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.

Contemporary Kitchen

Design ideas for a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Sydney with flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, beige splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, beige benchtop, vaulted and marble benchtops.

Mill Valley, CA

Urrutia Design

URRUTIA DESIGN Photography by Matt Sartain
Expansive transitional single-wall eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with stainless steel appliances, subway tile splashback, brown splashback, shaker cabinets, marble benchtops, an undermount sink, white benchtop, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and vaulted.

Clovelly Hamptons Kitchen

Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms

A beautiful Hamptons kitchen featuring slimline white shaker and V-groove cabinetry, Carrara marble bench tops and splash back with fluted glass with black and timber accents. A soaring v-groove vaulted ceiling and a light filled space make this kitchen inviting, warm and fresh. A black butlers pantry with brass features punctures this space and is visible through a steel black door.

Groves Ave Kitchen Renovation

Jordan Design-Build Group

With Craftsman details throughout the rest of the home, our clients wanted their new kitchen to have transitional elements such as Shaker style doors, a farmhouse sink, warm wood tones, and other timeless features such as a custom hood and natural stone counters. The beautiful Glorious White marble counters have a soft honed finish and the stunning marble backsplash ties everything together to complete the look. The two-toned cabinets pair a rich stained cherry island with soft white perimeter cabinets. Brushed brass accents on the appliances pulls, cabinet hardware, lights and plumbing fixtures add another layer of sophistication. An induction range, dishwasher drawers, undercounter microwave, and four-door smart refrigerator amp up the functionality of this cook’s kitchen.

Warm Post-Modern

Karen Berkemeyer Home

Design ideas for an expansive beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, beige splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, beige benchtop and vaulted.

THE PICTURE HOUSE, BALHAM

NOTO Architects

Featuring a handmade, hand-painted kitchen, with marble surfaces and warm metal tones throughout.
Design ideas for a large transitional single-wall open plan kitchen in London with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, limestone floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Biddle Ranch

Studio 2G Architects

Vaulted ceilings are supported by angled windows which open up the home to light. In order to cut down on the number of installed "can" lights, pendant lights were strung across the kitchen from wall to wall to provide ambient lighting.

Modern Farmhouse Phase III - Interiors

Darci Reimund Designs

Large modern u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, terra-cotta splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and vaulted.

Windswept Beach Home

Asher Slaunwhite + Partners

Large kitchen with island and vaulted ceiling.
This is an example of an expansive beach style eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, beige splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, beige benchtop and vaulted.

Downtown Mill Valley

Patti Ogden Design

Photo of a small traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, beaded inset cabinets, marble benchtops, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Lakeview Complete Reno

Timberwolf Construction

Country open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop, exposed beam, timber and vaulted.

Pine Street Residence

Brickworks Building Products

This is an example of a large industrial l-shaped kitchen in Sydney with black cabinets, marble benchtops, cement tile splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, black benchtop, exposed beam, vaulted, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, multi-coloured splashback and brown floor.

Harbor View

Kennedy Cole Interior Design

Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Orange County with light hardwood floors, brown floor, vaulted, a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island and white benchtop.

Hilton Head Dream Kitchen

Delicious Kitchens & Interiors, LLC

Look Up!! The tile backsplash is installed using a straight herringbone pattern providing a durable surface and a lovely backdrop for the steel chimney hood.

Suburban Family Home Rejuvenated By The Addition Of A Modern Orangery

Westbury Garden Rooms

The original space was a long, narrow room, with a tv and sofa on one end, and a dining table on the other. Both zones felt completely disjointed and at loggerheads with one another. Attached to the space, through glazed double doors, was a small kitchen area, illuminated in borrowed light from the conservatory and an uninspiring roof light in a connecting space. But our designers knew exactly what to do with this home that had so much untapped potential. Starting by moving the kitchen into the generously sized orangery space, with informal seating around a breakfast bar. Creating a bright, welcoming, and social environment to prepare family meals and relax together in close proximity. In the warmer months the French doors, positioned within this kitchen zone, open out to a comfortable outdoor living space where the family can enjoy a chilled glass of wine and a BBQ on a cool summers evening.

Jacobs Residence

sk7 design studios, inc.

Kitchen with slide-away window and outdoor bar seating across from kitchen sink.
This is an example of a large country u-shaped kitchen pantry in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Poplar - Modern MCM

Melinamade - Residential Design + Interiors

The kitchen that opens to a small family and dining room in a Mid Century modern home built by a student of Eichler. This Eichler inspired home was completely renovated and restored to meet current structural, electrical, and energy efficiency codes as it was in serious disrepair when purchased as well as numerous and various design elements being inconsistent with the original architectural intent of the house from subsequent remodels.

Frameless European Cabinets

Belsito Kitchens

Photo of a small contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Miami with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Bennington Forever Home

Labra Design Build

We helped this client search for the right property that we could turn into their forever home. The challenge was to bring the best features out of this home that had been remodeled by a previous home flipper who lacked some vision with certain spaces. We opened up some walls, moved some doorways, and rearranged the kitchen to transform this space into a family environment that will be enjoyed for years to come.

Kitchen with Marble Benchtops and Vaulted 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!