Our client approached Matter in late 2019 for a new kitchen. While the existing kitchen had a reasonable layout and some great features, the cupboards weren’t optimising the space to its full potential, particularly for storage. Noting that the old kitchen aged very quickly, our client wanted the new kitchen to be constructed entirely from plywood—liking the appearance and strength of the material. They also loved vibrant use of colour and suggested we look at the kitchens featured in films by the Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar for inspiration. The result was a playful mix of hand painted navy, light blue and retro orange in combination with a ‘raw’ effect from the birch plywood. To save on cost and waste, we decided to keep certain components of the kitchen that have remained in very good condition. Some of these included the stainless steel bench tops and oven/range hood stack, as well as a polished concrete island bench top. We replaced most of the cupboards with drawer units specifically tailored to fit our client's extensive collection of cookware and appliances with adjustable partitions. An integrated Hideaway rubbish bin free’s up circulation space and a Kesseböhmer pull-out pantry will ensure no bottle of spice is ever lost to the back of a cupboard again.

North Beach

Western Cabinets

This is an example of a mid-sized industrial galley eat-in kitchen in Perth with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, grey splashback, black appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Traditional family kitchen

Improva

Design ideas for a large traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sydney with an integrated sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Kitchen

Sugatsune America, Inc.

Sugatsune LIN-X system used for full access on blind corners
Mid-sized contemporary l-shaped separate kitchen in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, matchstick tile splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, stainless steel appliances, with island and grey benchtop.

Paradise Tiny Homes LLC- The Oasis Tiny Home

Ellie K Design

This coastal, contemporary Tiny Home features a warm yet industrial style kitchen with stainless steel counters and husky tool drawers with black cabinets. the silver metal counters are complimented by grey subway tiling as a backsplash against the warmth of the locally sourced curly mango wood windowsill ledge. I mango wood windowsill also acts as a pass-through window to an outdoor bar and seating area on the deck. Entertaining guests right from the kitchen essentially makes this a wet-bar. LED track lighting adds the right amount of accent lighting and brightness to the area. The window is actually a french door that is mirrored on the opposite side of the kitchen. This kitchen has 7-foot long stainless steel counters on either end. There are stainless steel outlet covers to match the industrial look. There are stained exposed beams adding a cozy and stylish feeling to the room. To the back end of the kitchen is a frosted glass pocket door leading to the bathroom. All shelving is made of Hawaiian locally sourced curly mango wood. A stainless steel fridge matches the rest of the style and is built-in to the staircase of this tiny home. Dish drying racks are hung on the wall to conserve space and reduce clutter.

Cuisine Esprit Scandinave

ITALIE STUDIO DECO - SNAIDERO

Photo of a large scandinavian l-shaped kitchen in Paris with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

Myrtle Avenue Apartment Renovation

Material Design Build

We built the kitchen cabinets out of dark blue laminated birch plywood, with sealed, exposed edges.
Design ideas for a large industrial l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, grey splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

The Oasis Tiny Home Kitchen

Paradise Tiny Homes LLC

This coastal, contemporary Tiny Home features a warm yet industrial style kitchen with stainless steel counters and husky tool drawers with black cabinets. the silver metal counters are complimented by grey subway tiling as a backsplash against the warmth of the locally sourced curly mango wood windowsill ledge. The mango wood windowsill also acts as a pass-through window to an outdoor bar and seating area on the deck. Entertaining guests right from the kitchen essentially makes this a wet-bar. LED track lighting adds the right amount of accent lighting and brightness to the area. The window is actually a french door that is mirrored on the opposite side of the kitchen. This kitchen has 7-foot long stainless steel counters on either end. There are stainless steel outlet covers to match the industrial look. There are stained exposed beams adding a cozy and stylish feeling to the room. To the back end of the kitchen is a frosted glass pocket door leading to the bathroom. All shelving is made of Hawaiian locally sourced curly mango wood.

Restaurierung Bauernhaus

decorazioni

This is an example of a country galley kitchen in Hamburg with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, with island, grey floor, grey benchtop and exposed beam.

Upper East Side Townhouse Kitchen Renovation

MERGAL Architecture & Design

Complete renovation of a 1930's classical townhouse kitchen in New York City's Upper East Side.
This is an example of a large transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in New York with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Modern Scandinavian Farmhouse

Lauren Levant Interior

Large modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, grey cabinets, grey splashback, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Apartment. Moscow 2017

I.D.interior design

Design ideas for a contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Moscow with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, grey benchtop and a single-bowl sink.

Lighting Design at Kensington Studios

Light House Designs Ltd

This open plan property in Kensington studios hosted an impressive double height living room, open staircase and glass partitions. The lighting design needed to draw the eye through the space and work from lots of different viewing angles Photo by Tom St Aubyn

Karori Renovation

Wright & Gray: Architects Ltd.

Paul McCredie
This is an example of a contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Wellington with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, black splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Old Ford

TL DESIGN

Inspiration for a contemporary u-shaped separate kitchen in London with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, beige splashback, no island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Dallas | Avalon | Kitchen & Living

Kitchen Design Concepts

Avid cooks and entertainers purchased this 1925 Tudor home that had only been partially renovated in the 80's. Cooking is a very important part of this hobby chef's life and so we really had to make the best use of space and storage in this kitchen. Modernizing while achieving maximum functionality, and opening up to the family room were all on the "must" list, and a custom banquette and large island helps for parties and large entertaining gatherings. Cabinets are from Cabico, their Elmwood series in both white paint, and walnut in a natural stained finish. Stainless steel counters wrap the perimeter, while Caesarstone quartz is used on the island. The seated part of the island is walnut to match the cabinetry. The backsplash is a mosaic from Marble Systems. The shelving unit on the wall is custom built to utilize the small wall space and get additional open storage for everyday items. A 3 foot Galley sink is the main focus of the island, and acts as a workhorse prep and cooking space. This is aired with a faucet from Waterstone, with a matching at the prep sink on the exterior wall and a potfiller over the Dacor Range. Built-in Subzero Refrigerator and Freezer columns provide plenty of fresh food storage options. In the prep area along the exterior wall, a built in ice maker, microwave drawer, warming drawer, and additional/secondary dishwasher drawer helps the second cook during larger party prep.

Dallas | Avalon | Kitchen & Living

Kitchen Design Concepts

降り注ぐ家

カジャデザイン

作業スペースと収納が充実したオーダーメイドのキッチン。
Photo of a modern l-shaped kitchen in Tokyo with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Appartement parisien moderne

PictHouse

PictHouse
Large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Paris with an undermount sink, stainless steel benchtops, medium hardwood floors, grey benchtop, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, grey splashback, brick splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island and brown floor.

Industriale Cucina

Photo of an industrial single-wall kitchen in Milan with stainless steel cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Kitchen with Stainless Steel Benchtops and Grey Benchtop 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!