It’s a funny thing about luxury homes: even when the people who live in them don’t cook, these properties almost always have gorgeous kitchens. That may be because every inch of these homes is designed to show off high-end appliances and extraordinary taste, or it may just reflect the central role the kitchen plays in socializing and entertaining.
Whatever the reason, though, great kitchen styling is a magnet for foodies and aesthetically driven types alike, and it deserves more time in the spotlight.
Size Matters
The ideal luxury kitchen is large, but anyone with experience marketing luxury real estate knows that high-end properties exist in big cities with small apartments as much as they do in suburbs where there’s room to spread out.
With that in mind, what counts as a luxury feature will vary depending on the scope. For example, a prep island with lots of built-in storage and even extra outlets would be of outsized importance in a small kitchen, whereas other special purpose-built shelving or larger appliances might be of more interest in a larger kitchen.
Emphasize Transitional Spaces
One reason luxury kitchens are of such significant interest to homeowners and buyers is that they are ideal for entertaining. One way to emphasize this function is by creating kitchens that smoothly blend into an outdoor space like the patio. By joining these areas with matching or coordinated flooring and glass doors, they become like one seamless space.
The Appliance Upgrade
While it makes sense that luxury kitchens have nice materials – features like granite countertops or hardwood floors – compared to the average home, one of the elements that really sets larger luxury kitchens apart is the appliances. The fanciest of these kitchens are decked out with double ranges and large, decorative vent hoods, convection ovens, and industrial-scale refrigerators, all in brands the average homeowner may never have heard of.
Keep It Modern
While there are some true throwbacks among the ranks of luxury kitchens, which typically means they feature a lot of added, hard-to-maintain details that disguise thoroughly modern benefits, the most appealing luxury kitchens from a marketplace standpoint tend to lean more modern.
The reality is that no one wants to clean carved detailing that has gathered grease and grime and little elements like vineyard grapes or Victorian frippery just won’t sell well given the cost of removing them.
In fact, many design experts say that if they had the budget, they’d tend toward the “timeless” – think plain cabinets that can be accented with different colors, backsplash designs, and surrounding art.
Add Dining Space
Finally, when designing or highlighting luxury kittens, it’s important to look at whether they include dining space. In large homes, it’s common for people to eat in a different room, but there should still be a breakfast nook or some seating at an island for grabbing a quick bite since everything doesn’t have to be a sit-down meal.
Even if you can’t afford a luxury kitchen for your own home, there’s always space to make changes inspired by kitchens that you admire. While kitchens may be utilitarian to those who have little passion for cooking, for those who love to cook and entertain, there’s no better room around.