Custom Meadowlark grain-matched cherry cabinetry in kitchen using crotch cherry. This home was design and built by Meadowlark Design+Build using aging in place design strategies. This kitchen area was designed and built using aging in place design strategies by Meadowlark Design+Build in Ann Arbor, Michigan

DIAZ - Residence 1954 Split Level Addition and Renovation

WMDesign

Matt Cowan

1L Natural Maple Shaker Kitchen Cabinets

The Cabinet Broker

Justin Paxton Portland, OR 1L door style purchased from RTAcabinetbroker.com

Sam's Creek

Bates Masi Architects LLC

Bates Masi Architects

Clairemont Whole House Renovation

Terracotta Design Build

Jeff Herr

Квартира на Олимпийском проспекте

121 Interior Architects

Vogel Kitchen

Kircher Design & Build

Old School Refurbishment with beautiful bespoke open plan kitchen

Kitchen Ergonomics

Contemporary Small Kitchen makeover

Fraley and Company

The space can now accommodate two cooks comfortably. Lighting is improved by adding undercabinet and decorative fixtures. Kristal Passy Photography

Contemporary Kitchens

Nordic Kitchens and Baths

Steve Whitsitt

Modern Kitchen with Charisma - Winfield, IL

TKS Design Group

Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW Collaborations are typically so fruitful and this one was no different. The homeowners started by hiring an architect to develop a vision and plan for transforming their very traditional brick home into a contemporary family home full of modern updates. The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn was hired to provide kitchen design expertise and to bring the vision to life. The bamboo cabinetry and white Ceasarstone countertops provide contrast that pops while the white oak floors and limestone tile bring warmth to the space. A large island houses a Galley Sink which provides a multi-functional work surface fantastic for summer entertaining. And speaking of summer entertaining, a new Nana Wall system — a large glass wall system that creates a large exterior opening and can literally be opened and closed with one finger – brings the outdoor in and creates a very unique flavor to the space. Matching bamboo cabinetry and panels were also installed in the adjoining family room, along with aluminum doors with frosted glass and a repeat of the limestone at the newly designed fireplace. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Knollwood renovation

mark gerwing

cabinets made by Kerf Design Ann Sacks floor tile site built hanging shelves Contractor: Blue Spruce Construction

kitchen

Mark English Architects, AIA

Warm Contemporary

Glen Alspaugh Kitchens and Baths

Alise O'Brien Photography

Michaux Cabin

Ricchetti Builders, Inc.

weekend retreat for two with the capacity to sleep up to sixteen for family gatherings. A modern-rustic cabin designed to have a minimal site impact, blend with its natural surroundings, and utilize locally-sourced, energy efficient, renewable and economical building methods and materials.

Kitchen Contenders in the 2013 NKBA Design Competition

nkba.org

Jonas Carnemark, CKD Carnemark; Bethesda, Md. Photo courtesy of the National Kitchen and Bath Association

Custom Coastal Residential Remodel Project

Marengo Morton Architects

Wrapped in a contemporary shell, this house features custom Cherrywood cabinets with blue granite countertops throughout the kitchen to connect its coastal environment.

European Galley Kitchen

Fisher Group LLC

Eric Taylor Photography

Contemporary Kitchen

Kitchen

Southam Design Inc

Our clients, both avid cooks, wished for a classic “triangle” kitchen for ease of use and efficiency when preparing meals. They also wished for a space that was well suited for entertaining, and had a simple and modern aesthetic. The resulting kitchen stands out with its custom glass backsplash lit by LED strip lighting that shifts between various colours throughout the day and night. Maple flat panel doors, trimmed with a 4” cherry border emphasize the strong horizontal and vertical geometry of the design. The kitchen contains two built-in refrigerators with freezer drawers, a custom cookbook area with steel roll top covering, and a sink large enough to accommodate a baking tray. Glass artist Detlef Gotzens was called in to design a tempered recycled glass backsplash, and an island “bridge” of the same material. To complete the look, oiled 2” thick soapstone is used as countertop material, contrasting with the liquid quality of the glass and the warm glow of the wood. The kitchen is separated functionally from the rest of the home by a custom rectangular wood clad structure that contains storage and an appliance garage on the side facing into the kitchen and a powder room on the side facing the hall. This feature unit gives the kitchen a strong architectural component and helps to further enhance the sharp geometry of the design. The maple and cherry millwork is continued beyond the kitchen and throughout the entire ground floor, seamlessly integrating this stunning gem of a kitchen into this light filled contemporary home.

Contemporary Kitchen 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 Contemporary 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!