This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, terrazzo benchtops, subway tile splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, beige floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Kitchens

O'Meara Jones

Photo of an expansive transitional open plan kitchen in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, dark hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and vaulted.

Black Ribbon House

Studio 15b - Architecture + Interior Design

This is an example of a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Brisbane with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, window splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

So much storage

Collaroy Kitchen Centre

This renovation included kitchen, laundry, powder room, with extensive building work.
Inspiration for an expansive transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, laminate floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

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.

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.

Park Orchards

Direct Kitchens

Design ideas for a large transitional open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Oh What A Ceiling!

Green Sheep Collective

‘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.

Brighton Victorian Renovation

Everlong Constructions

Design ideas for a transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Rose Bay House

D'Cruz Design Group

Inspiration for an expansive contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Sydney with flat-panel cabinets, with island, a double-bowl sink, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and vaulted.

Modern Minimalism - Ground Floor Renovation

Revamper Interior Design

Light and airy contemporary kitchen with minimalist features. The large, stone clad island and expansive skylight hero the space.
Photo of a large modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, laminate floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Summer Hill Complete Renovation & Restoration

Denby Dowling Interiors

The brief was to restore the home to its former glory whilst accommodating existing cherished furnishings, to include the Chesterfield sofa, coffee table, dining table & chairs, Persian rug & hall runners. To make the quirky furnishings work with the Victorian restoration I balanced bold colours & textures with more traditional flooring & timber veneer colours throughout the home. The kitchen pendant light is a custom designed piece in collaboration with Magins Lighting. The orange splash back tiles (hand made through DeLorenzo Tiles) compliment the dining & lounge floor rugs & balance the room. The blue grout - the icing on the eclectic cake!

Kitchen | Project Coolum

desculpto

This kitchen design effortlessly marries reimagined traditional elements with a touch of postmodern flair, crafting a truly one-of-a-kind and personalized space. One cannot help but be drawn to the unique brushed brass rangehood, a true hero piece in this design. It not only adds a powerful stroke of creativity but also serves as a sturdy anchor, grounding the entire space with its commanding presence.

Brighton: Renovation & Extension

First Avenue Homes

Photo of a large contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, black cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and grey 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!!!

Crafers Living Renovation

Plush Design Interiors

Three small rooms were demolished to enable a new kitchen and open plan living space to be designed. The kitchen has a drop-down ceiling to delineate the space. A window became french doors to the garden. The former kitchen was re-designed as a mudroom. The laundry had new cabinetry. New flooring throughout. A linen cupboard was opened to become a study nook with dramatic wallpaper. Custom ottoman were designed and upholstered for the drop-down dining and study nook. A family of five now has a fantastically functional open plan kitchen/living space, family study area, and a mudroom for wet weather gear and lots of storage.

Bayswater Road, Kensington

M.J.Harris Group

With the request for neutral tones, our design team has created a beautiful, light-filled space with a white lithostone bench top, solid timber drop-down seating area and terrazzo splashback ledge to amplify functionality without compromising style. We extended the window out to attract as much natural light as possible and utilised existing dead-space by adding a cozy reading nook. Fitted with power points and shelves, this nook can also be used to get on top of life admin.

Narrow Scandi home with texture and colour

Western Cabinets

Photo of a large scandinavian galley open plan kitchen in Perth with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Point Chev

Michael Cooper Architects

Mark Scowen
Mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Auckland with concrete floors, grey floor, a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island and white benchtop.

East Hampton

Winter McDermott Design

Jacob Snavely
This is an example of a mid-sized modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white floor.

Open Plan Kitchen with a Double-bowl Sink 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!