Our client approached Matter in late 2019 for a new kitchen. While the existing kitchen had a reasonable layout and some great features, the cupboards weren’t optimising the space to its full potential, particularly for storage. Noting that the old kitchen aged very quickly, our client wanted the new kitchen to be constructed entirely from plywood—liking the appearance and strength of the material. They also loved vibrant use of colour and suggested we look at the kitchens featured in films by the Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar for inspiration. The result was a playful mix of hand painted navy, light blue and retro orange in combination with a ‘raw’ effect from the birch plywood. To save on cost and waste, we decided to keep certain components of the kitchen that have remained in very good condition. Some of these included the stainless steel bench tops and oven/range hood stack, as well as a polished concrete island bench top. We replaced most of the cupboards with drawer units specifically tailored to fit our client's extensive collection of cookware and appliances with adjustable partitions. An integrated Hideaway rubbish bin free’s up circulation space and a Kesseböhmer pull-out pantry will ensure no bottle of spice is ever lost to the back of a cupboard again.

Wanneroo Project

Western Cabinets

Custom designed and lacquered slatted curved ends to the overheads add texture and interest to the chalky matte cabinetry The use of existing timber that had been used in other areas of the home, not wanting to waste the beautiful pieces, I incorporated these into the design The kitchen needed a modern transformation, selection of chalky black slabbed doors are carefully considered whilst detailed curved slatted ends bounce natural light, concrete grey matte benches, reflective glass custom coloured back splash and solid timber details creates a beautifully modern industrial elegant interior.

Pi_Pad

Mcmahon and Nerlich

Light filled kitchen and dining space, with bespoke dining table and featuring Australian artists.

Onetangi New Home

Mal Corboy Design

Contemporary new home situated absolute waterfront on the magnificent Waiheke Island. The expansive kitchen, scullery, and dining areas are positioned above the sunken lounge and provided a platform to create a feature of the kitchen. Simple white cabinetry was used, which is paired with Petra Grey Granite and finished with blue glass splashbacks and island features. LED lighting features extensively under the shelves plus within the island; not only provides light to the area but imparts drama in the evening.

Mercer Island Modern

Garret Cord Werner Architects & Interior Designers

Photography by Benjamin Benschneider

Кухня со столовой группой

LSD Bureau

Кухня строгая, просторная, монолитная. Множество систем для хранения: глубокие и узкие полочки, открытые и закрытые. Здесь предусмотрено все. Отделка натуральным шпоном дуба (шпон совпадает со шпоном на потолке и на стенах – хотя это разные производители. Есть и открытая часть с варочной панелью – пустая стена с отделкой плиткой под Терраццо и островная вытяжка. Мы стремились добиться максимальной легкости, сохранив функциональность и не минимизируя места для хранения.

Квартира как люкс в отеле

Kutenkovs project

Contemporary kitchen in Tunbridge Wells

Koivu Ltd

This kitchen was made for a new space in a renovation project in Tunbridge Wells. The kitchen is long with an angular wall at one end, so the design had to use the space well. We built an angular cupboard to fit perfectly in the alcove with book shelves above in order to utilise the space in the most efficient way. The white colour keeps a contemporary feel whilst enhancing the plywood details around the doors and a lovely contrast is created with the use of bold yellow for the wall units.

St Maur Road

Oliver Leech Architects

A Victorian terraced house, belonging to a photographer and her family, was extended and refurbished to deliver on the client’s desire for bright, open-plan spaces with an elegant and modern interior that’s the perfect backdrop to showcase their extensive photography collection.

Il soggiorno dei desideri - Progetto in corso

Liadesign

Hillsborough Vaastu Residence

Marc Newman Architect

Contemporary open plan minimal fresh design

Schmidt Kitchens Palmers Green

Furniture: Light grey gloss lacquered doors & matt medium grey island Appliances: NEFF Worktop: Silestone (aluminium nube) Splashback: Decograze Designed by Schmidt kitchens in Palmers green

Artist Haven

Rowland+Broughton Architecture & Urban Design

White and Wood Handle-less Italian kitchen

Aranelli Design

These modern, handle-less kitchens are a stunning blend of crisp white finishes and warm wood accents. Its clean lines and minimalist aesthetic are accentuated by the absence of handles, giving the space a sleek, streamlined look. The white cabinetry and surfaces create a bright, airy atmosphere, while the wooden elements inject a natural warmth, striking a perfect balance between modern sophistication and homely charm. The kitchens offer not just a stylish cooking area but a seamless, contemporary living space where functionality meets design.

Moffat Road, Tooting

GDL London

Küche A. aus Münster

kitchen art by Nosthoff-Horstmann

Julia Crawley 4 cm starke Front mit elektrischer Öfnung über die Griffmulde. 12 mm Quarzstein-Arbeitsplatte

Scandinavian Style Kitchen

Focus Kitchens & Bathrooms

East Aurora Residence

Bushman Dreyfus Architects

The kitchen is as minimalist as the rest of the house. A metal mesh curtain provides a subtle division between work and living areas. The curtain is retractable and stores out of the way in a wall pocket when not is use. Photo: Ben Rahn

Red Hills Residence

Scott Edwards Architecture

Kitchen with Glass Sheet Splashback and Grey Benchtop 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!