This is an example of a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Sydney with turquoise cabinets, quartz benchtops, engineered quartz splashback, with island, white benchtop, a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white splashback, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

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.

Minimalist White Queenslander Renovation

Ethos Interiors

Lovingly called the ‘white house’, this stunning Queenslander was given a contemporary makeover with oak floors, custom joinery and modern furniture and artwork. Creative detailing and unique finish selections reference the period details of a traditional home, while bringing it into modern times.

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.

Ormond New Contemporary Residence

Sketch Building Design

Photographer: Natalie Jeffcott
Photo of a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

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.

Enamour Terrace

Kitty Lee Architecture

Design ideas for a small contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Blairs Chalet

Britt White Studio

Design ideas for a small country l-shaped kitchen pantry in Other with an undermount sink, pink cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, coloured appliances, linoleum floors, a peninsula, purple floor and grey benchtop.

Manly Penthouse

onefour interiors

Design ideas for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

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.

Elegant Queenslander | Clayfield

Designtank

Mid-sized contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Brisbane with an undermount sink, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor, flat-panel cabinets and white benchtop.

Bentleigh EAST

HK Interiors

Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Church

Daniela Fulford Photography

Design ideas for a modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, black appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and grey benchtop.

North Balgowlah Kitchen & Bathroom

Northern Beaches Kitchens and Bathrooms

Large contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, quartzite benchtops, stone slab splashback, with island, brown floor, vaulted, white cabinets, beige splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and beige benchtop.

Keon House

Demardi.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped kitchen pantry in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, medium hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and vaulted.

Morningside Kitchen Renovation

Michelle Khadye Interior Design

Design ideas for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Brisbane with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Contemporary Kitchen

Design ideas for a large contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, white cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, terra-cotta splashback, medium hardwood floors, with island and grey benchtop.

Bay Pearl

Kirsten Johnstone Architecture

Photo of a large modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and timber.

The Art of Modern Kitchen Design

Nest n Style Design

Mid-sized contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sydney with white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, with island, white benchtop, a double-bowl sink, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, brown floor, flat-panel cabinets and dark hardwood floors.

L-shaped 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 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!