Ken Vaughn
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional u-shaped kitchen in Dallas with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, black appliances, dark hardwood floors, slate splashback, granite benchtops, with island and brown floor.

Hammersmith Grove

Supremati

This is an example of a small contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in London with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, black splashback, slate splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, beige floor and black benchtop.

Projet LV

Agence Leslie Hagen

This is an example of a contemporary l-shaped separate kitchen in Paris with a triple-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, metallic splashback, slate splashback, black appliances, multi-coloured floor and brown benchtop.

Black Walnut

WAGNER Werkstatt | Raumgestaltung

Design ideas for a large contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Other with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, black splashback, slate splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Cuisine

DoMo

Cuisine optimisé avec caisson en bardage bois vieilli au plafond
Design ideas for a small country single-wall open plan kitchen in Grenoble with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, black splashback, slate splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, black benchtop and timber.

Vintage House

Ana Abashidze

Photo of a small country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with a single-bowl sink, green cabinets, laminate benchtops, beige splashback, slate splashback, black appliances, slate floors, no island and beige floor.

Modern Küche

Design ideas for a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Berlin with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, grey splashback, slate splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black appliances.

Upper Marlboro #130

Woodbridge Kitchen&Bath LLC

Simply beautiful
Photo of a large beach style single-wall eat-in kitchen in DC Metro with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, slate splashback, black appliances, bamboo floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

New Park Road

Granit Architects + Interiors

Our clients wanted to create more space and re-configure the rooms they already had in this terraced house in London SW2. The property was just not big enough to accommodate their busy family life or for entertaining family and friends. They wanted a usable back garden too. One of the main ambitions was to create enough space downstairs for an additional family room combined with a large kitchen dining area. It was essential to be able to divide the different activity spaces too. The final part of the brief was to create something different. The design had to be more than the usual “box stuck on the back of a 1930s house.” Our solution was to look at several ambitious designs to deliver under permitted development. This approach would reduce the cost and timescale of the project significantly. However, as a back-up, we also applied to Lambeth Council for full planning permission for the same design, but with different materials such as a roof clad with zinc. Internally we extended to the rear of the property to create the large family-friendly kitchen, dining and living space our client wanted. The original front room has been divided off with steel framed doors that are double glazed to help with soundproofing. We used a hedgehog glazing system, which is very effective. The extension has a stepped plan, which helps to create internal zoning and to separate the different rooms’ functions. There is a non-symmetrical pitched roof, which is open internally up to the roof planes to maximise the feeling of space. The roof of the extension is clad in zinc with a concealed gutter and an overhang to provide shelter. Black bricks and dark grey mortar give the impression of one material, which ties into the colour of the glazing frames and roof. This palate brings all the elements of the design together, which complements a polished concrete internal floor and a stylish contemporary kitchen by Piqu.

Vue d'ensemble

Le Faiseur de Choses

Le Faiseur de Choses
Photo of a mid-sized modern l-shaped separate kitchen in Brest with a double-bowl sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, black splashback, slate splashback, black appliances, ceramic floors, no island and grey floor.

Bruce & Laura's Rustic Kitchen

Dream Kitchens

Photo of a large arts and crafts u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Detroit with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, green splashback, slate splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

PARIS 11: AVENUE PARMENTIER

Mon Concept Habitation

STEPHANE VASCO
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern single-wall open plan kitchen in Paris with wood benchtops, a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, black splashback, slate splashback, black appliances, vinyl floors, no island, grey floor and beige benchtop.

Da loft a casa di famiglia

Ghostarchitects

Large industrial u-shaped open plan kitchen in Milan with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, laminate benchtops, grey splashback, slate splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, beige floor and exposed beam.

Casa S | 75 mq

DBM Architettura

Photo: Laura Pennacchia
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall separate kitchen in Other with a drop-in sink, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, black splashback, slate splashback, black appliances, porcelain floors, no island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Craftsman Kitchen

Amelia Cabinet Company

A close up of GE's black slate slide-in oven and microwave hood. The glass cooktop is seamlessly integrated with the honed Absolute Black granite countertops. Benjamin Moore Silver Sage cabinets are accented with flat black knobs, cup pulls, and exposed hinges.

Umbau Wohnung Neckartenzlingen

Lazi + Lazi Fotografie und Bildbearbeitung

Nicola Lazi, Stuttgart
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Stuttgart with vinyl floors, beige floor, an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, glass benchtops, grey splashback, slate splashback, black appliances and with island.

Schiefer, Stahl und Eiche

WAGNER Werkstatt | Raumgestaltung

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Other with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, black splashback, slate splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and black benchtop.

New Park Road

Granit Architects + Interiors

Appartamento Zamagna

STUDIO14

Design ideas for a large contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in Milan with an integrated sink, solid surface benchtops, black splashback, slate splashback, black appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor and black benchtop.

Bruce & Laura's Rustic Kitchen

Dream Kitchens

Inspiration for a large arts and crafts u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Detroit with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, green splashback, slate splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Kitchen with Slate Splashback and Black Appliances 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!