The kitchen is the heart of the home; and in 2025, more homeowners are investing in making theirs feel luxurious.
In fact, over half of UK households are planning stylish kitchen upgrades this year. The good news? You don’t need a full remodel to achieve a high-end look.
With the appropriate finishes, clever storage, and a few standout design choices, you can transform your kitchen into a space that feels both practical and polished.
Below, we will share six upgrades that immediately elevate your remodel and bring that premium feel to everyday living.
Kitchen Design Upgrades for a High-End Remodel
Here are the six kitchen design upgrades that you can do for a high-end remodel:
-
Upgrade Your Lighting for Immediate Impact
Older kitchens often had just one bright ceiling light, which created dark shadows and dull corners. Today, using different types of lighting can change the feel of a room. By combining general lighting with task and accent lights, you can add warmth, depth, and a touch of elegance.
By 2025, more homeowners in the UK will be choosing layered lighting designs in their kitchens. They are combining ambient, task, and accent lights to improve usability and create a cosy atmosphere. This approach provides better visibility and makes the space feel welcoming.
Think about adding pendant lights over your island to highlight key areas, using LED strips under cabinets for soft light, or installing dimmable lights that can change from bright for cooking to soft for relaxation at night.
Lighting now goes beyond just being useful. It creates a pleasant atmosphere and highlights your kitchen’s best features, making everyday moments feel more special.
-
Add Texture with a Feature Wall Finish
Smooth painted walls are being changed to textured finishes that add a subtle touch of style. An accent wall made of Venetian plaster, microcement, or polished clay can be a striking feature in your kitchen.
Textured walls bring character to open shelving or simple designs without making the space feel crowded.
One standout London specialist is Evoke Polished Plastering, known for high-end polished plaster wall treatments. These finishes are great for splashbacks or even open-plan kitchens that want a hint of elegant simplicity.
-
Invest in Custom Storage Solutions
Cluttered cabinets and crowded drawers usually frustrate people in traditional kitchens. Modern kitchens solve this problem with customised storage solutions that look good and work well.
Drawers with soft-close features, pull-out shelves, and concealed racks keep everyday items organised. Upgrades like wine racks, built-in spice organisers, and hidden trash bins help maintain a tidy look.
The change is immediate; what once felt cramped now looks spacious, functional, and tailored to your daily needs.
The kitchen storage market in the UK will grow by 3.5% each year from 2025 to 2035. An increased need for space-saving solutions like pull-out pantries, corner carousels, and integrated drawer systems drives this growth. This trend reflects a broader shift towards practical and customised kitchen designs that maximise space and improve everyday use.
-
Opt for Premium Materials for Worktops and Backsplashes
For many years, laminate was the top priority for work surfaces. In 2025, marble, quartz, and granite will be popular for their quality and strength. These surfaces look great and can handle the demands of a busy kitchen while adding a touch of luxury.
Backsplashes are another way to make an impression. Traditional subway tiles add a subtle elegance, while mosaics or marble patterns create a bold visual effect.
Using these high-quality materials with modern appliances or custom cabinets instantly improves the overall look.
For more information on choosing the best surfaces, you can look at this detailed guide on high-quality worktop materials.
-
Upgrade Your Kitchen Appliances
Appliances today focus on both style and performance. Stainless steel or matte black finishes give a modern look that adds luxury to kitchens.
Smart features, like Wi-Fi connectivity and touchless controls, make using appliances easier and more energy-efficient. Choosing a well-designed range of appliances helps your kitchen feel both simple and elegant for cooking and hosting.
-
Create Open Shelving and Minimalist Layouts
Sleek designs and open shelving are popular in high-end kitchens. Unlike the large cabinets of the past, open shelves make the kitchen feel more spacious and allow you to display your favourite items or decorations.
In 2025, about one in three homeowners in the UK who are renovating their kitchens will choose open shelving. This choice helps improve storage and the overall look of the space. Open shelving, along with tidy cabinets and stylish hardware, creates a light and elegant atmosphere that balances practicality with design.
Conclusion
You don’t need to redesign your kitchen to make it feel luxurious completely. Simple upgrades such as better lighting, interesting wall textures, high-quality materials, custom storage, modern appliances, and open shelving can quickly transform the space.
At Kitchens By Prestige, we help homeowners turn these ideas into reality with custom designs and quality features. Whether you want to update your finishes or change your layout, these six improvements can give your kitchen a more upscale feel for everyday use.
Ready to upgrade your kitchen? Let’s start designing your dream space today with us.
As a landlord, if you think your kitchen remodel is worth it in 2025, you can take a look at this guide properly.