When it comes to interior design, the kitchen is often considered the heart of the home. As such, top interior designers pay special attention to creating kitchens that are both beautiful and highly functional. There are several key features that interior designers love to incorporate into dream kitchen designs to take them to the next level.
Spacious Layout
One of the most common requests interior designers hear from clients is for a spacious, open kitchen layout. Top designers recommend maximizing the kitchen footprint and opening up the space to adjacent rooms, like the living and dining areas. An open floor plan creates an airy, modern aesthetic and facilitates better flow for entertaining.
Interior designers typically aim for enough space to allow multiple people to cook and socialize comfortably. Islands and peninsulas help delineate the kitchen from other zones while still keeping the open feel. When remodeling, designers often recommend knocking down walls and relocating plumbing/electrical to open up smaller, closed-off kitchens.
Natural Lighting
Abundant natural light is most designers’ top priority for making any space feel bright and airy. For kitchens, ample windows and skylights are key to create an uplifting, welcoming environment.
Strategically placed windows should stream daylight over the main prep and sink areas. Skylights are also great over islands and dining areas. If the kitchen layout is internal to the home, designers might incorporate glass doors or pass-through windows opening to adjoining rooms.
No matter the exact configuration, most top designers aim for kitchens filled with natural light and exterior views to connect residents to the outdoors.
High-End Appliances
For serious home chefs, no dream kitchen is complete without top-of-the-line appliances. Brands like Wolf, SubZero, Miele and Thermador are cooking appliance favorites among interior designers.
The major kitchen appliances most commonly upgraded include:
- Ranges – Pro-style with 6+ burners, griddle and double ovens
- Refrigerators – Built-in with counter depth and custom paneling
- Dishwashers – Quiet models with adjustable racks
- Microwaves – Built-in with convection settings
- Wine fridges – Dual-temperature and glass door display
Other small but mighty appliances like steam ovens, warming drawers and coffee stations also make designers’ wish lists. The right high-end appliances allow enthusiasts to cook, bake and entertain at the highest levels.
Luxury Materials
Dream kitchens incorporate luxurious materials from floors to ceilings. Among interior designers’ favorites:
Countertops
- Quartzite – Gorgeous natural stone with a marble-like appearance
- Marble – Elegant classic with variations in veining
- Concrete – Modern with diverse finishes like polished or textured
- Rich woods – Like walnut or mahogany for warmth and depth
Backsplash
- Handmade tile – Fired clay, glass or porcelain in bold patterns
- Metal – Copper and brass provide sheen and dimension
- Glass – Shimmery and translucent for open aesthetics
Flooring
- Wood – Durable oak or exotic species like tigerwood
- Tile – Variety like limestone, travertine and granite
- Stone – High-performing options like slate or bluestone
Luxury materials evoke elegance and withstand high functionality in dream kitchens.
Creative Cabinetry
Cabinetry offers interior designers abundant opportunities to showcase creativity. Unique shapes, custom colors, high-end finishes and smart storage solutions help kitchen cabinetry make a design statement.
Floating shelves, glass-fronted cabinets, vintage-inspired hardware and integrated lighting create flair. Interior designers may customize a wall of floor-to-ceiling cabinetry or design a butler’s pantry. Mixing cabinet materials, like wood frames with marble interiors, adds character.
No matter the configuration, the goal is to ensure cabinetry looks spectacular and functions efficiently. Drawers and pull-outs, roll-outs, and smart spice storage optimize organization.
Statement Lighting
The right lighting takes a kitchen from mundane to striking. Interior designers use lighting as both a functional and aesthetic design element in the kitchen. Key approaches include:
- Under and Over Cabinet Lighting – Illuminates tasks while adding sleek style
- Pendant Lights – Suspended sparkle to amplify visual interest over islands
- Chandeliers – Elegant and eye-catching as the room’s centerpiece
- Sconces – Ambient lighting integrated creatively into the design
- Dimmers – Enable adjusting light for cooking, dining and entertaining
With the flip of a switch or dimmer, kitchen lighting can transform from daytime meal prep to evening cocktail party ambiance.
Integrated Tech
Today’s luxury kitchens integrate technology into cabinetry and systems seamlessly. Top interior designers ensure tech enhances efficiency rather than detracting from a kitchen’s aesthetic vision.
High-tech features designers might incorporate include:
- Appliance touchscreens – Streamline control and programming
- Voice assistants – Hands-free help for finding recipes or controlling appliances
- Interior cameras – Monitor the kitchen remotely via smartphone
- Motion sensors – Automatically turn on task lighting when needed
- Biometric refrigerators – Unlock with fingerprint entry
With integrated smart technology, kitchens can simplify cooking and offer ultimate convenience.
Designer Touches
Beyond the major elements above, interior designers incorporate special touches to give their dream kitchen creations flair and personality. This might include:
- One-of-a-kind knobs and handle hardware
- Accent lighting inside glass-front cabinets or shelves
- Floating or unexpected shelving for displaying glassware
- Unique backsplashes like metal or leather tiles
- Using quartz or marble on lower cabinetry fronts only
- Patterned tile flooring that makes a statement
- Unexpected pops of color via small appliances or decor
Small designer touches provide personalization and allow kitchens to truly feel like home. Interior designers focus on developing a unified vision that delights and inspires.
FAQs About Top Interior Designers’ Dream Kitchens
What are the most popular kitchen layouts among top designers?
Open concept kitchens that integrate seamlessly with living and dining areas are the top choice of most leading interior designers. Spacious L-shaped or U-shaped layouts allow for efficient work triangles and prep zones. Islands are also in demand for extra seating and surface space.
What luxury kitchen amenities are trending?
Indoor/outdoor kitchens, butler’s pantries, and beverage stations are on-trend high-end kitchen amenities. Many designers also incorporate bonus spaces like hearth rooms, banquet seating, and catering kitchens for large-scale entertaining.
What classic kitchen elements remain timeless?
Certain classic elements like marble countertops, ceramic backsplashes, and stainless steel appliances resist fading design trends. Clean lines and custom wood cabinetry also have lasting appeal. Designers aim to incorporate both new and proven reliable features.
How much does a designer dream kitchen remodel cost?
High-end kitchen remodels with luxury finishes and extensive customization typically range between $125,000-250,000. Top appliances, materials, and more extensive layout changes drive up costs quickly. The average major kitchen remodel costs around $75,000.
What mistakes do people commonly make in kitchen design?
Insufficient lighting, storage and counter space are common kitchen design pitfalls. Outdated layouts that lack flow and poor appliance placement also plague many kitchens. People tend to underestimate needs, while designers excel at optimizing function.
How important are sustainability and energy efficiency?
Most top designers prioritize sustainability through durable products and timeless style unlikely to end up as waste. Energy-efficient appliances and LED lighting are standard. Some clients also request reclaimed and eco-friendly materials.
Key Takeaways on Interior Designers’ Dream Kitchens
- Open, spacious layouts allow free flow and flexibility
- Natural light creates an uplifting, inviting environment
- Luxury appliances enable homeowners to cook like professionals
- High-end countertops, backsplashes and floors provide beauty and durability
- Unique cabinetry with smart storage optimizes form and function
- Statement lighting acts as both task and decorative element
- Integrated technology simplifies tasks while remaining discreet
- Personal designer touches provide character and customization
- Quality and comfort are prioritized over fleeting style trends
Inspired by passion for cooking, entertaining and everyday life, interior designers’ dream kitchens represent the pinnacle of style and livability. Their visions serve as inspiration for home chefs and design enthusiasts alike when renovating. With careful planning and the right designer, your dream kitchen can become a beautiful and welcoming reality.
Conclusion
Interior designers pour their creativity into developing kitchens that both look spectacular and cook effortlessly. Key features like spacious footprints, natural light, high-end appliances, bespoke cabinetry and statement lighting all contribute to kitchens that delight. Personal touches add character and customization options allow each space to be unique.
While luxurious, interior designers’ dream kitchens keep practicality top of mind. Durable surfaces, optimized storage, comfort and quality take priority over fashionable frills. By balancing stunning aesthetics with uncompromising usability, top designers create kitchens homeowners cherish for a lifetime. With the right guidance, pieces of these designer visions can be incorporated into any kitchen renovation to elevate it from ordinary to extraordinary.