A great kitchen isn’t always the biggest one or the most expensive one, or even the one that looks like it belongs in a showroom or magazine – the best kitchens tend to be the ones that feel good to use and be in, no matter what you do or how much time you spend in the room. 

So what is it that all great kitchens have in common? Keep reading to find out. 

They’re Designed Around Real Life 

The kitchens people usually love most are the ones that are designed for how they actually live, rather than just for looks and trends. That might mean having enough worktop space for cooking properly, plenty of storage so things can be neat and tidy, or maybe a layout that doesn’t feel awkward when there’s a few people in the room. 

Basically, a great kitchen has to work with you, not against you, and whether you use it for family dinners, coffee breaks, baking, working, or anything else, it’s got to be right for you. 

They’ve Got A Good Balance Of Style And Function

The most successful kitchens are the ones that somehow manage to feel beautiful and practical at the same time, and it all comes down to thinking about when you’re designing the room to ensure it’s good everything you need (including storage and appliances) and that it looks good. 

You’ll want things like easy-to-clean surfaces, durable materials, and a good layout to make it work – a kitchen has to handle everything you could throw at it if you want it to be a practical space. 

They Use Quality Materials 

A kitchen gets used pretty much more than every other room in the house, so the materials really need to last. That means the materials used for the worktops, flooring, cabinets, and fittings have to be chosen very carefully because they’re going to affect both the look of the room and how long it can last before you need to update it. 

A lot of homeowners love the look of a silestone quartz worktop, for example, but not only does it look great, it’s also durable, has a modern finish, and it’s practical so it’ll last for a long time. 

The Lighting Is Always Thought Through 

Great kitchens don’t tend to rely on just one ceiling light, and instead they use layered lighting to make the space work at different times of the day. 

That means installing task lighting under cabinets, dimmer lights for evenings, and perhaps even a statement pendant over an island, for example. And of course, good lighting is meant to make cooking easier, but if it also makes the room feel warmer and more inviting, that’s what’s going to make it great. 

They’ve Got Clever Storage 

You don’t have to fill the room with cupboards and drawers when it comes to storage as long as the storage you’ve got works and has been designed carefully. 

That means having deep drawers for larger items, perhaps some pantry space, and generally clever organisation because that all makes kitchens feel a lot less cluttered. The best kitchens are the ones where everything has a place so the room can be used no matter what.