This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, terrazzo benchtops, subway tile splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, beige floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Blue Kitchen with Terrazzo Benchtops

Improva

A kitchen that combines sleek modern design with natural warmth. This beautifully crafted space features a curved island as its centrepiece, creating a dynamic flow that enhances both functionality and aesthetics. The island is clad with elegant terrazzo stone adding a touch of contemporary charm. The combination of the Dulux Albeit-coloured joinery and the Milano oak wall cabinets creates a captivating interplay of colours and textures, elevating the visual impact of the kitchen.

Alphington

Jasmine McClelland Design

Warm earthy tones, organic mixed coloured Fibonacci stone benchtop and beige mosaic splashback tile from Academy tiles compliment the feature timber surrounds of this family kitchen.

Ticked all the boxes

Collaroy Kitchen Centre

Design ideas for a large contemporary l-shaped kitchen pantry in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mirror splashback, black appliances, laminate floors, with island and multi-coloured benchtop.

Glen Abbey

Clearcut Construction, Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional open plan kitchen in Raleigh with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Orchard Lake Kitchen Remodel

MainStreet Design Build

This Orchard Lake kitchen remodel was part of a whole house renovation. The clients wanted a large, open kitchen with room for multiple cooks and a warm, inviting space for entertaining guests and family. A custom Grabill kitchen was designed with professional grade Wolf and Thermador appliances, an oversize island and large windows highlighting the spectacular view of the lake. Kate Benjamin Photography

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.

2022 NARI CotY Award-Winning Residential Kitchens $100,001 to $150,000

National Association of the Remodeling Industry

Magnolia Waco Properties, LLC dba Magnolia Homes, Waco, Texas, 2022 Regional CotY Award Winner, Residential Kitchen $100,001 to $150,000
Small country l-shaped separate kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, shiplap splashback, white appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, multi-coloured benchtop and timber.

CP Residence

Karen Aston Design

Large midcentury galley kitchen pantry in Sydney with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, window splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, beige floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Contemporary Home Interior

Rhoads Estate Homes, LLC

Photo of a large transitional kitchen in Cincinnati with an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and shaker cabinets.

Sand Point House

Lane Williams Architects

Maple cabinets and marble counters in the kitchen, with porcelain tile backsplash. Custom seating in breakfast nook overlooking back yard.
Inspiration for a large contemporary eat-in kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, metallic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, multi-coloured benchtop, marble benchtops, metal splashback and brown floor.

Scarborough Modern Farmhouse Kitchen Renovation

The Good Home - Interiors & Design

Darren Setlow Photography
Design ideas for a large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland Maine with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, multi-coloured benchtop and exposed beam.

Boulder Canyon

Pruett & Co.

In this remodel we painted the existing perimeter cabinets a soft sea salt color and built a new island that included a cozy banquette that faces the gorgeous view of the Flatirons.

Lake of the Isles Kitchen

M. Victoria Johnson Interiors

Inspiration for a beach style u-shaped open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and vaulted.

Cheerful Open Concept Kitchen, Millburn, NJ

Clawson Architects, LLC

Cheerful and open, this beautiful kitchen checks all the boxes. Open, large Island with seating, stunning counters and natural light two sinks and lots of space to work. U shaped kitchens are often thought of as the most practical. The layout here is from pantry to refrigerator to prep sink to stove and over to the clean up sink and dishwasher….the owners report…”we can not believe how easy it is to maneuver in the space. It just makes sense.”

Cocina "Breathtaking View"

ABACUBE Interiorismo

Cocina alargada pero muy iluminada. Reforma completa de la cocina, abrimos la pared que separa con el salón para dar mayor funcionalidad al espacio, Electrodomésticos Siemens de alta gama y eficiencia energética. Muebles Santos y encimera Silestone.

nnu House

Studio Jayga Architects

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Essex with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, terrazzo benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, limestone floors, with island and multi-coloured benchtop.

"Stylishly Eclectic" -- Plumstead, PA

Hankins & Associates, Inc. - Kitchens and Baths

Hutch piece on the end is painted in a black paint, with a mustard paint and glazed beaded board back with clear beveled glass inserts. The island is stained with glaze on cherry wood. The floor is 5" white oak.

Shaker Country Kitchen

Mohler's Woodworking, Inc

Custom Paper towel drawer
Inspiration for a large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Cincinnati with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Colonial Road

Thyme & Place Design LLC

This small kitchen packs a powerful punch. By replacing an oversized sliding glass door with a 24" cantilever which created additional floor space. We tucked a large Reid Shaw farm sink with a wall mounted faucet into this recess. A 7' peninsula was added for storage, work counter and informal dining. A large oversized window floods the kitchen with light. The color of the Eucalyptus painted and glazed cabinets is reflected in both the Najerine stone counter tops and the glass mosaic backsplash tile from Oceanside Glass Tile, "Devotion" series. All dishware is stored in drawers and the large to the counter cabinet houses glassware, mugs and serving platters. Tray storage is located above the refrigerator. Bottles and large spices are located to the left of the range in a pull out cabinet. Pots and pans are located in large drawers to the left of the dishwasher. Pantry storage was created in a large closet to the left of the peninsula for oversized items as well as the microwave. Additional pantry storage for food is located to the right of the refrigerator in an alcove. Cooking ventilation is provided by a pull out hood so as not to distract from the lines of the kitchen.

Kitchen with 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!