1. FLOOR-TO-CEILING STORAGE
'No one wants to store their cereal near the dishwashing detergent,' says James Stanley. 'Building a separate cabinet that spans floor-to-ceiling is the ultimate way to keep the kitchen organized and functional.'
2. AN EVERYTHING BAR
For designer Samantha Pappas, having a designated beverage area is her key to a functional kitchen. 'It’s such a great place to make a coffee, pour a glass of wine or even set out hors d’oeuvres,' she says.
Somewhere between a home bar and a breakfast station, it can be useful for the family, but makes a great addition to kitchens designed for entertaining for the super sociable.
3. CONCEALED TRASH
Another must-have for Stanley is sneaky storage for his trash – whether this is a drawer pull out that incorporates the bins or an angled cabinet. 'This is a must-have in all my kitchen designs,' he says. 'I like when the design provides an easy pull-out mechanism that works effortlessly and holds two larger size trash and recycling bins in one pullout that are completely concealed. I recommend placing the trash pullout near the sink for easy clean-up.'
4. A CUSTOM HOOD
For Pappas, a custom hood is a simple way to give a kitchen a custom feel without fully breaking the bank. The design options for a custom hood are endless: plaster, wood, tile, etc.
'It is such a good spot to add a customized design detail in the kitchen even if you can’t do custom cabinets,' she explains. 'It’s also an ideal opportunity to add another texture to the space and a way to bring the eye focus up.'
5. A POT FILLER
Pot fillers are poised above the stove, ready to fill pans with ease, and are a luxury addition for anyone who takes cooking seriously. Kitchen design company deVOL's Creative Director Helen Parker is a fan. 'Since introducing pot fillers to our collection, it has popped up in so many schemes. Aside from its design appeal, it is just so practical for big family kitchens.'
6. A LARDER WITH LIVING ROOM LOOKS
'More and more, pantries are being designed to be on show, behind glazed or part-glazed doors, rather than behind solid doors. The benefit is making a small kitchen look bigger; the downside is that traditional pantries prioritize function over form. However, this new movement to create beautifully decorated pantries creates the best of both worlds.'
7. THE CURVED KITCHEN ISLAND
What is the best kitchen island shape? For us, it's the curved kitchen island. 'Rounded and sweeping lines help break the status quo of linear kitchen island design,' says Shehryar Khan, director, Sheraton Interiors. 'Curves soften a space, especially when used with pastel colors. A curved island is more inviting, ideal for socializing, plus it's safer to navigate around without knocking hips or young heads on sharp corners.'