7 Kitchen Features That Are Truly Worth the Investment

From hurried breakfasts to homework at the table, the kitchen works harder than any other room in a family home. If you are planning a new one, these are the features that really earn their place in a busy household.

Planning a new kitchen is one of the bigger projects you can take on at home. It is the room most of us use from the first cup of tea in the morning to the last tidy up at night, and for many families it also serves as a dining room, a homework station and the place everyone naturally gathers. With so many decisions to make about cabinets, colours and fittings, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, and a choice that seemed fine on paper can quickly turn into a daily frustration.

To help narrow things down, Ntola Obazee, brand director at kitchen specialist Kutchenhaus, has picked out seven features that genuinely pay off in everyday family life.

Storage that suits the way you live

Storage should be near the top of the list, and Ntola recommends talking it through openly with your designer so they can suggest what works for your room and your routine. Lining every wall with floor to ceiling units is not always the answer. Instead, thoughtful touches such as larder cupboards, hidden drawers and shelves, or cabinets built to hold specific items can make a real difference. As Ntola puts it, “When your kitchen has been designed with your requirements in mind, it makes using it every day that much more enjoyable.”

A boiling water tap

Once regarded as something of a luxury, the boiling water tap has become a must have for many households. Ntola points to the fact that lots of us now spend more time at home, getting through plenty of hot drinks over the course of the day, while others are simply juggling busier lives. For parents trying to keep the morning routine moving, that kind of convenience is easy to appreciate. These taps now come in a wide range of colours, finishes and streamlined designs, so finding one that sits comfortably within your scheme is straightforward.

Drawers rather than cupboards

When you are planning your cabinetry, think carefully about what you will actually be keeping in it. In many cases, Ntola says, a good number of deep drawers will be more practical than lots of cupboards. They make it easier to store larger appliances and give you better access to pots and pans, plates and even glasses. She suggests choosing soft close drawers for a smoother action and adding drawer organisers so that every bit of space is put to good use.

A downward extractor hob

For anyone who cooks regularly, Ntola considers a downward extractor hob to be essential. It is particularly well suited to open plan kitchens and spaces designed for socialising, as it draws cooking smells away straight from the source. These hobs also tend to run more quietly than traditional extractor fans, so whoever is cooking can still join in with the conversation going on around them. Their sleek design works especially well on an island that faces out into the room, which is ideal when the whole family or a group of friends is gathered together.

A hidden pantry

A pantry is high on many wish lists, and while a walk in version depends on the size and layout of your kitchen, a built in one is far easier to achieve. Designed to blend in with the rest of your cabinets, a single or double fronted pantry cupboard gives you a dedicated home for everyday dry goods such as cereal, bread and cooking ingredients, or even the kettle and coffee machine. Ntola advises fitting it with heavy duty shelving, lighting and sockets so that it is as useful as possible.

Lighting planned from the start

Lighting is often left until late in the process, but thinking about it early means you will get much more from it. If you have your heart set on statement pendants above an island, Ntola suggests considering the height they will hang at as well as how they look and how practical they are. Alongside standard task lighting, under cabinet or shelf lighting can pick out particular features or bring extra brightness on gloomier days. Automatic lighting that switches on when the pantry doors open adds a touch of luxury, while portable table lamps in neutral tones are an easy way to create a different mood in different parts of the room.

Somewhere to sit

Adding seating makes a kitchen instantly more practical. Whether it is stools at the island for breakfast, a banquette for relaxing or a dining table and chairs, having somewhere to sit encourages everyone to slow down, talk and spend time together. If seating matters to you, Ntola recommends raising it with your designer early on, as some options, such as island stools, need a certain amount of clearance to keep walkways free. Neutral seating lets the rest of the kitchen take the spotlight, and linens, throws and cushions in similar shades add comfort. It is also worth thinking about how the seating will actually be used. If the children are likely to sit down to do their homework in the kitchen, a bench may become uncomfortable after a while, whereas well made dining chairs will give them more support.

Designed around your household

In the end, the features worth investing in are the ones planned around your own family and the way you live. Ntola suggests thinking about how you use your current kitchen and the small, everyday irritations you would love to fix, because that is the best starting point for your wish list.

The information and photography in this article was kindly provided by kutchenhaus and PursuePR. All views expressed remain independent and genuine.

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