A peek at the view from the Kitchen to the stairs and entry way. A waterfall edge accent on the island adds a sleek look while warm stains balance out the brighter elements. Painted full overlay cabinets in the nearby pantry are repeated on the island. Photos by Spacecrafting Photography

we created a practical, L-shaped kitchen layout with an island bench integrated into the “golden triangle” that reduces steps between sink, stovetop and refrigerator for efficient use of space and ergonomics. Instead of a splashback, windows are slotted in between the kitchen benchtop and overhead cupboards to allow natural light to enter the generous kitchen space. Overhead cupboards have been stretched to ceiling height to maximise storage space. Timber screening was installed on the kitchen ceiling and wrapped down to form a bookshelf in the living area, then linked to the timber flooring. This creates a continuous flow and draws attention from the living area to establish an ambience of natural warmth, creating a minimalist and elegant kitchen. The island benchtop is covered with extra large format porcelain tiles in a 'Calacatta' profile which are have the look of marble but are scratch and stain resistant. The 'crisp white' finish applied on the overhead cupboards blends well into the 'natural oak' look over the lower cupboards to balance the neutral timber floor colour.

Mid-Century Modern Kitchen with Yellow & Green

Model Remodel

Mid century modern corner kitchen with wood cabinets, dark countertops, white textured backsplash tile, and open shelving © Cindy Apple Photography

Walnut and Black Modern Kitchen Remodel

USA Cabinet Store Fairfax

Kitchen

The Raleigh Architecture Company

Brewery Road

Crafted Cabinetry

Eco-Luxury in Glenview

The Home Co.

Luxury Bespoke Home

Kemper Development & Design Group

Renovation / Extension Beaumaris

Gruen Eco Design

Ross Custom Home

Jetton Construction, Inc.

Thoughtful design and detailed craft combine to create this timelessly elegant custom home. The contemporary vocabulary and classic gabled roof harmonize with the surrounding neighborhood and natural landscape. Built from the ground up, a two story structure in the front contains the private quarters, while the one story extension in the rear houses the Great Room - kitchen, dining and living - with vaulted ceilings and ample natural light. Large sliding doors open from the Great Room onto a south-facing patio and lawn creating an inviting indoor/outdoor space for family and friends to gather. Chambers + Chambers Architects Stone Interiors Federika Moller Landscape Architecture Alanna Hale Photography

Ebony And Ivory

SKIN Interior Design

Sloans Lake New Build

Studio Shelter

Modern black and white kitchen, marble waterfall counter top, Kate Spade pendants, Arte wallcovering, Jonathan Adler Chandelier and Sam the dog

Bader Custom Cabinets

Meyer Design

The kitchen is finished with high-gloss, white lacquered Bader cabinets and Quartz Silestone counters with a suede finish. Floor tiles are Evoque Grigio Porcelain Floor Tile – 12 x 24 in. Photos: Reel Tour Media

Belleair Beach Contemporary Kitchen

Van Selow Design Build L.L.C.

Allan House

AD DESIGN DEVELOP

White Kitchen with Flat-panel Cabinets 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!