Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in New Orleans with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Meyerland Contemporary Kitchen

DESIGNER KITCHEN & BATH

View of off-kitchen sitting room
This is an example of a transitional kitchen pantry in Houston with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, porcelain floors, grey floor and yellow benchtop.

Cuisine moderne blanche

Groupe 3R

Projet de rénovation complet d'un condo, incluant la cuisine et les deux salles de bain. Style moderne avec du blanc brillant agencé avec des contrastes de gris.

The Entertainer's Contemporary Kitchen

Cabinets of the Desert

U-Shaped highly functional black and white kitchen made for entertaining
Mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, black splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, multiple islands, white floor and black benchtop.

Storage behind counter cabinets with bi-fold retractable doors

Christopher Howard

Counter cabinets with bi-fold retractable doors for microwave housing and kitchen storage.
This is an example of a transitional l-shaped kitchen in Edinburgh with an integrated sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and mirror splashback.

Calistoga Vacation Home

Wit Interiors

The cement tile below the kitchen island counter provides a beautiful and colorful surprise element. The choice to install shelves instead of cabinets keeps the walls light and open. The recessed stove fan creates a modern clean look. Photo Credit: Meghan Caudill

Newcastle Valley View

User

Large modern galley open plan kitchen in Sacramento with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor and black benchtop.

Deep Cove Kitchen Update

Simply Home Decorating

This spacious home in North Vancouver's Deep Cove community had been built and decorated just over 20 years ago and was in need of updating. Our clients who are empty nesters, spend much of their time in the kitchen and family room so we focused on these spaces keeping in mind that the more formal spaces on the main floor will follow in a few years time. For the most part the layout of their kitchen worked well for them so our role was to tweak the kitchen and family room furniture layout and to select updated finishes and furnishings. Since this home transformation is not happening all at once, we purposefully selected classic finishes, like antique brass hardware, that will tie in with the rest of the home's decor until it can be updated. The resulting refresh stays true to the original feel of the house while giving it a clean, updated look.

Kitchen Remodel in Windermere FL

KBF Design Gallery

This massive kitchen received all new cabinetry including a black center island and white perimeter cabinets. Quartzite countertops, tile backsplash and an integrated panel-front refrigerator

Los Angeles

Regal X Inc.

Expansive contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, black splashback, panelled appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Квартира 99 м2 ЖК Родной город. Воронцовский парк в современном стиле

Блохина Ксения

Mid-sized contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Moscow with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, black appliances, with island, solid surface benchtops, beige splashback, porcelain floors, beige floor, beige benchtop and recessed.

Кухня в новом проекте

GLDesign

This is an example of a large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Moscow with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, wood benchtops, grey splashback, panelled appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor, brown benchtop and exposed beam.

Contemporaneo Cucina

This is an example of a small contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Rome with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, beige splashback, porcelain floors, no island, multi-coloured floor and black benchtop.

СОВРЕМЕННАЯ КВАРТИРА В ЖК «МОСФИЛЬМОВСКИЙ» 120 М2

Сигнал - архитектурно-строительная компания

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Moscow with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, panelled appliances, porcelain floors, no island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Modern Blue & White Kitchen and Laundry

GMI Design Group

This dark, dreary kitchen was large, but not being used well. The family of 7 had outgrown the limited storage and experienced traffic bottlenecks when in the kitchen together. A bright, cheerful and more functional kitchen was desired, as well as a new pantry space. We gutted the kitchen and closed off the landing through the door to the garage to create a new pantry. A frosted glass pocket door eliminates door swing issues. In the pantry, a small access door opens to the garage so groceries can be loaded easily. Grey wood-look tile was laid everywhere. We replaced the small window and added a 6’x4’ window, instantly adding tons of natural light. A modern motorized sheer roller shade helps control early morning glare. Three free-floating shelves are to the right of the window for favorite décor and collectables. White, ceiling-height cabinets surround the room. The full-overlay doors keep the look seamless. Double dishwashers, double ovens and a double refrigerator are essentials for this busy, large family. An induction cooktop was chosen for energy efficiency, child safety, and reliability in cooking. An appliance garage and a mixer lift house the much-used small appliances. An ice maker and beverage center were added to the side wall cabinet bank. The microwave and TV are hidden but have easy access. The inspiration for the room was an exclusive glass mosaic tile. The large island is a glossy classic blue. White quartz countertops feature small flecks of silver. Plus, the stainless metal accent was even added to the toe kick! Upper cabinet, under-cabinet and pendant ambient lighting, all on dimmers, was added and every light (even ceiling lights) is LED for energy efficiency. White-on-white modern counter stools are easy to clean. Plus, throughout the room, strategically placed USB outlets give tidy charging options.

Seaford Kitchen & Laundry

The Kitchen Designer

A small beachside home was reconfigured to allow for a larger kitchen opening to the back yard with compact adjacent laundry. The feature tiled wall makes quite a statement with striking dark turquoise hand-made tiles. The wall conceals the small walk-in pantry we managed to fit in behind. Used for food storage and making messy afternoon snacks without cluttering the open plan kitchen/dining living room. Lots of drawers and benchspace in the actual kitchen make this kitchen a dream to work in. And enhances the whole living dining space.

Doyle Lane Kitchen Renovation

Jordan Design-Build Group

A custom vent hood was clad with reclaimed wood in an Charcoal finish. The medium stained wood matches the trim on the peninsula, completing the look.

Renovated Kitchen by Jewel Marlowe

Bertazzoni

A Bertazzoni Master Series Range in matte black acts as a unifying element in this stunning kitchen, designed by interior designer, Jewel Marlowe, as part of the Fall 2019 edition of One Room Challenge. Blue cabinetry, a marbled waterfall island, brass fixtures and custom burled accents come together to create a glam look.

Contemporary Kitchen Design Ideas

Everingham Design

This is an example of an expansive contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Columbus with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Anthracite & Platinum grey handle-less kitchen

Arlington Interiors

This open plan kitchen is a mix of Anthracite Grey & Platinum Light Grey in a matt finish. This handle-less kitchen is a very contemporary design. The Ovens are Siemens StudioLine Black steel, the hob is a 2in1 Miele downdraft extractor which works well on the island.

Kitchen with Travertine Floors and Porcelain 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!