White Shaker Kitchen with Contrasting Dark Gray Island in Gaithersburg, MD

The simple shaker cabinets are the perfect backdrop for the striking mixed tile backsplash and contemporary hardware. Flat matte dark gray painted cabinets on the island balance the shiny rough cut granite top. Bright white cabinets and a dark gray island blend beautifully with the gray tile floor and walls.

Modern Farmhouse

Lauren Jacobsen Interior Design

Beautiful warm wood and white kitchen with large size island that seats 5. Off to the right through the hallway is a pantry and butlers serving area that runs adjacent to the dining room. It is about mixing materials in today's kitchens. So, a combination of cabinetry stain and paint finishes adds interest to a kitchen.

Duplex familial rénové aux dernières tendances - Projet Saint-Ouen

Mon Concept Habitation

Ce duplex de 100m² en région parisienne a fait l’objet d’une rénovation partielle par nos équipes ! L’objectif était de rendre l’appartement à la fois lumineux et convivial avec quelques touches de couleur pour donner du dynamisme. Nous avons commencé par poncer le parquet avant de le repeindre, ainsi que les murs, en blanc franc pour réfléchir la lumière. Le vieil escalier a été remplacé par ce nouveau modèle en acier noir sur mesure qui contraste et apporte du caractère à la pièce. Nous avons entièrement refait la cuisine qui se pare maintenant de belles façades en bois clair qui rappellent la salle à manger. Un sol en béton ciré, ainsi que la crédence et le plan de travail ont été posés par nos équipes, qui donnent un côté loft, que l’on retrouve avec la grande hauteur sous-plafond et la mezzanine. Enfin dans le salon, de petits rangements sur mesure ont été créé, et la décoration colorée donne du peps à l’ensemble.

Modern Classic in Denver

Laura Medicus Interiors

This home was built in the early 2000’s. We completely reconfigured the kitchen, updated the breakfast room, added a bar to the living room, updated a powder room, a staircase and several fireplaces. Interior Styling by Kristy Oatman. Photographs by Jordan Katz. FEATURED IN Colorado Nest

Center Creek Project

Hauz Studios

Red Bud

Soledad Builders, LLC

Sleek MCM kitchen with walnut cabinets and gorgeous white Quartzite countertops.

Project Simpson | Kitchen Renovation

Inhabitat Interiors

New Kitchen Layout, removed corner pantry, flipped fridge & bench to avoid fridge blocking flow, inbuilt microwave area, stainless steel appliances, shaker profile joinery, tiled splashback.

Rodeo Road

Feng Xiao Architect

ALLEE DES NOISETIER

Nadia USAI Interieurs

Macapa Drive

LOPEZ ARCHITECTS AIA

Streeterville Residence

Phillip Harrison Interiors

Contemporain Cuisine

Rutt Cabinetry - Bold Styled Kitchen - Drury Design

Rutt Quality Cabinetry

"This beautiful design started with a clean open slate and lots of design opportunities. The homeowner was looking for a large oversized spacious kitchen designed for easy meal prep for multiple cooks and room for entertaining a large oversized family. The architect’s plans had a single island with large windows on both main walls. The one window overlooked the unattractive side of a neighbor’s house while the other was not large enough to see the beautiful large back yard. The kitchen entry location made the mudroom extremely small and left only a few design options for the kitchen layout. The almost 14’ high ceilings also gave lots of opportunities for a unique design, but care had to be taken to still make the space feel warm and cozy. After drawing four design options, one was chosen that relocated the entry from the mudroom, making the mudroom a lot more accessible. A prep island across from the range and an entertaining island were included. The entertaining island included a beverage refrigerator for guests to congregate around and to help them stay out of the kitchen work areas. The small island appeared to be floating on legs and incorporates a sink and single dishwasher drawer for easy clean up of pots and pans. The end result was a stunning spacious room for this large extended family to enjoy." - Drury Design Features cabinetry from Rutt

Okura

LaBella Kitchens Ltd.

Floor to Ceiling Maple Book Matched Cabinets in White Quartz Kitchen

MAK Design + Build Inc.

Apartment in Dnipro

Dezest

"O.A.R" Contemporary

Brownhouse Design, Los Altos, CA

Birdseye Contemporary Maple Kitchen

Kitchens & Baths Unlimited

Wellborn Cabinet 2020

Wellborn Cabinet, Inc.

Door Style: Amelia Finish: Aqua

Contemporary U-shaped 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!