Charlotte Kitchen Customization - What Homeowners Truly Want

Light-filled white chef's kitchen with a secondary prep space.

When building a luxury custom home, the kitchen is no longer just a place to prepare meals - it is the heart of the house. It is a central hub where design meets function, and homeowners prioritize personalization like never before. As a leading Charlotte custom home builder, David Rogers Builders knows kitchen customization is one of the most exciting and essential parts of any luxury home project. From hidden sculleries to oversized islands and specialty appliance integration, today's kitchen reflects lifestyle and taste.

Here are the top kitchen customization features high-end clients request in 2025 and how our team builds kitchens that blend timeless elegance with forward-thinking design.

Top Kitchen Customizations in 2025

1. The Rise of the Scullery Kitchen

Sculleries are making a significant comeback, and they're nothing like the closed-off pantries of the past. In luxury homes, a scullery is a second kitchen hidden just off the main one. In this place, prep work, dishwashing, and even appliance storage can take place without disrupting the aesthetic of the main entertaining space.

Homeowners often request a scullery with custom cabinetry, a second dishwasher, a full-size sink, under-counter refrigeration, and built-in shelving. It's the ultimate solution for keeping the central kitchen clean and polished while providing all the functionality needed for cooking and hosting.

2. Oversized Islands with Purpose

Gone are the days of standard-sized kitchen islands. Today's custom home clients want oversized, multi-functional islands that serve as gathering spaces, prep zones, casual dining spots, and even storage workhorses. Whether it's waterfall-edge quartz countertops, built-in microwaves, wine fridges, or hidden pull-out drawers, islands can be a strong focal point of the kitchen.

Double-sized islands are an option to accommodate both prep and entertaining. These islands typically include two tiers, two sinks, or a split design, combining cooking and dining. Double-sized islands offer ample counter space, dual functionality, extended storage, and even serve as a social hub for guests. Clients love the ability to host while having a separate surface for food prep without the clutter.

3. Fully Integrated Appliances

Custom cabinetry isn't just for aesthetic appeal—it can hide everything from refrigerators to dishwashers, creating seamless, built-in looks that highlight clean lines and uninterrupted sightlines. It makes a clean, uncluttered aesthetic and is ideal for open-concept homes where the kitchen is part of the main living area.

Integrated appliances are one of the most requested kitchen design elements! For a sleek and minimalist look, panel-ready refrigerators, custom range hoods, and drawer-style appliances are perfect options for your kitchen design. These finishes create a high-end, tailored look that works beautifully in modern and traditional kitchen styles. Adding these high-end looks appeals to luxury buyers and design-savvy homeowners, thus potentially increasing your overall home value.

4. Hidden Coffee & Beverage Bars

Beverage stations are trending, and custom home clients are asking for dedicated spaces to house built-in espresso machines, wine storage, and under-counter beverage fridges. Whether tucked behind pocket doors or hidden within a pantry-style cabinet, a coffee and wine bar add convenience without sacrificing design.

Some homeowners want a full butler's pantry experience; others opt for something more minimalist. Either way, integrating a coffee station adds a layer of luxury that turns morning routines into rituals. A hidden coffee or beverage bar is a stylish, space-efficient design feature that tucks your drink station out of sight when not in use. In our recent build, The Courtside Estate, the owners wanted a coffee bar in their primary bedroom, and we delivered! You can look more at that project HERE.

5. Open Shelving with Personality

Open shelving isn't just a design trend; it's a lifestyle choice. It's a chance to show off your personality and give your living space character. Today's luxury kitchens often feature a mix of closed cabinetry and open shelving to allow homeowners to display their curated pieces—from artisan ceramics they got on their travels to cookbooks and extensive wine collections. Balance is key; mix practical storage with curated style so it feels intentional.

Designers can create custom shelving built into backsplashes or alongside windows. The key is ensuring that open shelving is beautiful and functional—a balancing act our team knows how to achieve!

6. Designer Lighting as a Focal Point

As the focal point, designer lighting is an excellent way to elevate a room. Our clients are choosing oversized pendants, statement chandeliers, and under-cabinet lighting to elevate the atmosphere of their kitchen. A show-stopping fixture draws the eye and defines the room's character. The correct statement fixture adds personality while anchoring your space with elegance. Let us help you choose the perfect lighting for your space.

7. High-end finishes and Custom Cabinetry

Luxury clients expect cabinetry that looks exquisite and functions flawlessly. Custom inset doors, soft-close hinges, dovetail drawers, and floor-to-ceiling cabinets in bespoke finishes are now baseline requests in our homes.

Homeowners are increasingly selecting warm wood tones, matte blacks, and hand-painted finishes for cabinetry. Paired with hardware in aged brass or brushed nickel, this tailored approach adds texture and richness to any kitchen.

Modern and minimalistic kitchen range hood, custom lighting, and spacious island.

8. Statement Range Hoods

No longer hidden, range hoods have become a showpiece in custom kitchens. We design custom range hoods in plaster, wood, or metal that mirror the home's architectural style while also commanding attention in the kitchen layout.

This design element allows homeowners to break up cabinetry with something sculptural, whether minimalist or ornate. Statement range hoods are bold designs that anchor your space and add architectural interest. Our custom range hoods offer aesthetic impact, balance, symmetry, and functional ventilation.

9. Soft Technology Integration

Tech integration has always been part of custom home design. Now, there is a focus on "soft" technology—features that blend seamlessly into the home without creating visual clutter. Think touchless faucets, voice-controlled lighting, motion-sensing drawers, or refrigerated drawers built directly into the island. Our customers love to add these intuitive features to elevate functionality without overwhelming the design.

10. Hidden Outlets

Hidden outlets are the perfect combination of functionality and clean design in a custom home. They keep your spaces organized without visible cords while ensuring power access when needed. One of our David Rogers Builders artists can paint hidden outlets to match the stone on your countertops.

Pop-up outlets are a popular choice in custom homes and kitchens, especially now that the building code prohibits outlets on the side of kitchen islands. They are a sleek, space-saving solution that offers a clean, uncluttered look, safe access to power, and design flexibility. Pop-up outlets installed in kitchen islands or countertops prioritize clean design. They are ideal for minimalist, modern, or tech-integrated homes.

11. Appliance Garages

Appliance garages offer built-in storage for small appliances like blenders or toasters, keeping them tucked away but easily accessible. They are designated cabinet or counter-level nooks that keep your kitchen appliances hidden while offering a minimal, modern, or luxury kitchen look. Our clients can add built-in outlets, match cabinet finishes, and incorporate task lighting. Homeowners who want a clean, clutter-free, functional countertop opt for this clever storage option.

12. Personalized Storage Features

Finally, one of the most significant benefits of kitchen customization is creating storage that works for you. Personalized kitchen storage tailor organization to your aesthetic preferences, lifestyle, and cooking habits. Pull-out spice racks, tiered cutlery drawers, tray dividers, vertical pan storage, and corner cabinets with integrated turntables help homeowners stay organized.

Drawer dividers are an excellent option for families that prefer to prep meals. Dedicated pantries are available for bulk buyers, and walk-in storage is available for avid entertainers. We offer endless personalized storage options to maximize every inch of your space, keep your countertops clutter-free, and make your kitchen more enjoyable.

Custom, welcoming kitchen located in Waxhaw, NC.

The Custom Kitchen is Here to Stay

As a Charlotte custom home builder, we understand that the kitchen is more than just a room—it's the epicenter of luxury living. Every kitchen we build is crafted to reflect the homeowner's unique personality while prioritizing smart design, comfort, and timeless beauty.

If you plan to build a custom home in Charlotte, Waxhaw, Weddington, or Marvin, NC, now is the time to start dreaming about your perfect kitchen. Whether focused on functionality, entertainment, or architectural impact, David Rogers Builders will help bring your vision to life with craftsmanship, care, and a commitment to excellence.