Metropolitan Victorian Grandeur in London

Kitchen Designed by Sustainable Kitchens at www.houzz.co.uk/pro/sustainablekitchens Photography by Charlie O'Beirne at Lukonic.com
Design ideas for a traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in London with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, cement tiles, with island and grey floor.

Fairfield Modern Farmhouse

Karen Berkemeyer Home

Expansive country open plan kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and shaker cabinets.

Park Slope Townhouse Renovation

Studio Geiger Architecture

This is an example of a large transitional single-wall open plan kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, grey cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, quartz benchtops, matchstick tile splashback, light hardwood floors, beige floor and recessed-panel cabinets.

Rustic Modern Lake Retreat - Kitchen

Geneva Cabinet Company, LLC

Geneva Cabinet Company, LLC., Authorized Dealer for Medallion Cabinetry., Lowell Management Services, Inc, Builder Victoria McHugh Photography Knotty Alder cabinetry, full height brick backsplash, stainless steel hood This rustic lake house retreat features an open concept kitchen plan with impressive uninterupted views. Medallion Cabinetry was used in Knotty Alder with a Natural glaze with distressing. This is the Brookhill raised panel door style. The hardware is Schlub Ancient Bronze. Every convenience has been built into this kitchen including pull out trash bins, tray dividers, pull-out spice reacts, roll out trays, and specialty crown molding and under cabinet and base molding details.

Stony Brook

Cole Harris Associates LLC

Design ideas for a large country galley open plan kitchen in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, soapstone benchtops and dark hardwood floors.

LEED Gold Home Renovation

R Michael Cross Design Group

Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Richmond with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Knock Down the Walls

Susan Yeley Homes

Gina Rogers
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Indianapolis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Modern Kitchen with Charisma - Winfield, IL

TKS Design Group

Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW Collaborations are typically so fruitful and this one was no different. The homeowners started by hiring an architect to develop a vision and plan for transforming their very traditional brick home into a contemporary family home full of modern updates. The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn was hired to provide kitchen design expertise and to bring the vision to life. The bamboo cabinetry and white Ceasarstone countertops provide contrast that pops while the white oak floors and limestone tile bring warmth to the space. A large island houses a Galley Sink which provides a multi-functional work surface fantastic for summer entertaining. And speaking of summer entertaining, a new Nana Wall system — a large glass wall system that creates a large exterior opening and can literally be opened and closed with one finger – brings the outdoor in and creates a very unique flavor to the space. Matching bamboo cabinetry and panels were also installed in the adjoining family room, along with aluminum doors with frosted glass and a repeat of the limestone at the newly designed fireplace. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Cottage Kitchen Remodel

Linette Dai Design

Photo of a small country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Orange County with raised-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, with island, a farmhouse sink, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, beige floor and white benchtop.

Oestrick

Flitch

Casey Dunn, Photographer
This is an example of a large modern open plan kitchen in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, with island, an undermount sink, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, grey floor and white benchtop.

Villanova Residence - kitchen

Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.

Photographer: Tom Crane
Design ideas for a traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Philadelphia with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, marble benchtops, an undermount sink, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances and dark hardwood floors.

DeMellow Res.

Berg Construction

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Diego with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop, marble benchtops and medium hardwood floors.

New Construction Kitchen

User

Stefanie Rawlinson Photography
Inspiration for a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Artsy Vibe in Mid-Century Modern Ranch

Nathan Taylor for Obelisk Home

Historical Renovation Objective: The homeowners asked us to join the project after partial demo and construction was in full swing. Their desire was to significantly enlarge and update the charming mid-century modern home to meet the needs of their joined families and frequent social gatherings. It was critical though that the expansion be seamless between old and new, where one feels as if the home “has always been this way”. Solution: We created spaces within rooms that allowed family to gather and socialize freely or allow for private conversations. As constant entertainers, the couple wanted easier access to their favorite wines than having to go to the basement cellar. A custom glass and stainless steel wine cellar was created where bottles seem to float in the space between the dining room and kitchen area. A nineteen foot long island dominates the great room as well as any social gathering where it is generally spread from end to end with food and surrounded by friends and family. Aside of the master suite, three oversized bedrooms each with a large en suite bath provide plenty of space for kids returning from college and frequent visits from friends and family. A neutral color palette was chosen throughout to bring warmth into the space but not fight with the clients’ collections of art, antique rugs and furnishings. Soaring ceiling, windows and huge sliding doors bring the naturalness of the large wooded lot inside while lots of natural wood and stone was used to further complement the outdoors and their love of nature. Outside, a large ground level fire-pit surrounded by comfortable chairs is another favorite gathering spot.

Minimalist White Kitchen with Warm Accents

Sustainable Kitchens

The flat panel cabinets in this white minimalist kitchen have j handles and are painted in Farrow & Ball All White. The oak worktops have been stained with white to create a lighter toned wood which wraps around the island and cabinets. The Falcon range cooker and hood add a pop of contrast to the space. The copper pendant lights and white square splashback tiles add extra warmth and detail while the oak open shelving provides extra storage. Charlie O'Beirne

Hillsboro Kitchen Remodel

Adapt Interior Design

Engage Photo & Video
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Portland with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Allentown, Pa New Build Pennsylvania Custom Farmhouse and Barn

lisa furey interiors

This is an example of a large country open plan kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, quartz benchtops, red splashback, brick splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, green cabinets, beige floor and white benchtop.

Sunset Blvd

Alpine Lumber

Builder | Thin Air Construction | Photography | Jon Kohlwey Designer | Tara Bender Starmark Cabinetry
Inspiration for a large country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop, quartz benchtops, beige floor, beige splashback and subway tile splashback.

Coopers Hawk

Reece Homes, LLC

Ryan Price Studio
Photo of a mid-sized country single-wall open plan kitchen in Austin with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, black splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

The Social Kitchen

Edmond Kitchen & Bath LLC

This creative transitional space was transformed from a very dated layout that did not function well for our homeowners - who enjoy cooking for both their family and friends. They found themselves cooking on a 30" by 36" tiny island in an area that had much more potential. A completely new floor plan was in order. An unnecessary hallway was removed to create additional space and a new traffic pattern. New doorways were created for access from the garage and to the laundry. Just a couple of highlights in this all Thermador appliance professional kitchen are the 10 ft island with two dishwashers (also note the heated tile area on the functional side of the island), double floor to ceiling pull-out pantries flanking the refrigerator, stylish soffited area at the range complete with burnished steel, niches and shelving for storage. Contemporary organic pendants add another unique texture to this beautiful, welcoming, one of a kind kitchen! Photos by David Cobb Photography.

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!