A Modern Kitchen for a Retreat in the Woods

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.

Lancaster Modern Cottage

Barefoot Dwelling

Phase 2 of our Modern Cottage project was the complete renovation of a small, impractical kitchen and dining nook. The client asked for a fresh, bright kitchen with natural light, a pop of color, and clean modern lines. The resulting kitchen features all of the above and incorporates fun details such as a scallop tile backsplash behind the range and artisan touches such as a custom walnut island and floating shelves; a custom metal range hood and hand-made lighting. This kitchen is all that the client asked for and more!

Elegant Luxury Kitchen with Modern Cabinets

Crown Homes of London

Modern slab white cabinet doors on shadow box cabinets feature sleek hardware and pair elegantly with the white quartz on the islands. The ultra-modern hanging light fixtures add a geometric touch and a splash of warm colour while the stainless-steel appliances compliment the overall aesthetic.

Lowland Farm Kitchen

Kristina Crestin Design

Jared Kuzia Photography
Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped separate kitchen in Boston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Bright & Fresh First Floor

Unpatterned

Photo: Dustin Halleck
Photo of a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Chicago with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, no island, green floor and white benchtop.

Le studio meublé

Francisco LOPEZ | FEEL INTERIEUR

Crédit photos : Sabine Serrad
Small scandinavian l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Lyon with a drop-in sink, beaded inset cabinets, grey cabinets, laminate benchtops, grey splashback, cement tile splashback, panelled appliances, plywood floors, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Rénovation totale

JE RÉNOVE TOUT POUR VOUS

Shootin
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall separate kitchen in Paris with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, stainless steel appliances, grey floor, slate floors, no island, multi-coloured splashback and cement tile splashback.

Treasure Island Residence

ZaZood

Brandi Image Photography
Photo of a large beach style u-shaped open plan kitchen in Tampa with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, red splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, a peninsula and black floor.

Beaumaris

Fine Choice Kitchens

Kitchen completed in Beaumaris. Dulux lexicon satin 2-Pac painted cabinetry with feature Polytec Nordic oak woodmatt island back and floating shelves. Finished with Caesar stone calacutta Nuvo stone benchtops.

Full Manhattan Apartment Renovation

NYKB

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, matchstick tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, a peninsula, black floor and grey benchtop.

Kitchen Continuity

DAS Studio

Mid-sized contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, panelled appliances, slate floors, a peninsula and grey floor.

Gail Street Kitchen

Details International

This is an example of a large contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Hawaii with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, panelled appliances, slate floors, with island and grey floor.

Los Gatos Midcentury Modern Custom Home

Zayer Quality Construction

This is an example of a large midcentury galley separate kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, no island and multi-coloured floor.

South Lake WA Remodel

Soundesign Group Architects, PLLC

Design ideas for a large arts and crafts galley open plan kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, slate splashback, panelled appliances, slate floors, a peninsula, multi-coloured floor and black benchtop.

Kitchen & Bath Remodel | Vienna, VA

Bath + Kitchen

Kitchen & bathroom remodeling Vienna, VA,
Large modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, matchstick tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors and grey floor.

Kitchen and Bath Gallery Projects

Kitchen and Bath Gallery

Mid-sized modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, a peninsula and grey floor.

Georgian Apartment Kitchen

Figura Kitchens & Interiors

Photo of a mid-sized country galley eat-in kitchen in Surrey with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, slate floors and with island.

Big Hill Ranch Kitchen remodel

Wall Street Woodworking

Photo of a mid-sized arts and crafts l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sacramento with a single-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, a peninsula and brown floor.

Aspen Mountain Condo Remodel

Anne Grice Interiors

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, solid surface benchtops, beige splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors and a peninsula.

Tulay kitchen

Scott Tulay

Architect - Scott Tulay, AIA Contractor-Roger Clark Cabinetry-Jim Picardi
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped kitchen in Boston with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, metallic splashback, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors and a peninsula.

Kitchen with Plywood Floors and Slate Floors 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!