This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Brisbane with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, black cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, window splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island, grey floor, brown benchtop and exposed beam.

Evergreen

The Glade Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized eclectic galley eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, pink cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, with island, yellow floor and yellow benchtop.

Brunswick Californian Bungalow

Jacqui Koska

Inspiration for a contemporary u-shaped separate kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Flinders , Sailors Whisk

Mermaid Bay Interiors

Photo of a mid-sized beach style u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with a farmhouse sink, open cabinets, distressed cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, shiplap splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Balmain Terrace House

Annie Bowen Design

Ease of entertaining was key for the owners, so maximising the home’s formal rooms, designing a kitchen for large-scale cooking and creating outdoor spaces to gather are much-loved additions.

Contemporary Australian Cabin Kitchen

Element Design Studio

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.

Lakeside Retreat

Tielens Construction Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized modern single-wall open plan kitchen in Other with with island, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

The Clark Valach project

Bella Cucina West, LLC

Mid-sized transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Modern Kitchen & Living

ARTEZIA European Cabinetry | Design Studio

From Kitchen to Living Room. We do that.
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern galley open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, wood benchtops, black appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and brown benchtop.

Walters Renovation

Timeless Kitchen Cabinetry

Gridley+Graves Photographers
Photo of a mid-sized country single-wall eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, brick floors, with island, a farmhouse sink, panelled appliances, red floor, concrete benchtops and grey benchtop.

Pacific Heights Residence

RHC Construction & Management

Scott Hargis Photography
Design ideas for a traditional kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Bezaleel Brown House | Greenwich, CT

Period Architecture Ltd.

Angle Eye Photography DAS Custom Builders
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional u-shaped kitchen pantry in New York with raised-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, light hardwood floors, beige floor and brown benchtop.

Casa discreta por fuera y espectacular por dentro.

OOIIO Arquitectura

Josefotoinmo, OOIIO Arquitectura
This is an example of a scandinavian single-wall kitchen in Madrid with flat-panel cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, white appliances, with island, beige benchtop, a single-bowl sink, white cabinets and beige floor.

Havelock ADU

Salmon Built LLC

Sung Kokko Photo
Small modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Portland with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, concrete benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, no island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Alabama Customer Home | Lulamae Model

Clayton Homes

Photo of a country l-shaped kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Chestnut Street Kitchen

Venegas and Company

Foley Fiore Architecture
Inspiration for a traditional kitchen in Boston with recessed-panel cabinets, a farmhouse sink, wood benchtops, beige cabinets and brown benchtop.

Suburban Heart of the Home Kitchen

Heather Cleveland Design

Design ideas for a large transitional kitchen in San Francisco with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

LAUREL KITCHEN

Kate Roos Design LLC

A dedicated pantry and coffee station were high on the priority list for this family of four.
Inspiration for a mid-sized country l-shaped separate kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, white floor and brown benchtop.

Chestnut Hill

J. Stewart Designs

Large country u-shaped kitchen pantry in Jackson with a farmhouse sink, open cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island and grey floor.

Mount Airy

Pillar & Peacock

Design ideas for a mid-sized eclectic separate kitchen in Richmond with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, wood benchtops, beige splashback, brick floors and red floor.

Kitchen with Wood Benchtops and Concrete Benchtops 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!