How to Elevate Your Kitchen Design: 6 Essentials for a Beautiful, Functional Space

The kitchen is more than just a place to cook—it's the heart of the home. It’s where busy mornings begin, where meals are shared, and where conversations flow into the evening. So when it comes to kitchen design, it's worth creating a space that not only looks beautiful but also works seamlessly for the way you live.

At Mogra Interiors, we believe in thoughtful, elevated kitchen design that blends practicality with refined style. Whether you’re planning a full kitchen renovation or simply looking to upgrade, here are six essential design features that can instantly elevate your kitchen—from ordinary to effortlessly elegant.

1. Open Shelving That Feels Curated (and Lighter)

Open shelving is more than just a trend—when designed well, it brings warmth, personality, and a sense of openness to your kitchen. It’s a chance to display beautiful ceramics, everyday essentials, or even fresh herbs, all while breaking up the heaviness of full-height cabinetry.

Wall-to-wall cupboards can make a kitchen feel crowded and closed in, particularly in smaller or open-plan layouts. Open shelving introduces breathing space, helping the kitchen feel lighter, more spacious, and more thoughtfully designed.

💡 Tip: It’s all about balance. A thoughtful mix of open and closed storage keeps things feeling curated, never cluttered.

2. Take Your Worktop Up the Wall

Instead of a tiled splashback, consider taking your quartz or stone worktop all the way up the wall. This creates a seamless, architectural feel that looks clean and modern—while being incredibly low-maintenance.

At Mogra, we love marble as a standout choice. No other stone quite compares when it comes to elegance and timeless appeal. Yes, it requires care—but marble develops a soft patina over time that adds character and quiet luxury. With a little love, it will age beautifully and become part of your home’s story.

💡 Tip: Choose a honed finish for a more forgiving surface, and pair with gentle pH-neutral cleaners to preserve its grace over time.

3. A Double-Door Pantry with Breakfast Station

A double-door pantry with an integrated breakfast bar is one of our favourite features for busy households. Behind those sleek doors, you can store everything from cereals and coffee machines to snacks, lunchbox fillers, and morning prep essentials.

Especially for families, this feature simplifies daily routines and keeps your main worktops beautifully clear. No visual clutter, no countertop chaos—just a clean, functional setup that’s ready to go when you are.

💡 Tip: Include internal drawers, integrated lighting, and adjustable shelving for maximum practicality.

4. Integrated Bins (Yes, Really)

It might seem like a small detail, but integrated bins make a huge difference. They keep waste and recycling neatly tucked away behind cabinetry—out of sight, out of mind.

No freestanding bins taking up floor space, no disrupting the visual harmony of your kitchen. Just smart, considered design that makes daily life easier.

5. A Sleek Hob on the Island

At Mogra, we often recommend placing the hob on the kitchen island—especially in open-plan layouts. It allows the cook to face into the room, keeping things sociable and connected.

Pair this with a sleek downdraft hob like the Bora Pure or Bora Classic, which integrates ventilation directly into the surface. No bulky overhead extractor. No awkward angles. Just clean lines and easy cleaning—a real bonus when you cook regularly or have children around.

💡 Tip: Position the hob near prep zones and include hidden drawers for utensils and spices below.

6. High-Quality Brass Ironmongery

Hardware might be small, but it has a big impact. Quality brass ironmongery instantly elevates cabinetry, adding depth, texture, and timeless charm.

At Mogra, we love working with brands like Armac Martin, known for their beautifully crafted solid brass handles, knobs, and pulls. Their pieces are not just fittings; they’re the kind of subtle luxury that completes a kitchen with real intention. With finishes like burnished brass, satin lacquer, or antique bronze, these details add warmth and quiet confidence to your space.

💡 Tip: Don’t underestimate the emotional weight of good hardware—it’s the first thing you touch when you enter the kitchen. Make it a pleasure.

Why You Should Start your kitchen renovation with an Interior Designer—Not the Kitchen Showroom!

Kitchen suppliers are excellent when it comes to cabinetry and technical fittings—but they typically focus on delivering a standalone product: the kitchen itself. As designers, we approach things holistically.

At Mogra Interiors, we don’t look at the kitchen in isolation. We see it as one part of a greater whole—connected to the way you live, and to the overall design language of your home.

We help you consider all the elements that sit around and support your kitchen:

– the pendant lighting that adds ambience

– the bar stools that encourage gathering

– the rugs and runners that soften hard floors

– the wall colours that tie it into adjoining spaces

– the flooring that creates cohesion

– and even the styling and finishing touches that make it feel complete

These are decisions that kitchen companies often don’t guide you through—because they’re outside the cabinetry itself. But they are precisely what transforms your kitchen from a functional space into a beautifully integrated room.

Especially in open-plan layouts, your kitchen must do more than just work—it must flow. It needs to belong. That’s what we help you create at Mogra.

Thinking of a Kitchen Renovation?

If you’re planning a kitchen renovation—whether it’s a standalone project or part of a larger refurbishment—we are here to help. Mogra Interiors offers full-service design support to help you create a space that’s functional, stylish, and uniquely yours.

Let’s design a kitchen that reflects the way you actually live.

Book your consultation here and let’s begin.

Follow along at @mogra_interiors for weekly design tips, styling inspo, and behind-the-scenes moments from real family homes.

📌All images sourced from Pinterest for inspiration. All rights belong to their respective owners.