Falling in love with the panoramic coastal views from the upper levels of this site, the owners knew their new home would be a challenge to design and build. The 17m rise from the street, plus a 3.5 metre projecting sandstone cave and 4.5 metre vertical sandstone wall now form part of the features of the home. The upper living area hovers over the lower levels which incorporates the rock face. Off-form concrete, zinc and recycled timber will allow the home to weather naturally and improve with time.

Before and After Kitchen Renovation

Kitchen Shack

Modern Kitchen with Connection to Loft

Wexhaus Studio

Contemporary Home

Sophie Tomaras

Penthouse Apartment Renovation

Mal Corboy Design

This penthouse apartment has glorious 270-degree views, and when we engaged to complete the extensive renovation, we knew that this apartment would be a visual masterpiece once finished. So we took inspiration from the colours featuring in many of their art pieces, which we bought into the kitchen colour, soft furnishings and wallpaper. We kept the bathrooms a more muted palette using a pale green on the cabinetry. The MC Lozza dining table, custom-designed wall units and make-up area added uniqueness to this space.

Yao House

WDA STUDIO

Hauraki House

Jessica Chloe Photography

Modular kitchen space has highlights like unique extractor fans and super clean lines

Queenstown Stunner

Trends Kitchens

This Queenstown home features Trends Kitchens joinery throughout, including all storage, robes, a bar and a coffee station. The kitchen boasts a spectacular stone benchtop, with battened American Oak to the underside of the curved island. The negative details feature a brass laminate detail to tie in the marble in the stone, alongside the stunning Archant Berkley handles.

Mellons Bay Residence - Kitchen

Melanie Sa'u Design Studio

Lancaster Beachside Home

Cuthbert Interiors

Oneills Project Two

Shannon Pepper Design

Kitchen

Four Walls Architecture

Slopehill Road House, Arrowtown

Mason & Wales Architects

Russell Street

Arthouse Architects

Pt Chevalier Apartment Kitchen

Honour Creative

When this client purchased an Auckland apartment ‘off the plans’, they wanted to put their stamp of quality on it. With considerable renovation experience and a keen eye for good design they knew how to elevate the proposed apartment fit-out to be a stand out in the development. This project went at a cracking pace and was heaps of fun! The intended aesthetic was strong, cohesive and sophisticated with the stone benchtop material as the feature. Whilst they came to Honour Creative with clear ideas of how they would like to approach the kitchen design, their clarity of vision was balanced with an openness to how to best work with their space and specific needs to create a space unique to them.

Te Paea Project

Michael Murray Studio Limited

Sophistication in The Heights

Instinct Interiors

Passive perfection

New Zealand Certified Builders Association

This kitchen has 18mm, 13-ply plywood and a towering door which divides it from the lounge by sliding back into the wall when not in use.

Modern Blac Noir: Full House Renovation with Sleek Accents

Boss Design Center

Welcome to this captivating house renovation, a harmonious fusion of natural allure and modern aesthetics. The kitchen welcomes you with its elegant combination of bamboo and black cabinets, where organic textures meet sleek sophistication. The centerpiece of the living area is a dramatic full-size black porcelain slab fireplace, exuding contemporary flair and making a bold statement. Ascend the floating stair, accented with a sleek glass handrail, and experience a seamless transition between floors, elevating the sense of open space and modern design. As you explore further, you'll discover three modern bathrooms, each featuring similar design elements with bamboo and black accents, creating a cohesive and inviting atmosphere throughout the home. Embrace the essence of this remarkable renovation, where nature-inspired materials and sleek finishes harmonize to create a stylish and inviting living space.

Apartment Joinery in Essen (Germany)

Haus Designs

Beautiful Joinery concept in an apartment in Essen (Germany)

Contemporary Kitchen with with Island 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!