Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Melbourne with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

Modern Estate Home

Kylie Sargent

Design ideas for a contemporary separate kitchen in Geelong with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Naremburn

Sartorial Interiors

Photo of a large contemporary kitchen in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Blue Kitchen with Terrazzo Benchtops

Improva

A kitchen that combines sleek modern design with natural warmth. This beautifully crafted space features a curved island as its centrepiece, creating a dynamic flow that enhances both functionality and aesthetics. The island is clad with elegant terrazzo stone adding a touch of contemporary charm. The combination of the Dulux Albeit-coloured joinery and the Milano oak wall cabinets creates a captivating interplay of colours and textures, elevating the visual impact of the kitchen.

Leura - Farmer Doors with Natural Stone

Kitchen Envy - Custom Kitchens

Beautifully crafted doors from Farmer's doors. The benchtop is Blue Roma Brazilian Quartzite. This amazing natural stone takes centre stage in this Blue Mountains home. Nature knows no bounds with vibrant colours and unique patterns. The dark, moody shade of blue complements the rich texture of the flat panel cabinet doors and adds a contemporary look to a farmhouse style

Minimalist White and Timber Contemporary Kitchen

Transform-A-Space

A light and bright minimalist design featuring two-pack painted cabinetry to match the clients freshly painted walls, subway tile stack-style, and feature timber components bring warmth into the space. 20mm Caesarstone 'Ocean Foam' benchtops in a polished finish help to reflect overhead light. A small kitchen packed with functionality.

Lakeside Drive

Prime Design Tasmania Pty Ltd

Contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Hobart with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and vaulted.

The Peir

Action Kitchens

Photo of a transitional galley kitchen in Brisbane with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, black splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Southbank Apartment

Jasmine McClelland Design

Fresh, clean, white apartment kitchen with living room in mirrored reflection.
Inspiration for a small contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Lyneham Extension and Renovation

Build Professional

Kitchen Renovation
This is an example of a mid-sized eclectic u-shaped open plan kitchen in Canberra - Queanbeyan with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

St Thomas St, Clovelly

Hatch Constructions Group

Photo of a large modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Paddington Terrace

Sonya Vidic Interiors & Styling

Inspiration for a contemporary single-wall kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, grey floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Bay Pearl

Kirsten Johnstone Architecture

Photo of a large modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and timber.

Queens Park Kitchen

Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms

A ribbed and curved soft green kitchen island.
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and recessed.

Kitchen and Breakfast Bar

Interior Design By Jo

These clients have a stunning view of the Story Bridge from their Spring Hill Apartment. We designed the kitchen and living space to maximise the view and create an open floorplan.

Quindalup Residence

Retreat Design

Photo of a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Perth with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, green splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Coburg Frieze

Mihaly Slocombe

Coburg Frieze is a purified design that questions what’s really needed. The interwar property was transformed into a long-term family home that celebrates lifestyle and connection to the owners’ much-loved garden. Prioritising quality over quantity, the crafted extension adds just 25sqm of meticulously considered space to our clients’ home, honouring Dieter Rams’ enduring philosophy of “less, but better”. We reprogrammed the original floorplan to marry each room with its best functional match – allowing an enhanced flow of the home, while liberating budget for the extension’s shared spaces. Though modestly proportioned, the new communal areas are smoothly functional, rich in materiality, and tailored to our clients’ passions. Shielding the house’s rear from harsh western sun, a covered deck creates a protected threshold space to encourage outdoor play and interaction with the garden. This charming home is big on the little things; creating considered spaces that have a positive effect on daily life.

Modern Coastal Barn

Bakker Design

Bakker Design
Expansive beach style eat-in kitchen in Central Coast with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, white benchtop, vaulted, white splashback and engineered quartz splashback.

Wembley Renovation

DS Grinding

A stunning addition to a Wembley home featuring Industrial Polished Concrete flooring amongst raw recycled brick and modern cabinetry and furnishings throughout. The idea was to keep the feel of the exiting home and allow it to flow through to the rear of the property while still giving it a modern edge overall.

Coogee Residence

Jodie Carter Design

Family Kitchen in Coogee Home
Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, window splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and grey benchtop.

Kitchen with Stainless Steel Appliances and White 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!