The Art of Kitchen Design

Season Four Episode Two | Transcript

Cabinetry, countertops, smart faucets, and statement lighting: in this episode we dive into the decisions that make a kitchen both functional and beautiful.

Whether you’re dreaming of a modern chef’s kitchen, a timeless white masterpiece, or a casual indoor-outdoor entertaining hub, we cover everything you need to plan the perfect kitchen for your custom home.

The Kitchen is the Heart of the Home

The kitchen remains the most important room in any custom home from a design and budget perspective. It’s where daily routines unfold and where homeowners invest most heavily.

Data consistently shows that larger kitchens influence over 40% of moves, which is a reflection of how central the space is to today's lifestyles. Open layouts, secondary prep spaces, and improved storage are top priorities for our clients as they design their dream kitchen.

Function First: Design for Lifestyle

Every kitchen starts with understanding how the homeowner lives. Designers consider:

• Who does the cooking and how often.
• The size of gatherings and frequency of entertaining.
• Storage and appliance preferences.
• Desired level of technology integration.

Rather than designing around the traditional work triangle, today custom kitchens prioritize zones for cooking, prep, cleanup, and entertaining. This flexible approach reflects how families actually use the space.

Kitchen Layouts & Islands

Kitchen design begins with layout. Common shapes include L-shaped, U-shaped, galley, or single-wall configurations. Larger homes can allow for extended or double islands, creating multiple prep and seating zones.

Our kitchen designers recommend basing island size and style on three factors:

1. Square footage and flow.
2. Lifestyle and number of cooks.
3. Material selection, such as quartz or butcher block.

Extended islands often combine surfaces to add warmth and texture to a space, for example waterfall quartz paired with reclaimed wood or another, contrasting quartz tone.

Making Kitchen Flooring Selections

Hardwood remains the top choice for its warmth, beauty, and versatility. Wide-plank, pre-finished engineered floors are durable and compatible with open-plan layouts.

Other popular options include:

• LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank): waterproof and pet-friendly.
• Tile: ideal for warm climates and low-maintenance homes.

Ultimately, flooring depends on lifestyle, region, and the desired level of formality.

Sink, Faucet & Plumbing Trends

The large single-bowl sink has become a design standard and is often paired with integrated workstation accessories like cutting boards, colanders, and drying racks. Granite composite sinks are growing in popularity for their color variety and durability.

Faucet technology continues to advance, blending function and fun:

• Touch or Voice Activated models allow hands-free use.
• Water-Efficient Aerators reduce waste without compromising water pressure.
• Some smart faucets even feature 20-second wash timers to encourage proper handwashing.

Combining Appliances & Technology

The kitchen remains a leading space for innovation. Nearly all major appliances now include Wi-Fi connectivity for remote operations and monitoring.

Current appliance design trends include:

• Bold colors like navy, emerald, and French blue replacing traditional stainless.
• Custom finishes and hardware for personalized style.
• Menu-driven ovens that automatically adjust cooking times and temperatures.
• Steam and convection ovens that promote healthier, faster cooking.

For many homeowners, appliance selections anchor the entire kitchen design from the perspective of aesthetics and function.

Choosing Kitchen Cabinetry Style & Colors

Cabinetry defines the kitchen’s style and organization. Shaker-style doors remain the most popular, with flat-panel and slab fronts gaining ground for modern aesthetics.

Top colors:

• White: timeless and versatile.
• Black and Navy: bold, sophisticated alternatives.
• Soft or Deep Greens: emerging favorites for nature-inspired palettes.

Design trends:

• Mixed mMetals: blending gold, black, and stainless finishes.
• Two-Tone Cabinetry: contrasting upper and lower colors or using islands as statement pieces.
• Touch-Latch and Zero-Line Hardware: sleek, modern cabinetry without visible handles.

Countertops & Backsplashes

Quartz dominates countertop materials for its durability, low maintenance, and realistic stone appearance.

Popular finishes include polished, honed, and leathered textures, with full-height quartz backsplashes offering a seamless, elegant look.

For decorative tile backsplashes, clients are leaning toward simple, low-maintenance designs with minimal grout lines. Designers often recommend plug strips under cabinets to keep outlets off the backsplash and preserve a clean aesthetic.

Kitchen Lighting Layers

Lighting transforms how a kitchen functions and feels. A well-designed kitchen lighting plan layers lighting with:

• Task Lighting: recessed cans and under cabinet lights.
• Accent Lighting: toe-kick and interior cabinet illumination.
• Decorative Fixtures: pendants and chandeliers add personality, they are like the jewelry of the kitchen.
• Smart Lighting: voice-activated or color-changing systems for convenience and ambience.

Mixing warm and cool tones enhances depth and balance, while proper sizing ensures pendants don’t obstruct sight lines in open spaces.

Kitchen Storage & Organization

Kitchen storage combines both beauty and practicality, with designers maximizing storage with deep drawers, pullouts, and custom inserts while extending organization into adjacent spaces.

Trends include:

• Walk-in pantries or open pantry alcoves for display.
• Butler's Pantries/Prep Kitchens for out-of-sight meal prep.
• Under-island storage for small appliance and beverage fridges.

Closet and pantry design firms have also stepped up with customizable shelving that complements cabinetry to offer luxury-level functionality without the cost of full custom millwork.

Outdoor & Entertaining Kitchens

Indoor-outdoor flow remains a priority for homeowners in all climates. Outdoor kitchens now feature:

• Built-in grills, flat tops, and pizza ovens.
• Kegerators, beverage fridges, and ice makers for entertaining.
• Integrated fireplaces or fire features for year-round use.

Even when weather limits outdoor use, these spaces extend the home’s living area and enhance resale value.

Good custom kitchen design blends creativity, innovation, and practicality. From modern finishes and smart technology to storage and lighting, today’s custom kitchens are more personal and performance-driven than ever.