We cook, we gather, we live our lives in the kitchen. We'll tell each other about our days over a sizzling pan, raid the refrigerator at two o’clock in the morning, and entertain our friends around the island.

The kitchen is an important space, and as such should be as regal and sophisticated as it deserves to be. When designing your kitchen, consider these fun, functional, and unique features you may want to include.

Oodles of Storage

Some of the most extravagant kitchens never seem to end. Wall-to-wall cabinetry is quite stunning, not to mention functional. To add spectacular design to your endless cabinets, stagger both uppers and lowers to add sophistication and interest to the look.

Bump out the cabinets' surrounding features such as your sink and stove, to create a sort of frame around them. Consider also including open shelving in some areas, and even glass doors on your upper cabinets to balance the heaviness of the design.

Don’t forget that full-height cabinetry makes your kitchen look spectacular, and adds even more useful storage.

Dual Tones

Something quite elegant you’ll find in kitchen design is the use of two different finishes to your cabinetry. Consider crisp white or off-white cabinetry along the walls, with a contrasting natural wood centre island.

Perhaps even match your chimney hood to the island to complete the design. This can significantly elevate the design of your space, creating a refined focal point in the room.

Ornate Trim

Depending on your design style, adding ornate fixtures and trimmings to your cabinetry can ramp up the design tenfold. Design your island with a unique shape, trimmed with perhaps detailed brackets on either end.

Frame your stove area with ornate columns, or trim the crown moulding with a unique design. Include additional detail work in the door style of your cabinets to complete an intriguing look.

Ceiling Detail

Also called the fifth wall, you can’t forget about your ceiling. Coffered or tray ceilings can add an extra finishing touch to complete the room, and often come with different levels of detail. Crown moulding can be added inside the coffers, as well as backlighting for a different ambiance.

Depending on the home model you choose, your coffered ceiling could even have decorative metalwork with backlighting or skylights behind it, if your builder offers skylights as an option. This is a decorative way to let natural light into a large kitchen.

Also depending on the model you choose, your ceiling can be far more than just a flat surface. Consider incorporating a much more detailed design, such as vaulted with beams, a dropped specialty design, reclaimed wood finish, or even French tin tiles if that's your style.

Your Island Doesn’t Have to be a Big Box

While many use their island for additional storage and working space, no one said it had to be a large box in the middle of the room. There are a variety of layout options for kitchen islands. Consider a shallower height with deep drawers instead of cabinet doors, and add decorative legs to stand it up off the ground.

This is a great look if you prefer more airy design styles. If you still want the normal full-sized island, consider choosing one with a raised eating bar, offsetting the larger island on one end.

Lighting

Don’t be afraid to go a little extravagant with your lighting style. Run of the mill designs are out, and unique, artistic pieces are in. A lavish, new age chandelier over a large island can set the mood for the rest of the space.

If your style is more modern, select a super chic pendant lighting style with a complementary signature fixture for the nearby dining area. Stay away from track lighting of any kind; this trend is on its way out.

Specialty Drawers and Cabinets

For any sort of function you may have in your kitchen, there's a specialty cabinet for that: wine racks, spice cabinets, trash bin drawers, lazy Susans, tip trays, pot-and-pan drawers, decorative shelving, and so much more.

Consider what will make your life easier in your kitchen, and there's likely a functional piece that can be incorporated into your kitchen design. Talk to your builder about the custom cabinetry options for your home. 

Stone Backsplash

If you're looking to be a bit bold in your design, skip the tile backsplash and line your back wall with authentic stone. This will warm the space with natural colour and texture, and look a step above the standard kitchen design.

Shop, shop, shop! Before designing your dream kitchen, be sure to Google, peruse magazines, and visit kitchen design centres to collect ideas for your own ideal kitchen.

You can find more grand ideas to customize your home in our Creative Customization series. Previous posts include ideas for your great room and your ensuite–let your creativity shine!