Designing a kitchen isn’t just about style; it’s about making the space as functional and enjoyable as possible—especially for those who love to cook. Modern luxury kitchens combine high-end materials, cutting-edge technology, and thoughtful design to create a home cook’s dream.
But what are the best features for your kitchen renovation?
With hundreds of articles, Reddit threads, and Pinterest posts out there to inspire luxury kitchen ideas and your list of dream fancy features, it’s easy to get overwhelmed—the good news is: we’re here to help.
We’ve taken note of client preferences, observed the trends, and done countless hours of market research to create a comprehensive list of ideas to inspire your next kitchen upgrade.
Here’s what we’ve found:
Eco-Friendly Luxury Kitchen Ideas

Go Plastic Free: When planning your kitchen remodel, prioritize building materials like reclaimed wood, natural stone, or sustainable composites for countertops and cabinets. Additionally, research appliances with the least amount of plastic, as they will far outlast the alternatives and are much easier to repair, providing both durability and eco-friendliness.
Luxury Metals: Metals, like bronze, are costly but add a touch of luxury to your kitchen remodel. Introduce bronze accents in your hardware, light fixtures, or faucets for a timeless, upscale look.
Smart Kitchen Upgrades for Everyday Convenience

Bluetooth Speakers in the Ceiling: Imagine cooking with your favorite tunes or podcasts playing from tactically placed speakers for a full surround-sound effect. A bonus? Entertaining guests just got a lot easier!
Smart Light Switches: Install Wifi, Zigbee, or Zwave switches to control your kitchen lighting with voice commands or automation. For example, you can set your overhead lights to come on at 30% brightness starting at 8 pm and activate the under-cabinet lights, too.
Motion-Sensing Pantry Lights: Never leave the pantry light on all night again! Install motion-sensor lights to turn on when you enter and off after a minute of inactivity.
Storage Solutions for High-End Kitchens

Floor-to-Ceiling Cabinets: Say goodbye to dusty cabinet tops! This timeless style is coming back in a big way, and we are glad to see it. Floor-to-ceiling cabinets are practical and a stunning addition to your luxury kitchen design. They maximize storage space, eliminate hard-to-reach gaps, and make cleaning much easier.
Pull-Out Pantries: Well-placed pull-out pantries and spice drawers keep everything organized and easily accessible while eliminating awkward, unused space. Pro tip: store your spices away from a close heat source, as heat can degrade oils and chemical compounds that give spices their flavor over time.
Mixer Riser: If you bake regularly, a built-in mixer riser will change your life. This luxury kitchen feature allows you to store your stand mixer on a lift that raises it to counter height with minimal effort—saving your back and precious counter space. When you finish using the mixer, you simply tuck it neatly back into the cabinet for a clean and organized look.
Garbage Pull-Out at Chopping Station: A pull-out bin right where you prep makes cleanup a breeze. Prefer compost? No problem! The space is there for you to utilize as you see fit.
Big, Deep Drawers for Pots and Pans: If you’ve researched luxury kitchen ideas, you’ve seen how convenient (and beautiful!) deep drawers are for storing larger cooking items like pots and pans. Our recommendation? Replace all lower cabinets with spacious drawers for comfort and better accessibility.
Kick-Plate Drawers for Sheet Pans: Every item has a spot in a well-designed, high-end kitchen. Kick-plate drawers at the base of your cabinets help you use every inch of space in your kitchen to store sheet pans, cookie sheets, muffin tins, cake pans, and more.
Practical Luxury Kitchen Additions

Coffee Station with a Built-In Faucet: You’ve heard of the over-the-stove pot filler, but have you heard of installing a pot filler in your coffee (or tea) station? This genius addition makes brewing your morning cup easier than ever and looks great, too.
Kitchen Sink Glass Rinser: The most inexpensive on this list, the glass rinser, bottle washer, cup washer, or whatever you prefer to call it, is a small but mighty addition that makes rinsing glasses quick and easy. Don’t skip this feature if you have children or are a frequent entertainer!
Under-Cabinet Lighting: Brighten up your workspace with subtle lighting that’s functional and stylish. When paired with the smart lighting we mentioned earlier in this blog, under-cabinet lighting can set the mood for a dinner party or provide shadow-free lighting for food prep and cooking.
Luxury Appliances: Curious about the biggest piece of advice from countless home cooks on their #1 luxury feature in their kitchen remodel? Invest in the best appliances you can afford for performance, durability, and design that ties the whole kitchen together. For example, an extended range hood with an automatic timer will keep your kitchen fresh. Choose the quietest dishwasher within your price range, and if you entertain often, consider buying two.
Functional Modern Kitchen Design

Slab Backsplash: Sleek, single-slab backsplashes are about to be in home kitchens nationwide. Natural materials like marble, quartz, granite, or soapstone exude elegance while proving to be statement pieces in and of themselves. And, as a bonus, no grout lines mean effortless cleaning.
Large Kitchen Sink and Prep Sink: Home cooks know that sinks can make or break a kitchen. If you have the space for it, invest in not one but two sinks for your kitchen—a large, deep sink that is big enough to lay flat your largest baking sheets or pans and a small prep sink at your prep (or chopping) station.
Flooring and Seating

Comfortable Kitchen Floors: When you’re on your feet for hours at a time, comfortable floors aren’t a luxury—they are a necessity. Choose resilient materials like real wood, cork, or luxury vinyl plank (LVP flooring). Any of these options are better for your feet, legs, and lower back and are less likely to cause breakage if something falls.
Comfortable Kitchen Seating: Comfortable seating is a feature many home cooks regret having overlooked during their kitchen remodel. Add a cozy bench to your kitchen for family hangouts, conversations, and extra warmth in the space! You’ll be shocked to see how quickly friends and family join you in the kitchen when there’s a welcoming spot to relax and chat.
Entertaining and Beverage Options

Wine or Drink Fridge: Whether your drink of choice is wine, soda, or sparkling water, a dedicated beverage fridge is practical and luxurious. It keeps your drinks at the perfect temperature and adds a touch of elegance to your kitchen while freeing up vital space in your main fridge.
Power and Convenience
Lots of Kitchen Outlets: Keep your kitchen functional with ample outlets for all your gadgets and appliances. Think about how you’ll set up your kitchen: outlets on your island and prep station, near the coffee pot, toaster, blender, stand mixer or air fryer are essential. Consider additional outlets for less obvious needs like lamps, phone chargers, or even a TV and router—strategically placed outlets ensure a functional and adaptable space.
Final Tips
Before starting any remodeling journey, we recommend taking the time to “live” in your kitchen and assess how you use the space.
Observe your movements, find where and when you’re reaching for tools that aren’t there, and note when you have to go out of your way for key kitchen items. Doing this will help you decide where to place storage, outlets, and other essentials.
If you’ve just moved in, try using the kitchen for at least six months to learn what works best for you.
With these luxury kitchen ideas, you can transform your kitchen into a home cook haven tailored to your cooking and lifestyle needs.
Ready to make your dream kitchen a reality? CTIS Remodeling specializes in luxury kitchen remodels in Austin, Texas. Contact us today to start planning your perfect space!
FAQs: Luxury Kitchen Upgrades
1. What materials are best for a sustainable luxury kitchen?
Reclaimed wood, natural stone, and sustainable composites are top choices for eco-friendly countertops and cabinets.
2. Are high-end appliances worth the investment?
Yes! Premium appliances offer better performance, durability, and often energy efficiency, making them a long-term value.
3. What’s a mixer riser, and why should I consider one?
A mixer riser is a built-in feature that lifts your stand mixer to counter height, saving space and effort. It’s the perfect add-on for avid bakers.
4. How can I maximize storage in a luxury kitchen?
Consider options like floor-to-ceiling cabinets, pull-out pantries, deep drawers, and kick-plate drawers to optimize space.
5. What are the must-have tech features for a modern kitchen?
Wifi-enabled light switches, motion-sensing lights, and Bluetooth ceiling speakers are popular tech upgrades for convenience and style.
6. What’s the benefit of a slab backsplash?
A single slab backsplash eliminates grout lines, making it elegant and easy to clean.
7. How do I determine the right number of outlets for my kitchen?
Think about your kitchen appliances and gadgets, such as coffee makers, blenders, and chargers—plan for outlets at your prep station, island, and coffee area to cover all use cases.