This kitchen was a perfect blend of modern and traditional. Shaker doors contrasting with modern fixtures gave the space the timeless elegance the client wanted.

Property Styling - Ryde

Habitat Studio Architects

Minimalist White and Timber Contemporary Kitchen

Transform-A-Space

A light and bright minimalist design featuring two-pack painted cabinetry to match the clients freshly painted walls, subway tile stack-style, and feature timber components bring warmth into the space. 20mm Caesarstone 'Ocean Foam' benchtops in a polished finish help to reflect overhead light. A small kitchen packed with functionality.

Ducat Street Renovation

East Coast Village Homes

Illawarra Road

Prime Design Tasmania Pty Ltd

Doake Road, Canterbury

Dimension Building

With its gabled rectangular form and black iron cladding, this clever new build makes a striking statement yet complements its natural environment. Internally, the house has been lined in chipboard with negative detailing. Polished concrete floors not only look stylish but absorb the sunlight that floods in, keeping the north-facing home warm. The bathroom also features chipboard and two windows to capture the outlook. One of these is positioned at the end of the shower to bring the rural views inside. Floor-to-ceiling dark tiles in the shower alcove make a stunning contrast to the wood. Made on-site, the concrete vanity benchtops match the imported bathtub and vanity bowls. Doors from each of the four bedrooms open to their own exposed aggregate terrace, landscaped with plants and boulders. Attached to the custom kitchen island is a lowered dining area, continuing the chipboard theme. The cabinets and benchtops match those in the bathrooms and contrast with the rest of the open-plan space. A lot has been achieved in this home on a tight budget.

Mason Ave Residence

Michael Murray Studio Limited

Resort Style Living

Shannon Pepper Design

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.

Watene Renovation

Sophie Bishop Architects

Simple and functional kitchen with plenty of storage

Small is beautiful

New Zealand Certified Builders Association

Sleek and stylish with a beautiful Canadian cedar ceiling.

Hauraki House

Jessica Chloe Photography

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

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.

Kitchen

Four Walls Architecture

Russell Street

Arthouse Architects

Kitchen with Grey Benchtop and White 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!