A modern Australian design with finishes that change over time. Connecting the bushland to the home with colour and texture.
This is an example of a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Perth with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, grey benchtop and vaulted.

Calder Street House

Charles Maccora Design

Mid-sized tropical galley eat-in kitchen in Geelong with a drop-in sink, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, engineered quartz splashback, concrete floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Aspen Winter Retreat

BK Interior Design

This Aspen retreat boasts both grandeur and intimacy. By combining the warmth of cozy textures and warm tones with the natural exterior inspiration of the Colorado Rockies, this home brings new life to the majestic mountains.

Three Arch Cottage

Nate Fischer Interiors

Bright and airy cottage kitchen with natural wood accents and a pop of blue.
This is an example of a small beach style single-wall open plan kitchen in Orange County with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, terra-cotta splashback, panelled appliances, with island, white benchtop and vaulted.

Glass House with Pool Views

Nathan Taylor for Obelisk Home

This is an example of a mid-sized modern galley kitchen pantry in Other with a farmhouse sink, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, brown floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Lake of the Isles Kitchen

M. Victoria Johnson Interiors

This is an example of a beach style u-shaped open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and vaulted.

Modern Ridge Two-Story

Swanson Homes

10’ beamed ceilings connect the main floor living spaces which includes a chef-style kitchen featuring a Thermador 48” range and 30” refrigerator and freezer columns that flank the wine cooler. The kitchen also features reeded white oak cabinetry and quartzite countertops which match the quartzite detail around the fireplace.

The House That Patience Built

McCabe By Design LLC

This open plan kitchen provides ample space for family members and guests to participate in meal preparation and celebrations. The dishwasher, warming drawer and refrigerator are some what incognito with their matching cabinet panel exteriors. The kitchen appliances collection is rounded out with a speed cook oven, convection wall oven, induction cooktop, downdraft ventilation and a under counter wine and beverage fridge. Contrasting cabinet and countertop finishes and the non-traditional glass tile backsplash add to the soothing, textural finishes in this kitchen.

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.

Sonoran Scandi

K2 Signature Homes

Open concept kitchen with prep kitchen/butler's pantry. Integrated appliances.
Inspiration for a scandinavian open plan kitchen in Phoenix with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and vaulted.

Winnipesaukee

Bloom Architecture

The minimalist kitchen occupies a corner of the open living space, adjacent to both dining area and screened porch.
Large country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Manchester with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

California Adobe

2B Design, LLC

California early Adobe, opened up and contemporized. Full of light and easy neutral tones and natural surfaces. Indoor, Outdoor living created and enjoyed by family.

Mid Century/Transitional

Rebecca Ryan Design

Inspiration for a midcentury u-shaped kitchen in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, grey benchtop and vaulted.

Pinckard

Kelly Shepard Designs.

Photo of a beach style l-shaped kitchen in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, exposed beam, timber and vaulted.

THE PICTURE HOUSE, BALHAM

NOTO Architects

The project was a close collaboration with the client, who came to us with a clear, simple brief- to maximise the height of the glazing on the rear facade, to give the illusion of a minimal roof construction.

Zig Zag Roof House

Henry Woide

Photographer: Henry Woide - www.henrywoide.co.uk Architecture: 4SArchitecture
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in London with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, terrazzo benchtops, stainless steel appliances, with island and vaulted.

Warm Post-Modern

Karen Berkemeyer Home

Design ideas for an expansive beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, beige splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, beige benchtop and vaulted.

Kirkland, WA remodel

Lewis Construction Group

Inspiration for a large contemporary kitchen in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and vaulted.

Rift White Oak Cabinetry in Kitchen with Grey Countertops

MAK Design + Build Inc.

Design ideas for a large contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sacramento with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, multiple islands, grey floor, grey benchtop and vaulted.

Lake of the Isles Kitchen

M. Victoria Johnson Interiors

Beach style u-shaped open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and vaulted.

Kitchen with Light Wood Cabinets 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!