Top 10 Upscale Features for Kitchen Remodels

One of our favorite trends in kitchen remodels over the past few years is the inclusion of bespoke, built-in luxury coffee stations. Whether making use of an existing island, or custom built-in cabinetry, having a designated, functional space for preparing your favorite hot drinks adds a touch of luxury to your kitchen that not only adds functionality and makes your daily routine easier, but also lends your kitchen a sophisticated feel and impresses company.

Design Ideas and Tips

A built-in coffee bar creates a functional and inviting space for morning coffee. Opting for quartz, marble, or solid surface counters makes for easy cleaning and a vibrant, luxury aesthetic. Those worried about the cost of stone surfaces may benefit from looking at more accessible materials like “standard” granite, which come in at a lower price point without the low-quality appearance of laminate.

Those looking to add a touch of luxury might consider live edge wood counters, higher-end quartz or marble surfaces, and cabinet upgrades like soft-close drawers and cabinets.

When drawing up your initial design, include cabinets for storage, outlets for appliances, and decorative lighting. Position near a breakfast nook or window.

Consulting with an Interior Designer who specializes in kitchen design can help immensely with drawing up ideas and getting your initial plans finalized.

Recommended Appliances

Invest in commercial grade coffee machines and refrigerators. Top brands include Miele, Wolf, SubZero and Thermador. For a sleek look, choose models with stainless, panel ready or integrated designs.

While your coffee maker or espresso machine is the centerpiece of your beverage bar, adding other functional appliances such as glass-faced refrigerators, drink warmers, and countertop organizers can further the luxury aesthetic of the area, with a very controllable impact on your budget. (Remember to use energy-efficient appliances!)

When considering cabinet manufacturers and styles, many homeowners think that they are limited to either cheap, prebuilt cabinets, or expensive custom solutions. While there are definitely use cases for custom cabinetry, those on a budget should consider mass manufactured cabinets made out of strong materials, ideally with functional attachments that add  ease of use and convenience (Such as soft-close drawers, carousel cabinets, and other functional storage pieces.)

Wood Types and Finishes

Where possible, opt for quality solid wood cabinets over cheaper particle board versions. Consider whether your room feels light or dark without the cabinets, and select a finish that compliments the room. Walnut, cherry and maple are some more expensive options that provide warmth to the room, while painted white finishes can be used to lighten the space. We always recommend soft close hinges and drawers, even if it means buying a cheaper cabinet overall.

Unique Storage Solutions

Creative cabinets like spice drawer organizers, lazy susans, and pull-out pantries maximize functionality. Display glass fronts show off prized dishware.

While choosing higher end appliances can very quickly increase the budget of your kitchen remodel, there is something to be said about the allure and appeal of designer stoves, fridges, and dishwashers. If you’re satisfied with your cabinets and have some wiggle room left in your budget, investing in better appliances is one of the most surefire ways to increase the overall appeal of your kitchen.

Professional Ranges and Cooktops

Common Luxury brands include:

• La Cornue: French luxury brand known for beautiful, innovative chef-grade ranges with patented vaulted oven design. Handmade in cast iron with unique colors and finishes. Highly customizable.
• SubZero / Wolf: Premier brand offering state-of-the-art kitchen appliances from refrigeration to ranges. Wolf specializes in pro-style gas ranges. SubZero makes built-in, integrated refrigerators and freezers. Known for performance, style and durability.
• Miele: Leading German brand of high-end kitchen appliances from dishwashers to ovens, known for precision engineering, efficiency and minimalist style. Miele pioneered many innovations and has an excellent reputation.
• Bertazzoni: Italian brand crafting enameled pro-style ranges available in a wide color palette. Features precision burner controls and high BTU output. Bertazzoni offers the bold colors and quality of luxury European appliances at a more accessible price point.

Opting for options like double ovens, induction cooktops, simmer burners and griddles can vastly increase the functional efficiency of your cooking area, and are definitely worth considering for foodies and hobbyist chefs. A perk of choosing from luxury brands is that oftentimes their appliances are produced in a  variety of finishings, giving you choices beyond just picking between black or stainless steel.

Quiet Dishwashers

One of the perks of investing in higher quality appliances is the range of options for luxury dishwashers. Our top recommendation is a silent model, which are insulated and generally run at around 50 decibels (The level of a quiet conversation.) Other features to look out for are quicker run times, water and energy efficient models, and the possibility of a second dishwasher.

If you’re considering a larger remodel with changes to your floorplan, opting for an open layout can completely change the impression your kitchen gives. Open floorplans were popularized in Connecticut alongside the Midcentury Modern building boom following World War II, and offer a quick pathway to a spacious, airy, aesthetic.

Removing Walls and Barriers

Knocking down walls between the kitchen and dining room creates an airy, open concept perfect for entertaining. We always recommend avoiding the removal of load bearing walls, which can greatly increase the cost of your project. Other considerations to make include which walls contain plumbing and electrical hookups, and where new pipes and electrical connections will need to be run once the existing hookups are removed. In the case that a wall adjacent to your kitchen is not load bearing, and contains very little plumbing and electric, we would highly recommend looking into removing the wall and converting to an open floorplan as a moderately affordable upgrade with a huge impact.

Island and Peninsular Designs

Islands provide ample counter and storage space in an open area, while also creatively controlling the flow of foot traffic through your kitchen, and helping to define the “Kitchen Triangle.” Peninsular layouts offer functionality of an island while separating the space. We always recommend including seating for casual dining.

Smart Home Technology

Voice Control and Automation

While voice controlled smart appliances and lights might seem like a stretch on a budget, our past clients agree the convenience these smart features add heavily outweighs the cost. When baking or cooking and dealing with messy hands, being able to adjust the oven’s temperature or set a timer by voice is indispensable. Likewise automated lighting, shades, and music can make entertaining and cooking simultaneously much less of a challenge.

Appliance Connectivity

Many new ovens, refrigerators, and dishwashers can connect to apps to remotely monitor and control. It’s very important to choose matching brands for seamless connectivity, and double check that any mismatched brands are cross compatible. The benefits of a smart kitchen are built around convenience and functionality, and dealing with the hassle of multiple brands and systems outweighs the perks smart systems aim for.

Accessory Dishwashers

One of the least spoken about, but most appreciated recommendations we make for luxury clients.

Benefits of a Second Dishwasher

A second dishwasher, convenient for larger families and entertainers, not only keeps clean dishes always available but also decreases the consistent need for larger families to run a load daily. We recommend placing accessory models under counters or in butler’s pantries.

Some opt to use their second machine for only glassware or when prepping large meals to decrease the need for maintenance.

Natural Lighting and Windows

If your remodel is already lining up with structural work or a roof repair, letting more natural light into the space is one of the best changes to make.

Skylights and High Ceilings

When working with smaller, darker spaces, adding a skylight can bring in some much needed natural light and get rid of that dark, cramped feel. When paired with high or vaulted ceilings, this is the ideal way to bring natural light into a space and adds charm and opulence to your room.

Strategic Window Placement

For maximum light, position windows above the sink and surrounding counters. If you have an existing picture window above the sink and it has a dated appearance, replacing it with a new one can have a surprisingly large impact on your kitchen. Where possible, installing a window to highlight a stove is a less popular option with the same impact.

Kitchen Flooring Options

Hardwood, Tile, and Stone

We could write an entire article just looking at your options for kitchen flooring on a budget. While most companies recommend Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP) for budget kitchens, we tend to warn homeowners that the natural expansion and contraction of the planks can be an issue when placed directly against cabinets and islands, especially near exterior walls where temperatures vary more wildly. For these reasons, we recommend looking at hardwood flooring, or low-maintenance options like tile and stone that can take the heavier foot traffic in these busier areas of the home. Be sure to pick materials that are resistant to scratching and water damage.

Radiant Heating

Radiant floor heating adds luxury and keeps feet cozy on chilly mornings. Opt for electric or hydronic systems under tile, stone or wood floors. These systems oftentimes integrate with other smart appliances, giving you the option to schedule when your heat kicks on, or to control it with your mobile phone and voice assistants.

Creative Backsplashes

The backsplash in your kitchen plays a few important roles: It creates contrast and carries the eye between your chosen countertops and cabinets. As such, coordinating your backsplash choice to match the surrounding materials is vital.

Materials and Patterns

While the most common backsplash tiles tend to be white subway tile or neutral mosaics, we recommend thoroughly researching your options for backsplash. Between the numerous choices in material, shape, color, and design, many homeowners are surprised the variety of impressions that backsplash can give to a room. Some less-considered options include mirrored and metallic backsplashes, natural stone slabs, and materials with unique textures and patterns to add contrast and vibrance to your space.

3D Effects and Metal Tiles

Dimensional tiles add depth, while tin ceiling-inspired metal backsplash tiles reflect light. ACCENT the backsplash by lining it with lighting or glass cabinets doors. Target keywords: 3D tile backsplash, metal backsplash Connecticut

Best Places to Look for Backsplash

When we remodel Kitchens and Bathrooms, our first recommendation for tile and stone surfaces is always Genrose Stone + Tile. With a wide variety of options ranging from mass produced stone surfaces right down to handcrafted artisan tiles, Genrose sets the industry standard in material and surface design.

Creating a high-end kitchen requires investing in luxury materials, appliances and design features that make a stunning statement. Carefully weigh priorities like layout, cabinetry, countertops and backsplashes, choosing options that maximize both aesthetics and functionality. Work with talented remodeling contractors and interior designers to achieve the upscale kitchen of your dreams. With smart planning, you can create a space perfect for relaxing and entertaining every day.