Inspiration for a small contemporary open plan kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, medium wood cabinets, terrazzo benchtops, pink splashback, stone slab splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and pink benchtop.

Oh What A Ceiling!

Green Sheep Collective

‘Oh What A Ceiling!’ ingeniously transformed a tired mid-century brick veneer house into a suburban oasis for a multigenerational family. Our clients, Gabby and Peter, came to us with a desire to reimagine their ageing home such that it could better cater to their modern lifestyles, accommodate those of their adult children and grandchildren, and provide a more intimate and meaningful connection with their garden. The renovation would reinvigorate their home and allow them to re-engage with their passions for cooking and sewing, and explore their skills in the garden and workshop.

Brighton Victorian Renovation

Everlong Constructions

Design ideas for a transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Borenore Nashdale House Island Bench

Source Architects

The existing house was poorly planned after a many renovations. The entry to the house was through a verandah that had previously been enclosed and the cottage had multiple unconnected living spaces with pour natural light and connection to the beautiful established gardens. With some simple internal changes the renovation allowed removal of the enclosed verandah and have the entry realigned to the central part of the house. Existing living areas where repurposed as sleeping spaces and a new living wing established to house a master bedroom and ensuite upstairs. The new living wing gives you an immediate sense of balance and calm as soon as you walk into the double-height living area. The new wing area beautifully captures filtered light on the north and west, allowing views of the established garden on all sides to enter the interior spaces.

Dual Occupancy: Brighton East townhouses

First Avenue Homes

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and grey benchtop.

Summer Hill Complete Renovation & Restoration

Denby Dowling Interiors

The brief was to restore the home to its former glory whilst accommodating existing cherished furnishings, to include the Chesterfield sofa, coffee table, dining table & chairs, Persian rug & hall runners. To make the quirky furnishings work with the Victorian restoration I balanced bold colours & textures with more traditional flooring & timber veneer colours throughout the home. The kitchen pendant light is a custom designed piece in collaboration with Magins Lighting. The orange splash back tiles (hand made through DeLorenzo Tiles) compliment the dining & lounge floor rugs & balance the room. The blue grout - the icing on the eclectic cake!

Mid Century Family Home

Sally Feeney Interior Design Pty Ltd

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, terrazzo benchtops, subway tile splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white splashback, beige floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Pi_Pad

Mcmahon and Nerlich

Light filled kitchen and dining space, with bespoke dining table and featuring Australian artists.
Mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, glass sheet splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Hemp Home

Samuel Architecture

Open plan kitchen design with highlight windows above and stunning reclaimed timber used for the kitchen joinery of our Hemp House project
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, green cabinets, white splashback, porcelain splashback, black appliances, with island and vaulted.

Lisa Valley Close

DMC Kitchens & Joinery

Photo of a mid-sized modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, black splashback, mirror splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and exposed beam.

Willow

Haus Residential

Modern l-shaped kitchen in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, pink splashback, black appliances, with island, white benchtop, an undermount sink, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Auburn Residence, Hawthorn East

Chan Architecture Pty Ltd

Photo of a modern galley kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, black appliances, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Smith Street, Merewether

MADE Architectural Constructions

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Newcastle - Maitland with a double-bowl sink, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, black appliances and with island.

Customer Focus: Cameron Project

Kitchen Craftsmen

CAMERON PROJECT: Warm natural walnut tones offset by crisp white gives this project a welcoming and homely feel. Including products from Polytec and Caesarstone.

Narrow Scandi home with texture and colour

Western Cabinets

Photo of a large scandinavian galley open plan kitchen in Perth with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Port Melbourne Project - Provincial Oak

Suburban Flooring Co.

Why choose engineered European oak flooring? It's not just flooring; it's an investment in lasting beauty and functionality. This stunning development chose from the Provincial Oak range by MarcKenzo Designer Flooring to complete their modern look.

Weerona House

Demardi.

This Kitchen was relocated from the middle of the home to the north end. Four steel trusses were installed as load-bearing walls and beams had to be removed to accommodate for the floorplan changes. There is now an open Kitchen/Butlers/Dining/Living upstairs that is drenched in natural light with the most undisturbed view this location has to offer. A warm and inviting space with oversized windows, gorgeous joinery, a curved micro cement island benchtop with timber cladding, gold tapwear and layered lighting throughout to really enhance this beautiful space.

Bayview House

Aatos Design

Light-filled kitchen and dining.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, mosaic tile splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, grey splashback, beige floor, grey benchtop and wood.

Bridgeman Downs Home Renovation

Studio James Interiors

Design ideas for a contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Brisbane with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, black appliances, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

Marden St, Canterbury

User

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Black Appliances 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!