Photo of a modern galley open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, black splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island and beige benchtop.

Midcentury Kitchen

Design ideas for a large midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with light wood cabinets, with island, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Blue Kensington Kitchen

Tim Wood Limited

The Kensington blue kitchen was individually designed and hand made by Tim Wood Ltd. This light and airy contemporary kitchen features Carrara marble worktops and a large central island with a large double French farmhouse sink. One side of the island features a bar area for high stools. The kitchen and its design flow through to the utility room which also has a high microwave oven. This room can be shut off by means of a hidden recessed sliding door.

Oak Kitchen Makeover

Designs by BSB

The clients believed the peninsula footprint was required due to the unique entry points from the hallway leading to the dining room and the foyer. The new island increases storage, counters and a more pleasant flow of traffic from all directions. The biggest challenge was trying to make the structural beam that ran perpendicular to the space work in a new design; it was off center and difficult to balance the cabinetry and functional spaces to work with it. In the end it was decided to increase the budget and invest in moving the header in the ceiling to achieve the best design, esthetically and funcationlly. Specific storage designed to meet the clients requests include: - pocket doors at counter tops for everyday appliances - deep drawers for pots, pans and Tupperware - island includes designated zone for baking supplies - tall and shallow pantry/food storage for easy access near island - pull out spice near cooking - tray dividers for assorted baking pans/sheets, cutting boards and numerous other serving trays - cutlery and knife inserts and built in trash/recycle bins to keep things organized and convenient to use, out of sight - custom design hutch to hold various, yet special dishes and silverware Elements of design chosen to meet the clients wishes include: - painted cabinetry to lighten up the room that lacks windows and give relief/contrast to the expansive wood floors - monochromatic colors throughout give peaceful yet elegant atmosphere o stained island provides interest and warmth with wood, but still unique in having a different stain than the wood floors – this is repeated in the tile mosaic backsplash behind the rangetop - punch of fun color used on hutch for a unique, furniture feel - carefully chosen detailed embellishments like the tile mosaic, valance toe boards, furniture base board around island, and island pendants are traditional details to not only the architecture of the home, but also the client’s furniture and décor. - Paneled refrigerator minimizes the large appliance, help keeping an elegant feel Superior cooking equipment includes a combi-steam oven, convection wall ovens paired with a built-in refrigerator with interior air filtration to better preserve fresh foods. Photography by Gregg Willett

Mid Century Modern Boho

Kimberley Kay Interiors

Added a new backsplash, hardware, paint and lighting and boom you can save yourself from repainted cabinets and replacing them.
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in Phoenix with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, brown cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Gorgeous Remodel in Rancho Cucamonga

k. smith interiors

fantastic photos by Thomas Pellicer
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Scandinavian Inspired

Build 7 Christchurch

New build construction of a 4 bedroom, 2 living home in Lincoln, Canterbury. Haro flooring Citta pendant lights Fisher and Paykel fridge Hannah Bird Photography

Kluger Residence

Creative Kitchens & Baths

This is an example of a large traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island, grey floor and beige benchtop.

Modern Rustic Charm

Coyle Construction Company

stained island, white kitchen
Large traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, brown splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, beige benchtop, granite benchtops and stone tile splashback.

Kitchen Pendant Lighting

Fratantoni Interior Designers

Kitchen's custom backsplash, pendant lighting, and marble countertops.
Expansive mediterranean u-shaped open plan kitchen in Phoenix with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, multiple islands, multi-coloured floor and beige benchtop.

Double Island Kitchen

WL Kitchen & Home

Jason Taylor
Expansive traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with multiple islands, an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, marble floors, beige floor and beige benchtop.

PARIS 19- AVANT/APRES BY LUCA PICARDI

Mon Concept Habitation

STEPHANE VASCO
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern galley open plan kitchen in Paris with open cabinets, medium wood cabinets, wood benchtops, black splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, a drop-in sink, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, no island and beige benchtop.

Dunbarton

LR Designs

shoot to sell
Inspiration for a large transitional galley open plan kitchen in Dallas with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, a peninsula, beige floor and beige benchtop.

French Country in Garden Oaks - Open Concept Kitchen & Living Room

Southern Green Builders

This kitchen-living room open concept floor plan features two custom kitchen islands, a farmhouse sink, a beautiful traditional brick fireplace, and bold exposed wood beams. Built by Southern Green Builders in Houston, Texas

Arts and Crafts Goes Off-Grid

Meadowlark Design+Build

Custom Shaker-style kitchen cabinets by Meadowlark. Arts and Crafts style custom home designed and built by Meadowlark Design + Build in Ann Arbor, Michigan. T

プロヴァンス風な外観の住まい

株式会社リフレックス

Photo of a small modern single-wall open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, brown cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, plywood floors, a peninsula, beige floor, beige benchtop and wallpaper.

Une petite cuisine fonctionnelle

Ingrid Martin

Design ideas for a small tropical l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with a single-bowl sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, laminate benchtops, black splashback, black appliances, laminate floors, a peninsula, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Clean Slate

Endless Ideas Interiors Inc.

Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Toronto with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and beige benchtop.

11th Street

Joseph Spierer Architects, Inc.

The Modern Spanish kitchen offers a space for a young family to enjoy. Equipped with a modern island, white cabinets, a white plaster hood, beige Spanish tile floors and clean details.

Francine & Jacky - Cuisine sur-mesure

Lily Cuisines & Cie

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Nantes with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, beige splashback, timber splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Open Plan Kitchen with Beige Benchtop 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!