I find it hard to believe, but our kitchen is now coming up to 10 years old. It sits within the single storey extension we built when we moved into our Edwardian house and is one of my favourite spaces. That said, while it has stood the test of time pretty well, in the last year or so I have been itching to implement a few new kitchen ideas.
When we fitted this kitchen we were on a tight budget and also wanted to get it finished as quickly as possible as we lived on-site throughout the extensive renovation and extension work with two young children. For this reason, we missed out certain features that really would have made all the difference – not just to the appearance of the room, but also in how it performs.
If everything goes to plan, we will be updating and refreshing this room next year along with adding a new extension, making now the perfect time to reflect on the kitchen features I'd never skip again.
1. A pot filler
This is one of those kitchen trends that few people can failed to have noticed – such a practical idea that I just don't know how it has only been in recent years that it has started to make its way into UK homes.
"Pot fillers have rapidly gained popularity, especially in large, luxury kitchens," picks up Richard Davonport, MD of Davonport. "These convenient fixtures are designed to fill pots and pans directly on the hob, eliminating the need to carry heavy pans from the sink. They come in various finishes and styles, ensuring they seamlessly integrate into your kitchen's design.
“A pot filler can be a game changer for those who love to cook," continues Richard. "For those who aren’t sure what one is, it is a tap that is installed on the wall behind a stove or on the countertop near the stove. It typically features a long, swing-out arm that can be positioned over the cooking surface to deliver hot water directly into pots or pans. If you live in a busy family home or serious about cooking, they should definitely be on your wish list. Those that are less able-bodied may especially benefit, as well as those that suffer with arthritis."
For over three decades, Davonport has been crafting exquisite, bespoke kitchen designs for a discerning clientele. As a British kitchen manufacturer, each project they undertake is a unique endeavour, driven by a singular ambition: to create an ideal space that perfectly complements your lifestyle.
2. An induction hob
In a bid to keep costs down we opted for a range cooker with a ceramic electric hob rather than an induction hob – big mistake and, had I looked into ceramic vs. induction hobs a little more closely then I could have avoided this. This hob takes what can feel like forever to heat up and cool down and is one of the least responsive appliances in the kitchen.
We live in a rural area with no gas connection meaning we were limited when it came to our hob choices, but it would have been so worthwhile to spend a little extra here.
We did investigate the feasibility of swapping the hob on the cooker to an induction one but were advised that in terms of what it would cost we might just be better off investing in a completely new cooker.
Shop induction hobs
If you want minimal fuss in your kitchen design, this induction hob from Bosch is just the thing. It features a built-in extractor too which will suck away steam and smells quickly and effectively.
This hob offers incredible flexibility thanks to the fact that the cooking zones can be combined to accommodate a range of different pan sizes. It also senses if food is going to boil dry or burn.
This affordable induction hob is a great buy for those on a budget. Despite its reasonable price tag, it still comes with a range of features, including an intuitive touch control and reassuring child lock.
3. A quiet extraction hood
I really didn't do my research when it came to choosing a cooker hood, opting for one that seemed reasonably priced and that was the right size. However, had I looked into the best kitchen extractor fans a little deeper I would have realised that one of the main features to pay attention to is noise levels.
Our kitchen is open plan to the dining room and snug meaning we should really have made a point of seeking out appliances with the quietest noise levels available. When running full pelt, our extractor hood sounds a lot like an aeroplane taking off. It is also pretty bulky in its dimensions – I'd like to go for something a little more streamlined next time.
"An integrated extraction hob is always great to use as negates the need for bulky additional overhead extra extraction," advises Jayne Everett, creative designer at Naked Kitchens. "They're also very efficient."
After a career in London, Jayne relocated to Norfolk with her husband Jamie to raise their young family. Together they founded Naked Kitchens 20 years ago, inspired by a shared love of interiors and manufacturing. As Creative Director, Jayne has shaped the brand’s distinctive aesthetic — celebrating natural materials, sustainable craftsmanship and timeless, functional design that defines the heart of the home.
4. A boiling water tap
Another tap niggle here. Whether it was because they weren't as commonplace 10 years ago or this was another attempt to save money, I can't remember, but I really wish we had splashed out on a boiling water tap for the kitchen. As it is I now feel a little prehistoric without one of these kitchen innovations, standing waiting for a kettle to boil.
“When people ask me about the one feature they should never skip in a new kitchen, my answer is always the same: a boiling and filtered water tap. It has stopped being an add-on and has become part of the core specification because it changes how the whole room works day to day," picks up Michael Sammon, design director at Wödår. "Instant boiling water takes the pressure off the hob, filtered water replaces the need for a worktop appliance, and the space immediately feels calmer because you are removing the clutter that often builds around kettles and jugs.
"Homeowners want cleaner water and quicker performance, and that is why demand has moved beyond simple boiling models and towards full 4-in-1 taps that deliver filtered drinking water too," continues Michael. "There are practical benefits that people often do not realise until they live with one too. A hot water tap heats only what it dispenses, so it avoids the energy waste associated with overfilling a kettle. Safety has become far more robust as well. Features such as insulated spouts, child-safe controls and a splash-free flow are standard now, which makes the tap suitable for busy households as much as design-led projects."
Michael Sammon is the design director and co-founder of Wödår, a UK-based brand specialising in innovative hot water taps and kitchen fittings. Under his creative vision, Wödår emphasises 'choice through design,' offering multiple finishes and styles at accessible price points.
Shop boiling water taps
If you want a kitchen tap that does it all then look no further than this offering from Wödår. It provides standard hot and cold mixed water, pure filtered cold water and filtered boiling water – plus it has a handy pull-out spray nozzle.
Delivering hot, cold and boiling filtered water all from one sleek brass tap, this well-priced offering is easy to fit on a DIY basis and comes complete with two filters, child lock and an insulated spout – reassuring for those with young families.
The copper finish of this elegant boiling water tap will add instant warmth to any scheme. It also offers filtered hot, cold and boiling water and a handy filter countdown reminder to prompt you when it is time to change it.
5. Lots of deep drawers
For me, kitchen drawers work so much better than cabinets when it comes to kitchen storage. They seem simpler to organise and make it easier to find things than at the back of dark cupboards – plus I prefer the way they look.
"The advantage of choosing more drawers over cupboards is that drawers extend completely, showing the entirety of what’s in the drawer, whilst it’s easy to lose smaller items at the back of the cupboard if you have no kitchen cupboard organiser in place," agrees Selena Quick, founder and director of PAD. "We're seeing a rise in efficient storage solutions which include deep drawers for storing small appliances, large pots and kitchenware – these are often part of the main kitchen layout ideas within cabinet runs or in the island and are efficient for the homeowner as traditionally these items would be stored in tall cabinetry or cupboards – the depth provides accessibility to everyday items."
Along with drawers for storage, I also love the idea of appliances that feature drawers, such as freezers and dishwashers.
Selena Quick is the founder and director of PAD. Celebrating 10 years in 2026, PAD is a family-owned design practice that specialises in bespoke kitchens and joinery. PAD clients are both direct homeowners and design professionals. Purposely not on the high street, their approach offers homeowners a curated range of finishes from their core collection. Each PAD kitchen is designed in-house, built in their UK factory using FSC-approved wood and installed by their expert team of fitters and each kitchen project follows a 127-point checklist.
6. Quartz composite worktops
While I loved the look of our timber kitchen worktops when they were first installed, had I have known how much maintenance would have been required in their upkeep and the amount of wear and tear they would show up, I definitely would have chosen something else.
For the breakfast bar in the kitchen we opted for a marble-effect quartz composite work surface and it is honestly one of the best things we did. It not only looks just as good now as it did when it was first fitted, but it is also perfect for rolling out pastry and kneading bread as it stays cool and is a cinch to wipe down – plus it doesn't mind scalding hot pots and pans being plonked down on it.
When it comes to our kitchen renovation I will be taking out the wooden worktops and replacing them with composite, although I might keep one area timber just to mix things up a bit.
7. An American-style fridge freezer
There are two reasons why I don't like our fridge freezer. Firstly, it is too small to fit all the food that our two permanently ravenous teenagers require, meaning that, come shopping day, packing away is like a game of Tetris. Secondly, the water that comes out of our tap takes an age to come through cold meaning, unappealing lukewarm glasses of water are often all that is on offer – I wish our fridge had a water dispenser.
I would love a fridge freezer with double doors and drawers for the frozen goods with tonnes of storage, an ice maker to make up for the fact that I am the only person in the household who remembers to refill the ice tray, and a chilled water dispenser.
The reason we skipped this first time around was due to bad planning in terms of our overall kitchen design. We should have factored it in along with our kitchen layout plan – next time.
Shop American style fridge freezers
There is so much to love about this American-style fridge freezer. Personally I am drawn by the pull out freezer with its three spacious drawers and the internal water dispenser that keeps it looking sleek externally. You might also like the built-in ice dispenser and whopping 402 litre fridge capacity.
If you are after a feature-packed fridge freezer that won't break the bank then this is it. Despite its reasonable price tag this modern black model has a water dispenser as well as tall, side-by-side fridge freezer that make spotting its contents at a glance really easy. It also has a 'no-frost' feature.
If you love a gadget then this is the fridge freezer for you. Just knock twice on the door to see everything that lies behind it. Plus, this one connects to your phone so you can control it remotely. And, to save energy, it has a clever 'door-in-door' feature that allows you to grab items quickly without letting cold air escape.
8. Fancy handles and knobs
There are certain, smaller, details in our kitchen that kind of let it down and mean that the whole things lacks a little in the way of visual polish. These include the plastic drawer dividers that came included with the kitchen (wood would look so much nicer), the bad paintwork on the ceiling and, the most niggling for me, the boring wooden knobs on the unit doors and nickel cup handles on the drawers – brushed brass would have looked so much better with our Shaker kitchen.
"One feature I would never skip in a modern kitchen is high-quality hardware," says Gareth Hull, design lead at Hendel & Hendel. "It sounds deceptively simple, but the handles and knobs are the parts you touch every time you cook, clean or prep, so they carry more of the workload than people realise. If you choose well, they will feel solid in the hand, move smoothly and stay looking good for years, which is why I always recommend solid brass. It copes with daily use, holds its finish and does not loosen or bend in the way lightweight alternatives often do.
"Hardware also shapes how the kitchen reads visually," continues Gareth. "The profile, proportion and placement influence the entire run of cabinetry. A slim pull gives a contemporary, streamlined look, while a more sculpted handle can add depth on painted timber or dark oak. The finish matters too. Chrome is gaining momentum again in kitchens, brushed nickel remains a strong choice for its softness, and warmer tones such as burnished brass link beautifully with timber, stone and matt black appliances. What you select will either sharpen or soften the scheme."
Gareth Hull is the design lead at Hendel & Hendel, a leading UK hardware brand. He leads on the design direction for the brand’s collections and interior styling. With a background in product development and a keen eye for detail, Gareth's approach seamlessly blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics and his work emphasises refined forms, elevated materials, and a balance between contemporary, traditional and transitional pieces.
9. Clever corner unit storage
We have two corner units in our current kitchen layout. While they are pretty spacious, finding anything in them is a problem as they are deep, dark and generally awkward to access. In fact, I avoid them whenever I can.
"People definitely shouldn't forget to incorporate good corner storage," advises Jayne Everett. "There are some fabulous pullout mechanisms which glide out to enable you to use all of the available space efficiently and easily access items here."
If we keep the kitchen units in the corners of the room, I'll definitely be investing in some carousels and easy-to-fit pull-outs to help organise these spaces and make life run a little smoother.
FAQs
Can you retrofit a pot filler?
While it is better to fit a pot filler before the whole kitchen is in place, having looked into this myself, it seems it is possible to retrofit one.
Obviously plumbing will need to be put in behind the wall so be prepared for for some mess and a requirement to redecorate, including tiling the walls. It will also help if your pot filler is not located too far away from existing water connections.
Something I also skipped while designing our kitchen first time around was plenty of task lighting. While we have recessed downlights for the background illumination and three directional spotlights above the sink, we could have done with some more kitchen lighting ideas to add both ambience and practicality. I have since popped a few side lamps into gloomy corners of the work surfaces.
