When you’re ultra-wealthy, the world of homes and renovations is your oyster. You can do pretty much whatever you want.
For everyone else, these luxurious lifestyles seem out of reach. But are they?
It turns out that many of the pieces of kit that the rich include in their kitchens are also available in forms that you can put in yours, too. No, they won’t always be identical, but they can be pretty close.
Dual Ovens
Starting at the top, dual ovens are a must-have item for many of the world’s wealthiest people. These are ideal for cooking items at different temperatures, allowing for the creation of delicious, gourmet meals from scratch.
Dual ovens essentially have two bays with an insulating layer in between. One can be roasting hot, while the other is just mild enough for a soufflée.
Top brands, like Aga, love to make these. But you can find cheaper options elsewhere if you know where to look.
Induction Cooking
Another favorite of the ultra-wealthy is high-tech induction cooking. Instead of applying heat to pans on the stove, this technology uses magnets to vibrate food molecules until they get warm.
If that sounds high-tech, it is. It means that the surface of the stove only gets warm once it’s already warmed up the liquids or the food in the pan. Strange!
Induction cooking is a superstar in the kitchen because of how easy it is to integrate into surfaces. Owners can slot these units into worktops without having them stick out, like electric systems or gas rings. Plus, because they don’t give off their own heat, there are multiple mounting options from which to choose.
Induction cooking is expensive, but you’d be surprised how small of a premium it commands over gas burner equivalents. Today, the technology is well understood and many manufacturers churn out units in bulk that you can simply get your renovation contractor to slot into your new room.
Cutting Board Sink Inserts
Cutting board sink inserts are a quality-of-life inclusion worth considering. Here, manufacturers design draining boards with special grooves in them for holding washed in place neatly before putting them away.
The wealthy like this touch in their kitchens, but surprisingly, it isn’t something that has found its way into the general culture. The good news is that you could include it in a renovation at a low cost by simply adding it to your sink during the installation.
Knife Drawer Organizer
On a similar theme, you could also invest in a knife drawer organizer. These are a nice alternative to conventional knife blocks that take up space on your sideboard.
Knife drawer organizers have little inserts for holding sharp knives. You can also sometimes get them with integrated knife sharpeners for convenience.
Pendant Lighting
Pendant lighting is another feature the wealthy want in their kitchens that’s well worth considering in yours. While this option is more expensive than conventional spotlights, it is also something you could add with minimal effort. Hanging these lights over your eating areas or even worktops makes the room feel cozier and more inviting.
Smart Lighting Systems
Adding smart lighting is something else the wealthy are doing in their kitchens. These systems auto-dim lights when necessary and can even choreograph displays, depending on how integrated they are.
Smart lighting is controllable with a voice when inside the kitchen, or an app when away. It’s possible to calibrate kitchen lighting in advance to fit in with your routine and provide illumination that supports your circadian rhythm.
Espresso Machines
Many of the world’s wealthiest people also like to keep espresso machines in their kitchens. These allow them to make their morning coffees just the way they want with ground beans.
The ultimate status symbol is a silver steel espresso machine. These often have the same quality as coffeehouse equivalents, even if you go for something mid-range.
The main component is the part where the machine forces hot, steamy water through the beans. If the spec for this is similar to a regular cafe, then you’re in luck.
Smart Refrigerators
Lastly, the wealthy also seem to want smart refrigerators in their homes. These are handy because they can track what’s inside them and order fresh supplies over the internet if you run out of anything.
No, they’re not as cheap as conventional refrigerators. But the premium you pay is usually quite low compared to the quality of life improvements that they offer. Use them for their food tracking and touch-screen displays.
