Inspiration for a large country open plan kitchen in Other with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, window splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

HAMPTONS LIVING

Aspect Cabinetmakers

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional u-shaped kitchen in Brisbane with recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, quartz benchtops, window splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, an undermount sink, white benchtop and no island.

Breezy Coastal Living

Tascone Design

Crib Creative
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Perth with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, window splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island and grey floor.

Craftsman Kitchen in Brighton, MI

Dream Kitchens

Photo of a large traditional l-shaped kitchen in Detroit with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, wood benchtops, green splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, medium wood cabinets and window splashback.

Sliding glass doors and clerestory windows combine to bring the outside in

MI Windows and Doors

A mid-century modern open floor plan is accentuated by the natural light coming from MI Windows and Doors windows and sliding glass doors. Windows serve as the backsplash of this sleek kitchen.

Newtown House

Hindley & Co Architecture & Interior Design

Tatjana Plitt
Inspiration for a modern open plan kitchen in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, concrete benchtops, window splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and beige floor.

The Hob Croft Project: Kitchen

Roccia Tiles, Bathrooms & Kitchens

Open plan kitchen with an island
Modern galley eat-in kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, granite benchtops, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop, an undermount sink, window splashback, panelled appliances and medium hardwood floors.

ROSE LANE

Joel Contreras Design

Contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Phoenix with a drop-in sink, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, window splashback, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and wood.

Pinewood Kitchen Remodel

Home Enrich

Inspiration for a large asian u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Raleigh with beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, with island, white benchtop, a farmhouse sink, window splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Woodhaven Modern

Flavin Architects

Our clients wanted to replace an existing suburban home with a modern house at the same Lexington address where they had lived for years. The structure the clients envisioned would complement their lives and integrate the interior of the home with the natural environment of their generous property. The sleek, angular home is still a respectful neighbor, especially in the evening, when warm light emanates from the expansive transparencies used to open the house to its surroundings. The home re-envisions the suburban neighborhood in which it stands, balancing relationship to the neighborhood with an updated aesthetic. The floor plan is arranged in a “T” shape which includes a two-story wing consisting of individual studies and bedrooms and a single-story common area. The two-story section is arranged with great fluidity between interior and exterior spaces and features generous exterior balconies. A staircase beautifully encased in glass stands as the linchpin between the two areas. The spacious, single-story common area extends from the stairwell and includes a living room and kitchen. A recessed wooden ceiling defines the living room area within the open plan space. Separating common from private spaces has served our clients well. As luck would have it, construction on the house was just finishing up as we entered the Covid lockdown of 2020. Since the studies in the two-story wing were physically and acoustically separate, zoom calls for work could carry on uninterrupted while life happened in the kitchen and living room spaces. The expansive panes of glass, outdoor balconies, and a broad deck along the living room provided our clients with a structured sense of continuity in their lives without compromising their commitment to aesthetically smart and beautiful design.

Jenkins Street

Stylepoint

Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, window splashback, concrete floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Contemporary New Home

Synergy Building Design

Mid-sized contemporary galley kitchen in Brisbane with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, window splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Un ancien atelier transformé en maison familiale - Projet La Fayette

Mon Concept Habitation

Inspiration for a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Paris with a drop-in sink, beaded inset cabinets, black cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, window splashback, panelled appliances, cement tiles, multi-coloured floor, white benchtop and with island.

Provincial Living

emme designs

Photo of a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, window splashback, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Merinda Farm - Palmwoods

Accord Homes

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sunshine Coast with flat-panel cabinets, concrete floors, with island, grey floor, a single-bowl sink, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, window splashback, black appliances and black benchtop.

COCINAS VARIAS VOL. 1

Rudeco Construcciones

Cocina moderna, de color negro acabado rugoso mate y con solería cerámica imitación madera de color intermedio
This is an example of a large modern u-shaped open plan kitchen in Malaga with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, black splashback, window splashback, panelled appliances, porcelain floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Bridgetown at Leppington

McDonald Jones Homes

The Classic
This is an example of a large transitional galley kitchen in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, black appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and window splashback.

Alma Tce

Basset and Lobaza Architects

Kitchen and living space with high ceiling and pitched roof.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary galley kitchen in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, concrete floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop, a double-bowl sink, window splashback and stainless steel appliances.

Pecos | Arete Kitchens

Arete European Kitchens

Ferrara oak veneer and platinum matte lacquer kitchen cabinetry. German-made LEICHT cabinetry | RisherMartin Fine Homes | Dick Clark Architecture | ©Jake Holt Photography

The Exchange

Starbox Architecture

Photo of a contemporary open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, window splashback, black appliances, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

All Backsplash Materials Kitchen with Window Splashback 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!