Author: Ryan Pickering

A luxury kitchen is more than just a functional space—it’s a blend of high-end design, cutting-edge technology, and exceptional craftsmanship.

Whether it’s a full kitchen renovation or a few upscale touches, you can include certain elements to add to the luxury of your kitchen.

From custom cabinetry to smart technology, these top 10 must-have features will elevate your kitchen.

1. Custom Cabinetry

Custom cabinetry is the hallmark of any luxury kitchen. Unlike off-the-shelf options, custom cabinets are tailored to your specific space, design, and storage needs.

You can choose high-quality materials like solid wood or even incorporate exotic veneers for a more opulent feel. Custom cabinets also allow for unique features like built-in spice racks, deep drawers for pots and pans, and organisers that keep the kitchen both tidy and functional.

You can find more examples of bespoke kitchen cabinetry in our gallery.

2. High-End Appliances

Luxury kitchens are outfitted with top-tier appliances that blend seamlessly with the design while delivering superior performance.

Brands like Quooker, Curian, and Miele offer state-of-the-art kitchen facilities that not only look stunning but also come with advanced features like precise temperature control, Wi-Fi connectivity, and energy efficiency.

3. Natural Stone Countertops

Countertops can make or break a kitchen, and nothing exudes luxury quite like natural stone countertops. Materials like marble, granite, and quartz offer a sophisticated look while also being highly durable.

Marble is particularly popular for its elegant veining, though it does require more maintenance due to its porous nature. Quartz is another excellent choice, combining the look of natural stone with lower upkeep.

4. Statement Lighting

Lighting can be a forgotten feature within a luxury kitchen. Beyond functional task lighting, a luxury kitchen should feature statement lighting that serves as a focal point.

Consider large, dramatic pendant lights over an island or a stunning chandelier that adds ambiance and character. You may want to also consider recessed lighting along the foot of your cabinetry.

Customization Idea: Incorporate a breakfast bar, built-in butcher block, or even a small herb garden on your kitchen island for both form and function.

5. Spacious Kitchen Island

A well-designed kitchen island is a cornerstone of luxury kitchens. It provides extra workspace, seating, and often houses additional storage or appliances like a wine fridge or secondary sink. A large, well-lit island becomes a gathering place for entertaining while offering plenty of practical benefits for meal prep and everyday use.

6. High-Quality Flooring

Luxury kitchens demand high-quality flooring that is as durable as it is beautiful. Hardwood floors, natural stone tiles, or large-format porcelain tiles are popular choices that enhance the aesthetic of the kitchen while standing up to heavy foot traffic.

Hardwood flooring, particularly in lighter tones or herringbone patterns, is a timeless option that pairs beautifully with almost any kitchen design.

Underfloor Heating: For a touch of added comfort, consider installing underfloor heating, especially with stone or tile floors. It makes the kitchen warm and inviting, particularly in the colder British winters.

7. Smart Technology Integration

In the modern world, a luxury kitchen is a smart kitchen. Today’s high-end kitchens are fully integrated with technology that makes life easier and more convenient.

From smart ovens that you can control via an app to voice-activated lighting and temperature control, technology adds a new level of sophistication.

Depending on the style of kitchen you’re going for, consider smart technology integration within your kitchen design.

8. Walk-In Pantry

If you have the luxury of space, perhaps consider a walk-in pantry, similar to the style of a Shaker kitchen.

With custom shelving and plenty of storage, a well-organised pantry not only makes your kitchen look cleaner and more organised but also allows you to keep everything within easy reach.

9. Decorative Backsplash

In a luxury kitchen, the backsplash is more than just a functional necessity—it’s an opportunity to showcase style and craftsmanship.

High-end kitchens often feature backsplashes made of premium materials such as marble, glass, or handcrafted tiles. Full-slab backsplashes, where a single piece of material extends from countertop to ceiling, create a striking visual effect that’s both modern and elegant.

Take a look at our Cotswold eclectic kitchen that features a decorative backsplash.

10. Paint and Colour

People don’t typically first think of paint or colour when designing their kitchen. However, the colour you choose in your design can make a great impact on look and feel of your kitchen

At Cheverell, we use the best quality paints, including Farrow and Ball, when creating our kitchen cabinetry. Whether you’re going for deep, rich colours like a serge blue or a beverly green, or light modern colours like wevet white or dimpse grey, quality is important.

When designing a kitchen, it’s essential to view it as part of the broader design narrative of your home. Some choose to create individual stories within their rooms, however, many others will design a kitchen that complements the rest of their home interior.

Whether it’s a kitchen, bathroom, dressing room or media units, creating a cohesive design throughout your living space can enhance flow, aesthetics, and even the comfort of your home. Here are key strategies to ensure your kitchen complements the overall interior of your home.

Choosing the right style

One of the earliest stages of kitchen design is deciding on the style that you want to go for. This includes choosing the colour, materials and patterns that will be featured throughout your kitchen

If you’re hoping to design a kitchen that will complement the rest of your home.

Your Colour Palette

One of the simplest ways to create a cohesive design between your kitchen and the rest of your home is through colour.

If your home features a neutral palette of whites, greys and beige, consider bringing these colours into your kitchen design. Alternatively, if your home embraces a more unique colour such as a bold yellow or a darker blue, find a way to incorporate them subtly into your kitchen design. You can do this through your:

• Cabinetry
• Backsplash
• Accent Walls
• Furniture
• Flooring

However, while it’s important to stay consistent, you don’t have to replicate the exact colours.

For example, if the living room has white walls, you could choose a grey to compliment the kitchen. This approach ensures the spaces feel related without being identical.

You can find an example of this in our Hampshire House case study where off-white and grey were used across the house to compliment the white furniture and cabinets.

Match Materials and Finishes

Consistency in materials and finishes is crucial for a seamless look between your kitchen and other living spaces.

For instance, if your home features natural wood floors, consider continuing that flooring into the kitchen or choose cabinets that match the wood tones in the rest of the house.

You can even go one step further and choose to have unique wooden handles that match your wooden aesthetic. The same ideas can be applied to stone, marble and other materials.

You can find an example of how wood has been used throughout a household interior design in our Marborough design project.

Choose Complementary Patterns

As kitchen designs evolve over time, it’s clear to see that patterns are here to stay. Patterns and textures add depth and richness to any room, and choosing complementary textures can link spaces together.

If the rest of your home is simplistic yet functional in design, you could opt for a shaker kitchen that also features smoother patterns and surfaces. Take a look at our interior design work partnered with Julia Blunt Interiors as an example of simplistic and smooth bespoke kitchen design.

Use a Unified Lighting Scheme

Lighting can often be overlooked, but it plays a huge role in maintaining a consistent design flow between rooms.

Lighting usually scales into two different tones. Cold and warm.

Cold Lighting – Cold lighting leans into a whiter colour. The ‘colder’ the light, the more white the colouring will be. This sort of lighting is typically found in modern and contemporary kitchens.

Warm Lighting – Warm lighting typically leans into a more yellow/orange shade. Warm shades are typically associated with cosier designs as the colouring is less harsh.

Focus on Open Layouts for Cohesion

Open plan designs are becoming more desired as they’re a popular way to merge the kitchen with other living areas, creating a better family dynamic.

If your home has an open floor plan, you have the opportunity to design a kitchen that complements nearby spaces without the need for doors or walls to separate them.

To ensure cohesion, think of the kitchen as part of the overall room. The furniture, decor, and colour choices should blend with the surrounding living or dining areas.

A kitchen island, for example, can serve as a bridge between spaces, linking the aesthetics and function of both the kitchen and the living room. Our Calstone Kitchen project is a good example of this.

Carry Over Architectural Details

If your home has distinctive architectural details—such as crown moulding, exposed beams, or arched doorways—be sure to reflect these elements in your kitchen design. Carrying over architectural features can help the kitchen feel like an integral part of the home’s overall structure rather than an afterthought.

Julia Blunt Interiors demonstrates a solid example of how their interior design incorporates the exposed beams throughout the property.

Decorate with Intentional Accessories

The right décor can tie rooms together beautifully. If your home is filled with specific design elements—such as contemporary artwork, houseplants, or vintage accents—bring those same elements into your kitchen.

These small details can make all the difference in connecting spaces.

For instance, if your living room features a mid-century theme, you can carry that into the kitchen with retro bar stools, vintage-style light fixtures, or décor with geometric patterns.

Choosing a bespoke kitchen design style that reflects your personal taste is one of the most exciting aspects of home design.

Understanding different kitchen styles can help you create a space that suits your needs and aesthetic preferences. Below, we explore the top five kitchen design styles:

• Shaker
• Contemporary
• Modern
• Traditional
• Transitional

Each kitchen serves its own unique purpose and function. Before you decide which kitchen is right for you, identify what it is exactly that you’re looking to get from your kitchen. This helpful tip for designing a kitchen will help you get the most out of your space and potentially increase your properties value.

1. The Shaker Kitchen

The Shaker kitchen is a classic style that has stood the test of time. The history of the shaker kitchen originates from the Shaker community in the 18th century. This design is known for its simplicity, functionality, and fine craftsmanship.

Key Features:

• Clean Lines: Shaker cabinets are characterised by their simple, square-panelled doors and unadorned surfaces.
• Natural Materials: Wood is the primary material, often painted in soft, muted colours like white, grey, or blue.
• Functional Design: The emphasis is on functionality with minimal decorative elements.
• Versatility: Shaker kitchens blend well with both traditional and modern elements, making them a versatile choice of kitchen style.

Why It’s Popular: The Shaker kitchen’s timeless appeal lies in its balance of simplicity and elegance. It’s a style that can easily adapt to various trends while maintaining its core principles of durability and practicality.

Example: If you’re looking for an example of a Shaker kitchen design style, check out our classic timeless kitchen case study.

2. Contemporary Kitchen

Contemporary kitchens are defined by their sleek, streamlined appearance. Incorporating the latest trends and technologies, this makes them a popular choice for those wanting an up-to-date kitchen.

Key Features:

• Minimalist: Contemporary kitchens favour a clean, clutter-free look with minimal decorative elements.
• Bold Colours and Materials: High-gloss finishes, bold colours, and the use of materials like glass, metal, and stone are common.
• Integrated Technology: Contemporary kitchens often feature the latest appliances and smart home technology, seamlessly integrated into the design.
• Open Space: The layout is usually open, creating a sense of flow and continuity with adjacent living areas.

Why It’s Popular: The contemporary kitchen appeals to those who appreciate modern aesthetics and cutting-edge technology. It’s a perfect blend of style and function, ideal for busy households.

Example: If you’re looking for an example of a Contemporary kitchen design style, check out one of our client’s contemporary bespoke kitchen case study.

3. Modern Kitchen

The Modern kitchen style, often confused with Contemporary, has its roots in the early to mid-20th century. It is often characterised by a streamlined, uncluttered design that emphasises function over form.

Key Features:

• Flat-Panel Cabinets: Modern kitchens typically feature flat-panel doors and frameless, full-overlay cabinet construction.
• Neutral Palette: The colour scheme is often neutral, with an emphasis on natural materials like wood and stone.
• Minimal Ornamentation: The design is sleek and simple, with minimal decorative elements.
• Focus on Functionality: The layout is efficient, with every element designed for practicality.

Why It’s Popular: The Modern kitchen style is perfect for those who appreciate a clean, minimalist look that focuses on efficiency and functionality. It’s a timeless design that remains relevant due to its practicality and aesthetic appeal.

Example: If you’re looking for an example of a Modern kitchen design style, check out one of the modern kitchen designs we performed for a client.

4. Traditional Kitchen

The Traditional kitchen is all about comfort, warmth, and timeless appeal. This style draws on classic design elements and is often seen in more formal homes.

Key Features:

• Detailed Cabinetry: Traditional kitchens often feature raised-panel or beadboard cabinet doors, with intricate mouldings and trims.
• Warm Colours: Rich, warm colours are common, often in wood tones or painted finishes in cream, beige, or soft pastels.
• Ornate Details: Decorative elements like crown moulding, corbels, and a decorative hood over the stove are typical.
• Classic Materials: Materials like marble, granite, and wood are commonly used, adding to the kitchen’s luxurious feel.

Why It’s Popular: The Traditional kitchen is ideal for those who love classic design and a sense of history. It’s a style that feels cosy and inviting, perfect for creating a warm and welcoming space.

Example: You can find an example of a Classic or Traditional kitchen design, take a look at our Manor Kitchen traditional design case study.

5. Transitional Kitchen

Understanding exactly what a bespoke kitchen is will help realise that you can blend different styles together. The Transitional kitchen does exactly this by blending the best of two styles.

Key Features:

• Blended Elements: Transitional kitchens often mix traditional cabinets with modern hardware or combine a classic layout with contemporary finishes.
• Neutral Colours: A neutral colour palette is typical, allowing the design elements to speak for themselves.
• Functional Design: The focus is on practicality and comfort, with a layout that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
• Balanced Style: Transitional kitchens are neither too ornate nor too minimalist, making them versatile and adaptable to different tastes.

Why It’s Popular: The Transitional kitchen is perfect for those who appreciate elements of both traditional and modern design but don’t want to fully commit to either style. It’s a flexible and balanced approach that can evolve with your tastes.

Example: If you’re wondering how two styles can be blended together, check out this transitional design we created for our showroom in Devizes.