Kitchen renovations are a costly endeavor which always return their investment in spades, according to any real estate broker. If in an upper class or up-and-coming residential area, the choice to upgrade your kitchen to a level classified as a luxury kitchen will require some standard upgrades.

Vulcan Stove

Vulcan is the top of the line stove manufacturer in any residential or commercial kitchen and is considered a must-have in any luxury kitchen. Known for it’s incredible craftsmanship and a scale to handle any size meal, Vulcan appliances are an investment in themselves.

Refrigerator Options

Refrigerator-freezers have come a long way since the days of “Sub Zero” style where the trend was to install a refrigerator whose profile was flush with the cabinetry and faced with wood panels to match the rest of the kitchen. The latest in refrigerators offer digital controls for in-door filtered water and ice machines and the most popular is the “3-door” model which implements two refrigerator swing doors on top, and a pull out freezer chest below. Many of the luxury class kitchens will, instead, install a separate refrigerator and freezer, given the immense size of most of the areas.

Finishes

The current trend in luxury kitchens is for all appliances to be stainless steel. The common belief is that these items will not go out of style like the colored appliance predecessors, because there is a innate longevity to “natural” materials. In keeping with this train of thought, luxury kitchens do not implement any man-made finishes. Hard wood or tumbled stone floors, granite countertops and cherry or mahogany cabinets are staples. Many homeowners prefer the darker colors for their kitchen cabinets, but for those who prefer a light color, use natural maple. Oak is considered middle class.

Lighting

Finish off your luxury kitchen style upgrade with blown glass pendant lighting over the island, recessed can lights for overall lighting in the work areas, indirect lighting on top of the cabinets to shine up onto the ceiling and under cabinet zenon puck lights for task lighting.