8 Kitchen Design Features Pros Always Recommend

Designing the kitchen of your dream can be extremely overwhelming. Not only do you need to select the perfect flooring, cabinets, and countertops, but you need to consider what other design elements you should incorporate. Drafting your lists of wants and needs can be a daunting task when you don’t know what high-end features are available to you. If you aren’t sure of the best way to spend your design budget, consider these eight premium kitchen design features recommended by the pro designers.

Built-In Refrigerator

Nothing screams premium and high-end like a kitchen with hidden appliances ? and that includes a built-in refrigerator! The refrigerator is one of the largest and most-used appliances in your kitchen. It holds the ingredients for your home-cooked meals that you enjoy around the table with your family, as well as the midnight snacks you may find yourself craving. Instead of having a large stainless steel fridge that becomes the focal point of your kitchen, install a built-in refrigerator that blends seamlessly in with your kitchen cabinets. No matter the color or style of cabinets you choose, you’ll be able to cover your refrigerator doors to create a beautiful, cohesive aesthetic.

Pro-Style Range

After spending countless hours browsing Pinterest for design ideas, you’ve probably seen one common feature in all the inspiration photos ? a pro-style range! If you’re looking for a wow-worthy focal point that will leave your guests speechless, you need a chef-style range that is not only practical but beautiful as well. Whether you’re a fan of classic stainless steel, want some added flair with gold knobs, or hope to step outside the box with a colored range, there’s something to match any kitchen aesthetic. Along with the luxurious appearance, you can opt for additional range features including a grill or griddle to take your cooking to the next level.

Statement Lighting

Lighting can drastically change the mood and vibe of any room, which is why it’s incredibly important to incorporate the perfect statement lighting for your space. One of the easiest ways to create a high-end appearance in your kitchen, opt for light fixtures above your island that tie the space together, provide ample light, and make a bold statement. Along with decorative fixtures, you may also want to incorporate task lighting or under-cabinet lighting that is great when you need more visibility in the kitchen at night.

Charging Drawer

After spending countless hours designing and customizing your dream kitchen, the last thing you want is to clutter your kitchen counters with electronics and cords. However, in today’s modern world, you need a place in your kitchen for these gadgets to recharge. Luckily, there’s an easy solution that gives you the best of both worlds ? a charging drawer! Instead of laying your electronics on top of the counter to charge, you can charge them from within a kitchen drawer. This also reduces the chance of them coming in contact with moisture or spills that could cause damage!

Pot Filler

One of the most popular design elements for a luxury kitchen is a pot filler and for a good reason! Have you ever looked at a stove and wondered why there was a faucet attached to the wall over the range? This fancy faucet is used to fill large pots with water so you don’t need to carry the heavy pot back and forth between the sink and the range. While these serve an essential function for your day-to-day cooking, a pot filler is also an easy way to add high-end visual appeal. No matter the color scheme or aesthetic of your kitchen, there’s a pot filler to match your desired look.

Hidden Trash

No one wants to have an eyesore in their kitchen, especially after the hours and money spent creating it into a beautiful space. That leaves us with a very important question to consider. Where will your trash and recycling bin be located? Instead of having your trash can sitting next to your kitchen cabinets, have them installed in a hidden, pull-out cabinet drawer! Whether you place it within your island or beside the sink, you’ll have easy access to the trash without having your trash can ruin the aesthetic of your kitchen.

Kitchen Hutch

When it comes to your kitchen’s appliances, the first ones that come to mind are probably your refrigerator, dishwasher, and oven. However, you also need to factor in small kitchen appliances like a toaster, blender, food processor, mixer, and other appliances. Instead of taking up valuable square footage in your pantry, consider installing a kitchen hutch designed specifically to hide your appliances from plain sight. You can pull them out on an as-needed basis to create a clean, seamless look. Stowing away your small kitchen appliances will make it much easier to keep your counters clutter-free and looking their best.

Walk-In Pantry

The kitchen is where you prepare family meals and prepare after-school snacks for your children. While much of your food is stored in the refrigerator, you also have snacks and dried items that need to be stored elsewhere. Instead of taking up valuable storage space in your kitchen cabinets, design a walk-in pantry with built-in drawers and shelvings that allow you to organize your items and make them visible and easily accessible. If you don’t have the room to include a kitchen hutch among your standard cabinets, you can create an area in your pantry dedicated to small kitchen appliances to keep them out of sight until you need to use them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How high should a pot filler be installed?

A pot filler should be installed on the wall directly behind your range. While the best height will be dependent on your exact stove, a typical pot filler should be installed between 12″ and 18″ from the surface of the range so it can access the largest burner.

Can you use any refrigerator for a built-in?

No, if you are planning to install a built-in refrigerator that seamlessly blends into your existing cabinetry, you need to purchase a specific refrigerator instead of a freestanding option. While you will have a more limited selection to choose from, you can pick between the size and design of the refrigerator.

What size pro-style ranges are available?

If you’re considering installing a pro-style range in your kitchen, you have a few sizes to choose from. Depending on the square footage of your kitchen, you can opt for a professional range in standard widths of 30, 36, 48, and 60 inches. When your kitchen has more space available, you can also choose a larger width range that includes a second oven or griddle and grill top.

How big should a walk-in pantry be?

For a walk-in pantry, you should have a minimum aisle width of 44 inches to ensure ample space. If you have less space available to you, consider installing a walk-in pantry with shelving on one side of the pantry that is a minimum of 60 inches long. When more space is available, install a walk-in pantry with storage on both sides of the aisle that is a minimum of 76 inches.