Kitchen with hand painted Glass panel doors

Photo of a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and vaulted.

Glebe Kitchen - Front

Matter Design & Make Pty Ltd

Our client approached Matter in late 2019 for a new kitchen. While the existing kitchen had a reasonable layout and some great features, the cupboards weren’t optimising the space to its full potential, particularly for storage. Noting that the old kitchen aged very quickly, our client wanted the new kitchen to be constructed entirely from plywood—liking the appearance and strength of the material. They also loved vibrant use of colour and suggested we look at the kitchens featured in films by the Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar for inspiration. The result was a playful mix of hand painted navy, light blue and retro orange in combination with a ‘raw’ effect from the birch plywood. To save on cost and waste, we decided to keep certain components of the kitchen that have remained in very good condition. Some of these included the stainless steel bench tops and oven/range hood stack, as well as a polished concrete island bench top. We replaced most of the cupboards with drawer units specifically tailored to fit our client's extensive collection of cookware and appliances with adjustable partitions. An integrated Hideaway rubbish bin free’s up circulation space and a Kesseböhmer pull-out pantry will ensure no bottle of spice is ever lost to the back of a cupboard again.

Church

Daniela Fulford Photography

Design ideas for a modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, black appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Teneriffe Kitchen & Living Area Project

New Leaf Design Studios

A bold and contemporary kitchen with extension of cabinetry into the living area creates a seemless look for this high end inner city apartment.
This is an example of a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Brisbane with an undermount sink, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, ceramic floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Weerona House

Demardi.

This Kitchen was relocated from the middle of the home to the north end. Four steel trusses were installed as load-bearing walls and beams had to be removed to accommodate for the floorplan changes. There is now an open Kitchen/Butlers/Dining/Living upstairs that is drenched in natural light with the most undisturbed view this location has to offer. A warm and inviting space with oversized windows, gorgeous joinery, a curved micro cement island benchtop with timber cladding, gold tapwear and layered lighting throughout to really enhance this beautiful space.

Newport Beach Kitchen

Northern Beaches Kitchens and Bathrooms

Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style galley open plan kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, metallic splashback, mirror splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, beige benchtop and brown floor.

1840's Sweet Shoppe

Hi Tech Projects

Inspiration for a mid-sized country galley open plan kitchen in Brisbane with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, brown floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

James Street by BuildHer

BuildHer Collective

The stunning kitchen is a nod to the 70's - dark walnut cabinetry combined with glazed tiles and polished stone. Plenty of storage and Butlers Pantry make this an entertainers dream.

Kitchen

Dennehy Builders Pty Ltd

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Geelong with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, black appliances, concrete floors, with island, white benchtop, wood and grey floor.

Full House Renovation - Mermaid Waters

Verto Kitchens

Contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Gold Coast - Tweed with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, exposed beam, timber and vaulted.

Berkeley Vale Home

AMA Studio Interiors

Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in Central Coast with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, terra-cotta splashback, white appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Ivanhoe period home

YORCON

A 2018 completed project: a custom period architectural home in Ivanhoe in Melbourne's inner north/east.Exquisite detailing went into every part of this home- internally and externally! All the work from design to completion was done by our team!!!

Elsternwick, VIC - renovation and extension

My Architect

Photo of a scandinavian open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Bonaventure

Lindon Homes Pty Ltd

Modern Galley Kitchen.
Photo of a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Brisbane with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, glass sheet splashback, black appliances, porcelain floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Cremorne House

Slater Architects

You enter the property from the high side through a contemporary iron gate to access a large double garage with internal access. A natural stone blade leads to our signature, individually designed timber entry door. The top-floor entry flows into a spacious open-plan living, dining, kitchen area drenched in natural light and ample glazing captures the breathtaking views over middle harbour. The open-plan living area features a high curved ceiling which exaggerates the space and creates a unique and striking frame to the vista. With stone that cascades to the floor, the island bench is a dramatic focal point of the kitchen. Designed for entertaining and positioned to capture the vista. Custom designed dark timber joinery brings out the warmth in the stone bench. Also on this level, a dramatic powder room with a teal and navy blue colour palette, a butler’s pantry, a modernized formal dining space, a large outdoor balcony, a cozy sitting nook with custom joinery specifically designed to house the client’s vinyl record player. This split-level home cascades down the site following the contours of the land. As we step down from the living area, the internal staircase with double heigh ceilings, pendant lighting and timber slats which create an impressive backdrop for the dining area. On the next level, we come to a home office/entertainment room. Double height ceilings and exotic wallpaper make this space intensely more interesting than your average home office! Floor-to-ceiling glazing captures an outdoor tropical oasis, adding to the wow factor. The following floor includes guest bedrooms with ensuites, a laundry and the master bedroom with a generous balcony and an ensuite that presents a large bath beside a picture window allowing you to capture the westerly sunset views from the tub. The ground floor to this split-level home features a rumpus room which flows out onto the rear garden.

Bay Pearl

Kirsten Johnstone Architecture

Photo of a large modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and timber.

Kitchen

Drift Interiors

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Wollongong with an undermount sink, grey cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Contemporary Residence

User

This is an example of a contemporary open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, white splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

River Views

Live Architecture

Open blackbutt shelves ceasarstone bench top with blackbutt frame
Design ideas for a contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with ceramic splashback, ceramic floors and with island.

Belrose House Renovation NSW 2085

The Renovation Broker

Modern kitchen, with dark timber grain joinery, large kitchen island, with walk in pantry that has a barn door. Two sinks and fridges one integrated to service the outdoor BBQ area, lots of bench space plus 3 ovens and a warming drawer

Kitchen - Kitchen Pantry and Open Plan Kitchen 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!