6 “High-End” Kitchen Features That Aren’t Worth the Money, Designers Say

Splashing out on high-end fixtures and finishes can give your kitchen a luxurious feel. But not all luxury features are created equal. We asked designers to share which high-end kitchen features aren’t worth the splurge.

Oversized Chandeliers

Large chandeliers may seem luxe, but they are often impractical in the context of a kitchen.

“A rather opulent chandelier placed over the kitchen island [is meant] to invoke a feeling of grandeur,” says UK-based kitchen designer Jayne Everett.

But the designer cautions that this can give your kitchen a dated look while making cleaning more of a chore in a room where an ornate fixture will be a magnet for grease and dust.

“It’s much more practical to have layered lighting in the kitchen,” she says, such as under-counter lighting combined with spotlights and simpler pendant lighting over the island.

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Curved Kitchen Cabinetry

Everett cautions against over-using curved cabinetry. While rounded rather than straight edges can soften the end of a row of cabinetry, too many curves can make your kitchen look dated.

“Curved doors are an expensive option and sometimes are overused,” she says, cautioning that curved doors take up extra space when opened, creating a gull-like wing effect that is impractical in many spaces. “Instead of a curved door, use a combination of smaller curved open shelves—much more practical.”

Marble Cabinet Fronts

Marble is a noble and timeless material that can elevate your kitchen, but Everett warns against plastering marble finishes everywhere.

“Marble cabinet doors were a micro trend that look very dated and just awkward in a kitchen,” she says. “Marble isn’t an obvious or practical material for material door fronts. It looks contrived—design for design’s sake, and over-using an expensive material. More isn’t always better.”

Oversized Range Hoods

Stylish range hoods can add a finishing flourish to your kitchen design, but spending too much on a statement hood can end up backfiring.

“Large, bulky range hoods can dominate the space and feel awkward,” says interior designer Tehilla Bennett. “Instead, go for a sleek, built-in hood that performs well without overwhelming the kitchen.”

High-Gloss Cabinetry

Lacquered wood or high-gloss kitchen cabinetry can give a contemporary kitchen a sleek feel, but they require daily maintenance to keep them from looking unkempt.

“Glossy cabinets look nice, but keep in mind that they show every fingerprint,” Bennett cautions. “Matte or satin cabinets are a better choice—they still look modern and are much easier to keep clean.”

All-White Marble Kitchens

Covering your countertops, kitchen island, backsplash, and even flooring in marble can feel like a glamorous move, but it can be a costly mistake that doesn’t achieve the desired effect.

“All-white marble kitchens can feel cold and are hard to maintain,” Bennett says. “Using warm quartzite or mixing in wood elements can make the space feel more inviting and lived-in.”