‘Oh What A Ceiling!’ ingeniously transformed a tired mid-century brick veneer house into a suburban oasis for a multigenerational family. Our clients, Gabby and Peter, came to us with a desire to reimagine their ageing home such that it could better cater to their modern lifestyles, accommodate those of their adult children and grandchildren, and provide a more intimate and meaningful connection with their garden. The renovation would reinvigorate their home and allow them to re-engage with their passions for cooking and sewing, and explore their skills in the garden and workshop.

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.

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.

Lyneham Extension and Renovation

Build Professional

Kitchen Renovation
This is an example of a mid-sized eclectic u-shaped open plan kitchen in Canberra - Queanbeyan with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Wiley Park

Alamay Constructions Pty Ltd

Part of a massive open planned area which includes Dinning, Lounge,Kitchen and butlers pantry. Polished concrete through out with exposed steel and Timber beams.

Modern House in Kingsgate - Kitchen

Shepel Homes - Kitchen and Bath

We used an open floor plan for the kitchen and dining, with both being part of the great room together with the living room. For this contemporary gray kitchen and dining, we used flush cabinet surfaces to achieve a minimalist and modern look. The backsplash is made with beautiful 3” x 16” light gray tiles that perfectly unite the white wall cabinets and the darker gray base cabinets. This monochromatic color scheme is also evident on the white dining table and countertops, and the gray and white chairs. We opted for an extra large kitchen island that provides an additional surface for food preparation and having quick meals. The modern island pendant lights serve as the functional centerpiece of the kitchen and dining area.

Modern Farmhouse

Adapt Interior Design

Caleb Vandermeer Photography
Photo of a large country galley open plan kitchen in Portland with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island and brown floor.

Cape Cod Coastal

The Red Shutters - Marina Case

Kitchen Photo by Dan Cutrona
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, stone slab splashback, with island, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Belmont Modern Rif Oak Kitchen

Kitchen Inspiration Inc.

Cabinetry: Sollera Fine Cabinets Countertop: Quartz
Photo of a large modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and light wood cabinets.

CENTRAL PARK STUNNER

KE Interior Solutions

DRAWERS!! easy access.. workhorse of the kitchen
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula and white benchtop.

Laëtitia & Christophe - A la montagne

Lily Cuisines & Cie

Large contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Nantes with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, panelled appliances, ceramic floors, a peninsula, grey floor, black benchtop, black splashback and granite splashback.

Kitchen & Ensuite Renovation

User

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Canberra - Queanbeyan with an undermount sink, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Midcentury Home Addition and renovation

Donald Lococo Architects

The kitchen was designed two years ago and was then erased and redesigned when the world became a different place a year later. As everyone attempted to flatten the curve, our goal in this regard was to create a kitchen that looked forward to a sharp curve down and of a happier time To that promise for happier times, the redesign, a goal was to make the kitchen brighter and more optimistic. This was done by using simple, primary shapes and circular pendants and emphasizing them in contrast, adding a playful countenance. The selection of a dynamic grain of figured walnut also contributes as this once-living material and its sinuous grain adds motion, rhythm, and scale. Proud of their 1970s home, one challenge of the design was to balance a 1970's feel and stay current. However, many ‘70s references looked and felt outdated. The first step was a changed mindset. Just like the return of the ‘40s bath and the retro movement a few years ago, every era returns in some way. Chronologically, the '70s will soon be here. Our design looked to era-specific furniture and materials of the decade. Figured walnut was so pervasive in the era: this motif was used on car exteriors such as the 1970 Town and Country Station Wagon, which debuted the same year the existing home was built. We also looked at furniture specific to the decade. The console stereo is referenced not only by high legs on the island but also by the knurled metal cabinet knobs reminiscent of often-used stereo dials. Knurled metalwork is also used on the kitchen faucet. The design references the second piece of '70s furniture in our modern TV tray, which is angled to face the television in the family room. Its round pencil and mug holder cutouts follow the design of walnut consoles and dashboard of the station wagon and other elements of the time.

Magnolia Place - Kennet Square

Goebelwood Industries, Inc.

Large traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

New Falmouth Home Architect & Build

Longfellow Design Build

Mike Ciolino
Mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Kitchen and Bathroom renovation, Albemarle County, VA

Weston Construction Company, LLC

Mid-sized modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, an undermount sink and white benchtop.

Oakland Modern

Knock Architecture and Design

This is an example of a mid-sized modern galley open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, black cabinets, black splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island and flat-panel cabinets.

Las Canoas Remodel Kitchen

Allen Construction

Architect: Richard Warner General Contractor: Allen Construction Photo Credit: Jim Bartsch Award Winner: Master Design Awards, Best of Show
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Santa Barbara with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, panelled appliances and beige floor.

VERDE URBANO

Annalisa Carli Architetto

Cucina verde comodoro con pensili bianchi di dimensioni contenute ma molto funzionale. Top in HPL grigio effetto marmo. Foto di Simone Marulli
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Milan with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, beige floor, grey benchtop and recessed.

Квартира 37 кв. м Дубнинская ул., Москва

Анна Малютина

Small contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Moscow with a drop-in sink, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, black appliances, laminate floors, brown floor and brown benchtop.

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!