Custom Kitchen Features That Elevate Everyday Living

Over the years, I've worked on so many kitchen projects throughout Northeast Georgia, and one thing has become clear. The difference between a beautiful kitchen and a truly custom kitchen comes down to the details. I’m talking about those thoughtfully designed features that don’t just look good but also make your daily routines easier, faster, and honestly more enjoyable. From personal experience, I find that when I am cooking in the kitchen, it’s those little details, from gathering all the ingredients to washing the dishes, that make the entire experience more enjoyable.

If you’ve been thinking about building a new home or remodeling your kitchen, this is the post you’ll want to bookmark. I’m walking you through some of my favorite custom kitchen features that I’ve loved incorporating into client projects and that always earn rave reviews long after the construction dust settles.

Double Ovens

Have you ever been hosting a meal for family and found yourself needing to make two recipes that call for two different oven temperatures? This is where double ovens come in. For so many of my projects, double ovens have been a game changer for families who love to cook or entertain. When you want a kitchen that can bake cookies on one side and roasted veggies on the other side, double ovens is the solution. The flexibility is unmatched.

For clients who love to meal prep in bulk or host family and friends for the holidays, I always recommend incorporating double ovens into the kitchen design. It is an up front investment, but long term, it is an investment that will make life so much easier and more efficient.

Appliance Garage

This is one of those “Instagram trends” that I believe is a timeless design feature. This sleek design moment is the perfect balance of aesthetics and functionality (you know this is a must have win win for us at Effortless Designs). For clients who love their appliances or at the very least use them often, I will always add in an appliance garage to hide the clutter of toasters, coffee makers, or mixers. At the very minimum, it keeps the counters clean and the space visually calm. This is also a design feature I highly recommend for clients who want a minimalist look in their kitchen but still cook daily.

Hidden Broom Closet or Cleaning Closet

Let’s face it: Life gets messy. Along with the mess comes the essentials of cleaning supplies, mops, and brooms,etc. For this reason, this feature is one of my favorites to incorporate into a custom home kitchen design. Often, you can sneak this feature in with minimal space while still adding plenty of functionality. This is the design feature to add especially if you appreciate always having your kitchen look guest ready.

I often will tuck this feature next to a fridge or pantry. No more dragging the broom out of the laundry room or pantry. Simply hang it inside this custom cabinetry niche and close the door. This is a must have recommendation for busy families with pets, kids, and surprise visitors.

Pull Out Trash and Recycling

Now this feature may not be glamorous but it’s a quiet hero in every kitchen we do. Having a pullout trash and recycling station is by far the most requested feature we recive from our clients. Most of the time, I will place this feature near the kitchen sink or prep zones to make clean up seamless in those spaces. A pull out trash and recycling is especially helpful, again, for families with young kids but can be a go to feature that anyone can appreciate.

Under the Counter Refrigerator Doors

Although not widely used, under the counter refrigerated drawers are fantastic for homes with young children. By having a lower refrigerated drawer, your kids can grab a snack without having to ask for help (or leaving the fridge door open). For clients who entertain frequently, this also helps to keep beverages accessible but out of the main fridge space. This specific kitchen feature tucks in beautifully beneath a coffee or beverage station.

Designing a custom kitchen is about more than picking pretty cabinets and countertops but rather it’s about creating a space that fits your life. These features aren’t just trendy, they’re tried-and-true elements I recommend again and again in real Northeast Georgia homes to make everyday life easier and more beautiful.

If you’re dreaming up a kitchen project of your own, I’d love to help bring it to life with intention, experience, and just the right amount of custom.