5 min readIf you’re going to splurge on one particular room in your home, make it the kitchen. Life revolves around this space in more ways than one: it’s where you cook the meals that nourish you and keep you healthy, and where family and friends gather to nurture your soul. In this space, you want a layout that fits your household’s needs, appliances that are going to last for years to come, and an overall design scheme that won’t feel dated in five years.
However, there are also plenty of areas in your cook space where you don’t have to blow your budget. There are so many aspects of a kitchen that it’s hard to know what’s actually worth your money and what isn’t. It’s all based on your lifestyle and how you actually use this space, but there are some things that designers can safely say should and shouldn’t be splurged on.
With the help of a handful of designers, we lay out below exactly what you should spend more money on in the kitchen, and where you can reel it in. Read through their takes before you settle on any renovation plans, and hear them out—their answers may surprise you.
Where to Splurge in the Kitchen
Cabinetry
Designers overwhelmingly agree that quality kitchen cabinetry is one of the most worthwhile splurges. “Well-made cabinets will stand the test of time,” designer Brandeis Short of Pillar & Peacock says. “While you can always repaint them or change out hardware for a fresh look, you cannot upgrade poor construction.”
Your choice in cabinetry is what makes your kitchen look truly custom, adds designer Alex Spielman, founder of interior design studio The Little Things. These features are used daily; they need to withstand a good amount of wear and tear and shouldn’t look worn after only a few years. Similarly, Short explains that the interior hardware used for your cabinets, like drawer slides and door hinges, is just as important as the external elements.
“If budget requires flexibility, you can skip inset and opt for a clean shaker profile, or choose painted cabinetry instead of wood—paint-grade materials are typically more cost-effective and still feel timeless when executed well,” Spielman adds.
Natural Stone
After cabinetry, the stone you choose for your kitchen is probably the next best element that makes a kitchen look custom and feel luxurious. Natural stone is obviously always going to be more expensive than faux, but there are durable options that are still relatively less expensive that are perfect for your countertops, like quartzite.
Designer Libby Baker Speight of Baker Design Co. says that beautiful, natural stone “will stand the test of time and improve how you use your kitchen.”
Large Appliances
The types of appliances that you rely on and use daily, like your fridge, oven, and dishwasher, are definitely worth the splurge. They need to be reliable and durable. However, even within these product categories, you can pick and choose what you actually care about. If you order out often, then you probably don’t need to purchase the best oven, but if you are, then it’s something to consider, says luxury designer Ania Agárdy.
Drew Michael Scott, founder of Lone Fox Home, personally likes using Ilve products for these larger appliances. He explains that not only do they have a patinated look, which is right up his alley, but they’re some of the more affordable vintage-looking features available.
Plumbing
One of the most important, splurge-worthy details is the one you can’t see. Spielman emphasizes the importance of investing in good plumbing for your kitchen. From the sink faucet to the pipes inside your walls, these essential aspects of the cook space are worth spending more on—if only to avoid costly repairs in the future. Plus, a beautiful faucet can bring refinement to the entire room, she adds.
Kitchen Island
If you have a large, open kitchen, Agárdy says that splurging on a gorgeous kitchen island is one of the best things you can do. Especially if your kitchen opens to the living room, then spending more on an island that looks like a piece of furniture will help these spaces look better together.
Who You Hire
Nothing in your kitchen will serve you the way it should if the person installing it isn’t skilled. “You can design the most beautiful cabinetry in the world, but without thoughtful craftsmanship and careful installation, you won’t achieve the result you envisioned,” Spielman says. Make sure you hire a team that knows what they’re doing and does it well. It’s okay to shop around a bit, too, if you can’t find the perfect contractor on the first try.
Where to Save in the Kitchen
Flooring
Let us be clear: we are not saying that you should purchase cheap flooring and expect it to age well with your kitchen. It’s just that you don’t have to spend top dollar on this particular aspect of the space if you don’t want to.
“Natural stone floors are beautiful and timeless, but they can be significantly more expensive,” Short notes. “When budget is a consideration, a well-chosen hardwood floor still provides a classic, durable foundation while allowing more investment to go toward cabinetry."
Backsplashes
Spielman puts it simply: “You don’t need an overly precious material to create impact” with your backsplash. The backsplash is like the blush of the kitchen, as the room would look flat without it there, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend an arm and a leg to find something impactful and functional.
Speight adds that your tastes are likely to change in the future, so picking out a backsplash that’s less expensive won’t hurt as much when it’s time to replace it.
Hardware
The same sentiment for the backsplash applies to the hardware. Drawer pulls and cabinet handles are relatively easy and inexpensive to replace, and your tastes are probably going to change with time. “There are so many well-designed, cost-effective options that still feel elevated without stretching your budget,” designer Alexis Warren says.
Small Appliances
While he supports splurging on large appliances like the range, Scott doesn’t think small appliances should receive the same treatment. The microwave, for example, doesn’t need to have all the bells and whistles—just because it can doesn’t mean it should. The same goes for your drip coffee maker, toaster, and air fryer.
Light Fixtures
The layout of your lighting is the priority in the kitchen—the “four layer formula” is essential for safely prepping food and creating a nice ambience. However, the light fixtures themselves don’t have to be terribly expensive to make an impact.
“An affordable light fixture can still become a design moment with a bit of creativity,” designer Christine Markatos Lowe explains. “Here, we transformed a statement pendant shape from Visual Comfort by painting it with a vibrant pop of color, giving it personality and presence.”
Add-Ons
While special kitchen add-ons like pot fillers, heating drawers, wine fridges, and built-in espresso machines may sound really cool and convenient, Agárdy doesn’t think these are features you should be splurging on. “There are many alternatives to these items that are just as functional but without inflating the budget,” she says. Focus on the essentials first!
