Designer Tips to Make Your Kitchen Shine

Today’s high-end kitchens are more than just functional spaces. They’re the hard-working heart of a home, but they’re also a living canvas showcasing your personal style. While cabinetry, countertops, and lighting often get top billing when it comes to kitchen aesthetics, there’s also an unsung hero quietly elevating countertops: gourmet small appliances. From barista-inspired coffee machines to sculptural toasters and blenders, today’s premium stainless appliances — like those in our Professional Series — are designed for both utility and beauty. We asked top designers for tips about incorporating smaller stainless steel appliances into show stopping designs that work hard and look fabulous.

Think of Small Appliances as Sculptural Elements

Your favorite stainless appliances don’t have to hide in cabinets. Grouping several as a cluster of striking forms emphasizes how the well-considered designs are more than occasional tools, they’re an integral part of a used and loved space.

Keep It Consistent — but Not Matchy-Matchy

While mixing metals has its place, stainless finishes create a sophisticated through-line in a kitchen. Small stainless pieces pair well with larger steel appliances, but not every element has to match perfectly. Matte finishes, like some of the accents on Lotus designs, offer pops of contrast to higher-polish elements.

Let Lighting Enhance the Shine

Stainless is naturally reflective, which can amplify the light in your kitchen — but only if it’s well-positioned. Designers suggest avoiding harsh overhead lighting that glare off of appliances. Several recommend soft under counter lights and pendants on dimmers to create a warm, soft glow that glints and glimmers on stainless surfaces.

Edit and Elevate (Less Really Can Be More)

Avoid cluttering counters with every stainless gadget you own. Curate your countertops the same way you would a wall of art. Display the ones that are both beautiful and used daily. Tuck the rest away or store them in an appliance garage. An edited approach lets the hero appliances shine even brighter.

Whether your style leans modern farmhouse, mid-century minimal, or classic New England, premium stainless steel small appliances are a great way to add gleam and gravitas to your kitchen. The trick, as one clever designer pointed out, is to think of them more like kitchen jewelry than culinary tools.