Key Takeaways from AD’s Ultra Luxury Kitchen Report
As people spend more time in their kitchens, it’s no wonder this is the space getting a whole lot of attention at the moment. I’m a little obsessed with kitchen design, perhaps because that’s often where you’ll find me if I’m not working on interior design projects or hanging out with the husband. So when I recently came across Architectural Digest PRO’s detailed report on what we can expect from the ultra-luxury kitchen of tomorrow, I knew it would be worth summarising and sharing. Let me know if you’re noticing these trends or if you’ll be implementing any of them in your next kitchen design.
Latest Luxury Kitchen Enhancements
The report kicks off with a sneak peek into the enhancements that some luxury designers are incorporating into cooking, dining, and entertaining spaces:
DISAPPEARING ACT
As clients seek out more minimal interior design, there’s an increasing desire to keep the cooking functions in the background until the last minute.
Many designers are creating moving countertops that hide sinks or stovetops, retractable door systems that conceal appliances and look like regular cabinet fronts, and sliding screens that separate the space without closing it off entirely. All while keeping materials the same so they all blend seamlessly.
BANQUETTE BEAUTY
Personally, I’ve always been a fan of a banquette and its fab to see that they’re on the rise again.
Used as a way to elevate a room with the addition of statement fabrics, many banquettes are now being designed with more custom woodwork, fluted panels, storage savvy drawers or cantilevered bases that give you extra space.
WARM ACCENTS
Finishes like brass and antique gold are trending due to their warm nature. This is also becoming a popular choice when used in conjunction with warm wood materials that are also on the rise.
Lots of texture and warmth is important in the kitchen, which is being appreciated by UHNW Clients with a move away from less white and more richness in Kitchen design.
ALL DAY DINING
With the hybrid working model and a lot more people working from home, designers are being driven to create a multifunctional dining zones with many elements working hard.
Such as comfortable seating for cocktails or business meetings; pianos and sound systems for entertaining and jam sessions; and cozy fireplaces, statement lighting, and large-scale art that keeps it all visually interesting.
ANCIENT SURFACES
Designers are taking kitchen counters one step further by sourcing ancient limestone surfaces from countries like Malta.
Formed during the Jurassic Period, the nature of their environment they were formed in makes them impervious to staining and scratching, which is a rare combination.
DOUBLE-DUTY WORKSTATIONS
Workstations that provide a variety of activities with at-arm’s-length accessories like a cutting board, a drying rack, and a stainless-steel colander are quickly rising in demand and for good reason.
People are becoming more time-poor and workstations that serve multiple functions or that are adaptable are worth the investment if it frees up time to spend with the family.
Major Predictions
COVERT OPERATIONS
From pop-up plugs to rotating panels that contain storage behind them, and push-to-open cabinets with invisible hardware allowing your materials to take center stage, ensuring appliances and gadgets have a permanent home that can be easily concealed, is highly desirable.
THE PRIORITISATION OF PERSONALISATION
Clients are making their kitchens personal, not necessarily in keeping with the famous triangle but rather what works best for them.
With functionality and customisation for their daily routines at the heart of it. Such as the inclusion of coffee or juice bars which are on the rise.
SMART KITCHENS
Integrated smart technology systems and options catering to the lifestyle of end-users are growing more advanced by the day. From smart faucets to ovens being controlled by your smartphone, to simple touch closing cabinets.
Smart kitchens are really where the luxury kitchen design ethos is heading.
DOUBLING UP THE DRAMA
From the double island craze that allows you to add a ton of storage to your kitchen, with more space to prepare food and entertain guests, to the ever-practical double dishwasher.
These are the ultimate indulgences.
Having space for them— well that’s another luxury by itself.
CANCELLATION OF UPPER CABINETS
Thanks to the emergence of double islands, upper cabinetry may fall into the category of ornamental rather than necessary.
As we seek to minimise clutter and make every corner of our homes feel more personalised with objects, artwork, and books, open shelves are quickly becoming more desirable in kitchens and it’s not hard to see why.
THE COLOUR AND PRINT INJECTION
There’s already a move away from the all-white or all-gray kitchen but homeowners don’t necessarily want wild colors, instead, there seems to be a gradual trend toward blues and greens.
There also is a huge trend toward the use of ornate handpainted wallpaper in kitchens. Homeowners seem more motivated to trade their all-white kitchens of days past for bold, dynamic spaces bedecked with wallpaper, often continuing from the kitchen into the great room or dining area.
ECOFRIENDLY ENDEVOURS
With the move toward being more environmentally and health-conscious, it’s no surprise then that this can be seen in kitchen design too. From the incorporation of sustainable materials, avoiding toxic substances to home farms or hydroponic systems for fresh produce, and even a move away from microwaves to steam ovens.
The ultra-luxury kitchen of the future can be expected to prioritise this.
MATERIAL MIX
Mixing the old with the new, the cold with the warm, nothing is off the table. There is a desire to create timeless instagrammable kitchens that cleverly showcase unique combinations.
From brass hoods, copper panels, wood cabinets, onyx instead of marble, unique lighting, sinks in different finishes—there’s just such a moment of creativity now with kitchen design.
The future of kitchen design will showcase braver choices and more mixed materials such as concrete mixed with glossy natural stone, creating the ultimate impact.
LARGER LIGHTING
An abundance of recessed overhead lighting is the enemy. Of course, task lighting is important where needed, but as islands become a staple in kitchen design so too are the pendants that dangle above them, like suspended jewelry.
The major trend of the moment - larger pendants—two instead of three or, even better, a single spectacular pendant.
It’s crucial to have ample light in the kitchen but there’s no reason you can’t layer that in with fabulous statement pieces that complement each other.
QUALITY QUARTZITE
I don’t know about you but a deeply veined piece of marble will always get my heart racing.
However, we are now seeing clients venture beyond Calcutta marble and appreciate the beautiful naturally occurring quartzites.
While they look more like marble; they have color and veining, but they behave more like granite— there’s no calcium [carbonate] in quartzite, so it doesn’t etch. It’s nonporous, so it’s not going to stain or scratch.
Affluent Clientele Requests
Part of the report included the results of a survey conducted by the Research Institute for Cooking & Kitchen Intelligence (RICKI) on the key products or features that affluent clients were looking to incorporate in their kitchens. This was their order of preference:
A refrigerator that keeps food fresher, longer
Walk-in pantry
Customised storage/organisation
Cabinet lighting
Waste and recycling bins within cabinetry
Better ventilation for range
Built-in water filtration
Kitchen island
Commercial or pro-style range
Convection oven
Trends to Invest In
Finally, the report compiled a few noteworthy trends that are worth investing in, including:
Quality cabinets (it’s definitely not worth the cost and headache of replacing cheaper cabinets in 5 years)
A fireplace where possible
A pantry for dry goods, appliances, and root vegetables
A separate chef’s kitchen otherwise known as a butlers kitchen
A closet for dishes and accessories
Did you find this informative? What are some of the concepts or trends that you hope to incorporate in your next kitchen design?
