Skip to main content

This expert’s kitchen design ideas are incredible (and don’t require a full remodel)

The kitchen is a space where you spend a lot of your time. Even if you don’t consider yourself the next great home chef, you still prepare food, entertain, and work. It’s a room that gets a fair amount of traffic, so you want it to be welcoming and easy to maneuver around in, whatever you are doing.

The kitchen is also a space that can make or break your home’s resale price, adding a ton of value to potential buyers, so it should be up to date and not feel dated or old. Whether you’re planning a kitchen renovation or just looking for some simple kitchen design ideas to incorporate, there are a few trends expert Jean-Jacques Lhenaff, the interior design expert at GROHE, believes will transform the room into a relaxing oasis for you and your family.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Dedicated prep areas

If you’ve got the space (or the budget to make space), one big trend Lhenaff is seeing is having a dedicated prep area. “A trend we’re seeing is the kitchen sink area becoming a dedicated space for prep and cleaning,” he said. “This can be found in homes that have two full-size kitchen faucets at a long workstation sink that allows two people to use the sink at once and allows for a full reach of water for cleaning the entire sink.”

If you don’t have room for two sinks in your kitchen, consider a pot-filler faucet over the stove where you can easily access water for cooking. It’s an easy way to add more functionality without needing a ton of extra space.

Having a dedicated prep area yields more functional space in the kitchen and room for the whole family to get involved in meal prep and cooking. If there’s not room in your kitchen, perhaps a butler’s pantry or buffet area adjacent to your kitchen is in the plans to store appliances that are used infrequently and to dedicate a prep space in. It’s also great for entertaining to have multiple places for people to clear up when the night is over.

Black kitchen faucet with water running
Kaboompics / Pexels

Sustainability rules the day

Lhenaff said sustainability will continue to play a larger role in the home, and this includes the ever-important kitchen space. “Many clients are adding performance products that deliver high-quality water for eating, drinking, and cooking, from the kitchen faucet,” he explained. “Therefore, clients are seeking products that perform water filtration, chilling, and carbonation. Water security/leak detection is also now more important as more appliances have water lines in the kitchen.”

GROHE offers tons of products in this area, including an under-sink filtration system that provides still, semi-sparkling, and fully carbonated water right from your faucet — no additional appliances or bottles needed. This is perfect if you have a family with different preferences or party guests who like a little variety.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Don’t skimp on faucets

Kitchen faucets have gone from an afterthought to a stunning kitchen essential, bringing character and life into the room. Lhenaff said finishes and mixed finishes are providing homeowners another way to infuse their personality into the kitchen.

“Some of the most popular kitchen finishes and materials for sinks and faucets include matte black, mixed, and warm finishes,” he said, adding that these “seem to be the most popular amongst sinks and faucets.”

In addition, he said, “Clients are increasingly requesting matching finishes for sinks, cabinet pulls, lighting, and even soap dispensers.”

As for materials, stainless steel continues to be universal and timeless. But for those who want to land firmly in the farmhouse camp, “fine fire clay is also preferred for apron sinks.”

In addition to faucets, you can also mix metals with hardware and light fixtures; just make sure you stick with two or three max so it doesn’t look like there’s too much going on and detract from your overall design.

The kitchen is the foundation of a home. It’s where you welcome friends and family, have late-night conversations, get inspired for work, play games, prep food, help your kids with their homework, pack lunches, and make meals. It’s a place for gathering people together to share food, ideas, and holidays. You should put careful consideration into every aspect of your kitchen. It should be functional, comfortable, and cozy, and have plenty of room to grow and expand with your life. Experts like Lhenaff can help us stop and think about how we really use the kitchen space we have and, if there’s a remodel in the future, how we can make it even more functional to incorporate all the ways we use this important space.

Editors' Recommendations

Julie Scagell
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
5 incredible dining room wall decor ideas that aren’t just a gallery wall
You don't have to settle for a gallery wall in your dining room. Try these wall decor ideas instead
Dark brown luxe modern dining room with pendant lighting

Nobody likes staring at a blank wall while sitting for a nice meal at the dining table. But styling your dining room walls can be tricky, and often, it’s easiest to gravitate toward the classic gallery wall whether it suits your room design or not. What if we told you that there are several dining room wall decor ideas that aren’t just the classic gallery wall?

Today, we’re sharing some amazing ideas to help you style your dining room with decor ideas that diverge from the overdone gallery wall trend.

Read more
5 clever outdoor lighting ideas even if you don’t have a big backyard
These space-saving outdoor lighting ideas can be great additions to your patio or balcony
Small outdoor cozy patio with soft lighting

When you don’t have much space to work with, you have to look for clever outdoor lighting solutions that function appropriately and don’t ruin the look of your exterior design. For those of us with small outdoor spaces like a patio or balcony, unique lighting solutions that don’t require a ton of space are a must.

So today, we’ll share five unique outdoor lighting ideas ideal for small outdoor spaces that don't sacrifice your design, and we'll show you how best to style these lighting solutions, so you can create functional decor that fits your home. Whether you prefer string lights outdoors or something more unique, we have some solutions for you.
Firefly lights
If you’re looking for a cute space-saving lighting solution for your patio or balcony this summer, look no further than

Read more
6 incredible ways to achieve the perfect coastal kitchen aesthetic
Must-haves to create a coastal kitchen in your home
Kitchen with light blue cabinets and wood accents

Whether you live by the sea or far from it, it’s hard not to adore the fresh and simple look of coastal decor. The coastal aesthetic brings a refreshing and calming aura into the home, which can be a much-needed distraction from the hectic nature of everyday life. And what better place to invite this soothing design style than in the kitchen?

If you’re looking for simple decor ideas and tips on decorating the perfect coastal kitchen, we have just what you need.
Add plenty of wicker and rattan pieces
Adding wicker and rattan furniture is one of the easiest ways to create a coastal look in your kitchen. Wicker fruit baskets, pendant lights, and seating can add a down-to-earth and woven feel to the space. Rattan furniture can also be a fantastic option for a nearby sunroom or kitchen seating if you have space for a classic breakfast nook. The lighter tones and airy aesthetic of these pieces create the perfect seaside vibe.

Read more