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.

Contemporary Kitchen

Design ideas for a contemporary kitchen in London with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, pink cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, linoleum floors, with island, green floor, grey benchtop and timber.

Mukilteo Gem

Interiors by Popov

When we drove out to Mukilteo for our initial consultation, we immediately fell in love with this house. With its tall ceilings, eclectic mix of wood, glass and steel, and gorgeous view of the Puget Sound, we quickly nicknamed this project "The Mukilteo Gem". Our client, a cook and baker, did not like her existing kitchen. The main points of issue were short runs of available counter tops, lack of storage and shortage of light. So, we were called in to implement some big, bold ideas into a small footprint kitchen with big potential. We completely changed the layout of the room by creating a tall, built-in storage wall and a continuous u-shape counter top. Early in the project, we took inventory of every item our clients wanted to store in the kitchen and ensured that every spoon, gadget, or bowl would have a dedicated "home" in their new kitchen. The finishes were meticulously selected to ensure continuity throughout the house. We also played with the color scheme to achieve a bold yet natural feel.This kitchen is a prime example of how color can be used to both make a statement and project peace and balance simultaneously. While busy at work on our client's kitchen improvement, we also updated the entry and gave the homeowner a modern laundry room with triple the storage space they originally had. End result: ecstatic clients and a very happy design team. That's what we call a big success! John Granen.

Southborough Road

West & Reid Ltd

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in London with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, linoleum floors, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Alberta Kitchen Remodel--Holliston, Massachusetts

Masters Touch Design Build

Inspiration for a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island and grey floor.

40 French Creek

DRACO

Large contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island and grey floor.

Lloyd Park Extension

Studio Fabbri

Pivot and slide opening window seat
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in London with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, terrazzo benchtops, pink splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, linoleum floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Bright & Fun Small Kitchen

Tracey Stephens Interior Design Inc

Small (144 square feet) kitchen packed with storage and style.
This is an example of a small transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, linoleum floors, no island, multi-coloured floor and white benchtop.

#3 Pink in Berlin

Federico Forestiero

Kitchen with blue switches and pink walls
Small eclectic single-wall eat-in kitchen in Berlin with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, red cabinets, laminate benchtops, pink splashback, coloured appliances, linoleum floors, no island, pink floor and white benchtop.

White Kitchen Appliances

KraftMaster Renovations

Blueberry english kitchen with white kitchen appliances, slate floor tile and zellige tile backsplash.
Photo of a small u-shaped separate kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, white appliances, slate floors, no island, grey floor and black benchtop.

HAROLD KITCHEN

Kate Roos Design LLC

Pale grey cabinetry, white subway tile, and oil-rubbed bronze hardware compliment the blue tones in the lighting and pottery adding a cohesive look that the clients enjoy every day.

Oneida-2

CANTILEVER STUDIO

kitchen, mobile island, maple cabinets, flush cabinets, linoleum floor, ceiling fan, barn wood trim, led light, Quartz tile backsplash
This is an example of a small contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Other with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, laminate benchtops, grey splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, linoleum floors, with island, multi-coloured floor, black 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.

Brampton Kitchen Reno

Sosna Inc

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, matchstick tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Brampton Kitchen Reno

Sosna Inc

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Toronto with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, matchstick tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Lowland Farm Kitchen

Kristina Crestin Design

Jared Kuzia Photography
Inspiration for 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.

Custom Mid-Century Kitchen

Able And Baker

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury galley open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, black floor, white benchtop, medium wood cabinets, mosaic tile splashback, slate floors and quartz benchtops.

Minnehaha Modest-Sized Kitchen

TreHus Architects+Interior Designers+Builders

The clients were involved in the neighborhood organization dedicated to keeping the housing instead of tearing down. They wanted to utilize every inch of storage which resulted in floor-to-ceiling cabinetry. Cabinetry and counter space work together to create a balance between function and style.

Kitchen with Linoleum 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!