If We Were Designing Your Kitchen, We'd Recommend These 5 Things

The kitchen is truly so much more than just a place to cook. It's where all the morning routines happen, where friends and family gather, where kids do homework, late night snacks, and where everyone somehow ends up at the end of the day.

When it comes to designing kitchens, we aren’t just making it look pretty (even though that part is equally important) but we are also always looking for ways to make them feel more custom, more functional, and more tailored to how you will actually live in the space. While every project is different, there are a few features we find ourselves recommending again and again.

Here are five kitchen upgrades we'd suggest if we were designing yours.

Hi, we’re HSH Collective, an interior design firm with 25 years of experience on and around Anna Maria Island! Okay, let’s get into number 1:

1. Add a Pot Filler

At first glance, a pot filler might seem like one of those "nice-to-have" features. Is it technically a necessity? No. Will you wonder how you ever lived without it once you have one? Absolutely.

A pot filler is placed right above your range, allowing you to fill large pots directly where you'll be cooking them. That means eliminating all those trips back and forth to the sink, which is especially helpful in larger kitchens and for those who love to cook and entertain. It's practical, convenient, and honestly just makes cooking way easier.

2. Add a Scullery or Back Kitchen

Honestly, sculleries or what is also called a back kitchen or butler’s pantry, might just be one of the most underrated spaces in a home but if there’s room, we're almost always incorporating one. 

By creating a dedicated space for storage, appliances, prep work, and cleanup, your main kitchen can stay focused on what it does best: gathering, hosting, and looking beautiful while doing it.

3. Upgrade to Integrated Refrigeration

One of our favorite ways to make a kitchen feel more custom is to hide the fridge. Well, not literally!

Integrated refrigeration allows your refrigerator to blend in with your cabinetry so your eye isn't immediately drawn to a large appliance. The result is a kitchen that feels more cohesive, custom, and high-end.

4. Add Hidden Appliance Cabinets

Most of us aren't living with perfectly styled countertops 24/7, that’s just not always real life! Coffee makers, toasters, air fryers, mixers; they all have a purpose, but they can quickly make a kitchen feel too cluttered.

That's why we're big fans of hidden appliance cabinets. They keep your everyday essentials within reach while allowing your kitchen to feel cleaner. Because sometimes the secret to a beautiful kitchen is simply having a place to hide the stuff.

5. Create Dedicated Spaces for the Things You Love

Maybe you loveeee a good cup of coffee during the morning rush... problem solved: coffee bar.

Maybe you're the go-to host for wine nights and girls' nights... sounds like you need a wine station.

Maybe weekend gatherings are your thing... hello, wet bar.

Or maybe you're just tired of the kids (and let's be honest, yourself too) taking over every cabinet looking for snacks… let’s add a snack station!

Whatever your routine looks like, we love creating spaces that make everyday life a little easier and a lot more enjoyable.

Now the real question... which one are you adding to your dream kitchen?

Whether you're planning a full renovation, building a custom home, or simply saving ideas for someday, thoughtful details like these are what transform a good kitchen to a “This is my dream kitchen!” moment.

Thinking about your own kitchen project? Inquire about working with us!