Splurge or Save? The Eternal Kitchen Design Question

Let’s face it: creating a beautiful kitchen, that looks high-end, without spending a fortune can feel like an impossible task. But, if you know where to focus your budget, it’s entirely doable You don’t need to gut the whole thing or remortgage the house. Instead, invest wisely in key areas that make a huge impact, and you’ll end up with a kitchen design that feels luxurious, cohesive, and, dare I say it, downright swoon-worthy.

Here are five things we splurged on for that elevated kitchen look: (and ways we saved)

Statement Lighting

Lighting is the jewelry of your kitchen design, and let me tell you, it makes all the difference. A stunning pendant or some beautifully crafted sconces (hello, brass beauties) can draw attention exactly where you want it. Good lighting sets the mood, adds depth, and instantly elevates the vibe—even if the rest of your kitchen is simple. If you’re shopping secondhand, vintage lighting can add character for a fraction of the cost.

We splurged on a custom pendant for over the dining table and brass sconces either side of the range hood. The rest of the lights are standard LED down lights, that blend into the ceiling.

Quality Cabinet Hardware

Think of hardware like the finishing touch on an outfit. You could be wearing a $20 dress, but with the right accessories, you look like a million bucks. The same goes for your cabinets. Swap out boring, generic knobs for high-end options ”brass, aged bronze, or even ceramic styles can completely change the game. It’s a relatively small investment, but the impact? Chef’s kiss.We splurged on TradCo Architectural Hardware for the window locks, door locks, and light switches as well as porcelain drawer pulls for the dishwasher. These really make our kitchen sing. We saved with cheaper hinges and keeping existing wooden knobs in our antique pieces.

Countertops That Shine

Now, I’m not telling you to go out and buy a slab of Calacatta marble (unless you want to-no judgment). But if you can splurge on just one thing, consider your countertops. This is a focal point in the kitchen, and high-quality surfaces scream “expensive.” We chose the new silica free alternative, Mirastone, for our bench tops but the palette is limited. So if you want to splurge, save on cabinetry like we did, then look for quartz, or marble, butcher block, or even high-end laminate options that mimic the look of stone. A beautiful countertop pulls everything together like magic.

A Sink and Tap Combo That Wows

A gorgeous farmhouse sink paired with a quality tap? Game changer. It’s one of those things that immediately gives your kitchen design personality and charm. Plus, good tapware in polished brass is not only functional but also feels luxurious every time you turn it on.
after learning the hard way the cheap tapware is well, cheap, and then requires a plumber to install the replacement, I was determined to gave a kitchen tap budget at the cottage.
This is one place to definitely splurge. But I defy anyone who says you need to spend upward of 2k to get quality. Shop around. Look for deals. Yes, we all love Turner Hastings but you can get that look and quality for less with other brands.

Items we Chose to Save on

• shelving. For a chunky look we used framing timber that was sanded and stained
• the rangehood cover was built from reclaimed shelf timber
• our appliances are mid range but still have the look and functionality of very expensive ones.