Inspiration for a large modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Orange County with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Kichen

Next Level Austin

Remodeled cramped and dated kitchen and closed-off den to create an open and livable great-room for a family of 4. Custom walnut cabinets and travertine floors create a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Neptune Henley Kitchen kent

Woods of London ltd

chris snook
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Kent with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, metal splashback, linoleum floors, a peninsula and green floor.

Townhouse Kitchens

Big D Home Services, LLC

Full Package Media
This is an example of a small contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Dallas with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Contemporary Kitchens

Nordic Kitchens and Baths

Steve Whitsitt Photography
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in New Orleans with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, metallic splashback, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors and a peninsula.

Dark Cocoa Kitchen - Edgewater, NJ

Melanie Sferlazza Design

Large traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, metallic splashback, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, a peninsula, white floor and black benchtop.

Custom Home | Observatory Park | Denver

Shadow Creek Homes

Photo of a large contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, grey floor, black cabinets, metallic splashback and multiple islands.

Contemporary Kitchen

Robin Rigby Fisher, CMKBD/CAPS/CLIPPS

Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink. Although this kitchen had ample cabinets and countertops, none of it was functional. Tall appliances divided what would have been a functional run of counters. The cooktop was placed at the end of a narrow island. The walk-in pantry jutted into the kitchen reducing the walkspace of the only functional countertop to 36”. There was not enough room to work and still have a walking area behind. Dark corners and cabinets with poor storage rounded out the existing kitchen. Removing the walk in pantry opened the kitchen and made the adjoining utility room more functional. The space created by removing the pantry became a functional wall of appliances featuring: • 30” Viking Freezer • 36” Viking Refrigerator • 30” Wolf Microwave • 30” Wolf warming drawer To minimize a three foot ceiling height change, a custom Uberboten was built to create a horizontal band keeping the focus downward. The Uberboten houses recessed cans and three decorative light fixtures to illuminate the worksurface and seating area. The Island is functional from all four sides: • Elevation F: functions as an eating bar for two and as a buffet counter for large parties. Countertop: Ceasarstone Blue Ridge • Elevation G: 30” deep coffee bar with beverage refrigerator. Custom storage for flavored syrups and coffee accoutrements. Access to the water with the pull out Elkay faucet makes filling the espresso machine a cinch! Countertop: Ceasarstone Canyon Red • Elevation H: holds the Franke sink, and a cabinet with popup mixer hardware. Countertop: 4” thick endgrain butcherblock maple countertop • Elevation I: 42” tall and 30” deep cabinets hold a second Wolf oven and a built-in Franke scale Countertop: Ceasarstone in Blue Ridge The Range Elevation (Elevation B) has 27” deep countertops, the trash compactor, recycling, a 48” Wolf range. Opposing counter surfaces flank of the range: • Left: Ceasarstone in Canyon Red • Right: Stainless Steel. • Backsplash: Copper What originally was a dysfunctional desk that collected EVERYTHING, now is an attractive, functional 21” deep pantry that stores linen, food, serving pieces and more. The cabinet doors were made from a Zebra-wood-look-alike melamine, the gain runs both horizontally and vertically for a custom design. The end cabinet is a 12” deep message center with cork-board backing and a small work space. Storage below houses phone books and the Lumitron Graphic Eye that controls the light fixtures. Design Details: • An Icebox computer to the left of the main sink • Undercabinet lighting: Xenon • Plug strip eliminate unsightly outlets in the backsplash • Cabinets: natural maple accented with espresso stained alder.

Mid Century Modern

Cabinet Concepts by Design

Design ideas for an expansive midcentury galley kitchen pantry in Other with shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, metal splashback, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Modern White Kitchen

Fresh Remodel

Design ideas for a large modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Miami with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, metallic splashback, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors and with island.

Torquay / Wellington Kitchen

Renaissance Granite & Quartz

In this side view, the Torquay raised bar looks like one seamless piece against the dark wood island cabinet, creating a streamline look that fits perfectly with the rest of the kitchen design. (Design: Kitchen Classics, Homes by DePhillips; Stone Fab & Install: Renaissance; Photo: Jake Boyd Photo)

Palo Alto Custom Home

Midland Cabinet Company

Close-up view highlights the linear look of this modern kitchen design with its stainless steel appliances and Caesarstone quartz countertops. Glass-covered, flush-mounted induction stove and cooktop. The stainless steel backsplash includes two appliance garages, providing for additional hideaway storage. Glass-fronted cabinets include in-cabinet lighting. Photo by Rusty Reniers

Eclectic Sophistication

Bilotta Kitchen & Home

For this expansive kitchen renovation, Designer, Randy O’Kane of Bilotta Kitchens worked with interior designer Gina Eastman and architect Clark Neuringer. The backyard was the client’s favorite space, with a pool and beautiful landscaping; from where it’s situated it’s the sunniest part of the house. They wanted to be able to enjoy the view and natural light all year long, so the space was opened up and a wall of windows was added. Randy laid out the kitchen to complement their desired view. She selected colors and materials that were fresh, natural, and unique – a soft greenish-grey with a contrasting deep purple, Benjamin Moore’s Caponata for the Bilotta Collection Cabinetry and LG Viatera Minuet for the countertops. Gina coordinated all fabrics and finishes to complement the palette in the kitchen. The most unique feature is the table off the island. Custom-made by Brooks Custom, the top is a burled wood slice from a large tree with a natural stain and live edge; the base is hand-made from real tree limbs. They wanted it to remain completely natural, with the look and feel of the tree, so they didn’t add any sort of sealant. The client also wanted touches of antique gold which the team integrated into the Armac Martin hardware, Rangecraft hood detailing, the Ann Sacks backsplash, and in the Bendheim glass inserts in the butler’s pantry which is glass with glittery gold fabric sandwiched in between. The appliances are a mix of Subzero, Wolf and Miele. The faucet and pot filler are from Waterstone. The sinks are Franke. With the kitchen and living room essentially one large open space, Randy and Gina worked together to continue the palette throughout, from the color of the cabinets, to the banquette pillows, to the fireplace stone. The family room’s old built-in around the fireplace was removed and the floor-to-ceiling stone enclosure was added with a gas fireplace and flat screen TV, flanked by contemporary artwork. Designer: Bilotta’s Randy O’Kane with Gina Eastman of Gina Eastman Design & Clark Neuringer, Architect posthumously Photo Credit: Phillip Ennis

Cordova Contemporary Kitchen

Before and After Builders, Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Nashville with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors and with island.

Thornleigh Kitchen & Laundry Renovation Sydney 2120

The Renovation Broker

Photo of a mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sydney with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, metal splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Orchard Kitchen

Michael Abrams Interiors

Contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Chicago with stainless steel appliances, glass-front cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, metallic splashback and metal splashback.

Saratoga Canyon

ODS Architecture

Open kitchen very functional and easy to clean, cold rolled steel back wall with steel open shelving, Wolf cooktop, Subzero refrigerator and Miele built-in coffee maker and dishwasher, quartz island top with cold-rolled steel base.

Cool & Moody Kitchen

Covered Bridge Cabinetry

A Cool and Moody Kitchen AS SEEN ON: SEASON 3, EPISODE 7 OF MASTERS OF FLIP The perfect place for a hot cup of coffee on a rainy day, the custom kitchen in this modern-meets-industrial home is dark, stormy, and full of character. Polished slate countertops team up with the dark Wren stain on our Gallatin cabinets to create a moody take on modern style. The upper cabinets feature unique up-open hinged doors that add an unexpected element while floating shelves let the penny tile on the backsplash shine. Greenery, copper trinkets, and small clay pots add eye-catching detail throughout the space, creating a curated yet comfortable atmosphere. To maintain the sleek design that this space works so hard for, all of those crucial – yet perhaps not so stylish – amenities are tucked away in the base cabinets, including an under counter microwave unit and a lazy susan in the corner cabinets.

Stunning Stainless Contemporary Kitchen | Rockford, Illinois

Midwest Stone Source & Design Studio

Designer - Dan Lewkowich Photography - Vicki Adkins
Inspiration for a small contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, metallic splashback, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors and a peninsula.

Kitchen Cook Area

Board & Vellum

The breakfast area adjoins the clean and open cooking and prep area with easy access to all cooking equipment. The floors are Marmoleum, and provide a sustainable and easy to clean surface. Photography by Ocular Proof.

Kitchen with Quartz Benchtops and Metal 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!