Design ideas for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Brisbane with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Rymill (15)

Fusion Property Developments

This is an example of an arts and crafts galley kitchen with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Chic in Menlo Park

Christine Sheldon Design

This is an example of a traditional l-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Gray and white transitional kitchen in Oakton, VA

Design Studio International

This vertical pull-out storage ensures your ingredients are easily accessible.
Design ideas for a large transitional kitchen pantry in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Sonoma Kitchen

Barbra Bright Design

The mixture of grey green cabinets with the distressed wood floors and ceilings, gives this farmhouse kitchen a feeling of warmth. Cabinets: Brookhaven and the color is Green Stone Benjamin Moore paint color: There's not an exact match for Green Stone, but Gettysburg Grey, HC 107 is close. Sink: Krauss, model KHF200-30, stainless steel Faucet: Kraus, modelKPF-1602 Hardware: Restoration hardware, Dakota cup and Dakota round knob. The finish was either the chestnut or iron. Windows: Bloomberg is the manufacturer the hardware is from Restoration hardware--Dakota cup and Dakota round knob. The finish was either the chestnut or iron. Floors: European Oak that is wired brushed. The company is Provenza, Pompeii collection and the color is Amiata. Distressed wood: The wood is cedar that's been treated to look distressed! My client is brilliant , so he did some googling (is that a word?) and came across several sites that had a recipe to do just that. He put a steel wool pad into a jar of vinegar and let it sit for a bit. In another jar, he mixed black tea with water. Brush the tea on first and let it dry. Then brush on the steel wool/vinegar (don't forget to strain the wool). Voila, the wood turns dark. Andrew McKinney Photography

105 Rancho Trail - Partners in Building

Five Star Interiors

Sucuri Granite Countertop sourced from Shenoy or Midwest Tile in Austin, TX; Kent Moore Cabinets (Painted Nebulous Grey-Low-Mocha-Hilite), Island painted Misty Bayou-Low; Backsplash - Marazzi (AMT), Studio M (Brick), Flamenco, 13 x 13 Mesh 1-1/4" x 5/8"; Flooring - Earth Werks, "5" Prestige, Handsculpted Maple, Graphite Maple Finish; Pendant Lights - Savoy House - Structure 4 Light Foyer, SKU: 3-4302-4-242; Barstools - New Pacific Direct - item # 108627-2050; The wall color is PPG Ashen 516-4.

upstairs bar area

Kinning Design Build

This smaller bar kitchen unit is located just off from the full size kitchen. The bar sink includes a wine chiller and a mini fridge. Behind the sink area is a work area/storage room.

Classic Coastal Colonial Renovation - the Ultimate Island

Michael Robert Construction

The nearly 10’ island is an ideal place for food prep, a quick bite, buffet set-up, or sharing a glass of wine with friends. 2.5” thick marble countertop on the island gives substance and a professional feel.

Park Slope Townhouse Renovation

Studio Geiger Architecture

This is an example of a large transitional single-wall open plan kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, grey cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, quartz benchtops, matchstick tile splashback, light hardwood floors, beige floor and recessed-panel cabinets.

Elegant Kitchen Remodel in a Soft Warm Gray

Paper Moon Painting

This gorgeous kitchen features a double range, marble counters and backsplash, brass fixtures, plus these freshly-painted cabinets in Sherwin Williams' "Amazing Gray". Design by Hilary Conrey of Courtney & Co. (Plus this is one of the prettiest islands we've ever seen!)

Wilmington Court - Coffee Bar Open

Paul N. Brow, Architect, LLC

Coffee bar cabinet with retractable doors in open position. Internal lighting & wall-mounted pot filler. Countertop within cabinet detailed to include concealed drain. Microwave built-in below countertop without the use of a trim kit. View through kitchen pass-through to living room beyond. Leathered-quartzite countertops and distressed wood beams.

Perkins Kitchen Remodel

Dream Home Builders and Remodelers

Awesome shot by Steve Schwartz from AVT Marketing in Fort Mill.
Design ideas for a large transitional single-wall eat-in kitchen in Charlotte with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, limestone benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

The Social Kitchen

Edmond Kitchen & Bath LLC

This creative transitional space was transformed from a very dated layout that did not function well for our homeowners - who enjoy cooking for both their family and friends. They found themselves cooking on a 30" by 36" tiny island in an area that had much more potential. A completely new floor plan was in order. An unnecessary hallway was removed to create additional space and a new traffic pattern. New doorways were created for access from the garage and to the laundry. Just a couple of highlights in this all Thermador appliance professional kitchen are the 10 ft island with two dishwashers (also note the heated tile area on the functional side of the island), double floor to ceiling pull-out pantries flanking the refrigerator, stylish soffited area at the range complete with burnished steel, niches and shelving for storage. Contemporary organic pendants add another unique texture to this beautiful, welcoming, one of a kind kitchen! Photos by David Cobb Photography.

Pull Out Drawers for Dishware

Benvenuti and Stein

Vertical roll-out pantry shelves flank the refrigerator with Led lighting- storage for dishware and food staples. Norman Sizemore - photographer
Photo of a large transitional kitchen in Chicago with grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, beige floor and white benchtop.

Gray Kitchen Renovation St. Louis, MO

Karr Bick Kitchen and Bath

Denash photography, Designed by Jenny Rausch, C.K.D This project will be featured in Better Homes and Gardens Special interest publication Beautiful Kitchens in spring 2012. It is the cover of the magazine.

Atherton Estate Casual Rooms

Form + Field

Photo of an expansive traditional separate kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, brown floor, beige benchtop and with island.

Classic Contemporary Victorian Family Home

Humphrey Munson

When the homeowners purchased this Victorian family home, they immediately set about planning the extension that would create a more viable space for an open plan kitchen, dining and living area. Approximately two years later their dream home is now finished. The extension was designed off the original kitchen and has a large roof lantern that sits directly above the main kitchen and soft seating area beyond. French windows open out onto the garden which is perfect for the summer months. This is truly a classic contemporary space that feels so calm and collected when you walk in – the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of modern family living. Carefully zoning the kitchen, dining and living areas was the key to the success of this project and it works perfectly. The classic Lacanche range cooker is housed in a false chimney that is designed to suit the proportion and scale of the room perfectly. The Lacanche oven is the 100cm Cluny model with two large ovens – one static and one dual function static / convection with a classic 5 burner gas hob. Finished in stainless steel with a brass trim, this classic French oven looks completely at home in this Humphrey Munson kitchen. The main prep area is on the island positioned directly in front of the main cooking run, with a prep sink handily located to the left hand side. There is seating for three at the island with a breakfast bar at the opposite end to the prep sink which is conveniently located near to the banquette dining area. Delineated from the prep area by the natural wooden worktop finished in Portobello oak (the same accent wood used throughout the kitchen), the breakfast bar is a great spot for serving drinks to friends before dinner or for the children to have their meals at breakfast time and after school. The sink run is on the other side of the L shape in this kitchen and it has open artisan shelves above for storing everyday items like glassware and tableware. Either side of the sink is an integrated Miele dishwasher and a pull out Eurocargo bin to make clearing away dishes really easy. The use of open shelving here really helps the space to feel open and calm and there is a curved countertop cupboard in the corner providing space for storing teas, coffees and biscuits so that everything is to hand when making hot drinks. The Fisher & Paykel fridge freezer has Nickleby cabinetry surrounding it with space above for storing cookbooks but there is also another under-counter fridge in the island for additional cold food storage. The cook’s pantry provides masses of storage for dry ingredients as well as housing the freestanding microwave which is always a fantastic option when you want to keep integrated appliances to a minimum in order to maximise storage space in the main kitchen. Hardware throughout this kitchen is antique brass – this is a living finish that weathers with use over time. The glass globe pendant lighting above the island was designed by us and has antique brass hardware too. The flooring is Babington limestone tumbled which has bags of character thanks to the natural fissures within the stone and creates the perfect flooring choice for this classic contemporary kitchen. Photo Credit: Paul Craig

Everest Gray Kitchen

Miramar Kitchen and Bath

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, no island, grey floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Gray and white transitional kitchen in Oakton, VA

Design Studio International

Pull out vertical storage for trays and cutting boards make accessing these items a breeze.
Inspiration for a transitional galley kitchen pantry in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Grey Classic Kitchen

Standard Tile

Chris Veith
Photo of a transitional u-shaped kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Grey Cabinets and Stainless Steel 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!