STRATFORD KITCHEN A mid-century inspired kitchen, designed for a mid-century house. We love mid-century style, and so when we were approached to design this kitchen for a beautifully revived mid-century villa in Warwickshire, it was a dream commission. Simple, clean cabinetry was brought to life with the gorgeous iroko timber, and the cabinetry sat on a matt black plinth – a classic mid-century detail. A walk-in pantry, lined in single-depth shelving, was framed behind sliding doors glazed with traditional reeded glass. Refrigeration and storage was contained in a long run of tall cabinets, that finished in a mirror-backed bar with integral ice bucket But the show-stealer was a set of bespoke, handmade shelves that screened the kitchen from the hallway in this open plan home. Subtly detailed, like only real furniture-makers can, with traditional jointing and mid-century radiused edges.

Venice Beach

Kim Layne Design Associates

This is an example of a contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, with island, an undermount sink, white splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Drawer Organization

Sklar Studios

Eat your heart out Marie Kondo! This drawers most certainly brings us joy! Keeping heavy and delicate items stored below counter height is a huge benefit in oh so many ways - it makes unloading the dishwasher a snap, saves your back, and makes everything incredibly accessible...and no excuses...the kids can still empty the dishwasher AND set the table! These peg board drawer organizers by Rev-a-Shelf hold all your dishes in place.

Mission Victorian

Form + Field

Mid-sized scandinavian l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, black splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Port Aransas Beach House

Kimball Bonamici Designs

Port Aransas Beach House, kitchen
Expansive beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, brown floor, grey splashback, mosaic tile splashback and grey benchtop.

Church Rd Project

Jess Hunter Interior Design

This 90's home received a complete transformation. A renovation on a tight timeframe meant we used our designer tricks to create a home that looks and feels completely different while keeping construction to a bare minimum. This beautiful Dulux 'Currency Creek' kitchen was custom made to fit the original kitchen layout. Opening the space up by adding glass steel framed doors and a double sided Mt Blanc fireplace allowed natural light to flood through.

Modern Farm House Estate

Innovative Designs

this home is a unique blend of a transitional exterior and a contemporary interior
Photo of a large contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Miami with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, white floor, white benchtop and coffered.

The Woodlands- Hinsdale

Plain & Posh

This stunning home is a combination of the best of traditional styling with clean and modern design, creating a look that will be as fresh tomorrow as it is today. Traditional white painted cabinetry in the kitchen, combined with the slab backsplash, a simpler door style and crown moldings with straight lines add a sleek, non-fussy style. An architectural hood with polished brass accents and stainless steel appliances dress up this painted kitchen for upscale, contemporary appeal. The kitchen islands offers a notable color contrast with their rich, dark, gray finish. The stunning bar area is the entertaining hub of the home. The second bar allows the homeowners an area for their guests to hang out and keeps them out of the main work zone. The family room used to be shut off from the kitchen. Opening up the wall between the two rooms allows for the function of modern living. The room was full of built ins that were removed to give the clean esthetic the homeowners wanted. It was a joy to redesign the fireplace to give it the contemporary feel they longed for. Their used to be a large angled wall in the kitchen (the wall the double oven and refrigerator are on) by straightening that out, the homeowners gained better function in the kitchen as well as allowing for the first floor laundry to now double as a much needed mudroom room as well.

Egypt Valley Traditional Residence

Jennifer Butler Design

Double islands serve double duty for the busy residents and their large (27 grandchildren, and counting!) family. The 2” quartz tops are from Dwyer Marble & Stone, with chandeliers by Hubbardton Forge.

Waverton Project

Kitchen Elegance

What was once a confused mixture of enclosed rooms, has been logically transformed into a series of well proportioned spaces, which seamlessly flow between formal, informal, living, private and outdoor activities. Opening up and connecting these living spaces, and increasing access to natural light has permitted the use of a dark colour palette. The finishes combine natural Australian hardwoods with synthetic materials, such as Dekton porcelain and Italian vitrified floor tiles

The Finley at Fawn Lake

J. Hall Homes, Inc.

The Finley at Fawn Lake | Award Winning Custom Home by J. Hall Homes, Inc. | Fredericksburg, Va
Large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Lone Moor Kitchen, Atrium and Family Room

Alair Homes Plano

Our clients came to us wanting to maximize the space they had. They were not planning on moving anytime soon, as they loved their neighborhood. They wanted to renovate the front of their house, which included the front atrium, living room, kitchen, and powder bath. They hated their kitchen because it was completely closed off, had low ceilings, was dark and outdated, not to mention the floors were different in each of these rooms! The pantry was in the breakfast area and the kitchen table became a junk catcher, being the first thing you see when coming in from the garage/laundry room. In their living room, they wanted the spaces on either side of the fireplace to be symmetrical, whether that be bookshelves, a wet bar or closed off. Both parents are working professionals with no time and/or desire to design, create and figure this out on their own. They needed help figuring out how to reconfigure their current space in order to maximize what they already had, as they could not see an obvious solution. They could not envision how it would look so the fact that our designers were able to show them their new kitchen in 3D was pertinent. We removed the pass-through windows that surrounded the atrium and front dining room, as well as the entire kitchen wall, completely opening up those two rooms. We removed a hall that used to lead between the kitchen and the living room since it was a complete waste of space! The ceilings were raised to 10’ in the kitchen and we were able to leave the skylight, letting in that natural light they wanted. We were able to give them a much larger pantry with tons of shelving and increase the size of their laundry room by utilizing the space of their old breakfast nook. We relocated the door to the garage into their new elongated laundry room, built a wet bar across from their new larger pantry (with a pocket door) and the flow and functionality of these new spaces is just perfect! All new Waypoint cabinets were installed one two main kitchen surrounding walls painted Linen. Calacatta Bianco Polished Porcelain Tile 4x12 was used for the backsplash. A large eat-at island was installed, painted Stone, where the family can now gather for homework, meals, and mingling. The soft champagne bronze hardware and accent lighting really give this white and gray kitchen a soft classic look. In the living room, we removed the built-in bookshelves to the left of the fireplace and closed off the wet-bar on the other side, giving them more space in their master suite. White Oak wood flooring, stained Putney, was installed throughout the entire new space, giving it the continuity they were looking for. In the guest bathroom, Carrara white herringbone marble mosaic 12x12 tile was used on the shower floor and niche, while basic marble Bianco polished 12x24 porcelain tile was used on the walls. Luxart polished chrome traditional hardware gives this timeless bathroom the perfect shine. Our clients are so happy with the new functionality and look of their space. It has definitely changed their lives in a way they could have never imagined!

O-asis

The Ranch Mine

Photo by Roehner + Ryan
This is an example of a galley open plan kitchen in Phoenix with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, panelled appliances, concrete floors, with island and black benchtop.

Indigo Kitchen

Karr Bick Kitchen and Bath

Photo of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in St Louis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

CENTRAL PARK STUNNER

KE Interior Solutions

Note the large scale tile juxtaposed against the quilt style tile on the oven wall. This large and simple toned grey field allows the other area to stand out, yet this window wall detail also serves a purpose of showing how every area can be unique, but not glaring in contrast.

Fifth Avenue Apartment

Benjamin Andres Architekt

This is an example of a large scandinavian l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, concrete benchtops, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

Danville Transitional Remodel

Kimberley Harrison Interiors

Photo of a transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Crestwood Renovation

Alair Homes Clemson

This gorgeous home renovation features an expansive kitchen with large, seated island, open living room with vaulted ceilings with exposed wood beams, and plenty of finished outdoor living space to enjoy the gorgeous outdoor views.

Soft Contemporary in Amarra

Meredith Owen Interiors

Design ideas for a large transitional galley open plan kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Inviting Mid Century Modern Home

Devise Design

Photo of a midcentury galley open plan kitchen in Vancouver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Open Plan Kitchen with an Undermount 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!