A Modern Kitchen for a Retreat in the Woods

This is a great house. Perched high on a private, heavily wooded site, it has a rustic contemporary aesthetic. Vaulted ceilings, sky lights, large windows and natural materials punctuate the main spaces. The existing large format mosaic slate floor grabs your attention upon entering the home extending throughout the foyer, kitchen, and family room. Specific requirements included a larger island with workspace for each of the homeowners featuring a homemade pasta station which requires small appliances on lift-up mechanisms as well as a custom-designed pasta drying rack. Both chefs wanted their own prep sink on the island complete with a garbage “shoot” which we concealed below sliding cutting boards. A second and overwhelming requirement was storage for a large collection of dishes, serving platters, specialty utensils, cooking equipment and such. To meet those needs we took the opportunity to get creative with storage: sliding doors were designed for a coffee station adjacent to the main sink; hid the steam oven, microwave and toaster oven within a stainless steel niche hidden behind pantry doors; added a narrow base cabinet adjacent to the range for their large spice collection; concealed a small broom closet behind the refrigerator; and filled the only available wall with full-height storage complete with a small niche for charging phones and organizing mail. We added 48” high base cabinets behind the main sink to function as a bar/buffet counter as well as overflow for kitchen items. The client’s existing vintage commercial grade Wolf stove and hood commands attention with a tall backdrop of exposed brick from the fireplace in the adjacent living room. We loved the rustic appeal of the brick along with the existing wood beams, and complimented those elements with wired brushed white oak cabinets. The grayish stain ties in the floor color while the slab door style brings a modern element to the space. We lightened the color scheme with a mix of white marble and quartz countertops. The waterfall countertop adjacent to the dining table shows off the amazing veining of the marble while adding contrast to the floor. Special materials are used throughout, featured on the textured leather-wrapped pantry doors, patina zinc bar countertop, and hand-stitched leather cabinet hardware. We took advantage of the tall ceilings by adding two walnut linear pendants over the island that create a sculptural effect and coordinated them with the new dining pendant and three wall sconces on the beam over the main sink.

FROM FLOOD TO FABULOUS

Karyn Dismore Interiors

After a devastating flood for our clients we completely changed this kitchen from outdated and soggy to fabulous and ready for whatever life throws at it. Waterfall quartzite brings the island front and center - pre existing exposed beams were darkened to match the new barn door which hides the coffee bar if needed or just looks fabulous open or closed. As is our signature we love to make our perimeter cabinetry different to our islands as is the case with this black and white color palette. Oversized Gold leaf pendants complete the whole ensemble and we could not be more pleased!

5 B

Studio MW

Inspiration for a large country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Paris with a drop-in sink, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, white appliances, black floor and white benchtop.

Mensinger kitchen

d KISER design.construct, inc.

Colin Conces
Design ideas for a small midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Omaha with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, panelled appliances, porcelain floors, a peninsula, black floor and white benchtop.

Custom Mid-Century Kitchen

Able And Baker

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury galley open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, black floor, white benchtop, medium wood cabinets, mosaic tile splashback, slate floors and quartz benchtops.

АРТ БЕТОН

Лада Лунева

Александр Камачкин
Contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Moscow with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, grey splashback, black appliances, dark hardwood floors, no island, black floor, grey benchtop, a double-bowl sink, marble benchtops and mosaic tile splashback.

Haus E

RADON photography / Norman Radon

(c) RADON photography / Norman Radon
Design ideas for a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, black appliances, concrete floors, with island, black floor and black benchtop.

Hollywood Actor's Off Grid Tiny Home

Tru Form Tiny

Designed by Malia Schultheis and built by Tru Form Tiny. This Tiny Home features Blue stained pine for the ceiling, pine wall boards in white, custom barn door, custom steel work throughout, and modern minimalist window trim. The Cabinetry is Maple with stainless steel countertop and hardware. The backsplash is a glass and stone mix. It only has a 2 burner cook top and no oven. The washer/ drier combo is in the kitchen area. Open shelving was installed to maintain an open feel.

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.

Pelham Manor Farm Kitchen

Karen Berkemeyer Home

This is an example of a large country galley open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, coloured appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, black floor and grey benchtop.

Historic Takoma Park additon

Grossmueller's Design Consultants

Large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, green splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island, black floor and green benchtop.

Mid century Modern kitchen

Kelly Ann Photography

Beautiful kitchen remodel in a 1950's mis century modern home in Yellow Springs Ohio The Teal accent tile really sets off the bright orange range hood and stove. Photo Credit, Kelly Settle Kelly Ann Photography

North Curl Curl Renovation

LJW Design

A Hamptons inspired design for Sydney's northern beaches.
Design ideas for a large beach style open plan kitchen in Sydney with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, black floor and exposed beam.

Lawless Rereat

Searl Lamaster Howe Architects

The kitchen, dining, and living areas share a common space but are separated by steps which mirror the outside terrain. The levels help to define each zone and function. Deep green stain on wire brushed oak adds a richness and texture to the clean lined cabinets.

Transitional with a Twist Kitchen

Robinwood Kitchens

Mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, black floor and white benchtop.

Montmartre

Studio Zerck

This is an example of a mid-sized industrial l-shaped open plan kitchen in Paris with green cabinets, wood benchtops, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, black floor, a single-bowl sink, beige splashback, terra-cotta splashback, with island and beige benchtop.

S + S Home

Taylor + Taylor

Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean single-wall open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, ceramic floors, no island, black floor and white benchtop.

Briarcliff Chateau

Spice Hill Interiors

Large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, black floor, dark hardwood floors and multi-coloured benchtop.

Newcomer

Legacy Wood Creations

This kitchen is built out of 1/4 sawn rustic white oak and then it was wire brushed for a textured finish. I then stained the completed cabinets Storm Grey, and then applied a white glaze to enhance the grain and appearance of texture. The kitchen is an open design with 10′ ceilings with the uppers going all the way up. The top of the upper cabinets have glass doors and are backlit to add the the industrial feel. This kitchen features several nice custom organizers on each end of the front of the island with two hidden doors on the back of the island for storage. Kelly and Carla also had me build custom cabinets for the master bath to match the kitchen.

Rénovation complète d'un appartement 110m2

Optimiz Rénovation

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Paris with an undermount sink, black cabinets, porcelain floors, with island, black floor, black benchtop and black splashback.

Open Plan Kitchen with Black Floor 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!