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.

Traditional family kitchen

Improva

Kitchen

Sugatsune America, Inc.

Sugatsune LIN-X system used for full access on blind corners

Arlington Heights

CR Cabinetry Kitchen & Bath Design Studio

Featuring R.D. Henry & Company

Soho apartment

Black and Milk | Interior Design | London

For our full portfolio, see https://blackandmilk.co.uk/interior-design-portfolio/

Cuisine Esprit Scandinave

ITALIE STUDIO DECO - SNAIDERO

御陣屋の家

株式会社小松隼人建築設計事務所

Reforma de cocina

Tecnica Construcciones

Luxury Apartment in Queen's Gate

TG-Studio

“The kitchen was slightly too small to allow a typical kitchen island with a worktop run on one side and a storage run on the other” says Griem. “We worked closely with Bulthaup who created a bespoke slim 600mm wide bar with a solid walnut top which also houses a microwave and storage at one end with a slender column support at the other, The room feels light and spacious because we left the space under the top empty and stopped before the wall so no-one can walk around the island completely. I was very pleased how Bulthaup integrated a 430mm wine fridge at the end of the storage run”. Photography: Philip Vile

Chartreuse House

Vertebrae Art and Architecture

High-rise Condo

StudioBecker

The transformation of this high-rise condo in the heart of San Francisco was literally from floor to ceiling. Studio Becker custom built everything from the bed and shoji screens to the interior doors and wall paneling...and of course the kitchen, baths and wardrobes! It’s all Studio Becker in this master bedroom - teak light boxes line the ceiling, shoji sliding doors conceal the walk-in closet and house the flat screen TV. A custom teak bed with a headboard and storage drawers below transition into full-height night stands with mirrored fronts (with lots of storage inside) and interior up-lit shelving with a light valance above. A window seat that provides additional storage and a lounging area finishes out the room. Teak wall paneling with a concealed touchless coat closet, interior shoji doors and a desk niche with an inset leather writing surface and cord catcher are just a few more of the customized features built for this condo. This Collection M kitchen, in Manhattan, high gloss walnut burl and Rimini stainless steel, is packed full of fun features, including an eating table that hydraulically lifts from table height to bar height for parties, an in-counter appliance garage in a concealed elevation system and Studio Becker’s electric Smart drawer with custom inserts for sushi service, fine bone china and stemware. Combinations of teak and black lacquer with custom vanity designs give these bathrooms the Asian flare the homeowner’s were looking for. This project has been featured on HGTV's Million Dollar Rooms

CCS Architecture - Mill Valley, CA

Kasten Builders

Photo by Paul Dyer

GRIFFIN ENRIGHT ARCHITECTS: Mandeville Canyon Residence

Griffin Enright Architects

The kitchen is highlighted by a blue glass back splash.

Karori Renovation

Wright & Gray: Architects Ltd.

Paul McCredie

SIMPLE×MOKU

nuリノベーション

Rénovation d'une cuisine contemporaine et douce

Lotfi DAKHLI

Gwin Hunt

chadbourne + doss architects

This modern Kitchen by chadbourne + doss architects provides open space for cooking and entertaining. Cabinets are hand rubbed graphite on plywood. Counters are stainless steel. Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Hillsborough Vaastu Residence

Marc Newman Architect

Kitchen with Stainless Steel Benchtops and Medium Hardwood Floors 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!