The No. 1 Most Loved Kitchen Upgrade, According to Designers
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Key Points
- One of the most popular kitchen upgrades designers get asked for is an appliance garage.
- Clients often want hidden appliances, too—especially microwaves.
- Other popular renovations include new countertops, layered lighting, and better sinks.
As the heart of the home, a kitchen should contain a blend of your style preferences and functional elements that make it easy to cook and enjoy time with the people you love most. Hence why kitchen renovations are so popular—and why there are a handful of requests designers see over and over again.
The most popular kitchen upgrades blend the art and science of a good kitchen. From hidden homes for your appliances to sleek countertops to more intentional lighting, here’s what the majority of homeowners are implementing in their cooking spaces.
Meet the Expert
- Mugdha Girish Uma is the founder and principal designer of MGU Design.
- Thecla Glueck is an interior designer and founder of Thecla Glueck Design.
- Jody Jones is an interior designer and the founder of Blue Indigo Designs.
The Most Popular Kitchen Upgrade
@interiorsbypopov / Instagram
Designer Mugdha Girish Uma says the most popular upgrade request she gets for kitchens is for an appliance garage. This handy storage unit is fit for any kitchen, no matter your style.
“The appliance garage could be a whole tall cabinet and pocket doors, a shutter that rolls up, or a lift-up door,” she says. “The appliances have a dedicated space and all the wires can be well hidden when not in use, too.”
Housing everything, including blenders, coffee makers, stand mixers, toasters, and more, these spaces can be built into existing cabinetry or become a whole one-off project. They can also hide beneath countertops or slip neatly inside larger pantries.
“Thoughtful details like an appliance garage or tower cabinet help visually declutter counters and create unique and customized functionality,” says interior designer Thecla Glueck.
6 Other Popular Kitchen Upgrades
Appliance garages aren’t the only upgrades gaining traction. The following features also rank highly on homeowners’ lists when it comes to kitchen projects.
New Countertops
Britt Design Studio
“Hands down, the number-one most popular upgrade I see on every kitchen remodel or even refresh is counters,” Glueck says. “And it’s always a marble or quartzite, which is informed by budget and how much workspace there will be.”
Countertops are one of the best ways to quickly transform a kitchen that might be feeling a little dated or lackluster. A bright white, modern black, or veined surface never fails to elevate this room.
“Similar to the functionality of cabinetry, countertops are now not an afterthought,” says designer Jody Jones. “We bring in charging pads, sustainable options, and tops that enhance the overall design of the space.”
Hidden Appliances
Kendall Wilkinson Design
Like an appliance garage, hidden appliances in general are becoming more popular, too. Homeowners are opting for panels, hidden compartments, and appliances with covers that blend neatly into their surroundings.
“Clients have started to opt for microwave drawers, as they can be hidden in your island or just in the lower part of the kitchen cabinetry, making sure it’s not an eyesore,” Uma says.
Functional Cabinetry
Jessica Nelson Design
More functionality is another phrase that comes up nonstop for Jones. And it makes sense, as kitchens are so much more than just a solo cooking area.
“Today’s homeowner needs spaces that can function for multiple cooks in a space at a given time, spaces that can work well for multigenerational families, increased entertaining, and the altogether hub of the home,” says Jones.
She plans out cabinetry options that appeal to the homeowner but that also bring ample storage, organization, and a dedicated place to house everything within the kitchen.
Better Sinks
Gray Space Interiors
One product Uma often gets asked about is a workstation sink. Improved basins, faucets, and the surrounding area are essential for streamlined cooking and cleaning. A workstation sink, specifically, offers all of this.
“It is extremely functional and convenient to use,” Uma says. “The accessories and attachments that are sold with the kitchen sink make it easy for chopping and cleaning produce.”
Layered Lighting
House Nine Design Studio
“Curate a custom and layered lighting scheme with recessed lighting, pendants or monopoint lights, under-counter LEDs, and sconces, which I think are ‘jewelry’ for the space and add charm,” Glueck says.
She notes that different kitchen lighting options can offer a myriad of purposes, from task lighting to ambience to aesthetic appeal, depending on how you layer them. While it’s great for all kitchens, it’s especially helpful to consider for open-concept homes.
Customized Range Hoods
Desiree Burns Interiors
Though functionality is a large part of many kitchen upgrades, cohesion also matters. Glueck points out that custom range hoods do this perfectly. They blend better into a kitchen’s architecture and color scheme and feel more personal.
“It’s less an appliance, and more a considered design moment that adds balance, beauty, and quiet presence to the kitchen,” she says.
4 Outdated Kitchen Features Worth Removing
If you’re looking to remove before you improve, there are a handful of outdated kitchen features our experts suggested getting rid of:
- Ovens underneath cooktops
- Countertop microwaves
- Over-oven microwaves
- Trend-led choices that don’t reflect your lifestyle
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