
A luxury modern kitchen design balances function with style, especially in Australian homes where open-plan layouts and indoor-outdoor living are key. At Makin Homes, we design entire homes that bring together premium features and day-to-day practicality, ensuring each space, including your kitchen, works beautifully for the way you live.
Whether you’re building a new custom home or renovating as part of a broader project, incorporating these ten essential kitchen features will help you create a space that feels both refined and highly functional.
Quick summary: top 10 luxury kitchen design features
- Smart appliances
- Stone benchtops
- Butler’s pantry
- Integrated storage solutions
- Minimalist cabinetry with soft-close features
- Premium fixtures and tapware
- Oversized kitchen islands
- Open-plan flow
- Designer lighting
- High-end finishes
What defines a luxury modern kitchen?
While every kitchen is different, the most successful luxury modern kitchen designs have a few core elements in common:
- Thoughtful, user-focused planning
- High-quality natural materials
- A layout that suits your lifestyle
At Makin Homes, we approach every kitchen as part of a complete custom home. That means understanding how it connects to the rest of your spaces and ensuring it delivers exactly what you need, both now and into the future.
1. Smart appliances
Technology plays a big role in today’s most functional kitchens.
Smart appliances simplify daily tasks and offer impressive efficiency. These features can often be controlled via app or voice, giving you better control over your kitchen no matter where you are in the home.
Some popular inclusions are:
- Voice-activated ovens for hands-free cooking
- Smart refrigerators with internal cameras to check contents remotely
- App-connected dishwashers and coffee machines
- Motion-sensing rangehoods
- Boiling and filtered water taps with adjustable settings
- Multi-cookers and pressure cookers with programmable features
- Smart lighting systems that adjust brightness and colour temperature
Incorporating smart tech into your kitchen allows for greater customisation and a cleaner aesthetic, helping you future-proof your home.
2. Stone benchtops
Stone benchtops remain one of the most in-demand features for modern Australian kitchens.
Materials like marble, granite and quartzite offer elegance, durability and easy maintenance. Each piece of natural stone is unique, which makes it an ideal choice if you’re looking to create a bespoke, high-end feel.
We recommend selecting a stone that complements both your cabinetry and overall interior style. It can also be used for splashbacks or waterfall edges on your island for a truly upgraded look.
3. Butler’s pantry
A butler’s pantry adds both function and flexibility.
This space is perfect for meal prep, storing pantry items or hiding away appliances that you don’t use every day. For larger homes, we can design the butler’s pantry as an extension of the main kitchen, complete with its own sink, storage and occasionally even a dishwasher.
A well-planned butler’s pantry helps keep your main kitchen clean and uncluttered, something that comes in handy especially when entertaining.
4. Integrated storage solutions
Luxury kitchens don’t just look good, they’re also incredibly practical.
One of the most effective ways to achieve a streamlined appearance is with smart storage. We work closely with our clients to include features like:
- Pull-out spice racks and narrow drawer organisers
- Concealed waste and recycling systems
- Deep drawers for pots and pans
- Corner carousel units to make awkward spaces more functional
- Designated appliance areas that keep toasters, mixers and kettles hidden but accessible
These features make everyday use more enjoyable and support a minimalist, uncluttered aesthetic.
5. Minimalist cabinetry with soft-close features
Clean lines and a simple colour palette are hallmarks of modern luxury kitchen design.
Handleless cabinetry is a favourite in modern home design, offering a sleek, uninterrupted look that flows effortlessly from one surface to the next. Soft-close drawers and hinges add to the experience, reducing noise and ensuring your cabinetry stays in top condition for years to come.
You can choose from a wide range of finishes, including matte laminates, timber-look veneers, two-pack painted cabinetry and natural timber joinery. Each selection should be made to suit your overall home design and personal style.
6. Premium fixtures and tapware
Luxury modern kitchen design lies in the details.
Choosing the right tapware can elevate the look of your kitchen and make it easier to use day to day. We work with you to find options that look great and feel right for your space.
Some options to consider:
- Pull-out or pull-down mixer taps for better reach and cleaning
- Instant boiling and filtered water systems
- Designer tapware in matte black, chrome, gunmetal, or brushed brass
These fixtures not only improve the kitchen’s functionality but also tie into the broader colour palette used throughout your home.
7. Oversized kitchen islands
The island bench has become a defining feature of modern Australian kitchens.
It provides additional workspace, creates a casual dining spot and often includes extra storage underneath. An oversized island can also serve as a visual focal point, especially when paired with statement lighting or bold materials.
In open-plan homes, the island often becomes the heart of the household, a place for casual meals, morning coffee or homework in the afternoon.
8. Open-plan flow with dining and living
Many of the homes we design at Makin Homes feature open-plan layouts that prioritise connection and natural light.
A luxury kitchen should feel integrated into your home’s main living spaces, allowing you to cook, entertain and relax with ease. This approach improves traffic flow, creates entertaining opportunities and makes your home feel larger.
We ensure that the kitchen is designed in harmony with adjacent spaces, using consistent flooring, cabinetry styles and colours to tie the whole space together.
9. Designer lighting
Lighting has the power to transform the atmosphere of a room.
In luxury modern kitchen design, it’s important to use a mix of lighting types for different purposes. We often recommend:
- Pendant lighting over island benches to add visual interest
- Under-cabinet task lighting for precision cooking
- Recessed ceiling lights for general illumination
- Smart lighting systems with dimmable and programmable settings
Your lighting should not only add functionality but also highlight your kitchen’s best design features.
For more ideas, check out our home lighting design guide.
10. High-end finishes
Finishing touches are where your personal style truly shines.
The right mix of materials adds contrast, depth and visual interest. We often work with clients to combine:
- Matte cabinetry with warm timber or stone
- Fluted glass doors to introduce texture
- Brushed metal accents to enhance cabinetry and benchtops
- Feature tiles or open shelving to break up uniformity
A consistent finish palette across your kitchen and adjoining spaces helps create a cohesive feel throughout your home.
Create the home you’ve always imagined with Makin Homes
At Makin Homes, we design and build custom single-storey, double-storey, and three-storey homes that reflect the way you live. Every space, from the kitchen to the alfresco, is carefully considered and finished to the highest standard, using quality materials and layouts tailored to your lifestyle.
Our experienced team has been building homes across Mandurah and the Peel region for years. We take a collaborative, hands-on approach from the first conversation to final handover, ensuring your new home feels uniquely yours at every stage.
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Get in touch with us today and take the first step toward building your dream home.
