10 Must-Have Kitchen Features Worth the Investment

With plenty of kitchen renovations under my belt, I figured it might be beneficial to share things every kitchen needs that you might not necessarily consider. Of course, beautiful cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and hardware are important, but it’s the functional details that make you really appreciate kitchen design. Click through to see which 10 kitchen features I won’t ever do without. They’re game changers! If you’re renovating, building, or planning a future kitchen renovation… this is a post to pin and save, for sure!

I’ve been so busy with my dark green walk-in closet reveal it feels good to switch gears! In addition to this list of necessities, there are a few things you should know when designing a kitchen. Our classic kitchen still feels timeless because of careful planning. It started with implementing the kitchen dimensions every designer knows (and you should save). I have made some changes, such as my kitchen shelving update, but over a decade later we still love the heart of our home. Let’s get to it, shall we? First on the list…

1. Sink Foot Pedal

This is one of those kitchen features that feels a little strange until you’ve lived with it. A foot pedal allows you to turn the kitchen faucet on and off without touching it— which is incredibly handy when your hands are covered in raw chicken, dough, paint, dirt, or anything else you don’t want all over the faucet handle.

I shared more about a foot pedal for the kitchen faucet that’s worth the upgrade and how it works in a separate post, but from a functionality standpoint, it’s one of those small details that makes a hardworking kitchen feel really well planned. Every kitchen needs one of these, trust me.

2. In-Cabinet Outlets

These make charging items so much easier without junking up and cluttering the countertop. From charging phones and technology to using kitchen appliances and utensils, our in-cabinet outlets see a lot of use. It pays to plan electrical work in advance! If you need more outlets and don’t want to add more to your backsplash, this is a great hidden, aesthetically pleasing option.

3. Mixer Lift

This is one of those I didn’t think I needed until I had it. After sharing this feature, the majority of you were equally excited about the mixer lift. I love and use my heavy KitchenAid mixer regularly, but given the size and weight of that thing, I’ll admit— it’s kind of a hassle to lug around and pull out. Now, I use it on the mixer lift, clean up, then it softly folds back into the cabinet once I’m finished. It also frees up countertop space!

4. Reverse Osmosis Filtered Water

Our reverse osmosis drinking water system has become another kitchen feature I wouldn’t want to do without. We landed on this particular RO system… which actually cost slightly less than our old freestanding unit. Instead of relying on bottled or pitcher filtered water, we have filtered drinking water available directly at the sink. If you’re curious about how ours works and our experience living with it here is our reverse osmosis drinking water system (review).

5. Toe Kick and Cabinet Lighting

I didn’t realize how much I missed having under cabinet lighting until we didn’t have it anymore. We use the cabinetry lights as a soft light at night— like a night light. It’s honestly a step in the design process that many people skip. I’m here to tell you it’s worth every penny! Pictured above is our basement bar and here are the easy smart home kitchen cabinet lighting ideas we’ve implemented.

6. Hidden Trash Bins

A pull-out trash and recycling cabinet isn’t particularly exciting, but I’d argue that some of the least glamorous kitchen features are the ones you’ll appreciate most. Concealing trash frees up floor space and eliminates the need for a freestanding trash can. Depending on the cabinet configuration, you can also incorporate separate bins for trash and recycling. I shared how to install a hidden kitchen trash can here… it’s such a simple way to make your kitchen more functional! This is one of those features I always prioritize.

7. Pot Filler

This one is probably the most obvious, but pot fillers can be installed in more places than just above the range. Don’t get me wrong, I love a pot filler for cooking and I adore the gorgeous Rohl one sandwiched between my range and hood, but I also really miss having one above my espresso machine.

Another great place for a pot filler? Above dog bowls! Someday, when it comes time to renovate our laundry room… I’m going to design a dog feeding station that has built-in bowls with a pot filler installed above for easy watering. Think outside the box! Pot fillers are super functional.

8. Spice Rack or Spice Drawers

A dedicated place for spices is one of those small organizational decisions that makes cooking easier. I’ve used different spice storage solutions over the years, but the goal is always the same… keep everything visible and easy to reach. Did you know you can buy a spice drawer insert to turn any regular kitchen drawer into a spice rack? I’m a fan of all the cabinetry inserts, bells and whistles! I shared how to turn any kitchen drawer into a spice drawer if you’re looking for an easy way to organize your kitchen.

9. Concealed Knife Storage

I’m here to tell you countertop knife blocks are a thing of the past— they’re not my favorite option. Whether it’s an integrated drawer insert or another cabinet solution, keeping knives safely stored but easily accessible makes the prep area look much cleaner. This is our exact cabinet, or you can find flat knife organizers that slide into drawers (an awesome affordable option). We also keep our kitchen utensils in that same cabinet. It’s another example of why I like planning storage around the items you actually use rather than filling cabinets with generic organizers and hoping they’ll work.

10. Cabinet Organizers

Last, but certainly not least, good cabinet organization can completely change how your kitchen functions. The trick is choosing organizers based on your habits rather than adding every clever insert available. Before ordering cabinetry inserts, take inventory of what you actually use. Think about where you naturally reach for those items while cooking. Some of my favorites we use at home include:

• Flatware organizers
• Expandable drawer organizers
• Pantry jars
• Pantry bins (I prefer clear, so you can see into them)
• Corner cabinet solutions that make awkward spaces easier to access (like our lazy susan corner kidney pullout, pictured below)

Questions?

Related Posts

Looking for more kitchen posts, as you’re planning and organizing for the season ahead? Or maybe you have a kitchen renovation in the works? I’ll share some reader favorites below… give these a read!

• Overlay vs Inset Cabinets: What’s Best for Your Kitchen
• The Kitchen Dimensions Every Designer Knows (And You Should Save)
• 10 Budget-Friendly Ways to Instantly Refresh Your Kitchen
• How to Install a Hidden Kitchen Trash Can
• Cabinetry Hardware Placement Guide (With Easy Examples)
• Easy Smart Home Kitchen Cabinet Lighting Ideas
• An Honest Review of the GE Cafe Range
• My Top Paint Color Picks for Dark Kitchen Cabinets
• How to Replace & Upgrade Your Cabinet Doors
• How to Light a Kitchen Like a Designer

Are there any other things you absolutely LOVE having in your kitchen and can’t do without? Maybe they’re not as obvious, but are super functional? I’d love to hear in the comments below!