Built-in bespoke seating in open plan kitchen

In the kitchen we exposed the previously hidden original brick walls by eliminating the upper storage and swapping with chunky shelves that wrap the brick. Additional lighting onto the texture of the exposed brick brings the architecture back into the space and provides a nice contrast to the sleek slab doors. We created placement for dish storage by adding a wall of shallow drawers underneath with peg organizers. We extended the island to provide additional seating and more space for baking.

1930's House Renovation - Bear Flat, Bath

Lacey Architecture

Winchester American Foursquare Kitchen

Keri Murray Architecture

Bold Black and White Modern Kitchen

Parcels Design Studio

This modern kitchen proves that black and white does not have to be boring, but can truly be BOLD! The wire brushed oak cabinets were painted black and white add texture while the aluminum trim gives it undeniably modern look. Don't let appearances fool you this kitchen was built for cooks, featuring all Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances including a retractable down draft vent hood.

Kaffeemühlenhaus München

Küchenwerkstatt wohnen & leben

Moderne Küche mit schwarz matten Fronten. Nischenbereich in Eiche geölt.

Pigalle

Alexandra Gorla Architecture d'Intérieur

Dans cet appartement haussmannien un peu sombre, les clients souhaitaient une décoration épurée, conviviale et lumineuse aux accents de maison de vacances. Nous avons donc choisi des matériaux bruts, naturels et des couleurs pastels pour créer un cocoon connecté à la Nature... Un îlot de sérénité au sein de la capitale!

Contemporary Cottage

Chris Murphy

Haus BB

Ferreira | Verfürth Architekten

Contemporary Kitchen

Modern Northwoods Residence Kitchen

Amy Carman Design

A two-level island with an undermount stainless sink creates a simple, understated separation between the kitchen and dining areas in this modern lodge luxury home.

Transitional Style Kitchen

Silver Birch

Transitional Style Kitchen

Ponce Davis

Preschel + Bassan Studio

Kaufmann Kitchen

1st Choice Cabinetry Inc.

This original kitchen to the home was dark and had lived it's life. The client wanted an open and bright update kitchen with focus on specific storage needs. Every item in the kitchen had a specific placement for it's storing; this is the reason for different sized drawers throughout the kitchen. The client's like to entertain, so we lowered the raised bar and added a dry bar.

Abinger Road

Zulufish

A detached Edwardian villa set over three storeys, with the master suite on the top floor, four bedrooms (one en-suite) and family bathroom on the first floor and a sitting room, snug, cloakroom, utility, hall and kitchen-diner leading to the garden on the ground level. With their children grown up and pursuing further education, the owners of this property wanted to turn their home into a sophisticated space the whole family could enjoy. Although generously sized, it was a typical period property with a warren of dark rooms that didn’t suit modern life. The garden was awkward to access and some rooms rarely used. As avid foodies and cooks, the family wanted an open kitchen-dining area where the could entertain their friends, with plentiful storage and a connection to the garden. Our design team reconfigured the ground floor and added a small rear and side extension to open the space for a huge kitchen and dining area, with a bank of Crittall windows leading to the garden (redesigned by Ruth Willmott). Ultra-marine blue became the starting point for the kitchen and ground floor design – this fresh hue extends to the garden to unite indoors and outdoors. Bespoke cabinetry designed by HUX London provides ample storage, and on one section beautiful fluted glass panels hide a TV. The cabinetry is complemented by a spectacular book-matched marble splash-back, and timber, parquet flooring, which extends throughout the ground floor. The open kitchen area incorporates a glamorous dining table by Marcel Wanders, which the family use every day. Now a snug, this was the darkest room with the least going for it architecturally. A cool and cosy space was created with elegant wall-panelling, a low corner sofa, stylish wall lamps and a wood-burning stove. It’s now ¬the family’s favourite room, as they gather here for movie nights. The formal sitting room is an elegant space where the family plays music. A sumptuous teal sofa, a hand-knotted silk and wool rug and a vibrant abstract artwork bring a fresh feel. This teenager’s bedroom with its taupe palette, luxurious finishes and study area has a grown-up vibe, and leads to a gorgeous marble-clad en-suite bathroom. The couple now have their own dedicated study, with a streamlined double desk and bespoke cabinetry. In the master suite, the sloping ceilings were maximised with bespoke wardrobes by HUX London, while a calming scheme was created with soft, neutral tones and rich textures.

Deco House

Mihaly Slocombe

Large Contemporary Family Style Kitchen

PTC Kitchens

Large contemporary open plan family style kitchen/ living space with curved bespoke seating booth and italian Novamobili kitchen wall with mounted tv.

LAMBER - Rénovation complète 150m2, Paris

Beau Intérieur

Matt Alpine White and Concrete Slate Grey

Eco German Kitchens

Beautiful open plan space with a big island and drinks area for the whole family to enjoy !

Marylebone kitchen

Sina Luck

Kitchen design (Freelance work for McCrum Interior Design)

Large Contemporary 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!