Exposed brick walls are contrasted with clean crisp 2pac joinery of the kitchen. Steel framed windows and doors permit maximum light penetration through the small courtyard. Image by: Jack Lovel Photography

Wahroonga Project

Dan Kitchens Australia

A window has been incorporated into the splashback to draw in light and the garden environment. Photos: Paul Worsley @ Live By The Sea

Black and White Cabinets

SOLLiD Cabinetry

Low Country Modern

Wyrick Residential Design

Granite Bay Design/Build

K Squared

Penthouse -Notting Hill

Nathalie Priem Photography

Bundaroo Street Residence

Luci.D Interiors

Tom Ferguson

Rustic Farmhouse Kitchen

DC DESIGN STUDIO @ Dunn Lumber

Dura supreme Cabinetry Napa panel door, Knotty Alder wood, Custom stain & distressed finish Photography by Kayser Photography of Lake Geneva Wi

Transitional Kitchen

Fairway Elegance

A. Perry Homes

China cabinet/hutch with glass doors and a mirror backsplash

Columbus kitchen renovation

NJW Construction

Karli Moore Photography

The Swan Kitchen

Minosa | Design Life Better

Warm, sleek and functional joinery creating modern functional living. Image: Nicole England

Classic Contemporary Orangery Kitchen | Ashurst House

Humphrey Munson

The key design goal of the homeowners was to install “an extremely well-made kitchen with quality appliances that would stand the test of time”. The kitchen design had to be timeless with all aspects using the best quality materials and appliances. The new kitchen is an extension to the farmhouse and the dining area is set in a beautiful timber-framed orangery by Westbury Garden Rooms, featuring a bespoke refectory table that we constructed on site due to its size. The project involved a major extension and remodelling project that resulted in a very large space that the homeowners were keen to utilise and include amongst other things, a walk in larder, a scullery, and a large island unit to act as the hub of the kitchen. The design of the orangery allows light to flood in along one length of the kitchen so we wanted to ensure that light source was utilised to maximum effect. Installing the distressed mirror splashback situated behind the range cooker allows the light to reflect back over the island unit, as do the hammered nickel pendant lamps. The sheer scale of this project, together with the exceptionally high specification of the design make this kitchen genuinely thrilling. Every element, from the polished nickel handles, to the integration of the Wolf steamer cooktop, has been precisely considered. This meticulous attention to detail ensured the kitchen design is absolutely true to the homeowners’ original design brief and utilises all the innovative expertise our years of experience have provided.

Tamara Avila

Derek Swalwell

This new build in Bonner was managed by us from the ground up. With a focus on open plan living, the house is centered around the kitchen with striking 4 meter raked ceilings and polished concrete floors throughout.

Finished cooking area with vent and beautiful tile backsplash

Spectrum Design + Build

Curbed kitchen counter to maximize storage and design capacity on this gorgeous kitchen with hardwood floors and blue back splash.

Chestnut Street

Studio Dearborn

Grey stained cabinetry compliments the white perimeter cabinetry and carerra countertops. Cement backsplash by Original Mission tile in "Nantes" in soft grey and white add flair to the muted palette. Kitchen design and custom cabinetry by Sarah Robertson of Studio Dearborn. Refrigerator by LIebherr. Cooktop by Wolf. Bosch dishwasher. Farmhouse sink by Blanco. Cabinetry pulls by Jeffrey Alexander Belcastle collection. Photo credit: Neil Landino

Jasmine 2 - Corona del Mar

D for Design

In the chef’s grade kitchen, a custom hand painted back splash created a graphically subtle backdrop that balanced the light and dark finishes in the room. Caesar Stone countertops were specified along with professional series Sub Zero and Viking stainless steel appliances.

Kitchen with Cement Tile Splashback and Mirror Splashback 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!