This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Brisbane with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, black cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, window splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island, grey floor, brown benchtop and exposed beam.

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.

Olathe MCM

Stumpff HomeWorks, LLC

Photo of a midcentury single-wall eat-in kitchen in Kansas City with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, granite splashback, panelled appliances, slate floors, with island, black floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Waitsfield Renovation

Sweeney Designbuild

Apron front sink, leathered granite, stone window sill, open shelves, cherry cabinets, radiant floor heat.
Inspiration for a mid-sized country galley kitchen in Burlington with a farmhouse sink, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, black splashback, granite splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, no island, grey floor, black benchtop, vaulted and shaker cabinets.

Snaresbrook Blue

PlaceDesign Kitchens and Interiors

The corner tall pantry unit has a le mans set inside it to make the very most of the storage space in that corner.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in London with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, grey floor, grey benchtop and vaulted.

Amazing Solid Ash Kitchen

Kettle Co. Kitchens

It was a real pleasure to install this solid ash kitchen in this incredible living space. Not only do the wooden beams create a natural symmetry to the room but they also provide a rustic country feel. We used solid ash kitchen doors from our Mornington range painted in Dove grey. Firstly, we felt this was the perfect colour to let the natural wooden features shine through. Secondly, it created a more open feel to the whole living space. Oak worktops and bespoke shelving above the range cooker blend seamlessly with the exposed wooden beams. They bring the whole living space together in a seamless way and create a truly unique kitchen. If you like this solid ash kitchen and would like to find out more about our award-winning kitchens, get in touch or book a free design appointment today.

Mod McElroy

STUDIOrobert jamieson

Midcentury kitchen in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances, slate floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Hudson Valley Sustainable Luxury Home

EK ARCHITECTURE, PLLC

Welcome to the Hudson Valley Sustainable Luxury Home, a modern masterpiece tucked away in the tranquil woods. This house, distinguished by its exterior wood siding and modular construction, is a splendid blend of urban grittiness and nature-inspired aesthetics. It is designed in muted colors and textural prints and boasts an elegant palette of light black, bronze, brown, and subtle warm tones. The metallic accents, harmonizing with the surrounding natural beauty, lend a distinct charm to this contemporary retreat. Made from Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and reclaimed wood, the home is a testament to our commitment to sustainability, regenerative design, and carbon sequestration. This combination of modern design and respect for the environment makes it a truly unique luxury residence.

Eagle Lake

Collinsedge

Photo of an expansive country galley eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an integrated sink, open cabinets, distressed cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, brick splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, multi-coloured floor, multi-coloured benchtop and exposed beam.

Conroe Lake House

Kennedy Architecture

Photo of a mid-sized modern single-wall open plan kitchen in Houston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, metallic splashback, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island, black floor, black benchtop and wood.

Glass side drawers

Kettle Co. Kitchens

Photo of a small modern u-shaped separate kitchen in Cornwall with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, slate floors, no island, grey floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

A Modern Kitchen for a Retreat in the Woods

Amazing Spaces

Updated (to look more MCM) Kitchen

Vicki Simon Interior Design

Builder installed kitchen in 2002 was stripped of inappropriate trim and therefore original ceiling was revealed. New stainless steel backsplash and hood and vent wrap was designed. Shaker style cabinets had their insets filled in so that era appropriate flat front cabinets were the finished look.

Kitchen, Gallery Wall

Studio Percale

While renovating the main living spaces we gave the kitchen a quick facelift so it could flow with the living spaces better. The kitchen will be fully renovated with new extension and rooflight installation later.

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 and a custom metal range hood. This kitchen is all that the client asked for and more!

Kitchen

PREVALENT PROJECTS

Kitchen remodel with rift White Oak cabinets, platinum Travertine backsplash, Wolf Range and Subzero fridge.
Photo of a mid-sized modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, limestone benchtops, grey splashback, travertine splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island, grey floor, beige benchtop and exposed beam.

High Ridge, NH (5624)

Timberpeg

Inspiration for a large arts and crafts l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, granite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, multiple islands, grey floor and exposed beam.

Kitchen extension

IGB Architectural Design

Country style kitchen with island unit and breakfast bar in rear extension.
Mid-sized country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with a double-bowl sink, green cabinets, quartzite benchtops, black splashback, black appliances, slate floors, with island, grey floor, black benchtop and exposed beam.

Gem Retreat Chalet

Weninger Construction & Design Ltd

Entering the chalet, an open concept great room greets you. Kitchen, dining, and vaulted living room with wood ceilings create uplifting space to gather and connect with additional seating at granite kitchen island/bar.

Oklahoma City Craftsman Renovation

Lori Fleet Interiors, LLC

This is an example of a mid-sized arts and crafts kitchen in Oklahoma City with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, slate floors, with island, grey benchtop and coffered.

All Ceiling Designs Kitchen with 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!