Coastal Open Plan Kitchen Ideas and Designs

Dining area in coastal home with rattan textures and sideboard with scallop detail
This is an example of a large nautical l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an integrated sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, laminate countertops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, laminate floors, an island and grey worktops.

Senara

Unique Homestays

Photo of an expansive nautical open plan kitchen with a built-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, concrete worktops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, integrated appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors, grey worktops, a vaulted ceiling and a feature wall.

The Isle of Wight Project

April Hamilton Interiors LLP

Modern kitchen design
Photo of a large beach style grey and white galley open plan kitchen in Other with a built-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, engineered stone countertops, integrated appliances, concrete flooring, an island, grey floors, white worktops and feature lighting.

Plantation Beach House

RELM development&design

This is an example of a coastal l-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, medium hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors and white worktops.

Modern Tropical Kitchen

Pu'uwai Design & Construction

This breathtaking kitchen was designed for entertaining. The large kitchen island is teak and features a Brittanicca Cambria countertop with a flawless waterfall edge. The 48" gas wolf range is practically a work of art framed by a modern stainless steel range hood and by the quartz panels that meld seamlessly with the wood paneling through out the great room. The modern white cabinets are punctuated with the use of built-in custom gold hardware. The vaulted ceilings create an airy and bright space which is complimented by the use of glass pendants above the bar. The gray porcelain tile flooring used through out the home flows outside to the lanai and entry to punctuate the indoor outdoor design.

Dilworth New Build - Living & Kitchen Design

House of Nomad

Inspiration for a medium sized beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in Charlotte with a submerged sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors, marble worktops and ceramic splashback.

Coastal Virginia Idea House

Progress Lighting

Jonathan Edwards Media
Design ideas for a large beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with a belfast sink, recessed-panel cabinets, marble worktops, white splashback, stone tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood flooring, an island and blue cabinets.

California Coastal Cape Cod in Pacific Palisades

Lisa Queen Design, Inc.

Michael Wells, Jim Queen
Beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, cement tile splashback, dark hardwood flooring and an island.

Kitchen & Bath Renovation in Orleans, MA

Cape Associates, Inc.

As innkeepers, Lois and Evan Evans know all about hospitality. So after buying a 1955 Cape Cod cottage whose interiors hadn’t been updated since the 1970s, they set out on a whole-house renovation, a major focus of which was the kitchen. The goal of this renovation was to create a space that would be efficient and inviting for entertaining, as well as compatible with the home’s beach-cottage style. Cape Associates removed the wall separating the kitchen from the dining room to create an open, airy layout. The ceilings were raised and clad in shiplap siding and highlighted with new pine beams, reflective of the cottage style of the home. New windows add a vintage look. The designer used a whitewashed palette and traditional cabinetry to push a casual and beachy vibe, while granite countertops add a touch of elegance. The layout was rearranged to include an island that’s roomy enough for casual meals and for guests to hang around when the owners are prepping party meals. Placing the main sink and dishwasher in the island instead of the usual under-the-window spot was a decision made by Lois early in the planning stages. “If we have guests over, I can face everyone when I’m rinsing vegetables or washing dishes,” she says. “Otherwise, my back would be turned.” The old avocado-hued linoleum flooring had an unexpected bonus: preserving the original oak floors, which were refinished. The new layout includes room for the homeowners’ hutch from their previous residence, as well as an old pot-bellied stove, a family heirloom. A glass-front cabinet allows the homeowners to show off colorful dishes. Bringing the cabinet down to counter level adds more storage. Stacking the microwave, oven and warming drawer adds efficiency.

Oakcliff Drive

Joseph Rodrigues Interiors

Photo of a large beach style l-shaped open plan kitchen in Orange County with a belfast sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz worktops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, integrated appliances, light hardwood flooring and an island.

Cremorne Residence

Jodie Carter Design

Coastal Luxe style kitchen in our Cremorne project features cabinetry in Dulux Blue Rapsody and Snowy Mountains Quarter, and timber veneer in Planked Oak.

Serenata Beach

Glenn Layton Homes

Glenn Layton Homes, LLC, "Building Your Coastal Lifestyle"
Large beach style u-shaped open plan kitchen in Jacksonville with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite worktops, white splashback, glass tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain flooring, an island, beige floors and brown worktops.

Mac-a-vista lake home

ShoreStone Custom Builders, Inc.

Design ideas for a coastal l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with a submerged sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, medium hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors, black worktops, exposed beams, a timber clad ceiling, a vaulted ceiling, quartz worktops, marble splashback and integrated appliances.

Modern Spanish Kitchen Remodel

Jennifer Muirhead Interiors

Amy Bartlam
Beach style galley open plan kitchen in New York with a belfast sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble worktops, blue splashback, light hardwood flooring and beige floors.

Beach House in Avalon

Purdy O'Gwynn Architects

Halkin Mason Photography
Inspiration for a medium sized nautical l-shaped open plan kitchen in Philadelphia with a belfast sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, metro tiled splashback, medium hardwood flooring, an island, marble worktops, stainless steel appliances, brown floors and grey worktops.

Balboa Peninsula

Brittany Stiles Design

Small coastal l-shaped open plan kitchen in Orange County with an island, a belfast sink, raised-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, wood worktops, white splashback, terracotta splashback, integrated appliances and medium hardwood flooring.

Reforma de piso de dos habitaciones

Sube Interiorismo

Inspiration for a medium sized beach style galley open plan kitchen in Bilbao with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, engineered stone countertops, black appliances, laminate floors, a breakfast bar, beige floors and beige worktops.

Lake of the Isles Kitchen

M. Victoria Johnson Interiors

Inspiration for a beach style u-shaped open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors, multicoloured worktops and a vaulted ceiling.

Lake of the Isles Kitchen

M. Victoria Johnson Interiors

This is an example of a beach style u-shaped open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors, multicoloured worktops and a vaulted ceiling.

Patching Residence

Dylan Barber Building Design

Large coastal galley open plan kitchen in Geelong with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, light hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors and white worktops.

Coastal Open Plan Kitchen Ideas and Designs

Want to discover beautiful coastal kitchen ideas to inspire your new kitchen design? You’ve come to the right place. You can discover millions of coastal kitchen designs and ideas; from kitchen islands and storage units, to all sorts of kitchen lighting ideas, such as pendant lighting or under cabinet lighting. Whether you want inspiration for all-in-one fitted kitchen designs, some small kitchen ideas or maybe just some tips for improving your kitchen decor, there are tons of nautical photos to inspire you for your next kitchen project on Houzz.

What kind of beach style kitchen design should I go for?

With so many kitchen ideas and photos to look at you might be a bit overwhelmed when it comes to picking your own coastal kitchen design. If you are updating your kitchen you know what a big and important decision it is to get the design right – the kitchen can be the hub and heart of the home, and it’s unlikely that you would invest in renovating your kitchen again in a few years. But fear not, focusing first on the important elements like layout, cabinet style, worktops and appliances will help you to bring together your dream kitchen design. Additional elements like kitchen lighting, cupboard storage and decor can come after in the kitchen planning process. A kitchen designer or fitter can help you to decide the layout of your nautical kitchen in terms of where to place your kitchen units, appliances and island (if you’re having one), but if you prefer to handle this yourself you can focus on where you want your key elements of your kitchen to be – the oven, hob, sink and fridge. Of course you might be constricted by space, but try to envisage the easiest and most efficient layout based on how you usually like to cook and prepare your food. If you’re fed up of always having to carry dirty pans and pots across the room to the sink, place the sink closer to your oven and hob. Once you have the core elements sorted, consider extra layout considerations, such as where your bins will be stored, where the cutlery draw should be and where small coastal kitchen appliances can be installed.

Should I include a kitchen island?

Kitchen island ideas are abundant these days; it seems most kitchen designs include a kitchen island, if not multiple islands. However, if the layout doesn’t work, especially if you have a small kitchen, then there’s no necessity to add in a kitchen island. You can add a breakfast bar or counter to your existing kitchen units, or stick with a good old-fashioned dining table if you don’t need the extra work surfaces. That said, if you do have the room, take a look at some beach style kitchen island ideas to see if the designs inspire you for your kitchen. There are a huge variety of island designs to cater to different needs – you can have sinks, ovens, hobs, wine storage and all sorts of drawers and organisers built-in, you can have separate bars and counters that extend from your island, or you could go for a kitchen island on wheels to make your kitchen layout more versatile.

How do I choose my kitchen units and cabinets?

When picking out kitchen units and cupboard styles for a fitted kitchen, you’ll first want to consider the more practical questions – how many units do you need? How many cupboards and drawers do you need? Do you need extra kitchen storage built into your units? It’s always best to overestimate how much kitchen storage you’ll need as we all tend to have a habit of filling up whatever current space we have to the maximum. Next you can consider kitchen cabinet style and colour. Shaker style cabinets and raised and recessed panel cabinets offer a more traditional kitchen cabinet look, while flat panel cabinet doors tend to lend more to the modern and contemporary style. However, going for raised or recessed panel work in a striking colour such as dark blue, green or black can still work with contemporary kitchen ideas. White kitchens can give a sleek and clean feel, but remember you may have to do a bit more cleaning of those cupboard doors if you want everything to stay shiny and fresh. Of course, grey kitchens are the neutral colour choice du jour and can be paired with pale and rich shades alike if you want your fitted kitchen cupboards to contrast with your worktop, splashback, floor, or all of the above. Exposed shelving and storage is also popular for eclectic, Scandi and industrial-inspired looks, so you could opt for glass-fronted cabinets or no wall-mounted cabinets at all. Remember that this will require more restraint in what you can store and more effort in keeping it looking presentable compared to what is stored away hastily behind cupboard doors. The kitchen cupboard handles are also another element to decide upon – do you want traditional round knobs, modern metal bars, country kitchen cup handles or maybe to go ultra sleek with a completely handleless kitchen?

What coastal kitchen storage ideas should I consider?

If you want to keep your nautical kitchen well-stocked and well-equipped but don’t want it spilling over with clutter, then you’ll need to rely on good kitchen storage. Apart from the usual fitted kitchen cupboards and drawer space, there are many other ways of keeping your kitchen tidy. Whilst a large kitchen pantry is the dream of most homeowners, it can’t always be a reality. However, there are now lots of pull out compartments and drawers with trays and shelving that can act as mini kitchen pantries, and you can install handy cupboard organisers that fit onto the inside of the door to make the most of your cupboard space. You can also look at corner drawers and cupboards that open up to reveal lots of extra storage. Rails or small shelves along your kitchen walls or splashback can help with hanging utensils or pans, or storing small items like herbs and spices in an usually empty space. Buy extra kitchen storage products for your home on Houzz

Are there small kitchen ideas for small beach style spaces?

If you’re working with a galley kitchen, a one-wall kitchen in an open plan space or just a pretty small kitchen, there are some small kitchen ideas that can help you get the most out of your cooking and dining area. If you find that you don’t utilise the back of your cupboards (maybe they become the graveyard for out-of-date tin cans), you could decide to go with shallower kitchen units to free up some extra floor space in front of your cabinets. As mentioned, open shelving or glass-fronted cabinets are a popular trend and they should make the space feel more open and less boxed-in. However, if you have the capacity for it, cupboards and coastal kitchen units that maximise the floor-to-ceiling space you have will mean you can use all of that for valuable kitchen storage. Wall or ceiling racks could be a useful solution for hanging pans and pots if you’ve run out of cupboards in which to store them. Kitchen ideas and coastal accessories such as baskets, trolleys and storage jars are both aesthetically pleasing and practical as they give you extra storage space. Kitchen appliances like a fridge or dishwasher can be tucked away in built-in units in fitted kitchens so they blend into your layout and don’t make the space look crowded. Discover all the small kitchen ideas you could need by taking a look at photos of compact kitchens.

What sort of nautical kitchen lighting should I go for?

In the kitchen you need to have practical lighting – no one wants to chop, cut and cook in a dingy room. Kitchen ceiling lights are probably the best way to go, but should you opt for recessed spotlights or traditional hanging ceiling lights? While spotlight LED kitchen lighting will give you excellent light, they may not fit with a design that’s not contemporary. Traditional chandelier lights could work for other kitchen styles, and of course, kitchen pendant lighting comes in all sorts of styles, colours and designs. While the popular choice is to go with one or two pendant lights over your kitchen island, you could also opt for a single pendant light over your dining space, or a few spaced out across your kitchen. Of course, if you want good lighting for your worktops, under-cabinet lighting is the way forward. Speak to your kitchen supplier about having this pre-installed, or there are a number of easy-install options you can fit yourself or with the help of a lighting expert or electrician. In the market for your beach style kitchen lighting today? Once you’ve found some inspiring kitchen lighting ideas here, take a look at our kitchen lighting products to find the new lights for your kitchen project.

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