For many, the kitchen is the heart of the home. This week, we asked seven designers—Olivia Botrie, Coco Greenblum, Meghan Jay, Stephanie Larsen, Susan Marinello, Britany Simon and Diana Wagenbach—what features they’ve used to make a kitchen design shine.
Form and Function
“From a functionality standpoint, I consider features like warming drawers, beverage centers, steam ovens, and oversize refrigerator/freezer units essential—especially for clients who love to entertain. These amenities elevate everyday convenience and streamline hosting. Aesthetically, I always recommend incorporating a statement backsplash. It’s a powerful way to add texture, color or pattern to the space without overwhelming it—creating depth and interest while maintaining a clean, cohesive look.” —Stephanie Larsen, Stephanie Larsen Interior Design, Sedona, Arizona
A Tailored Room
“Storage that’s thoughtfully customized to each client’s lifestyle is a must. Whether it’s an air fryer, an assortment of kids servingware, or inherited china, I make it a point to understand how they use their kitchen and plan storage and interior functionality accordingly. Lighting is equally essential—I prefer to keep recessed lighting minimal and instead create warmth and dimension by layering in sconces, picture lights and pendants. I also love placing a table lamp on a kitchen counter.” —Meghan Jay, Meghan Jay Design, Evanston, Illinois
Organization Rules
“The kitchen is the most used space in the home, so it must be functional [above all]. Due to the amount of usage and love a kitchen receives, clutter is inevitable. Including built-in organization is key in order to keep the space as tidy as possible on a day-to-day basis. Incorporating millwork to conceal counter appliances helps keep surfaces clear; interior cabinet utensil [storage] or pot dividers motivate the client to put items in their place; and even integrated pull-out cutting boards are a simple way to reduce the quantity of items. A clear and clean kitchen is welcoming and encourages the client and their family to gather more frequently in the space and truly make it usable.” —Coco Greenblum, Studio Coco Greenblum, Los Angeles
Keep the Lights On
“For me, it always starts with layers of lighting—not just overhead, but under-cabinet, pendants, maybe even a sconce or two if we can make it work. It completely changes the mood of the kitchen and makes it feel warm and intentional, not just functional. Also, a hardworking island should anchor the kitchen both functionally and visually. Whether it’s used for prepping, gathering, or a glass of wine at the end of the day, it still needs to have a presence aesthetically. Think outside of the ‘waterfall edge’ box and get creative.” —Britany Simon, Britany Simon Design House, Scottsdale, Arizona
It’s All About the Layout
“The biggest kitchen must-have is the perfect layout. Without it, even the most beautiful finishes or expensive appliances won’t make the space function well. I always start by understanding how the client lives—how often they cook, entertain or use the kitchen as a day-to-day hub. Once I have a clear picture of their routines and priorities, I can design a layout that truly supports their lifestyle. My ideal setup includes a clean, uninterrupted island—no sink, no cooktop—just a generous surface for prep, gathering or serving. I like to place the fridge and sink along one wall, with the stove on a perpendicular wall to create a natural and efficient workflow. If there’s space, a walk-in pantry is a game changer. It keeps all the functional (and often messy) parts of kitchen life—appliances, bulk goods, recycling—tucked away and out of sight. I also love incorporating a narrow cabinet for baking sheets and cutting boards, located somewhere low and accessible. Definitely not above the fridge—that spot is a black hole no one ever wants to use! It’s small details like that that make a kitchen feel not just polished, but thoughtfully designed for real life.” —Olivia Botrie, Dart Studio, Toronto
Go Custom
“Always, custom cabinetry! I know it can feel like a splurge, but going custom gets you better quality and the right fit for your kitchen needs. And on that note, I believe that you should fit out your kitchen with all the appropriate cabinet accessories, like custom dividers. I also always advocate for as large an island as possible. The kitchen is the heart of the home and my clients love to entertain, so I push for a really large island because that’s where guests tend to gather and it gets daily use from the family.” —Diana Wagenbach, Studio W Interiors, Hinsdale, Illinois
Health Plan
“Our clients have gotten very committed to health and wellness, and so have we as a firm. Our conversations about kitchen design really start with what is needed for optimizing function in a kitchen preparing healthy food. Our number one is a high-quality reverse-osmosis water filter. If you cannot build one in, we are recommending the Berkey water filters. A must for us is the Sub-Zero brand refrigeration, two dishwashers and a single-bowl, extra-deep, extra-wide sink. The last requirement for us is good lighting. We want to prepare food and serve it in the best light.” —Susan Marinello, Susan Marinello Interiors, Seattle
