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  1. Kitchen
  2. Layout: U-shape

Contemporary U-shaped Kitchen Ideas and Designs

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A colourful London flat - All For Romeo project
A colourful London flat - All For Romeo project
Mon Concept Habitation - LondonMon Concept Habitation - London
The kitchen is appreciated for its fresh, bright look, achieved with olive-green cupboard fronts that contrast with the white marble effect worktops and splashback. The adjacent dining area is airy yet ultra-cosy. The empty space above the existing boiler has been used to install an adjustable shelf system that serves as Romeo's playground.
Light and airy modern kitchen
Light and airy modern kitchen
House by MiaHouse by Mia
Springfield Meadow
Springfield Meadow
Kite CreativeKite Creative
We are regenerating for a better future. And here is how. Kite Creative – Renewable, traceable, re-useable and beautiful kitchens We are designing and building contemporary kitchens that are environmentally and sustainably better for you and the planet. Helping to keep toxins low, improve air quality, and contribute towards reducing our carbon footprint. The heart of the house, the kitchen, really can look this good and still be sustainable, ethical and better for the planet. In our first commission with Greencore Construction and Ssassy Property, we’ve delivered an eco-kitchen for one of their Passive House properties, using over 75% sustainable materials
Bernie & Joan in Rottingdean
Bernie & Joan in Rottingdean
The Kitchen StoreThe Kitchen Store
THIS STUNNING DESIGN ENCOMPASSES ALL THE KEY ELEMENTS NEEDED TO CREATE A KITCHEN THAT IS BEAUTIFUL, FUNCTIONAL, AND TIMELESS. The deep blue island with a fitted wine fridge is perfect for hosting and entertaining. We added a walnut breakfast bar, which was a step up from the rest of the island, as per the client's request. Serving as a beautiful place for breakfast and with a view of the garden from the patio doors, the wooden worktop also brings a subtle element of nature inside.
Surrey Apartment
Surrey Apartment
Melanie Tomlinson DesignMelanie Tomlinson Design
Bright Plywood Kitchen
Bright Plywood Kitchen
Sustainable KitchensSustainable Kitchens
Kitchen project Cirencester Gloucestershire
Kitchen project Cirencester Gloucestershire
ContourContour
contemporary kitchen with a mix of materials in a warm earthy colour palette of taupe and mohair
Orpington Skinny Shaker Kitchen
Orpington Skinny Shaker Kitchen
piqupiqu
A skinny Shaker style framed kitchen beautifully finished with stained oil and complemented with a bespoke wooden table from Spekva and Sensa Moack black work surfaces from Cosentino. The natural wood throughout gives a really warm aesthetic and the recessed handle and push to open functionality on the cabinet doors looks very sleek and sophisticated.
Kitchen Upgrade
Kitchen Upgrade
Sienna InteriorsSienna Interiors
Blue Painted Slab with handle profile
Blue Painted Slab with handle profile
Idesign Interiors (SW) LtdIdesign Interiors (SW) Ltd
Modern kitchen completed for a couple with a young family who wanted a practical kitchen with all the mod cons, and one which the whole family could enjoy. Now and in years to come.
Angel
Angel
Images Of Interiors // PhotographyImages Of Interiors // Photography
Contemporary Kitchen, Utility & Games Room
Contemporary Kitchen, Utility & Games Room
Design Interiors LtdDesign Interiors Ltd
Our clients returned to us after 10 years of their completed kitchen design as they had received planning permission to build a new home & wanted us to design, supply & install the new kitchen & utility. Our designer Noel who worked with them previously was happy to embark on this exciting new project with them. They knew they definitely wanted another contemporary design for the large open kitchen, dining & living area. A seated island for 4 people was a must along with lots of storage, a separate utility room &, a designated drinks area for social occasions as well as a separate games room. Noel designed mohair door fronts with a dark signature island in Basalt grey & 20mm Quartz worktops. The circular island for seating was designed with 60mm Sparkling white Corian to connect the island to the furniture as-well as create separate cooking & social zones on the island. The plinth line runs along the tall housing to give a hidden aesthetic to the utility room sitting behind it. The built in drinks cabinet with wine fridge is accessible from both the kitchen island & dining area to maximise the social space. The games room bar is designed with a new steel door front Laika & compliments the moody aesthetic. The games room bar is fully equipped with wine coolers, sinks & taps & ice maker. The stainless steel worktops from Italy finish the aesthetic of the design.
Hotham Road, Putney
Hotham Road, Putney
Interior Design Concepts ltdInterior Design Concepts ltd
A book-matched matt Tineo wood veneer with smooth ‘opaque’ white lacquer kitchen doors.
Stylish Hampshire Home
Stylish Hampshire Home
Randell Design GroupRandell Design Group
Fun architectural and interiors renovation project in Hampshire for designer Tabitha Webb One of a kind, beautiful pink and blue fluted kitchen by Stephen Anthony Design. Construction by Tidal Bespoke. ? @emmalewisphotographer
Dalston Warehouse - 3 Bed Apt
Dalston Warehouse - 3 Bed Apt
ONLYCHILD STUDIOONLYCHILD STUDIO
Full refurbishment and interior design of a three bedroom warehouse conversion on a cobbled street in one of East London's coolest neighbourhoods. The apartment was designed with entertaining in mind, keeping the decor chic yet eclectic to convey a sense of sophisticated fun. The sleek U-shaped matt grey kitchen with bespoke open-shelving opening onto the jungle inspired lounge coupled with the pale grey laminate flooring create a feeling of vast bright space. The statement pieces play a vital role in elevating the space as a whole from the limited edition disco-ball trolley bar and super-luxe Eichholtz palm tree floor lamp to the brass egg chair imported from Amsterdam nestled in the corner of the lounge.
A splash of pink
A splash of pink
Kettle Co. KitchensKettle Co. Kitchens
60's Townhouse - Open plan living
60's Townhouse - Open plan living
Jackson Merrick DesignsJackson Merrick Designs
Open-plan kitchen dining room with seamless transition to outdoor living space
Old Ford
Old Ford
TL DESIGNTL DESIGN
Contemporary Kitchen
Contemporary Kitchen
Oakley Road
Oakley Road
West & Reid LtdWest & Reid Ltd

Contemporary U-shaped Kitchen Ideas and Designs

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

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

If you want to keep your contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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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