This is an example of a small contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, metallic splashback, mirror splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula and beige benchtop.

1970's Home renovation

Turner Bespoke Design

White rangehood cover with black shelves and a stone look porcelain slab to the splashback for a minimal look.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Perth with a drop-in sink, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, black appliances, beige floor and white benchtop.

Open Plan Kitchen and Dining Room

Order & Grace

Design ideas for a large beach style u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sydney with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, no island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Park Slope Modern Row House

The Brooklyn Studio

This residence was a complete gut renovation of a 4-story row house in Park Slope, and included a new rear extension and penthouse addition. The owners wished to create a warm, family home using a modern language that would act as a clean canvas to feature rich textiles and items from their world travels. As with most Brooklyn row houses, the existing house suffered from a lack of natural light and connection to exterior spaces, an issue that Principal Brendan Coburn is acutely aware of from his experience re-imagining historic structures in the New York area. The resulting architecture is designed around moments featuring natural light and views to the exterior, of both the private garden and the sky, throughout the house, and a stripped-down language of detailing and finishes allows for the concept of the modern-natural to shine. Upon entering the home, the kitchen and dining space draw you in with views beyond through the large glazed opening at the rear of the house. An extension was built to allow for a large sunken living room that provides a family gathering space connected to the kitchen and dining room, but remains distinctly separate, with a strong visual connection to the rear garden. The open sculptural stair tower was designed to function like that of a traditional row house stair, but with a smaller footprint. By extending it up past the original roof level into the new penthouse, the stair becomes an atmospheric shaft for the spaces surrounding the core. All types of weather – sunshine, rain, lightning, can be sensed throughout the home through this unifying vertical environment. The stair space also strives to foster family communication, making open living spaces visible between floors. At the upper-most level, a free-form bench sits suspended over the stair, just by the new roof deck, which provides at-ease entertaining. Oak was used throughout the home as a unifying material element. As one travels upwards within the house, the oak finishes are bleached to further degrees as a nod to how light enters the home. The owners worked with CWB to add their own personality to the project. The meter of a white oak and blackened steel stair screen was designed by the family to read “I love you” in Morse Code, and tile was selected throughout to reference places that hold special significance to the family. To support the owners’ comfort, the architectural design engages passive house technologies to reduce energy use, while increasing air quality within the home – a strategy which aims to respect the environment while providing a refuge from the harsh elements of urban living. This project was published by Wendy Goodman as her Space of the Week, part of New York Magazine’s Design Hunting on The Cut. Photography by Kevin Kunstadt

Farmhouse kitchen with Small Center Island

KraftMaster Renovations

This quaint farm house kitchen has it all from a kitchen island with storage to wooden shelves and stainless steel appliances. Bob Gockeler
This is an example of a small country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with a drop-in sink, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and shaker cabinets.

Breakfast Area/Kitchen/Family Room Custom Home Scottsdale

Lili Fleming-Nieri, ASID

This custom home has an open rambling floor plan where the Living Room flows into Dining Room which flows into the Kitchen, Breakfast Room and Family Room in a "stairstep" floor plan layout. One room melds into another all adjacent to the large patio view to create a continuity of style and grace.

Black and White Kitchen with Walnut Accents

MAK Design + Build Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Sacramento with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, black splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island and white benchtop.

Essence of Japan, Ealing, London

Yoko Kloeden Design

Small asian u-shaped separate kitchen in London with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, beige splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, porcelain floors, no island, grey floor and beige benchtop.

Buffalo Grove Transitional Kitchen and Bar Remodel

Patrick A. Finn, Ltd

This is an example of a large transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, green splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Pantry With Double Microwaves And Custom Cabinets

Christopher Scott Cabinetry and Design Inc.

This pantry showcases the stunning benefits of custom cabinetry- the pull-out cabinets next to the fridge, the appliance garage on the counter top and open shelving display treasures.

Lupton Drive

Julian Design

Mid-sized traditional u-shaped kitchen pantry in Dallas with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, marble benchtops, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

Pietra Grey Naturali Collection

Ollin Stone

Pietra Grey is a distinguishing trait of the I Naturali series is soil. A substance which on the one hand recalls all things primordial and on the other the possibility of being plied. As a result, the slab made from the ceramic lends unique value to the settings it clads.

Family kitchen with gold and botanical accents

My Bespoke Room

This modern, sleek black and gold kitchen is not only beautiful but also perfectly functional. For more design inspiration check out our portfolio: https://www.mybespokeroom.com/explore

Reforma integral de un piso de 40m2 en Madrid

StudioMadera s.l.

Small scandinavian u-shaped open plan kitchen in Madrid with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, beige floor and white benchtop.

Textura Anthracite and Furore Gloss Cashmere

Solo spaces

Franke Omni Tap in Copper Our client wanted to mix metals in this kitchen to add an industrial vibe. Paired with the textured doors and cashmere, the warm tones compliment each other well.

Transitional Kitchens

Benvenuti and Stein

Transitional yet classic, this elegant white kitchen has accents of deep blue at the base of the island, the bar cabinetry and the paneled wine refrigerator. Stainless steel bands on the range hood complement the lantern pendants above the island. A spacious walk-in pantry with touch latch door and glass upper panels frames the kitchen with a touch of elegance.

Biddle Ranch

Studio 2G Architects

The interior fixture choices--white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, neutral toned backsplashes and a cornflower blue island keep the home grounded while still maintaining a touch of modern elegance. The clients large family will be pleased with the amount of space in both the great room and the refrigerator.

Hilltop Dream

TRG Architecture + Interior Design

As with all communal spaces in the house, indoor/outdoor living. Note the 15’ accordion window opening to the outdoor eating/living area. Functionality was a top priority, but the space had to be beautiful as well. The top-stitched leather pulls help soften the look and make it feel more comfortable. We designed every cabinet for specified storage. [For example: The area to the right of the refrigerator with the open shelving: we designed this as “breakfast-central.” This is where the toaster oven, toaster, and Vitamix usually live and can be neatly hidden by the pull-down aluminum tambour doors when not in use. All the items needed for breakfast to get everyone out the door efficiently are located in the refrigerator on the left and cabinet drawers below.]

Construction d'une maison individuelle

M Associes Architectes

Design ideas for a large transitional u-shaped kitchen in Strasbourg with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Narragansett Oceanside Home

Lisa Carlisle Architect

Design ideas for a large beach style u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Providence with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

U-shaped Kitchen with a Drop-in 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!