There’s a specific kind of disappointment that only shows up YEARS after a luxury kitchen remodel.
The cabinets are still beautiful…the appliances still work perfectly…nothing is technically “wrong.” But the space no longer feels indulgent. What once felt exciting now feels flat—like a decision that (clearly) didn’t age the way you expected it to.
These kitchens are the ones that look exactly like whatever you would have seen when you typed in “luxury kitchen remodel” to Google, at whatever time that kitchen was redone. They were called “luxury” (by some) at that moment because they had the highest-end brands, or the hottest trends. They only reflected what “luxury” supposedly looked like IN THAT MOMENT.
But luxury that’s defined visually does NOT always translate into luxury that lasts.
The difference only becomes clear after you’ve lived in the kitchen. After hundreds of meals and quiet mornings and rushed weeknights, and countless moments you never planned for, that’s when you understand what really means “luxury” to you.
Here’s how to figure that out!!
The Mistake Homeowners Don’t Realize They’re Making
Kitchen remodel decisions are often made before homeowners fully understand how they’ll live in the space. They think they know, but designing for it requires an analytical look at daily patterns, habits, and small irritations. Those things all have to be put into words!
Without that analysis, many “luxury” kitchens prioritize how the space will be perceived instead of how it will quietly perform over time.
What’s interesting is that these kitchens don’t fail immediately! The dissatisfaction comes later, when the trends fall out of fashion and the kitchen has to earn its place in everyday life.
What “Luxury” Looks Like before You Live With It
At the research stage for any remodel, luxury is visual. It’s defined by scale, contrast, statement materials, and what YOU read as “stunning.” These cues are powerful because they’re easy to recognize and compare.
And that’s a great place to start, but only as long as you know what comes after.
…Because what these images can’t communicate is how a kitchen feels after HUNDREDS of ordinary moments. You can’t see how often you might hesitate before opening a drawer, or how the lighting will affect your mood at the end of a long day, or whether the layout will support connection.
For example, check out this kitchen remodel we did with totally custom storage. This household never has kitchen clutter, and they never have an awkward flow. This is daily luxury that they STILL enjoy years later…‘cause y’all wouldn’t believe how many years ago this kitchen was done!!
Kitchens That Age Poorly…and why
When kitchens begin to feel dated early, it’s often because they followed trends too closely. And other times, it’s because they were designed around a single “hot idea” that impressed in the moment BUT doesn’t reflect the way the actual owners live in the space.
A “less-than-luxurious” kitchen is any kitchen that requires effort to live in. It’s where your movements feel constrained, or your storage solves one problem but creates another! An un-luxurious kitchen demands attention instead of offering frictionless flow and daily support.
Over time, the friction adds up. And friction is the opposite of luxury!!
Kitchens Homeowners Still love Living In
The kitchens that age beautifully don’t ask to be admired—they invite your use. Our clients, for example, describe their kitchen remodels in terms of the specific features that impact their daily use. Their kitchens reflect real life!!
What stands out over time is how little our clients think about their kitchens anymore—because they work so intuitively, and because they never ages! Enjoyment and timeless design become background noise. And that, y’all, is luxury!
What Divides “Luxury” from luxury
It’s intention.
See for yourself in even more of our kitchen remodels…
Bet you couldn’t guess when this kitchen was done…
That drink station was PERFECT for this couple!
Another kitchen with INCREDIBLE custom storage…having a place or everything. No getting on your hands and knees to pull something out…that’s luxury for this family.
And look at this kitchen, another one where you DEFINITELY can’t guess when we remodeled it…
Kitchen facelifts can be true luxury, too—here’s an example!!
The Questions Homeowners Wish They’d Asked First
In hindsight, most homeowners don’t wish they’d predicted the future of kitchen design trends. They just wish they’d listened to the present more intentionally!!
For every kitchen design decision you make, ask yourself: does this choice make my daily life feel better—or just add something I’m “supposed to add,” or something “impressive?”
That question has a way of cutting through noise, and it leads to answers that age well.
Keep reading for more questions you need to ask before you start ANY remodel!!
Luxury, Reconsidered
Luxury is found when you choose something because it brings pleasure, ease, or meaning…in other words, simply because you want it.
And that’s where timeless design lives—in a Return On Enjoyment that continues looong after the novelty fades!
About the author:
Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for over three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.
In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. In 2024 and again in 2025, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. At the start of 2025, she then acted as one of Dallas Market’s “Style Eyes” at Lightovation and Total Home & Gift Market.
Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.
In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.
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