Experts Reveal: 12 Features No Kitchen Should Be Without
Redesigning a kitchen? Here are 12 must-haves that will transform how it looks and functions, according to four pros
Renovating a kitchen is a major investment for homeowners, so you’ll want to know which inclusions are really going to make a difference to the way people cook, style and organise the space. Here, four kitchen-design experts reveal the 12 features they believe no well-designed kitchen can do without.
2. An eye-catching feature
Every room benefits from having one statement feature that instantly draws the eye, says Ellen Thomas, interior designer at SmarterBathrooms+, and the kitchen is no different. “This could be a feature colour on a section of cabinetry, a strip light, a special tile on the splashback, a large handle on the pantry – something that draws interest visually when you first look at the space.”
Find a kitchen designer on Houzz to help you maximise space, storage and functionality in your new kitchen
Every room benefits from having one statement feature that instantly draws the eye, says Ellen Thomas, interior designer at SmarterBathrooms+, and the kitchen is no different. “This could be a feature colour on a section of cabinetry, a strip light, a special tile on the splashback, a large handle on the pantry – something that draws interest visually when you first look at the space.”
Find a kitchen designer on Houzz to help you maximise space, storage and functionality in your new kitchen
3. Integrated appliances
Create a sleek and seamless aesthetic by integrating appliances within kitchen joinery, says Alix Helps, director at Alix Helps Interiors. “It adds a refined edge to a kitchen, leaving certain items to shine, such as an impressive stove or beautiful natural stone on the benchtops or splashbacks.”
Julianne Bull, principal designer at The Den Interiors, concurs, adding: “Integrating your appliances is particularly useful in smaller kitchens and open-plan areas, as the space can often feel cluttered when all the appliances are on show”.
Create a sleek and seamless aesthetic by integrating appliances within kitchen joinery, says Alix Helps, director at Alix Helps Interiors. “It adds a refined edge to a kitchen, leaving certain items to shine, such as an impressive stove or beautiful natural stone on the benchtops or splashbacks.”
Julianne Bull, principal designer at The Den Interiors, concurs, adding: “Integrating your appliances is particularly useful in smaller kitchens and open-plan areas, as the space can often feel cluttered when all the appliances are on show”.
4. An appliance niche
If you’ve got the space, an appliance niche or pantry is a great addition to a kitchen, says Patterson, giving homeowners quick access to everyday essentials such as the toaster, kettle and coffee machine, which can then be neatly tucked away behind bi-folding or pocket doors when not in use.
“Position it next to the fridge in what is generally the pointy end of the cook’s triangle to create a handy prep station for family members, which won’t intrude on the cook’s work space,” he says.
“And be sure to include a decent amount of benchtop space in front of the appliance pantry to allow for food prep.”
If you’ve got the space, an appliance niche or pantry is a great addition to a kitchen, says Patterson, giving homeowners quick access to everyday essentials such as the toaster, kettle and coffee machine, which can then be neatly tucked away behind bi-folding or pocket doors when not in use.
“Position it next to the fridge in what is generally the pointy end of the cook’s triangle to create a handy prep station for family members, which won’t intrude on the cook’s work space,” he says.
“And be sure to include a decent amount of benchtop space in front of the appliance pantry to allow for food prep.”
5. Double roll-out bins
Make it easy to keep your kitchen clean and tidy by installing a pair of roll-out bins beside the sink, says Patterson. “You want to be able to put scraps straight into the bin when prepping food and washing the dishes. It’s also useful to include a shelf or a pull-out drawer right above the bins to store rubbish bags,” he says.
“Save time by including separate bins or bin dividers to sort recycling and compost from general waste,” adds Bull.
Make it easy to keep your kitchen clean and tidy by installing a pair of roll-out bins beside the sink, says Patterson. “You want to be able to put scraps straight into the bin when prepping food and washing the dishes. It’s also useful to include a shelf or a pull-out drawer right above the bins to store rubbish bags,” he says.
“Save time by including separate bins or bin dividers to sort recycling and compost from general waste,” adds Bull.
6. A sense of depth
If you have an all-white or pale kitchen, use layers of texture to add subtle interest without departing from your colour scheme, says Thomas. “This might be a small-scale mosaic kit-kat tile or penny-round white tiles [on your splashback], or two-pack polyurethane cabinetry with a Shaker profile or V-groove profile.
“If you want to take this one step further and move away from a completely matching look, go for variations of the same shade [across tiles, joinery and benchtops] to create an added sense of depth,” she says.
Browse more images of sleek, white Australian kitchens on Houzz
If you have an all-white or pale kitchen, use layers of texture to add subtle interest without departing from your colour scheme, says Thomas. “This might be a small-scale mosaic kit-kat tile or penny-round white tiles [on your splashback], or two-pack polyurethane cabinetry with a Shaker profile or V-groove profile.
“If you want to take this one step further and move away from a completely matching look, go for variations of the same shade [across tiles, joinery and benchtops] to create an added sense of depth,” she says.
Browse more images of sleek, white Australian kitchens on Houzz
7. A walk-in pantry
“If space allows, a butler’s pantry is top of the list for many of our kitchen clients,” says Helps. “This little room conceals the grunt work, keeping the main kitchen free of clutter.
“Including a sink and dishwasher in here is a win for entertainers who like a swift clear up,” she says.
“If space allows, a butler’s pantry is top of the list for many of our kitchen clients,” says Helps. “This little room conceals the grunt work, keeping the main kitchen free of clutter.
“Including a sink and dishwasher in here is a win for entertainers who like a swift clear up,” she says.
8. Well-planned storage
When planning storage, store items close to where you use them wherever possible, says Patterson. “For example, store spices, condiments and oils in roll-outs or drawers on either side of your food-prep zone, and cereals, bread and spreads in the appliance area where your toaster is, rather than in the pantry.”
When planning storage, store items close to where you use them wherever possible, says Patterson. “For example, store spices, condiments and oils in roll-outs or drawers on either side of your food-prep zone, and cereals, bread and spreads in the appliance area where your toaster is, rather than in the pantry.”
9. A layered lighting scheme
“Lighting in a kitchen should first and foremost be functional, but there is no reason why it can’t also add to the visual appeal of the space,” says Thomas. “Start by making sure there is task lighting in the areas the cook needs it, such as the sink, prep space and cooktop.”
From there, Thomas says, add in layers of lighting for both function and visual interest, such as strip lighting beneath your overhead cabinetry that illuminates the benchtops while adding to the atmosphere, practical ceiling downlights to highlight prep areas or an interesting feature such as an artwork, and pendant lights on dimmers over the kitchen island for ambient lighting when you want it.
“Lighting in a kitchen should first and foremost be functional, but there is no reason why it can’t also add to the visual appeal of the space,” says Thomas. “Start by making sure there is task lighting in the areas the cook needs it, such as the sink, prep space and cooktop.”
From there, Thomas says, add in layers of lighting for both function and visual interest, such as strip lighting beneath your overhead cabinetry that illuminates the benchtops while adding to the atmosphere, practical ceiling downlights to highlight prep areas or an interesting feature such as an artwork, and pendant lights on dimmers over the kitchen island for ambient lighting when you want it.
10. Double-stacked ovens
“Installing two wall ovens in a vertical stack saves space and gives the cook more versatility when it comes to cooking different types of dishes,” says Bull. “It also means you can position the cooktop anywhere in the kitchen, opening up the options when it comes to the design and layout.”
“Installing two wall ovens in a vertical stack saves space and gives the cook more versatility when it comes to cooking different types of dishes,” says Bull. “It also means you can position the cooktop anywhere in the kitchen, opening up the options when it comes to the design and layout.”
11. Matching appliances
If you choose not to integrate the oven, dishwasher and fridge and to have them all on display, create a cohesive look by ensuring they are a similar style and finish, says Thomas. “This can be as simple as choosing styles that are all made with black glass fronts and steel handles. Or, for a perfect match, choose appliances from the same brand and range.”
If you choose not to integrate the oven, dishwasher and fridge and to have them all on display, create a cohesive look by ensuring they are a similar style and finish, says Thomas. “This can be as simple as choosing styles that are all made with black glass fronts and steel handles. Or, for a perfect match, choose appliances from the same brand and range.”
12. Amp up the storage
In a busy kitchen, you can never have enough storage, says Helps. “Ensure that you use every last bit of available space to stow items away in convenient locations,” she says.
Maximise the functionality of an awkward corner cupboard with a specially designed pull-out unit that brings items such as pots and mixing bowls out towards you, she says.
“And if space allows, a concealed drinks cabinet is a fun and glam addition in a kitchen – opt for space-saving pocket doors that keep the look neat,” says Helps.
In a busy kitchen, you can never have enough storage, says Helps. “Ensure that you use every last bit of available space to stow items away in convenient locations,” she says.
Maximise the functionality of an awkward corner cupboard with a specially designed pull-out unit that brings items such as pots and mixing bowls out towards you, she says.
“And if space allows, a concealed drinks cabinet is a fun and glam addition in a kitchen – opt for space-saving pocket doors that keep the look neat,” says Helps.
Your turn
What’s your kitchen must-have? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Want more on kitchens? Check out this story – Symmetry and Light: Why We Love the Kitchens of 2022
What’s your kitchen must-have? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Want more on kitchens? Check out this story – Symmetry and Light: Why We Love the Kitchens of 2022
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Today’s kitchen is about so much more than just cooking – it’s where we work, download recipes, charge our mobile phones and more. As such, be sure to include the appropriate technology, says Brett Patterson, senior designer and managing director at The Renovation Broker.
“Position power points where they’ll be used, such as pop-up outlets integrated into the top of the kitchen island (some brands such as Point Pod also include USB points so you can recharge a mobile phone), or a dedicated phone-charging drawer within the kitchen joinery, such as those at Häfele,” he says.
“You can also find clever integrated phone-charging systems that sit under the benchtop, which allow you to charge your mobile phone simply by placing it on top.”