7 Elements of Designing Contemporary Luxury Kitchens

December 12, 2023 | 14 min read

A well-designed kitchen creates a sense of style in your home and makes cooking more enjoyable. A well-equipped kitchen is very important for healthy living and food preparation.

As an interior designer, Nikki Chu bases the beginning of the design process on research and an understanding of ever-changing home trends. Chu has designed and remodeled homes and kitchens for over 15 years and kitchens remain one of her favorite spaces to design. When building a new home, the ultimate dream kitchen is on every client’s list of requests. These kitchens not only have to look beautiful but also need to be personalized based on the homeowners' needs. 

Not only is it the space where we spend most of our time entertaining, cooking, or working, it is one of the most important upgrades to a home that will increase the resale value. As kitchen styles evolve, we are seeing more people lean into the contemporary luxury aesthetic, the perfect balance of high-end materials, premium fixtures, and state-of-the-art appliances. 

For the last decade of contemporary luxury kitchen design, we’ve seen Carrera marble, white cabinets, and subway tiles. But now, even in the smallest of kitchens, we are starting to see contemporary luxury reimagined. Designers are mixing light and dark wood tones, introducing pops of color, removing traditional-style cabinets, minimizing upper cabinets and creating larger door panels for a much cleaner look.

Elements of Designing a Contemporary Luxury Kitchen

Crafting the perfect contemporary luxury kitchen is more than just selecting the right colors or materials. It's about harmoniously blending each design element, from the layout to the statement pieces, ensuring the space is functional and aesthetically striking. Delving deeper into the design, various crucial elements come into play, each contributing to the overall ambiance and functionality of the luxury kitchen.

Layout: Creating the Perfect Foundation

Kitchen layouts have evolved and have taken on a much more important role in our lives. Whether your kitchen is small or large and expansive, the layout of a kitchen is critical to its functionality, workflow, and lifestyle. 

As the kitchen continues to be the heart of the home, it demands a well-thought-out foundation to maximize space. Every kitchen layout requires a “working triangle”—which is the clear path between the area for:

1. Cooking (stove)

2. Cleaning (sink)

3. Food storage (fridge) 

A good working triangle is a great place to start your design, and be sure to give a lot of thought to your kitchen layout because there's much to consider: comfortable movement, placement of furniture, prep space, a coffee/tea bar area, work surfaces, hidden pantries, and ample storage. All these factors contribute to the enjoyment of the space. 

For those with the luxury of space, newer homes incorporate butler’s pantries/kitchens, allowing homeowners to have more storage and cooking space to hide the mess. This allows you to preserve a more designer and open look for the main kitchen, which is better suited for entertainment.

Aesthetic: Material Choices that Define Contemporary Luxury

In the realm of luxury kitchen design, the materials selected play a monumental role in defining both the aesthetic appeal and the enduring quality of the space. Chosen materials resonate with personal tastes, practical needs, and a vision of sophistication. From the opulence of natural stones to the warm embrace of premium woods, the tactile and visual allure of these materials creates a contemporary luxury atmosphere that is both inviting and grand.

Colors: Painting a Contemporary Luxury Story

The color palette in contemporary luxury kitchens tends to lean towards neutral and muted hues. This approach creates a timeless appeal that can transcend ever-changing design trends. These classic hues still dominate the contemporary space, allowing the marble to be the focal point. Neutral colors exude elegance, and when paired with dark shades of brown and black, they produce a rich contrast that looks upscale.

Contemporary kitchens, typically characterized by sleek and minimalist layouts, often incorporate a mix of wood tones and textures. The colors grounding this design can vary, but the use of muted yet rich colors remains common. Sandy tones and soft beiges are resurgent, slowly replacing pure white. Neutral and monochromatic color schemes establish a setting of refined opulence. Trending colors, such as deep, dramatic hues of green and blue, blacks, neutrals, creams, and softer shades of brown, continue to be at the forefront of design.

Personally, Nikki Chu is drawn to subdued color palettes and monochromatic color schemes that experiment with texture and contrast polished with matte surfaces, all harmonized by warm wood tones.

Appliances: Integrating Technology with Aesthetics

As our homes become increasingly intelligent, the rapid advancements in home technology are prompting designers to view kitchens in a new light. One of the most significant trends in the contemporary luxury kitchen realm is the fusion of innovative technology with aesthetics. The kitchen of the future leans heavily towards automation, energy efficiency, and Wi-Fi/voice-activated controls.

It's crucial to incorporate tech at the outset of the design process. This ensures appropriate placement of outlets and custom cabinetry to accommodate various devices. With the latest tech, we can now monitor our roast cooking while we're away at the movies, ensuring it doesn't burn. Meanwhile, electric kettles can boil water in under a minute. While it's clear that technology aims to simplify and enhance our lives, its incorporation into the kitchen is proving indispensable.

One noticeable result of this tech integration is the ability to make both small and large appliances "disappear." With the influx of devices on the market, the kitchen, as the heart of the home, is evolving into a space that's seamlessly and efficiently voice-controlled.

In the realm of contemporary luxury kitchen design, the emphasis isn't solely on aesthetics and functionality, but also on the artistry of the appliances themselves. There's a growing trend towards incorporating unique statement piece appliances that not only serve a purpose but also act as limited-edition art pieces in the space. These designs elevate everyday kitchen equipment into tactile and visually stunning centerpieces. Exploring such appliance statement pieces can be an avenue for those keen on integrating singular design elements into their culinary spaces.

Furniture: Marrying Comfort with Luxury

When it comes to crafting a stylish and luxurious kitchen, the keyword is "custom". Elements like open shelving, concealed appliances, task lighting, and chandeliers all contribute to crafting a meticulously designed space. In the kitchen, texture holds as much importance as it does in any other part of the home. 

Materials such as smoked glass & brass, metal mesh, leather panels, and mirrored elements infuse the space with a luxe appeal. A hallmark of luxury is an organized and streamlined appearance, achieved by concealing many of the smaller appliances and designing custom cabinet spaces equipped with outlets.

Flooring has a substantial impact, serving as a bridge between comfort and luxury. Wide wood planks or herringbone floors elevate the space while imparting warmth. Statement pieces — be they bar stools, dropped dining benches, sculptural tables, restaurant-style booths, or upholstered dining chairs — effortlessly combine elegance with minimal décor, striking the perfect balance between comfort and luxury. 

The kitchen island, often the room's centerpiece, should be grand and feature a distinct design that sets the tone for the space. Opting for a darker shade or tone on the island compared to the rest of the cabinetry can give the illusion of a larger kitchen. Finally, lighting is key to creating ambiance. Incorporating task lights, art lights, or even a singular chandelier over the island, rather than multiple pendants, establishes both mood and style in the kitchen.

Accessories: The Devil is in the Details

A well-designed kitchen zeroes in on the details, and styling it is crucial to amplify the overarching vision. Placing a large vase on the island, filled with a dramatic floral or decorative branch arrangement, instantly elevates the space. Sleek fixtures not only provide visual appeal but also make a grand statement. Creative lighting designs add layers of luxury, spotlighting architectural features and playing with light and shadow. Hardware can entirely transform the look of cabinets, and its reflective glow, especially when using a mix of sizes and more petite-scale pieces, enhances the luxe ambiance.

In designing a contemporary kitchen, the principle of "less is more" holds. It's essential to allow individual elements to shine and make a statement. The focus should be on a select few decor elements, furniture, and lighting solutions rather than cluttering the space with numerous items. Consider introducing a sculpture, or craft a tablescape on the island using a large tray, a collection of bowls, or candles.

Chandeliers are not only perfect for illumination but also for setting the mood. Artwork, too, can elevate a kitchen, especially when paired with art lights that emphasize the piece. Large-scale mirrors or abstract art infuse a luxe feel and create the illusion of a more expansive space. A finishing touch to any kitchen is the window treatment—softening the walls, it lends additional styling, especially in a breakfast nook. This can be complemented with throw pillows and fresh flowers.

Technology: The Silent Enhancer in Contemporary Kitchens

The primary objective of a designer is to craft a home that exudes luxury, a goal further refined by the specific tastes of the client. Today, no home feels truly complete without the integration of interior technology, be it tech gadgets in the kitchen and bathroom or a centralized smart home hub. Incorporating these features lends the home a sophisticated aura and fosters a contemporary experience. Intelligent functionalities are fast becoming the standard—voice-controlled appliances, state-of-the-art oven temperature adjusters, drawers that double as charging stations, and touch-activated faucets are just the beginning.

Given the kitchen's pivotal role in our lives, intelligent lighting systems are replacing traditional switches and remotes. As this technology evolves at breakneck speed, it presents even more avenues to elevate the modern home. Individuals are increasingly seeking solutions that not only optimize efficiency but also infuse convenience into their bustling lives. In the realm of home automation, entertainment reigns supreme. Integrating advanced tech into your kitchen might sound futuristic, but it's becoming more commonplace by the day. For instance, smart refrigerators can propose recipes based on their contents, while warming drawers and wall ovens or professional-style ranges can be preheated remotely.