15 Features Of A Luxury Kitchen Design

Have you ever been awake at night, quietly pondering the things you'd fill your house with if ever you won the lottery? Lying there in the dark, it's easy to imagine a priceless Pollock hanging on the wall above your bed, a built-in smart-closet that matches your outfit to the weather forecast, and a Wassily chair in the corner for no other reason than you like the way it looks.

While you're relaxing there in fantasy land, does your mind ever wander down to the kitchen? If so, what does money being no object mean in the heart of your home? Is it all about the appliances? Or is it all about appearances? Would you have a scullery in the back where the messy work gets done, and reserve the main kitchen for display purposes only? If so, what materials would most inspire the envy of your friends and family? Book-matched stone counters, perhaps, with a matching stone backsplash?

The reality is that there are some absolutely incredible things you can do in a kitchen without the constraints of a tight budget. And while many of them remain tantalizingly out of reach for most of us, that doesn't mean we can't indulge our desire to fantasize every now and then. In fact, it's for that very reason that we created this guide. From climate-controlled wine displays and premium stone countertops to professional-grade ranges, if the homemaker in you dares to dream once every now and then, then stick the kettle on, put up your feet, and enjoy this fantastical guide to luxury kitchen design.

We think it's a fair assumption that, with all the money in the world, most would take the description of a "luxury" kitchen to also mean "custom." And of all of the features to consider when building a custom kitchen, bespoke cabinetry is perhaps the most popular. We don't just mean specifying the color of the doors, nor the decorative nature of the carpentry — although it's always nice to have full say over those. We also mean ensuring that the cabinets fit snugly in your room and around its unique architectural features, and that each is hand-built from premium materials.

By specifying premium materials, you can ensure that your cupboards last longer. If you're having integrated appliances installed, then a carpenter can also ensure the cabinets are tailored precisely to the measurements of your chosen appliances. You can also specify additional custom features to help you maximize utility and storage, like under-cabinet toe-kick drawers. Put simply, while bespoke cabinets are undoubtedly a luxury, they're one that's almost always worth the money.

One of the best types of countertop material for a large kitchen is undoubtedly stone. Quartz, granite, marble — they're all popular. They're all beautiful, too, and while even basic stone countertops are far from cheap, they become significantly less so for buyers who want to book-match them.

Book-matching is a design technique in which two or more consecutive slabs of stone are hewn from the same block. These slabs are then laid end-to-end — like the opposite pages of a book — so that they mirror one another's natural patterns. The end result is stunning; it brings a sculptural quality to your kitchen counters and is one of the most spectacular ways to spice up your kitchen island, turning a flat, social surface into a living piece of functional art.

When you're lying in bed and filling your mind's eye with visions of your dream kitchen, can we ask: have you considered the backsplash above your stove? This critical part of kitchen design so often gets overlooked, especially compared to other design choices like countertops and kitchen cabinets. And yet the humble backsplash has the ability to make or break your entire space. Get it right, and you'll tie your whole space together. Get it wrong, and it's all you'll be able to look at.

There are many materials you can use to build your kitchen backsplash, but perhaps the most premium is natural stone. And it's premium for a reason. Like stone countertops, it's durable, and since it's a natural material, it's utterly timeless. Perhaps most importantly, because the patterns are formed by Mother Nature — rather than by some cookie-cutter in a factory — each natural stone slab is utterly and irreplaceably unique.

Integrated appliances are a hallmark of luxury kitchens. They're often much more expensive than freestanding appliances, and like other luxury items, this hike in price is largely down to comparatively low demand versus freestanding products. Since fewer of them are made, the production costs are usually higher. The design for integrated appliances often requires additional parts, too, and if you're having your cupboards custom made, then your cabinet maker will also need to adapt your units to house the appliances.

The benefit of integrated appliances is that they blend into the rest of your cabinetry, since they're "fronted" with matching doors. They can also help to save space, although they're best used in larger rooms, where you can afford to sacrifice storage to make room for an appliance. As for the equipment you can integrate, there's plenty. Your oven, dishwasher, fridge, and freezer — these can all be integrated into your cabinets, helping you achieve a clean, seamless look. You can even buy stove tops that are integrated into the counter.

Often considered the preserve of sprawling country estates that require a team to keep the household moving, sculleries have gained popularity in recent years among luxury-minded kitchen designers. One reason this idea is considered so luxurious is that it relies on having the space for an additional kitchen. It also relies on its owner having the budget to equip what is, effectively, a second kitchen — including a sink, cabinets, countertops, and even appliances.

The point of a scullery is to handle the "messy work" while leaving your main kitchen clear of clutter, and it's popular among homeowners who like to entertain. Line it with shelves and fill them with food and ingredients; have racks along the walls for your pots, pans, and utensils, and use the countertops to hold the appliances that fail to play nice with the decor of your main kitchen.

Again, while few kitchen users actually need a stove-side faucet, there's no denying how nice it'd be to have one. The problem, for most, is that they can be very expensive to install. You need to buy the hardware to start. Depending on where your stove is, you may also need to hire a plumber in order to connect it to your water supply, which is sure to ramp up your costs.

The upshot is that, once installed, you'll find a pot-filler faucet is unmatched in terms of convenience. It can seriously streamline your cooking, and it's considerably safer than hauling panfuls of water across the kitchen. This kitchen upgrade can also add serious value to your home, so if you're going to the trouble of remodeling anyway — and you can afford the cost of a plumber — then it's well worth adding to your moodboard.

This design feature is surely the very height of kitchen luxury. We'll admit that it's not for everyone, and that there are likely those who could, technically, afford a climate-controlled wine wall but who would prefer to spend their money elsewhere. To that, we say fair enough! But if you're something of an oenophile and have a collection of wine (or have always wanted to start one), then temperature-controlled wine cabinets are likely to pique your interest.

Some cabinets can slot beneath your kitchen countertops, and are ideal for keeping an array of reds, whites, and dare we say it, rosés at the optimal temperature. Others can cover your entire wall. They're specialized appliances, and with that in mind — regardless of size — they rarely come cheap. But then neither does the wine they're intended to store.

Choosing the right range hood for your kitchen is a choice that's primarily practical. Above all else, you need to ensure that it's matched to the BTU rating of the stove underneath. If you like to socialize while you're cooking, then you may also want one with a low decibel rating, so that it doesn't completely drown you and your guests out whenever you switch it on. And if you're shooting for a sleek, minimalist aesthetic in your new kitchen, then you may wish to do away with the visual presence of an extractor altogether.

Fortunately, this is entirely possible. In fact, flush-mounted ceiling extractors are becoming increasingly popular among modern home designers. They just tend to be more expensive than standard extractor hoods. It's not necessarily the cost of the appliances that makes them a luxury item, although they generally aren't what we'd describe as "cheap." It's mostly because they have more complex installation requirements than regular hoods, which means you'll need to budget for the cost of a contractor in order to have one fitted in your kitchen.

Depending on the height of your ceiling and the distance between it and your stovetop, installing a ceiling extractor hood may not be the most practical solution. The distance between the two has a big impact on how efficiently extraction systems work, and generally, the greater the gap between them, the less reliable the hood becomes. With this in mind, depending on the height of your ceilings, a regular hood may be your only option. But that's no reason for your inner designer to despair. In fact, leaning into your hood's presence can result in a finish that's equally as luxurious as hiding it away in the ceiling.

The key is to find a way to integrate your extractor into your kitchen. For example, you could have your contractor create a plaster range hood by building a frame for your chosen appliance and then plastering around it. Or you could transform your range hood with a vintage beadboard surround — perfect in cottage, coastal, and farmhouse kitchens hoping to imbibe a feeling of rustic warmth.

Kitchen islands are synonymous with luxury kitchen design, and while designers will warn you that opting for a large kitchen island is a mistake, it's only a bad idea if you're limited on space. In smaller kitchens, large islands tend to gobble up valuable floor space, restricting movement and leading to a feeling of cramped confinement. They're also very expensive, and if you're operating on a budget, then you may well be better off saving it for other, more versatile kitchen features. However, if you have lots of room to work and a budget with some stretch, then there's much to be said in their favor.

By positioning an island at the heart of your kitchen, you can provide a central space for your family to gather in the mornings over breakfast, or for your kids to do their homework in the evening before dinner. You can also create a gathering space for guests when it's your turn to entertain, ensuring that you don't miss out on any juicy table talk while you add the finishing touches to the hors d'oeuvres. Add to this the valuable countertop space and under-counter storage that comes with a large island, and honestly, if you have the space and budget, we can't think of a reason not to install one.

While a Nespresso machine on your kitchen counter can feel like an indulgence, it's nothing compared to the convenience and barista-grade coffee that come with a fully-fledged, in-built coffee machine. Sure, they're expensive. And yes, they take up cabinet space that, in smaller kitchens, may be better used for storage. But if neither cash, or space is an issue, and you enjoy a good cup of joe, then it's tough to justify not including one of these in your kitchen.

The key to not regretting this luxury design idea is two-fold. Firstly, it's worth investing in decent equipment and avoiding the worst coffee-maker brands. Secondly, if you're going to donate a cabinet space to a coffee machine, then it pays to go all in and get creative with your coffee station. Allocate some space around the machine to house your coffee cups and milk-frothing jugs, and if you have a sweet tooth, incorporate a rack to hold your favorite syrups.

The decision of how you heat your kitchen is more than merely functional. Yes, your chosen system will keep the place warm. Depending on your budget, you may also want to ensure that your heaters tie in with your wider kitchen decor. You may even wish to do away with ugly radiators altogether, and if that's the case, then underfloor heating is the obvious solution.

The reason it's widely considered a luxury is that heated floors often cost considerably more than standard heaters. To start with, the equipment is usually more expensive than standard heaters. The installation requirements are also much more involved for underfloor heating versus standard heaters, which means you'll have to pay for more of your contractor's time. If you can afford it, though, it's widely considered to be worth it. It's often more efficient than standard heaters, and in terms of comfort, well, it's honestly hard to beat. It can be installed alongside an array of other luxury flooring types, including tiles, laminate, and engineered wood.

Timeless and hard-wearing, real stone tiles are the "if I won the lottery" dream of many a home maker. They're much more expensive than other flooring types and promise to last for years, even decades, provided that they're properly cared for. What's more, since natural stone is one of the most timeless kitchen flooring ideas of all, once you've bought it, you're unlikely to need to do so again.

Another benefit of natural stone flooring is its compatibility with underfloor heating. Stone is an excellent natural conductor of heat, and when paired with underfloor heating systems, can distribute heat much more evenly around your kitchen than traditional wall-mounted radiators. It can also be surprisingly eco-friendly, although it depends on where you buy your flooring. By sourcing stone tiles from quarries in your area (instead of importing them from around the country or overseas), you can dramatically reduce the carbon footprint associated with your luxury kitchen.

While often considered an unnecessary expense, smart appliances are nevertheless an attractive option for busy homeowners who could use a little extra convenience. For example, did you know that you can now buy refrigerators that can track your groceries and help you draft your shopping list? That's got to be handy, right? Or how about a coffee machine that can be set remotely (say, when you're getting out of bed) to get the beans roasting while you hop in the shower.

In fact, there are now lots of appliances that can help you create a smart kitchen and connect it to your home's digital ecosystem. Many of these can improve and streamline your cooking, making the process easier, more enjoyable, and even healthier. Others can save you on costly breakdowns, like smart dishwashers that alert you when they need professional maintenance. You can even install smart-home control panels, giving you a central hub from which to monitor and adjust the other smart appliances you have around your home, like your lights, heating, and even your sound system.

Luxury, to an extent, is defined by the purpose of a given space. In the living room, for example, items considered to be "luxurious" are those that make time spent there more relaxing, like sumptuous sofas, bespoke lighting, and theater-grade screens and sound systems. In the bedroom, a cushy bed and thick-piled rug would go a long way to making the space feel luxurious, and in the bathroom, there's much to be said for a deep, freestanding tub. But what about in the kitchen? If you ask us, luxury in the kitchen is as much about material quality as it is practicality. It's not enough to simply have a cabinet maker build your cupboards out of hardwood and fit the drawers with soft-close runners. You also have to think about how those cupboards and drawers will work to make your life more comfortable.

Appliance lifts, for example, keep heavy equipmet tucked away when not in use, while making them accessible at the push of a button whenever you need them. Spice-rack drawers keep your go-to ingredients handy, and if you're tired of your kids' tablets, phones, and laptops cluttering up the countertops while they charge, you can get docking drawers designed precisely to solve this kitchen conundrum. Only by going custom can you truly make your kitchen feel effortless, and while it comes at a cost (and a significant one, at that), it's an expense you're very unlikely to regret.