Fringe Dweller’s sculpted extension transforms an unassuming weatherboard cottage into a proud forever home. It walks multiple tightropes at once: balancing openness with privacy, strength with softness, and a rich history with our clients’ future needs. On Clifton Hill’s suburban edge, the house sits opposite the leafy Quarries Park Reserve. Our clients, Ishtar and Craig, have three children and purchased their cottage to create a long-term family home. Lying within a heritage overlay, the cottage’s traditional layout is largely preserved – only tweaked, in a wise parenting move, to form three equally sized bedrooms. The extension’s shared spaces feature rich materials, a warm palette and curved edges, creating a feeling of softness and easing transitions between zones. A staircase arcing through the living areas leads up to the lounge and main suite. Elevated above street level, these spaces can more freely relate to the park: the lounge’s attached balcony overlooks the park’s open field, while the main bedroom’s floor-to-ceiling window frames magnificent foliage. Downstairs, sliding doors connect the living areas to a semi-covered deck, while the garden beyond is embraced by a self-contained studio at the rear and high walls on either side. A brick wall interspersed with permeable screens lines the site’s public edge, balancing backyard privacy with neighbourhood connection. For passers-by, it’s a strong addition to the streetscape, granting glimpses of the lush garden within. Fringe Dweller embraces its presence on the fringe of the parklands, balancing its historical context with its future as a nurturing family home.

Ferndale Cottage

Kitty Lee Architecture

Inspiration for a small contemporary open plan kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, medium wood cabinets, terrazzo benchtops, pink splashback, stone slab splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and pink benchtop.

Weerona House

Demardi.

This Kitchen was relocated from the middle of the home to the north end. Four steel trusses were installed as load-bearing walls and beams had to be removed to accommodate for the floorplan changes. There is now an open Kitchen/Butlers/Dining/Living upstairs that is drenched in natural light with the most undisturbed view this location has to offer. A warm and inviting space with oversized windows, gorgeous joinery, a curved micro cement island benchtop with timber cladding, gold tapwear and layered lighting throughout to really enhance this beautiful space.

Curl Curl 04

Watershed Architects

Contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, black appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor, grey benchtop and exposed beam.

Battersea. London - Kitchen

Interia Design Ltd

Coffee station by day and drinks station when entertaining. The mirror is a mottled aged effect which works well with the sawn edged oak.
Design ideas for a mid-sized country single-wall open plan kitchen in Sussex with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, beige splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Kitchen

Nicodemus Design

The kitchen contains an oversized island with casual dining on two sides. The island is directly below heavy timber beams that span from interior to exterior and are a focal feature of this home. Full height wood cabinetry is built into the thick walls to help the space feel more open. Terrazzo countertops and yellow pendant lights add splashes of personality to the space.

White Pine Canyon

Jaffa Group Design Build

This beautiful kitchen built by Peppertree Kitchen and Bath with cabinets of architectural-grade, rift-sawn white oak veneer. It has a wire-brushed texture with a custom satin and glaze.

Kitchen Pantry

Bill Fry Construction - Wm. H. Fry Const. Co.

Kitchen Storage Pantry in Bay Area European Style Cabinetry made in our artisanal cabinet shop with a wonderful Hafele Gourmet Pantry for kitchen storage.

Northwest Midcentury

Justine Marie Designs

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

skidmore passivhaus

In Situ Architecture

jeremy bittermann
This is an example of a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Portland with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, metallic splashback, metal splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors and green benchtop.

San Elijo - Project

ProPacific Builders, Inc.

Mid-sized midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Pomona Lake Kitchen + Living

TVL Creative Ltd.

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and recessed.

Warm Scandinavian

Sanctuary Kitchen and Bath Design

White oak flooring, walnut cabinetry, white quartzite countertops, stainless appliances, white inset wall cabinets
Photo of a large scandinavian u-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Del Mar Meadow House

McCulley Design Lab

Inspiration for a midcentury u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Diego with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, white benchtop, exposed beam and wood.

Saratoga Creek House

WA Design Architects

Photo credit: WA design
This is an example of a large contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with stainless steel appliances, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, brown splashback, an undermount sink, slate splashback, concrete floors and with island.

Contemporary Kitchen Design Ideas

Everingham Design

Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Columbus with an undermount sink, medium wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and flat-panel cabinets.

Bryant Contemporary

RW Anderson Homes

John Granen
Mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and medium wood cabinets.

Sandalwood transitional

Jamestown Estate Homes

Design ideas for an expansive transitional open plan kitchen in Houston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, quartz benchtops, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and medium wood cabinets.

Timeless Function - Designed By Janis Manacsa

Gilmans Kitchens and Baths

The original kitchen was tight and cramped, offering little storage and function. the clients wanted more countertop space and more storage solutions. They also wanted an open space plan, with views into their backyard, and to allow more natural light into the space. The wall separating the kitchen and living space was removed and a large picturesque window was installed above the sink, creating a large and open space. A large island with open cubbies housed much of the homeowner's pots and pans, and other countertop appliances. Treve Johnson Photography

Port Ludlow House

FINNE Architects

The Port Ludlow Residence is a compact, 2400 SF modern house located on a wooded waterfront property at the north end of the Hood Canal, a long, fjord-like arm of western Puget Sound. The house creates a simple glazed living space that opens up to become a front porch to the beautiful Hood Canal. The east-facing house is sited along a high bank, with a wonderful view of the water. The main living volume is completely glazed, with 12-ft. high glass walls facing the view and large, 8-ft.x8-ft. sliding glass doors that open to a slightly raised wood deck, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor space. During the warm summer months, the living area feels like a large, open porch. Anchoring the north end of the living space is a two-story building volume containing several bedrooms and separate his/her office spaces. The interior finishes are simple and elegant, with IPE wood flooring, zebrawood cabinet doors with mahogany end panels, quartz and limestone countertops, and Douglas Fir trim and doors. Exterior materials are completely maintenance-free: metal siding and aluminum windows and doors. The metal siding has an alternating pattern using two different siding profiles. The house has a number of sustainable or “green” building features, including 2x8 construction (40% greater insulation value); generous glass areas to provide natural lighting and ventilation; large overhangs for sun and rain protection; metal siding (recycled steel) for maximum durability, and a heat pump mechanical system for maximum energy efficiency. Sustainable interior finish materials include wood cabinets, linoleum floors, low-VOC paints, and natural wool carpet.

Open Plan Kitchen with Medium Wood Cabinets 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!