Design ideas for a transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Rustic Modern Kitchen

Haste Woodcraft

Servo-drive trash can cabinet allows for hands-free opening and closing of the waste cabinet. One simply bumps the front of the cabinet and the motor opens and closes the drawer. No more germs on the cabinet door and hardware. Heather Harris Photography, LLC

Refined Mountain Rustic

TKP Architects

Welcome to the essential refined mountain rustic home: warm, homey, and sturdy. The house’s structure is genuine heavy timber framing, skillfully constructed with mortise and tenon joinery. Distressed beams and posts have been reclaimed from old American barns to enjoy a second life as they define varied, inviting spaces. Traditional carpentry is at its best in the great room’s exquisitely crafted wood trusses. Rugged Lodge is a retreat that’s hard to return from.

Colony Project

Thermally Broken Steel USA

Photo credit: Kevin Scott. Custom windows, doors, and hardware designed and furnished by Thermally Broken Steel USA. Other sources: Custom cooking suite by Morrone. Cooking range by Molteni. Sink fittings by Dornbracht. Western Hemlock walls and ceiling, Oak floors by reSAWN TIMBER Co.

Arts and Crafts Kitchen Transformation

Erika Altenhofen, CKBD

Arts and Crafts kitchen remodel in turn-of-the-century Portland Four Square, featuring a custom built-in eating nook, five-color inlay marmoleum flooring, maximized storage, and a one-of-a-kind handmade ceramic tile backsplash. Photography by Kuda Photography

TTR Home

Countrywide Construction & Design LLC

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, laminate benchtops, linoleum floors, with island, beige floor, multi-coloured benchtop and vaulted.

All Electric Home - kitchen

Tali Hardonag Architect

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped kitchen pantry in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, panelled appliances, vinyl floors, with island, multi-coloured benchtop and exposed beam.

Applewood Atomic Kitchen

TVL Creative Ltd.

When a client tells us they’re a mid-century collector and long for a kitchen design unlike any other we are only too happy to oblige. This kitchen is saturated in mid-century charm and its custom features make it difficult to pin-point our favorite aspect! Cabinetry We had the pleasure of partnering with one of our favorite Denver cabinet shops to make our walnut dreams come true! We were able to include a multitude of custom features in this kitchen including frosted glass doors in the island, open cubbies, a hidden cutting board, and great interior cabinet storage. But what really catapults these kitchen cabinets to the next level is the eye-popping angled wall cabinets with sliding doors, a true throwback to the magic of the mid-century kitchen. Streamline brushed brass cabinetry pulls provided the perfect lux accent against the handsome walnut finish of the slab cabinetry doors. Tile Amidst all the warm clean lines of this mid-century kitchen we wanted to add a splash of color and pattern, and a funky backsplash tile did the trick! We utilized a handmade yellow picket tile with a high variation to give us a bit of depth; and incorporated randomly placed white accent tiles for added interest and to compliment the white sliding doors of the angled cabinets, helping to bring all the materials together. Counter We utilized a quartz along the counter tops that merged lighter tones with the warm tones of the cabinetry. The custom integrated drain board (in a starburst pattern of course) means they won’t have to clutter their island with a large drying rack. As an added bonus, the cooktop is recessed into the counter, to create an installation flush with the counter surface. Stair Rail Not wanting to miss an opportunity to add a touch of geometric fun to this home, we designed a custom steel handrail. The zig-zag design plays well with the angles of the picket tiles and the black finish ties in beautifully with the black metal accents in the kitchen. Lighting We removed the original florescent light box from this kitchen and replaced it with clean recessed lights with accents of recessed undercabinet lighting and a terrifically vintage fixture over the island that pulls together the black and brushed brass metal finishes throughout the space. This kitchen has transformed into a strikingly unique space creating the perfect home for our client’s mid-century treasures.

House in the Tree Tops

Hermitage Kitchen Gallery LLC

Designed by Terri Sears Photography by Steven Long
This is an example of a large arts and crafts l-shaped kitchen in Nashville with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, matchstick tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

San Rafael, CA Kitchen From Traditional to Contemporary

Uhrich Design

Clients' dreams come true with the new contemporary kitchen. Countertops are recycled glass by Vetrazzo "Mille Fiori". Horizontal quarter sawn oak cabinets along with stainless steel add to the contemporary, colorful vibe.

Modern White Oak Kitchen

Hometown Design-Build & Allens Creek Cabinetry

modern white oak kitchen remodel Pittsford Rochester NY
This is an example of a large contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, white appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Modern City Escape - Edina

Hoxie Homes & Remodeling

This is an example of a contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, multi-coloured benchtop, exposed beam and vaulted.

Poppy 3

Sterling-Huddleson Architecture

This is an example of a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop, exposed beam and wood.

Taylor

LABRAN CONSTRUCTION LLC

Photo of a transitional galley eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Shaker Ash Kitchen and Floating Media Center

SOLLiD Cabinetry

Design: @rrdesignsllc Build: @maverick_kitchens PC: @realestate_shanebakerstudios
Photo of a mid-sized modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Phoenix with shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, multi-coloured benchtop and a farmhouse sink.

Lake Tapps Cabin

Hyland Cabinetworks Inc.

Design ideas for a country u-shaped kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, medium wood cabinets, beige splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Museum of Modern Art Tower Residence

Fundamental Design

View of the kitchen and L-shaped pantry with dining beyond at right. Featured are the expansive Sea Pearl quartzite counters, backsplash, and island, the custom walnut cabinets, and the built-in appliances. Photo credit: Alan Tansey

Milwaukee Bluff House

Karen Kempf Interiors

With a complete gut and remodel, this home was taken from a dated, traditional style to a contemporary home with a lighter and fresher aesthetic. The interior space was organized to take better advantage of the sweeping views of Lake Michigan. Existing exterior elements were mixed with newer materials to create the unique design of the façade. Photos done by Brian Fussell at Rangeline Real Estate Photography

Boreas

Creative Cabinetry Corp

Expansive transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Modern Mediterranean | Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Leanne Michael L U X E lifestyle design

Completely renovated gourmet kitchen and butters pantry in Rancho Santa Fe fit with all custom quarter-sawn white oak cabinetry designed with the lines of antique furniture as the inspiration paired with the modernism of matte black forged iron cabinetry and iron lattice grate features, sexy ribbed finial one-of-a-kind legs for the island, Calacata Michaelangelo marble on all surfaces including backsplashes, sink front and pair of drawer fronts flanking the Wolf cooktop. In addition to the cabinetry, the round custom butcher block cabinet, quilted millwork and hand forged ironworks, the brass cabinetry hardware pulls and knobs, swivel barstools, both iron pendants with black linen fabric lined in gold silk shades over the island and the three iron and wood light sconces placed high above the sink window were also designed and made in my custom work rooms south of the border which allowed for us to create and exceptional one-of-a-kind design AND high-end quality product for our client at a fraction of the cost in comparison as to if this design had been produced in Southern California. Wolf Appliances (cooktop, double ovens and convection steam oven) Miele Appliances (coffee maker & dishwashers) Viking Appliances (hood liner) Subzero (intergrated fridge) Waterstone (faucet suite)

Kitchen with Medium Wood Cabinets and Multi-Coloured Benchtop 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!