11 Must-Have Kitchen Features That Changed Everything

When you imagine your dream kitchen, do you immediately start thinking about how it will look or which kitchen features it will have?

If you’re anything like me, your brain goes straight for the design elements you want: a large island, statement lighting, and lots of pretty decorative accents. The fun stuff!

But it’s no good having a kitchen that looks the part if it’s a pain to use!

That’s why, if you’re planning a kitchen renovation, I highly recommend taking the time to consider which kitchen features will make your life easier… and which ones you can live without. Then you can get it looking pretty!

11 Kitchen Features Every Home Needs

With that in mind, today I want to share the modern kitchen features that I think almost everyone would benefit from.

From simple storage solutions to functional features that make everyday life smoother, these are the things that turn a standard kitchen into a dream kitchen.

1. Storage on Both Sides of the Kitchen Island

One of the most useful kitchen features you can add during a kitchen renovation is storage as part of your kitchen island. Even 8-inch-deep cabinets can hold small appliances, extra dishes, or pantry items you don’t use every day.

If you’re planning to have bar stools on one side of your island, use this storage space for things you don’t need all that often, so it’s not a hassle to get them out.

If you’re not planning to have stools, you could go for open shelving to show off pretty cookware, baskets, or recipe books.

2. A Pantry Alternative

No pantry? No problem. A wall of shallow cabinets can be a surprisingly effective substitute. They give you a ton of extra storage space, even if they’re only one or two cans deep, without eating into your kitchen space.

If you can’t find suitable cabinets or afford to have custom cabinetry made, a simple bookshelf is another good option.

I once turned a 5-shelf bookshelf into a charming pantry substitute, and used it to display pretty serving trays, dishes, cookbooks, and so on.

3. A Touchless or Pull-Down Faucet

One of my favorite modern kitchen features in our home is the touch-activated faucet. It might seem like a small thing, but it makes a huge difference in everyday life.

When you’ve got sticky hands from baking or raw chicken on your fingers, being able to tap the faucet with your wrist or forearm to turn the water on is an absolute game changer. It helps keep your kitchen cleaner and more hygienic… no more random smudges on the faucet!

While you’re looking at faucets, I’d recommend going for one that pulls down. Being able to move and direct the water flow makes it so much easier to rinse produce, fill pots, and clean dishes. 

4. A Microwave & Oven in One

If I had to pick a favorite kitchen appliance, it would hands down be my Samsung 30″ Electric Steam Cook, Flex Duo Wall Oven + Microwave.

The top section works as both a microwave and a convection oven, which means I’ve freed up space on my kitchen countertops. Total win. It’s also the biggest microwave I’ve ever seen!

What makes it special is the versatility though. Not only does the microwave work as a second oven when I need one, the lower oven can even split into two.

So when I’m hosting family gatherings or batch cooking, I can have three ovens going at the same time! Serious life upgrade!

And then there are all the additional features. Rapid preheat, steam cooking, and smartphone monitoring… all these features make mine one of the most useful kitchen items I own.

If you’re looking for luxury kitchen features for your upcoming kitchen remodel, make sure a double oven is on your list!

5. Drawer Dividers & Cabinet Organizers

There’s a lot I could say about kitchen organization (for example, see my post on food organization or my kitchen counter organization ideas), but for now, I want to talk about some of the most useful kitchen items: drawer dividers and cabinet organizers.

These kitchen essentials help you make the most of the space you have, so you can always find what you need and see when you’re running out of something. Having an organized kitchen makes such a difference to everyday life, so I’d recommend spending a bit of time and money here.

There are so many different kinds of kitchen organizers, so look at your options and try to figure out which ones will work best for your specific needs. You might consider:

• Baskets, trays, and Lazy Susans to group similar items
• Labels for both containers and shelves
• Stackable can and bottle holders
• Pull- and roll-out drawers and bins
• And so on

They’re nothing fancy, but if you ask me, organizers are one of the most important things to have in your kitchen.

6. A Pull-Out Trash Bin

A pull-out trash bin is one of those must-have kitchen features that makes a surprisingly big difference.

Tucking your trash can(s) away keeps your floor space clear, your kitchen looking tidy, and any unpleasant smells contained! Seriously, if I could only have one of the kitchen features in this post, I think a pull-out trash bin would be my pick.

7. A Way to Hide Small Appliances

Small appliances like microwaves, mixers, and toasters are so useful that many of us keep them on our kitchen countertops for easy access. But doing this can make your kitchen look pretty cluttered. That’s why I think every kitchen needs a convenient way to hide them.

There are a few kitchen features you can use to keep your small appliances out of sight:

• A cabinet or hutch with a roll-up door
• A regular cabinet with doors
• A cabinet with a flip-top
• An alcove under open shelving
• A pull-out drawer
• A pop-up mixer cabinet
• Etc.

The key is to keep your appliances out of sight but not so well that you forget about them or you can’t be bothered to get them out! Keep them somewhere accessible, but don’t let them clutter up your worktops.

8. Efficient Storage Solutions

Efficient storage is another must-have kitchen feature, especially if your kitchen has any of those awkward corner cupboards. With the right storage solutions, that space won’t have to go to waste.

Depending on your kitchen, you might benefit from a Le-Mans Corner Unit, carousel shelves, pull-out drawers, pull-out spice racks, a slim pantry on wheels, or any of the other innovative storage solutions out there!

Again, do your research to find the best solution for your kitchen.

9. Under-Cabinet Lighting

On the subject of kitchen countertops… wouldn’t it be nice if you could actually see what’s on them?

Under-cabinet lighting is one of those modern kitchen features that just makes sense. It brightens your work area, makes food preparation easier, and helps make your kitchen feel cozy in the evening! 

There are several different kinds of under-cabinet lights. For most people, the simplest and cheapest option is likely to be LED strip lights. They’re pretty easy to install, because they come with adhesive backing, so you can just stick them into place. 

10. Wood-Look Floor Tiles

Wood-look flooring is a popular choice for kitchens and for good reason. You get the lovely earthy tones of real wood but none of the downsides!

This kind of flooring can handle leaks, spills, and stains without warping or swelling, and you can mop them as often as you like. Plus, they won’t dent or scratch if someone drops a dish. 

While it’s nice to have a kitchen that looks good, at the end of the day, kitchens are there to serve a purpose. Functional features should trump design choices. But with wood-look flooring, you get to have both!

11. Built-In Charging Station or Tech Drawer

Hear me out. Every modern kitchen needs a charging station! We all have so many devices and chargers these days, that surfaces become cluttered fast. In lots of homes, the kitchen countertops suffer the most!

To keep your worktops clear, set up a dedicated space for devices and chargers.

You can keep it as simple as placing a decorative tray next to a charging outlet, or you could buy a purpose-made charging station, or even make your own charging station, custom-built to accommodate your family’s devices.

What Are Your Must-Have Kitchen Features?

There you have it – the most useful kitchen items that I believe every kitchen needs (or would benefit from, if money and space weren’t an issue!).

Whether a kitchen remodel is on the horizon or you’re just fantasising about your dream kitchen, I hope you found a couple of ideas in this post that you can use to make your life that little bit easier.

Now I’m curious to know which of these kitchen features you wouldn’t be without… and if there are any I’ve missed? Share your ideas in the comments!