Luxury kitchen must-haves

From sparkling water on tap to shimmering copper sinks, there is no shortage of ideas to elevate a luxury kitchen design. Whether you are planning a Hamptons-style kitchen with stone benchtops and painted cabinetry, or a pared-back contemporary space built around an oversized island and integrated appliances, the hallmarks of a truly considered kitchen come down to the quality of the specification and the coherence of the design. At Oswald Homes, our bespoke approach to custom home design means every kitchen is conceived as an individual project rather than a package. The brief, the block, the lifestyle of the clients and the architectural character of the home all shape the outcome before a single tap is chosen.

The specification possibilities for a luxury kitchen are genuinely without limit. From an oversized fridge-freezer or under-bench cool drawers by American brand Sub-Zero, to Miele appliances that can guide you through a recipe step by step, the appliance choices alone communicate the ambition of the kitchen. If the cooktop is positioned in an island bench, a height-adjustable rangehood is a practical and visually clean solution that disappears when not in use. A statement oven or freestanding range from Smeg or Lacanche adds personality and becomes part of the kitchen’s design composition in a traditional home, while a combi steam oven built into a cabinetry run suits a contemporary luxury kitchen that prioritises visual cleanliness. Integrated fridges, freezers and dishwashers concealed behind cabinet doors keep the space looking composed from every angle.

Essentially a walk-in fridge, the cool room is ideal if you need lots of extra chilled storage, whether it’s for food or wine. We’ve recently designed a home with a cool room for a vegetarian family who shop regularly for fresh produce at local markets.

Billi and Zip water units deliver instant boiling water for a refreshing cuppa, as well as chilled or sparkling water straight from the tap. Some of our clients are also adding a pot-filler above the cooktop. It’s not only convenient, but it’s also often linked to a reverse osmosis system that purifies the water for cooking.

Want to keep the design sleek and streamlined? Handle-free cabinetry featuring servo-drive technology will bring five-star style to a minimalist contemporary kitchen. Designed for ease of operation, doors and drawers open and close at the lightest of touches thanks to Blum’s electronic motion support system.

From copper butler’s sinks to Astra Walker taps in French Gold, Flemish Copper or Aged Brass, metallic finishes are adding a subtle shine to many top-end kitchens.

One-off artisan pendant lights or imported feature lights are big news, making a statement when hung over an island bench.

Surface materials are where a luxury kitchen design communicates its character most clearly. Marble-effect benchtops and splashbacks from Caesarstone’s Super Natural range bring the depth and movement of natural stone without the maintenance demands of marble itself. Natural stone and timber remain enduring choices for those who want materials that develop character over time. Antique-wash finishes on traditional cabinetry carry the warmth and patina of a French Provincial or Hamptons kitchen, while high-gloss two-pack lacquer delivers the crisp, reflective finish that defines a contemporary custom kitchen. The choice of surface material is one of the most consequential decisions in any luxury kitchen brief and one of the most rewarding to get right.

It’s not so much about the gadgets themselves, as giving them a dedicated space in a kitchen that is as functional as it is fabulous. It’s a case of a place for everything and everything in its place. A well-fitted scullery, for example, may include space that has been allocated for a Thermomix, KitchenAid and commercial-style juicer. 

See more custom homes.