that opens the home to the garden.

Bayadere Newport Beach

William Guidero Planning and Design

Mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Winoka Kitchen/Hearth/Pantry

Before and After Builders, Inc.

Beautiful Bianco Superior Quartzite countertop! Emser Sterlina Asphalt 12 x 24 floor tile in matte finish!
This is an example of a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, black floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Transitional White Oak Home

Cabinet Concepts by Design

Photo of a transitional l-shaped kitchen pantry in Other with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Allison Park Home Remodel

New Angle Design

A contemporary first floor and stairs remodel
This is an example of a contemporary eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

La Cocina Genuina de Rosa y Juan

Genuina By Carmen Payno

Photo of a mid-sized scandinavian single-wall separate kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, white appliances, porcelain floors, no island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Smoked Pearl Quartz Kitchen

Upstate Granite Solutions

This kitchen Is the perfect example of light and airy. All the natural sunlight allowed into the space creates a warm and gentle ambience.
Mid-sized country eat-in kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Farmhouse on the Hills

Signature Designs Kitchen | Bath | Interiors

Modern Farmhouse Kitchen on the Hills of San Marcos
Photo of a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Plano | Normandy Estates | Kitchen & Butler Cabinets (Partner)

Kitchen Design Concepts

The builder we partnered with for this beauty original wanted to use his cabinet person (who builds and finishes on site) but the clients advocated for manufactured cabinets - and we agree with them! These homeowners were just wonderful to work with and wanted materials that were a little more "out of the box" than the standard "white kitchen" you see popping up everywhere today - and their dog, who came along to every meeting, agreed to something with longevity, and a good warranty! The cabinets are from WW Woods, their Eclipse (Frameless, Full Access) line in the Aspen door style - a shaker with a little detail. The perimeter kitchen and scullery cabinets are a Poplar wood with their Seagull stain finish, and the kitchen island is a Maple wood with their Soft White paint finish. The space itself was a little small, and they loved the cabinetry material, so we even paneled their built in refrigeration units to make the kitchen feel a little bigger. And the open shelving in the scullery acts as the perfect go-to pantry, without having to go through a ton of doors - it's just behind the hood wall!

O'Brien Harris Chathem Oak Kitchen

O'Brien Harris LLC

This bright urban oasis is perfectly appointed with O'Brien Harris Cabinetry in Chicago's bespoke Chatham White Oak cabinetry. The scope of the project included a kitchen that is open to the great room and a bar. The open-concept design is perfect for entertaining. Countertops are Carrara marble, and the backsplash is a white subway tile, which keeps the palette light and bright. The kitchen is accented with polished nickel hardware. Niches were created for open shelving on the oven wall. A custom hood fabricated by O’Brien Harris with stainless banding creates a focal point in the space. Windows take up the entire back wall, which posed a storage challenge. The solution? Our kitchen designers extended the kitchen cabinetry into the great room to accommodate the family’s storage requirements. obrienharris.com

Docking Drawer in Studio Dearborn kitchen

Studio Dearborn

A 1920s colonial in a shorefront community in Westchester County had an expansive renovation with new kitchen by Studio Dearborn. Countertops White Macauba; interior design Lorraine Levinson. Photography, Timothy Lenz.

Chappaqua Kitchen

Macchia Photography

This kitchen was designed by Studio Dearborn and Wendy Strauss. Photos by Adam Kane Macchia
Design ideas for a transitional eat-in kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, with island and grey floor.

Coastal Florida Homes

Wilson Lighting

This is an example of a large transitional l-shaped separate kitchen in Miami with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors and with island.

Chelsea Enclave Condo

Alexander Antonelli Architects LLC

Photo of a small modern galley eat-in kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, marble floors and a peninsula.

Francois & Co. - Kitchen Range Hoods

Francois & Co

With inspiration going back to antiquity, the ancient French farmhouse, or the vast bustling kitchen of chateau, our Range Hoods collections vary from the simply elegant to creations of intricate beauty, ranging in scale and style from delicate and understated to grand and majestic.

City

Stosa Cucine

This is an example of an industrial kitchen in Florence with recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, black splashback, black appliances and concrete floors.

Coastal Kitchen and Breakfast Room

Frank Pitman Designs

Martin King Photography
Design ideas for a large beach style kitchen in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

West Chester Kitchen Design

Chester County Kitchen & Bath

Lovely kitchen remodel in Chester County. Gorgeous granite countertops over Fieldstone cabinetry in Maple with a caramel stain. The door style is recessed and custom knobs. Tile backsplash has hints of glass inserts. Hardwood flooring.

Crocus Hill Residence

David Heide Design Studio

Architecture & Interior Design: David Heide Design Studio -- Photos: Susan Gilmore
Inspiration for an arts and crafts galley eat-in kitchen in Minneapolis with recessed-panel cabinets, stainless steel appliances, light wood cabinets, no island, medium hardwood floors, granite benchtops, grey splashback, stone tile splashback and a farmhouse sink.

Bayadere Newport Beach

William Guidero Planning and Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Recessed-panel Cabinets and Light Wood 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!