Clean, simple, uncluttered. This elegant oak and hand-painted kitchen features an understated bevelled door detail which lends the room a classic, timeless style. The layout flows around the central island which houses a built-in wine cooler and has a circular prep sink at one end balanced by a larger, circular solid oak dining area at the other. These curves complement the two arched doorways at the far end of the room, filling the space with light. Plenty of storage has been provided thanks to a traditional larder with oak interiors and twin double-door butler cupboards. Finishing touches include Miele appliances, quartz worktops with a profiled edge detail, a mirrored glass splashback and polished stainless steel handles.

bvj renovation 1

BVJ Rénovation

Design ideas for a small contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Paris with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, wood benchtops, mirror splashback, panelled appliances, porcelain floors, no island, grey floor and beige benchtop.

Stunning stencil

Jonathan Dade Photo Video

Jonathan Dade
Inspiration for a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, wood benchtops, metallic splashback, mirror splashback, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Light & Bright Georgian Villa Extension

Westbury Garden Rooms

This is an example of a mid-sized country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Essex with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, mirror splashback, with island, grey floor, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, beige splashback and panelled appliances.

Brisbane CBD - Apartment

Kim Duffin for Sublime Luxury Kitchens & Bathrooms

This sky home with stunning views over Brisbane's CBD, the river and Kangaroo Point Cliffs captures the maturity now found in inner city living in Brisbane. Originally from Melbourne and with his experience gain from extensive business travel abroad, the owner of the apartment decided to transform his home to match the cosmopolitan lifestyle he has enjoyed whilst living in these locations. The original layout of the kitchen was typical for apartments built over 20 years ago. The space was restricted by a collection of small rooms, two dining areas plus kitchen that did not take advantage of the views or the need for a strong connection between living areas and the outdoors. The new design has managed to still give definition to activities performed in the kitchen, dining and living but through minimal detail the kitchen does not dominate the space which can often happen in an open plan. A typical galley kitchen design was selected as it best catered for how the space relates to the rest of the apartment and adjoining living space. An effortless workflow is created from the start point of the pantry, housing food stores as well as small appliances, and refrigerator. These are within easy reach of the preparation zones and cooking on the island. Then delivery to the dining area is seamless. There are a number of key features used in the design to create the feeling of spaces whilst maximising functionality. The mirrored kickboards reflect light (aided by the use of LED strip lighting to the underside of the cabinets) creating the illusion that the cabinets are floating thus reducing the footprint in the design. The simple design philosophy is continued with the use of Laminam, 3mm porcelain sheets to the vertical and horizontal surfaces. This material is then mitred on the edges of all drawers and doors extenuate the seamless, minimalist, cube look. A cantilevered bespoke silky oak timber benchtop placed on the island creates a small breakfast/coffee area whilst increasing bench space and creating the illusion of more space. The stain and other features of this unique piece of timber compliments the tones found in the porcelain skin of the kitchen. The half wall built behind the sinks hides the entry point of the services into the apartment. This has been clad in a complimentary laminate for the timber benchtop . Mirror splashbacks help reflect more light into the space. The cabinets above the cleaning zone also appear floating due to the mirrored surface behind and the placement of LED strip lighting used to highlight the perimeter. A fully imported FALMAC Stainless Rangehood and flyer over compliments the plasterboard bulkhead that houses the air conditioning whilst providing task lighting to the island. Lighting has been used throughout the space to highlight and frame the design elements whist creating illumination for all tasks completed in the kitchen. Achieving "fluid motion" has been a major influence in the choice of hardware used in the design. Blum servo drive electronic drawer opening systems have been used to counter act any issues that may be encounter by the added weight of the porcelain used on the drawer fronts. These are then married with Blum Intivo soft close drawer systems. The devil is in the detail with a design and space that is so low profile yet complicated in it's simplicity. Steve Ryan - Rix Ryan Photography

Charlie Kingham | Guildford

A wonderful Charlie Kingham bespoke kitchen design. Traditional hardwood shaker style kitchen. A Farrow & ball No.4 'Old White' hand painted finish, an island with breakfast bar (F&B No. 25 Pigeon), Integrated larder, Fridge Freezer and wine cooler, Falcon range cooker and large shaker sink.

Killiney, South Dublin: Stately Home

O'Connors of Drumleck Ireland

Traditional kitchen in Other with recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, metallic splashback, mirror splashback, black appliances and black floor.

Newport Residence

Lifestyle Home Designs

Photo of a large modern galley kitchen in Sunshine Coast with white cabinets, wood benchtops, with island, grey floor, a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey splashback, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Kitchen Island with Breakfast Bar

LWK London Kitchens

Kitchen Finish: Handleless Basalt Grey gloss lacquer Worktop: Silestone Calypso Quartz with American Walnut Breakfast Bar
This is an example of a large modern open plan kitchen in London with glass-front cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, metallic splashback, mirror splashback, black appliances, porcelain floors and with island.

Nude et vert fjord : Elégance d’un duo coloriel

Bulles & Taille-crayon

Au cœur du 16ème arrondissement, ce 2 pièces parisien datant des années 30 ne demandait qu’à révéler son charme potentiel. La direction artistique du projet, en cohérence avec l’univers de notre cliente s’est vite portée sur des teintes pastel. Le parti pris coloriel s’affiche dans la cuisine, où la couleur nude a été choisie pour les façades. A la couleur nude, s’oppose un vert nordique que l’on trouve en mineur côté cuisine et de façon majeure dans le salon et le séjour. Les bibliothèques existantes qui se font face, se sont parées d’une teinte bleu-vert dont seul Farrow and Ball a le secret. Le mix de mobilier ancien et contemporain de la cliente est venu sublimer le charme de ce lieu.

Eltham South, Blairgowrie

Wolveridge Architects

Photography: Derek Swalwell
Inspiration for a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, open cabinets, black cabinets, wood benchtops, black splashback, mirror splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Colville Road Kitchen, Butler's Pantry & Powder Room Remodel

ReVision Design/Remodeling

This custom made black walnut and floating drawer standing desk provide a landing zone to reference a recipe online or for homework. The bottom drawer features a hidden printer.

work samples

Greg Bartley Photography

Photo of a mid-sized country kitchen in Hertfordshire with recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, mirror splashback, with island, beige floor and brown benchtop.

Project 1

Sunflower Life Projects

Mid-sized modern eat-in kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, mirror splashback, white floor, an undermount sink and with island.

Connecticut Kitchen

J.P. Franzen Associates Architects, P.C.

Historic renovation and addition features functional, custom details. Large island with teak counters. Adjacent butler's pantry with teak counters and marble sink. Painted cabinets with solid and glass doors throughout. Seating area. Paneled ceiling.

Long Island House

User

Christine Oh Kim
This is an example of a small transitional single-wall kitchen pantry in New York with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Austin Remodeling Contractor

MasterCraftsmen

Contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, wood benchtops, metallic splashback, mirror splashback and stainless steel appliances.

The Ivy Bank

Hamilton Stone Design

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sussex with a farmhouse sink, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor, brown benchtop, shaker cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, mirror splashback and light hardwood floors.

Brisbane CBD - Apartment

Kim Duffin for Sublime Luxury Kitchens & Bathrooms

Swinging 70s

Atticus & Milo

Derek Swalwell
This is an example of a mid-sized eclectic l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, yellow cabinets, with island, an undermount sink, wood benchtops, black splashback, mirror splashback, brick floors and stainless steel appliances.

Kitchen with Wood Benchtops and Mirror Splashback 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!