The homeowners were in desperate need of storage and better function for their family of 6. They also needed the kitchen to be workable for several cooks. Taking the cabinetry to the ceiling and adding the large pantrys and island gave them the working space they needed. Then the fun began. The metal hood and tile were the inspirations for the rest of the rooms details. "X' details and beautiful lights and hardware!

Benedict Canyon Beverly Hills luxury home modern kitchen central island counter

Whipple Russell Architects

Benedict Canyon Beverly Hills luxury home modern kitchen central island counter. Photo by William MacCollum.
This is an example of an expansive modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and recessed.

Kitchen

Valerie Grant Interiors

A white kitchen with marble back splash and counters make this a bright clean space to cook and entertain. The Lacanche oven and stove top are a centerpiece in the room. Photography by Peter Rymwid.

Legacy at Silverleaf

AFT Construction

Roehner Ryan
Photo of a large country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Phoenix with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

Westlake Project

Michelle Tumlin Design

Inspiration for a large mediterranean l-shaped open plan kitchen in Austin with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, marble benchtops and marble splashback.

Omaha, Nebraska Residence- Interior Design for New Build

Haven Design and Construction

The showstopper kitchen is punctuated by the blue skies and green rolling hills of this Omaha home's exterior landscape. The crisp black and white kitchen features a vaulted ceiling with wood ceiling beams, large modern black windows, wood look tile floors, Wolf Subzero appliances, a large kitchen island with seating for six, an expansive dining area with floor to ceiling windows, black and gold island pendants, quartz countertops and a marble tile backsplash. A scullery located behind the kitchen features ample pantry storage, a prep sink, a built-in coffee bar and stunning black and white marble floor tile.

Spanish Oaks || Furnishings || Austin, Texas || Kitchen

Etch Design Group

Mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Austin with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, grey floor, grey benchtop, a farmhouse sink, quartz benchtops, marble splashback and cement tiles.

Contemporary Farmhouse

Alair Homes Chilliwack

This contemporary farmhouse is located on a scenic acreage in Greendale, BC. It features an open floor plan with room for hosting a large crowd, a large kitchen with double wall ovens, tons of counter space, a custom range hood and was designed to maximize natural light. Shed dormers with windows up high flood the living areas with daylight. The stairwells feature more windows to give them an open, airy feel, and custom black iron railings designed and crafted by a talented local blacksmith. The home is very energy efficient, featuring R32 ICF construction throughout, R60 spray foam in the roof, window coatings that minimize solar heat gain, an HRV system to ensure good air quality, and LED lighting throughout. A large covered patio with a wood burning fireplace provides warmth and shelter in the shoulder seasons. Carsten Arnold Photography

Mediterranean Kitchen: Terracotta and Brass

Plank Hardware

As evenings get darker, introduce a taste of the Mediterranean to your culinary space. Choose cabinets in warm, earthy tones (such as Terra from HUSK's new Natura range), then set it off with confident hardware. Enter our FOLD Collection. Embracing a shift to statement design details in the kitchen space, this range comprises bold, circular forms that are manufactured from solid sheet brass. Pack a punch in choosing our surface-mounted pulls, which are installed to sit proudly on cabinet fronts. Or err on the side of discretion with our more subtle edge pulls. Both of equal thickness, these designs feel intentional on contact, plus offer the toasty glow of a lacquered brass finish. Complete your kitchen scheme with a jewel-toned, resin-based Terrazzo worksurface, then style the space with hand-finished ceramics and low-maintenance plants. What we can't help with is the view of rolling Tuscan hills — sorry.

Streathbourne Road

Ben Waterhouse Photography

Photo of a contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in London with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Green with Envy

Yancy Interior Design

Design ideas for a large traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Detroit with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Cliffside Farmhouse

Danze & Davis Architects, Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Austin with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and wood.

Reforma Integral de Vivienda SFS

Estudio Astiz

Cocina con isla central abierta al salón por cuatro correderas de vidrio con perfilería negra.
Large modern single-wall open plan kitchen in Madrid with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, cement tiles, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Georgetown Three Story Addition

Landis Architects | Builders

Addition allowed for more livable space with a large, open kitchen on the main floor with a door to a new deck.
Mid-sized transitional galley open plan kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and medium hardwood floors.

Trocadéro

BAT & CO

Design ideas for a large contemporary open plan kitchen in Paris with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Memorial Park

MMI Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Houston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and beige benchtop.

Brighton: Renovation & Extension

First Avenue Homes

Design ideas for 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.

Home Remodel with Modern Artistic Flare

Signature Designs Kitchen | Bath | Interiors

New to the area, this client wanted to modernize and clean up this older 1980's home on one floor covering 3500 sq ft. on the golf course. Clean lines and a neutral material palette blends the home into the landscape, while careful craftsmanship gives the home a clean and contemporary appearance. We first met the client when we were asked to re-design the client future kitchen. The layout was not making any progress with the architect, so they asked us to step and give them a hand. The outcome is wonderful, full and expanse kitchen. The kitchen lead to assisting the client throughout the entire home. We were also challenged to meet the clients desired design details but also to meet a certain budget number. Glad your enjoying the project. The light fixture over the island is Asteria LED Pendant Lightby Soren Ravn Christensen from UMAGE The windows are from Pella

French Country Florida Style

Waterview Kitchens

Gorgeous French Country style kitchen featuring a rustic cherry hood with coordinating island. White inset cabinetry frames the dark cherry creating a timeless design.

Kitchen & Breakfast

Lauren Allyn Interiors

Large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Austin with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Open Plan Kitchen with Marble Splashback 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!