This is an example of a contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Dallas with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

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.

Sun and Surf

Kala Interior Design

The breathtaking ocean views influenced the dramatic redesign of this water-front Poipu condo. The outdated condo was completely remodeled to allow full appreciation of the surrounding views, bring in a fresh new color palette, and modernize and update everything from the electrical wiring to the new luxury bath towels. The clients wanted the condo to feel “fun, happy, and cheerful,” and to stand apart from the typical vacation rental on Kauai. They wanted to turn this condo into the ultimate “beach house” that felt just as luxurious as the gorgeous natural surroundings. Fresh white ship-lap walls set the backdrop for this modern beach style, which is further enhanced with bold stripes, natural textures, and ocean-themed decor. The palette of cobalt, aqua and lichen green is fresh and vibrant against the neutral backdrop. Trina Turk’s “Peacock Print” was the inspiration fabric for the living and dining room. The print is so lively, colorful, and modern, and was the perfect place to start. Every custom detail was thoughtfully chosen to bring a sense of luxury and originality to the space. While some elements are whimsical, such as the playful octopus art & fish-themed fabric, other elements are sophisticated and classic, to help keep the design grounded. Special features include a custom-made “Moroccan Fish Scale” tile backsplash in the kitchen, crushed marble counter tops with oyster shells and float glass, and blue glass pendant lights, reminiscent of water bubbles.

Barn Kitchen in Bedford

Bilotta Kitchen & Home

While renovating their home located on a horse farm in Bedford, NY, it wasn’t surprising this husband and wife (who also is an equestrian) wanted their house to have a “barn feel”. To start, sourced reclaimed wood was used on the walls, floors and ceiling beams. This traditional kitchen, designed by Paulette Gambacorta, features Bilotta Collection cabinetry in a flush flat panel custom green paint with a glaze on maple. An added detail of a “crossbuck” end on the peninsula was custom made from reclaimed wood and inspired by the look of barn doors. Reclaimed wood shelves on iron brackets replaced upper cabinets for easy access. The marble countertops have a hand cut edge detail to resemble the look of when the stone was first quarried. An antique carpenter’s work bench was restored by the builder, for use as an island and extra work station. An apron front sink and a wains panel backsplash completed the barn look and feel. Bilotta Designer: Paulette Gambacorta Builder: Doug Slater, D.A.S. Custom Builders Interior Designer: Reza Nouranian, Reza Nouranian Design, LLC Architect: Rich Granoff Photo Credit:Peter Krupenye

Rocky Point Circle

Talie Jane Interiors

Full kitchen remodel. Main goal = open the space (removed overhead wooden structure). New configuration, cabinetry, countertops, backsplash, panel-ready appliances (GE Monogram), farmhouse sink, faucet, oil-rubbed bronze hardware, track and sconce lighting, paint, bar stools, accessories.

Homstead Road

Kim Layne Design Associates

Design ideas for a country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop, exposed beam and vaulted.

Hidden Pantry, Open

Stonebreaker Builders & Remodelers

Beautiful transitional coastal kitchen with hidden pantry. White shaker cabinets, quartz counter tops, glass and stone tile back splash, bronze plumbing fixtures, wood hood, and a shiplap wrapped island accented with stained wood legs.

Modern kitchen

KI3 Design

Modern kitchen
Large modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Antique Barnboard Oak - California Spanish Revival Home

Appalachian Woods

This Spanish style Californian home used our Antique Barnboard Oak flooring in all 6.5" wide planks. Aging patina, stress cracks and some original saw marks combined with nail holes and solid knots give this grade of reclaimed oak flooring a very unique character that is impossible to match with new flooring. For more information on this flooring please call us at (800) 333-7610 or email sales@appalachianwoods.com

Mountain Rustic Craftsman

Living Stone Design + Build

Inspiration for a mid-sized country l-shaped separate kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

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.

Farmhouse Kitchen

Design ideas for an expansive country u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, multi-coloured benchtop, panelled appliances and shaker cabinets.

Breckenridge Mountain Modern "Industrial" New Construction

Collective Design

Design ideas for a country l-shaped kitchen in Denver with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, stone tile splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, multi-coloured benchtop and panelled appliances.

Menlo Park Kitchen Remodel

Lexie Saine Design

Photo of a small contemporary u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, no island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Kitchen Area

Dseesion Interiors

Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen in Other with white cabinets, marble benchtops, panelled appliances, porcelain floors, beige floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Walnut New Construction

Fiorella Design, LLC

Large country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with marble benchtops, medium hardwood floors, with island, multi-coloured benchtop, a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, panelled appliances and ceramic splashback.

MONTVALE MODERN MANOR

CAROLYNLEONA by Liz Goldberg

Photo of a contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Raleigh with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Transitional kitchen renovation with wonderful details in Cypress, Texas

By Design Interiors, Inc.

Perfect solution to a clean counter top, is the lift mixer.
Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, metallic splashback, metal splashback, panelled appliances, porcelain floors, with island, beige floor, multi-coloured benchtop and granite benchtops.

Elegant Transitional Home

Interior Impressions

Drew Gray Photography
Transitional kitchen in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Amsterdam | Ceintuurbaan

Pamela Cases

Zoom sur la cuisine.
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury single-wall open plan kitchen in Amsterdam with an integrated sink, beaded inset cabinets, blue cabinets, terrazzo benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, panelled appliances, concrete floors, grey floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Kitchen with Panelled Appliances 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!