Photo of a midcentury single-wall eat-in kitchen in Kansas City with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, granite splashback, panelled appliances, slate floors, with island, black floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

A Modern Kitchen for a Retreat in the Woods

Amazing Spaces

This is a great house. Perched high on a private, heavily wooded site, it has a rustic contemporary aesthetic. Vaulted ceilings, sky lights, large windows and natural materials punctuate the main spaces. The existing large format mosaic slate floor grabs your attention upon entering the home extending throughout the foyer, kitchen, and family room. Specific requirements included a larger island with workspace for each of the homeowners featuring a homemade pasta station which requires small appliances on lift-up mechanisms as well as a custom-designed pasta drying rack. Both chefs wanted their own prep sink on the island complete with a garbage “shoot” which we concealed below sliding cutting boards. A second and overwhelming requirement was storage for a large collection of dishes, serving platters, specialty utensils, cooking equipment and such. To meet those needs we took the opportunity to get creative with storage: sliding doors were designed for a coffee station adjacent to the main sink; hid the steam oven, microwave and toaster oven within a stainless steel niche hidden behind pantry doors; added a narrow base cabinet adjacent to the range for their large spice collection; concealed a small broom closet behind the refrigerator; and filled the only available wall with full-height storage complete with a small niche for charging phones and organizing mail. We added 48” high base cabinets behind the main sink to function as a bar/buffet counter as well as overflow for kitchen items. The client’s existing vintage commercial grade Wolf stove and hood commands attention with a tall backdrop of exposed brick from the fireplace in the adjacent living room. We loved the rustic appeal of the brick along with the existing wood beams, and complimented those elements with wired brushed white oak cabinets. The grayish stain ties in the floor color while the slab door style brings a modern element to the space. We lightened the color scheme with a mix of white marble and quartz countertops. The waterfall countertop adjacent to the dining table shows off the amazing veining of the marble while adding contrast to the floor. Special materials are used throughout, featured on the textured leather-wrapped pantry doors, patina zinc bar countertop, and hand-stitched leather cabinet hardware. We took advantage of the tall ceilings by adding two walnut linear pendants over the island that create a sculptural effect and coordinated them with the new dining pendant and three wall sconces on the beam over the main sink.

Modern Rustic Black Kitchen in Wendover

Ridgeway Interiors

With a striking, bold design that's both sleek and warm, this modern rustic black kitchen is a beautiful example of the best of both worlds. When our client from Wendover approached us to re-design their kitchen, they wanted something sleek and sophisticated but also comfortable and warm. We knew just what to do — design and build a contemporary yet cosy kitchen. This space is about clean, sleek lines. We've chosen Hacker Systemat cabinetry — sleek and sophisticated — in the colours Black and Oak. A touch of warm wood enhances the black units in the form of oak shelves and backsplash. The wooden accents also perfectly match the exposed ceiling trusses, creating a cohesive space. This modern, inviting space opens up to the garden through glass folding doors, allowing a seamless transition between indoors and out. The area has ample lighting from the garden coming through the glass doors, while the under-cabinet lighting adds to the overall ambience. The island is built with two types of worksurface: Dekton Laurent (a striking dark surface with gold veins) for cooking and Corian Designer White for eating. Lastly, the space is furnished with black Siemens appliances, which fit perfectly into the dark colour palette of the space.

Raleigh Hills Mid Century Modern

Northland Design & Build

This is an example of a midcentury kitchen in Portland with flat-panel cabinets, with island, black floor, exposed beam, timber, vaulted, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, marble splashback and terra-cotta floors.

Contemporary Kitchen and Master Bathroom Update

KitchensandClosets.com By K-One Floors, Inc.

Inspiration for a large modern u-shaped kitchen pantry in New York with an integrated sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, black floor, black benchtop and vaulted.

The Casita

Lunada Consulting & Design, Inc.

Inspiration for a small u-shaped separate kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, ceramic splashback, black appliances, dark hardwood floors, no island, black floor, beige benchtop and vaulted.

1950's House Refurb

Born Designers Ltd

Bespoke hand built kitchen with built in kitchen cabinet and free standing island with modern patterned floor tiles and blue linoleum on birch plywood

Pool House

William Leavy Architecture PLLC

This is an example of a beach style single-wall open plan kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, black floor, white benchtop, timber and vaulted.

A Modern Kitchen for a Retreat in the Woods

Amazing Spaces

Travis Peak - 2

Showcase Builders

This is an example of a country l-shaped kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, black floor, grey benchtop, exposed beam, vaulted and wood.

Orient Ave Townhouse

2MO

Mid-sized contemporary u-shaped kitchen pantry in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, no island, black floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Normandie

Agence Laurent Pisoni

Photo of a contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Paris with white cabinets, white splashback, slate floors, black floor, white benchtop, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, no island and vaulted.

Junior League Showhouse- St. Patrick's Friary 2023

Monarch Kitchen Design Studio

This was the 2023 Junior League Show house- I wanted this pantry because it was a perfect space to create a hybrid space where I could picture the Friar's bringing in the fresh veggies from the yard and a place where they used to prep for big gatherings. I wanted to honor the age of the home (1890's) and have colors and fixtures that would have been period appropriate. I also painted the ceiling with a copper dry brushing technique that would have been seen back then. My personal style is in this space, it is heavy and moody and I love bold wallpaper (this is a mural). I have lovingly called my style "swamp witch chic."

Raleigh Hills Mid Century Modern

Northland Design & Build

Inspiration for a midcentury kitchen in Portland with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, marble splashback, terra-cotta floors, with island, black floor and vaulted.

Sheridan Rd Residence

Shift PHX

Mid-sized midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Phoenix with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island, black floor, black benchtop and vaulted.

Yoneyama Residence- Kitchen Remodel

So Cal Builders & Design

Full remodel of existing kitchen, including new black tile floors, flat panel white cabinets, white and black marble countertops
Inspiration for a large modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, black floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

A Modern Kitchen for a Retreat in the Woods

Amazing Spaces

1950's House Refurb

Born Designers Ltd

This is an example of a large midcentury galley eat-in kitchen in Sussex with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, solid surface benchtops, metallic splashback, metal splashback, black appliances, ceramic floors, with island, black floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Raleigh Hills Mid Century Modern

Northland Design & Build

Photo of a midcentury kitchen in Portland with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, marble splashback, terra-cotta floors, with island, black floor and vaulted.

Split-Level Remodel

Shoshi Designs

Mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, concrete benchtops, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, with island, black floor, grey benchtop and vaulted.

Kitchen with Black Floor and Vaulted 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!