Kitchen with an Island and Exposed Beams Ideas and Designs

Photo of a medium sized contemporary single-wall kitchen/diner in London with flat-panel cabinets, pink splashback, black appliances, an island, grey floors, an integrated sink, light wood cabinets, terrazzo worktops, ceramic splashback, lino flooring, white worktops, exposed beams and a feature wall.

Spacious Barn Conversion Classic In-Frame Kitchen

Handmade Kitchen Co

A beautiful barn conversion that underwent a major renovation to be completed with a bespoke handmade kitchen. What we have here is our Classic In-Frame Shaker filling up one wall where the exposed beams are in prime position. This is where the storage is mainly and the sink area with some cooking appliances. The island is very large in size, an L-shape with plenty of storage, worktop space, a seating area, open shelves and a drinks area. A very multi-functional hub of the home perfect for all the family. We hand-painted the cabinets in F&B Down Pipe & F&B Shaded White for a stunning two-tone combination.

Mr & Mrs M

Vita Nova Interiors Ltd

This is an example of a medium sized farmhouse u-shaped kitchen/diner in Surrey with a built-in sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, laminate countertops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl flooring, an island, grey floors, brown worktops and exposed beams.

Fairoak Kitchens

Fairoak Kitchens Ltd

This is an example of a farmhouse l-shaped kitchen with a belfast sink, beaded cabinets, grey cabinets, coloured appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, beige floors, white worktops and exposed beams.

Linking Extension & Refurbishment of Outbuildings

Ashdale Projects Ltd

Ground floor extension linking main house with outbuildings. Extension created kitchen/diner with family space. Bespoke timber windows & doors.
Inspiration for a country u-shaped kitchen in Other with a belfast sink, beaded cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, black appliances, an island, grey floors, white worktops and exposed beams.

Raw House

Amos Goldreich Architecture

This is an example of a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in London with a belfast sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, black appliances, an island, white floors, white worktops and exposed beams.

Contemporary Black Kitchen in Oxford

Audus Kitchens

In the heart of a picturesque farmhouse in Oxford, this contemporary kitchen, blending modern functionality with rustic charm, was designed to address the client's need for a family space. This kitchen features the Audus 945 Easytouch and 961 Lacquered Laminate range, with a striking Graphite Black Ultra Matt finish. Creating a nice contrast to the dark cabinetry are the Pearl Concrete worktops supplied by Algarve Granite. The textured surface of the worktops adds depth and character while providing a durable and practical space for meal preparation. Equipped with top-of-the-line appliances from Siemens, Bora, and Caple, this kitchen adds efficiency to daily cooking activities. For washing and food preparation, two sinks are strategically placed — one on the kitchen counter and another on the centrally located island. The Blanco sink offers style and functionality, while the Quooker tap provides instant hot and cold water for convenience. Nestled within the island is an integrated drinks cooler to keep beverages chilled and easily accessible. A drinks station is also concealed within a large cabinet, adding to the kitchen's versatility and making it a space perfect for entertaining and hosting. Feeling inspired by this Contemporary Black Kitchen in Oxford? Visit our projects page to explore more kitchen designs.

Langdale Holiday Cottage

Linda Joseph Interiors

Inspiration for a country l-shaped kitchen in Other with recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, wood worktops, medium hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors, brown worktops and exposed beams.

Country Kitchen

Oakwrights

This is an example of a country l-shaped kitchen in West Midlands with a belfast sink, beaded cabinets, beige cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island, brown floors, white worktops and exposed beams.

Project 43

The Main Company

This is an example of a farmhouse galley open plan kitchen in London with a submerged sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors, white worktops, exposed beams and a vaulted ceiling.

Traditional Kitchen

Large classic l-shaped kitchen/diner in Cornwall with a belfast sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, ceramic splashback, coloured appliances, porcelain flooring, an island, orange floors and exposed beams.

Photography for Yellow Door Architects - 1930's house renovation Bromley, London

Adelina Iliev Photography

Photo of a classic galley kitchen in London with a belfast sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, wood worktops, white splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors, brown worktops and exposed beams.

Kitchen

Masson Joinery Limited

Classic u-shaped kitchen/diner in Kent with a submerged sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, marble worktops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, an island, grey floors, multicoloured worktops, exposed beams and a vaulted ceiling.

A Calm and Cosy Modern Grey Kitchen

The Kitchen Store

This warm and cosy modern grey kitchen is located in Hove. Its calm atmosphere allows you to sink into it as soon as you walk in the door. The use of handleless cabinets lends to the modern appeal, while the warm neutral colour palette creates a calming ambience — perfect for family time and socialising with friends. The client wanted a kitchen extension to accommodate open-plan space. We delivered just that: a contemporary, user-friendly, and homely space. The cabinetry is a combination of Nolte's MatrixArt and Feel ranges in Quartz Grey and Volcanic Oak, which add to the calming atmosphere of the room. The large island is perfect for preparing food and quick bites, with plenty of space left in the room for the dining table and sofa for entertaining guests. The worktops are Radianz quartz in Napoli Beige, and the appliances are all from Neff, completing this sophisticated yet inviting kitchen.

Lilac Cottage October 22

Elite Kitchens Manchester

Design ideas for a large traditional l-shaped kitchen in Manchester with a belfast sink, shaker cabinets, an island, grey cabinets, black appliances, light hardwood flooring, beige floors, grey worktops and exposed beams.

Modern Rustic Black Kitchen in Wendover

Ridgeway Interiors

With a striking, bold design that's both sleek and warm, this modern rustic black kitchen is a beautiful example of the best of both worlds. When our client from Wendover approached us to re-design their kitchen, they wanted something sleek and sophisticated but also comfortable and warm. We knew just what to do — design and build a contemporary yet cosy kitchen. This space is about clean, sleek lines. We've chosen Hacker Systemat cabinetry — sleek and sophisticated — in the colours Black and Oak. A touch of warm wood enhances the black units in the form of oak shelves and backsplash. The wooden accents also perfectly match the exposed ceiling trusses, creating a cohesive space. This modern, inviting space opens up to the garden through glass folding doors, allowing a seamless transition between indoors and out. The area has ample lighting from the garden coming through the glass doors, while the under-cabinet lighting adds to the overall ambience. The island is built with two types of worksurface: Dekton Laurent (a striking dark surface with gold veins) for cooking and Corian Designer White for eating. Lastly, the space is furnished with black Siemens appliances, which fit perfectly into the dark colour palette of the space.

1930's House Renovation - Bear Flat, Bath

Lacey Architecture

Inspiration for a large traditional u-shaped kitchen/diner in Other with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, composite countertops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors, white worktops, exposed beams and a feature wall.

Cornwall Holiday Home

Lomax & Chi

Stunning Pluck Kitchen in soft green with marble worktops and feature lighting.
Inspiration for a large midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in London with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, marble worktops, green splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, green worktops, exposed beams and feature lighting.

The best of Resi

Resi Design Ltd.

Contemporary galley kitchen in London with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, beige floors, grey worktops and exposed beams.

Hilltop House, England

Stickland Wright Architects + Interiors

Farmhouse l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sussex with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, light hardwood flooring, an island and exposed beams.

Kitchen with an Island and Exposed Beams Ideas and Designs

Want to discover beautiful kitchen ideas to inspire your new kitchen design? You’ve come to the right place. You can discover millions of 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 photos to inspire you for your next kitchen project on Houzz.

What kind of 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 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 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 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 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 kitchen storage ideas should I consider?

If you want to keep your 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 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 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 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 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 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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