skip to main content
Photos
Photos
Advice
Stories From Houzz
Houzz Discussions
Houzz Research
Sign In
Houzz Logo Print
  1. Kitchen
  2. Type: Open Plan

Modern Open Plan Kitchen Ideas and Designs

All Filters (2)
Refine by:
1 - 20 of 52,204 photos
Item 1 of 3
Beckenham Handleless Kitchen
Beckenham Handleless Kitchen
piqupiqu
A sleek German handleless kitchen with a neutral colour scheme coupled with Caesarstone Cloudburst work surfaces and a full height stone splash-back. The large kitchen island adds valuable storage, practical working space and seating for this busy open plan family kitchen in Beckenham.⁠
Surbiton House Extension and Full Refurbishment
Surbiton House Extension and Full Refurbishment
Cherry Architects LimitedCherry Architects Limited
By opening up the existing ground floor, the kitchen becomes the heart of the home, anchored by a curved island with slatted timber detailing. It’s a space for cooking, gathering and conversation. An understated wall of vertical timber slats conceals ample storage and utility spaces, keeping the home clutter-free. Every detail ensures practicality while maintaining a calm and organized aesthetic.
Berscheid Builders - Golf Haven Estates
Berscheid Builders - Golf Haven Estates
Westwind Woodworkers Inc.Westwind Woodworkers Inc.
Michael's Photography
This is an example of a large modern u-shaped open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, granite worktops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring and an island.
A Naturally Modern Kitchen Remodel
A Naturally Modern Kitchen Remodel
Bobbi Alderfer/Lifestyle DesignBobbi Alderfer/Lifestyle Design
With using the walnut cabinets, we tried to keep the sizes as uniform as possible but there were some aspects the client wanted. One of those was the corner appliance garage. Hiding these necessary evils in a beautiful cabinet with easy accessibility was the perfect marriage.
Midvale
Midvale
Steven Cordrey Interior DesignSteven Cordrey Interior Design
Design ideas for a large modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with a built-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, composite countertops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring and an island.
Lincoln Park Japandi Loft
Lincoln Park Japandi Loft
DGI Design x BuildDGI Design x Build
Beside the refrigerator, we tucked in some open shelves to provide a coffee station for easy access during busy mornings.
Photo of a modern u-shaped open plan kitchen in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, white splashback, mosaic tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, a breakfast bar and white worktops.
2017 BONDI VALAIS
2017 BONDI VALAIS
Leicht Westchester-GreenwichLeicht Westchester-Greenwich
Photo of a large modern galley open plan kitchen in New York with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, composite countertops, brown splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete flooring and an island.
Wallingford
Wallingford
Prentiss Balance Wickline ArchitectsPrentiss Balance Wickline Architects
Hemlock, alder, stucco, and quartz comprise a warm interior materials palette. Photography: Andrew Pogue Photography
Medium sized modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Seattle with a submerged sink, light wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, grey splashback, engineered quartz splashback, integrated appliances, porcelain flooring, an island, grey floors, white worktops and a wood ceiling.
Hamilton Avenue
Hamilton Avenue
Greenberg ConstructionGreenberg Construction
Greenberg Construction Location: Mountain View, CA, United States Our clients wanted to create a beautiful and open concept living space for entertaining while maximized the natural lighting throughout their midcentury modern Mackay home. Light silvery gray and bright white tones create a contemporary and sophisticated space; combined with elegant rich, dark woods throughout. Removing the center wall and brick fireplace between the kitchen and dining areas allowed for a large seven by four foot island and abundance of light coming through the floor to ceiling windows and addition of skylights. The custom low sheen white and navy blue kitchen cabinets were designed by Segale Bros, with the goal of adding as much organization and access as possible with the island storage, drawers, and roll-outs. Black finishings are used throughout with custom black aluminum windows and 3 panel sliding door by CBW Windows and Doors. The clients designed their custom vertical white oak front door with CBW Windows and Doors as well.
White Kitchen With Timber Butchers Block Island
White Kitchen With Timber Butchers Block Island
ImprovaImprova
Design ideas for a large modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood flooring, an island, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, white worktops and brown floors.
Wellfleet Modern House - Kitchen
Wellfleet Modern House - Kitchen
ZeroEnergy DesignZeroEnergy Design
This modern green home offers both a vacation destination on Cape Cod near local family members and an opportunity for rental income. FAMILY ROOTS. A West Coast couple living in the San Francisco Bay Area sought a permanent East Coast vacation home near family members living on Cape Cod. As academic professionals focused on sustainability, they sought a green, energy efficient home that was well-aligned with their values. With no green homes available for sale on Cape Cod, they decided to purchase land near their family and build their own. SLOPED SITE. Comprised of a 3/4 acre lot nestled in the pines, the steeply sloping terrain called for a plan that embraced and took advantage of the slope. Of equal priority was optimizing solar exposure, preserving privacy from abutters, and creating outdoor living space. The design accomplished these goals with a simple, rectilinear form, offering living space on the both entry and lower/basement levels. The stepped foundation allows for a walk-out basement level with light-filled living space on the down-hill side of the home. The traditional basement on the eastern, up-hill side houses mechanical equipment and a home gym. The house welcomes natural light throughout, captures views of the forest, and delivers entertainment space that connects indoor living space to outdoor deck and dining patio. MODERN VISION. The clean building form and uncomplicated finishes pay homage to the modern architectural legacy on the outer Cape. Durable and economical fiber cement panels, fixed with aluminum channels, clad the primary form. Cedar clapboards provide a visual accent at the south-facing living room, which extends a single roof plane to cover the entry porch. SMART USE OF SPACE. On the entry level, the “L”-shaped living, dining, and kitchen space connects to the exterior living, dining, and grilling spaces to effectively double the home’s summertime entertainment area. Placed at the western end of the entry level (where it can retain privacy but still claim expansive downhill views) is the master suite with a built-in study. The lower level has two guest bedrooms, a second full bathroom, and laundry. The flexibility of the space—crucial in a house with a modest footprint—emerges in one of the guest bedrooms, which doubles as home office by opening the barn-style double doors to connect it to the bright, airy open stair leading up to the entry level. Thoughtful design, generous ceiling heights and large windows transform the modest 1,100 sf* footprint into a well-lit, spacious home. *(total finished space is 1800 sf) RENTAL INCOME. The property works for its owners by netting rental income when the owners are home in San Francisco. The house especially caters to vacationers bound for nearby Mayo Beach and includes an outdoor shower adjacent to the lower level entry door. In contrast to the bare bones cottages that are typically available on the Cape, this home offers prospective tenants a modern aesthetic, paired with luxurious and green features. Durable finishes inside and out will ensure longevity with the heavier use that comes with a rental property. COMFORT YEAR-ROUND. The home is super-insulated and air-tight, with mechanical ventilation to provide continuous fresh air from the outside. High performance triple-paned windows complement the building enclosure and maximize passive solar gain while ensuring a warm, draft-free winter, even when sitting close to the glass. A properly sized air source heat pump offers efficient heating & cooling, and includes a carefully designed the duct distribution system to provide even comfort throughout the house. The super-insulated envelope allows us to significantly reduce the equipment capacity, duct size, and airflow quantities, while maintaining unparalleled thermal comfort. ENERGY EFFICIENT. The building’s shell and mechanical systems play instrumental roles in the home’s exceptional performance. The building enclosure reduces the most significant energy glutton: heating. Continuous super-insulation, thorough air sealing, triple-pane windows, and passive solar gain work together to yield a miniscule heating load. All active energy consumers are extremely efficient: an air source heat pump for heating and cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation (ERV), and high efficiency appliances. The result is a home that uses 70% less energy than a similar new home built to code requirements. OVERALL. The home embodies the owners’ goals and values while comprehensively enabling thermal comfort, energy efficiency, a vacation respite, and supplementary income. PROJECT TEAM ZeroEnergy Design - Architect & Mechanical Designer A.F. Hultin & Co. - Contractor Pamet Valley Landscape Design - Landscape & Masonry Lisa Finch - Original Artwork European Architectural Supply - Windows Eric Roth Photography - Photography
Parade of Homes - Spring 2017
Parade of Homes - Spring 2017
Paradigm Construction CompanyParadigm Construction Company
Photo of a large modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Boise with light hardwood flooring, an island, a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz worktops, beige splashback, stainless steel appliances and beige floors.
Silestone - Modern Kitchen
Silestone - Modern Kitchen
Silestone by CosentinoSilestone by Cosentino
Dress your Home with Silestone® Eternal Collection & Williams Sonoma and get a $150 gift card: https://www.silestoneusa.com/silestone-eternal-williams-sonoma/ Eternal Calacatta Gold
Wynstone Remodel
Wynstone Remodel
Hardin Builders, Inc.Hardin Builders, Inc.
Our Client in North Barrington, IL wanted a full kitchen design build, which included expanding the kitchen into the adjacent sun room. The renovated space is absolutely beautiful and everything they dreamed it could be.
Richmond Road
Richmond Road
3bd Architects3bd Architects
Richmond Road is a residential domestic side return extension to a Victorian terrace house in the heart of Montpelier. 3bd Architects designed the extension to the property to create an open-plan kitchen space to connect to the garden and allow plenty of natural light to flow into this space. 3bd's Services included concept design and building control drawings. Conker Construction have done an amazing job with the construction and the detailing.
Modern Minimalist: Los Gatos Addition and Whole House Remodel
Modern Minimalist: Los Gatos Addition and Whole House Remodel
May Construction, Inc.May Construction, Inc.
Employing design elements that form distinct spaces was key; making a sleek and sophisticated first impression, the distinguished full height double sided fireplace separates the dining and living room without being overbearing. The impressive kitchen island offers a massive gathering and prep space as the pristine double sided waterfall edge draws your eyes to the center of the room. High-Gloss white cabinets reflect the light beaming from the cosmic panoramic door, framed in stately black compliments the living room’s acoustic slate wall. Matte and gloss glass tile randomly placed for texture flank the kitchen walls injecting the perfect balance of pattern and color in this show stealing L-shaped kitchen.
Modern and Inviting Shaker Kitchen
Modern and Inviting Shaker Kitchen
Kitchens InStyle LtdKitchens InStyle Ltd
This modern beaded shaker kitchen blends functionality with sophistication, featuring deep blue cabinets contrasting against pure white countertops and light grey tall cabinetry, complemented by elegant cup handles and pendant lights. Thoughtfully arranged for seamless transitions between cooking, dining, and entertaining, the central island doubles as a social hub and workspace, concealing a luxurious wine cooler. Flooded with natural light and enhanced by discrete under-cabinet lighting, this kitchen is more than just a cooking space; it's a home hub designed for lively gatherings and intimate culinary moments.
Dos Gatos Flores
Dos Gatos Flores
Beth Howley Creative LLCBeth Howley Creative LLC
Design ideas for a large modern u-shaped open plan kitchen in Grand Rapids with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, marble worktops, black splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors and black worktops.
Westchester County Sustainable Luxury
Westchester County Sustainable Luxury
EK ARCHITECTURE, PLLCEK ARCHITECTURE, PLLC
Introducing Sustainable Luxury in Westchester County, a home that masterfully combines contemporary aesthetics with the principles of eco-conscious design. Nestled amongst the changing colors of fall, the house is constructed with Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and reclaimed wood, manifesting our commitment to sustainability and carbon sequestration. Glass, a predominant element, crafts an immersive, seamless connection with the outdoors. Featuring coastal and harbor views, the design pays homage to romantic riverscapes while maintaining a rustic, tonalist color scheme that harmonizes with the surrounding woods. The refined variation in wood grains adds a layered depth to this elegant home, making it a beacon of sustainable luxury.
Bay Pearl
Bay Pearl
Kirsten Johnstone ArchitectureKirsten Johnstone Architecture
Photo of a large modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a built-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic flooring, an island, grey floors, white worktops and a timber clad ceiling.

Modern Open Plan Kitchen Ideas and Designs

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

What kind of modern 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 modern 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 modern 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 modern 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 modern 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 modern kitchen storage ideas should I consider?

If you want to keep your modern 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 modern 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 modern 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 modern 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 modern 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 modern 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.

Check out these popular kitchen pages below:

1
123456789Next Page
United Kingdom
Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.