SARCO & Santos Insights: 7 Key Trends in High-End Kitchen Design

In today's modern homes, kitchens have evolved into more than just cooking spaces. While long-established as the “heart” of a home, the modern kitchen experience now also signifies aesthetic design, luxury features, and seamless functionality. 

Especially in locations like Costa Rica — where homeowners prioritize quality of life and comfort — the kitchen really has become the focal point of high-end living. 

But, what key trends has this new perspective on ‘the kitchen experience’ set in motion?

We’ve joined forces with Santos, a leading manufacturer of luxury kitchen cabinets, to find out!

SARCO Architects and Santos: A Partnership in Luxury

Since our first collaboration in 2018, SARCO Architects has partnered with Santos to enhance six of our luxury residences with their high-end kitchen designs. Santos' renowned craftsmanship and attention to detail align perfectly with SARCO's philosophy of integrating beauty with practicality in each uniquely designed home. Together, we continue to set new standards in luxury living, ensuring every kitchen is not just a workspace but a centerpiece of the home, crafted to meet the exacting standards of our discerning clientele.

1. Changing Living Spaces

The kitchen is no longer just a place to make food. It’s now a place to gather, to entertain, and show off cooking skills.

In response to this changing use, the modern luxury kitchen extends beyond its traditional boundaries, seamlessly blending with living spaces.

This integration encourages a more social and interactive environment, allowing the kitchen to become a focal point for entertaining and relaxation. 

Here’s what our lead architect, Roderick Anderson has to say about the modern kitchen experience:

"Kitchens now extend into the living space. This means people are not only spending more time there, they’re also spending more money on nicer appliances, fittings, and features to optimize their enjoyment of the space and enhance their quality of life."

Roderick Anderson, CEO & Design Director at SARCO Architects

In modern luxury homes, the kitchen can serve many uses by multiple people—by the owners to host and entertain guests and by professional chefs to impress visitors with culinary masterpieces.

To account for this, the trend we have seen is multiple kitchens in one home—a main, luxury kitchen and a utility, butler’s kitchen. 

The butler's kitchen (or utility kitchen) enhances the flow of entertainment without sacrificing functionality. It’s where functionality meets finesse, away from the guests' view, allowing the main kitchen to remain a pristine, entertainment-ready showpiece. 

Butler's kitchens in luxury homes are dedicated to be used by staff that work at the home, and to provide space to work for private chefs that may come to the house, or for catering that may be contracted for a specific event, etc.

The butler's kitchen may not have the most expensive appliances since it is a kitchen that is out of the view of the users and visitors to the home, but it will have the needed types of appliances for the staff or the chefs to use for their work.

The main kitchen is the showpiece kitchen for the family or visitors/renters of the home.  It is the center of the social area of the home, a gathering place, to socialize, to mingle, etc.

This evolution signifies a shift in lifestyle, where homeowners want spaces that cater to both their love for entertaining and the nuances of everyday life.

Designing a butler's kitchen requires a keen eye for detail and an understanding of the homeowner's unique needs. It's not just about selecting high-end appliances or materials; it's about creating a space that complements the main kitchen's design while offering all the functionalities needed for preparation and storage. 

The rise of the butler's kitchen underscores our ethos at SARCO Architects: to design spaces that transcend the ordinary, where every detail contributes to a harmonious blend of beauty and utility. It's a reflection of our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the creation of personalized living experiences that resonate with the aspirations of our clients.

3. Quality, Innovative Lighting Choices

"Good design is when you design something that is timeless, functional, and good quality. That’s why people are investing more in kitchen lighting now — because they want to know that they can use their kitchen for cooking, entertaining, or simply relaxing in. And of course, that level of diversity requires more than just one big light in the center of the room."

Patricia Gonzalez, General Manager of Santos Costa Rica

So, if basic lighting features are no longer enough to satisfy modern homeowner’s needs, what is?

Here are some of the strategies SARCO Architects and Santos recommend to their clients:

• Layered lighting design: Incorporate a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting to create depth and dimension in your kitchen space. 
  
  
• Customizable fixtures: Choose lighting fixtures that offer flexibility in brightness levels, color temperatures, and directionality. With customizable options, you can easily adjust the lighting to suit different tasks, from meal preparation to intimate gatherings.
  
  
• Integrated lighting solutions: Explore integrated lighting solutions within cabinetry, countertops, and architectural features to optimize the interior design of your custom kitchen. 
  
  
• Dynamic lighting control: Implement smart lighting systems that allow for personalized control and automation. With advanced controls, you can instantly create different lighting scenes for cooking, dining, or entertaining, satisfying both functional and visual preferences.
  
  
• Reflective or diffusive surfaces: Create kitchen cabinets with surfaces that strategically reflect or diffuse light, enhancing the ambiance of the space. 

Tip: 2024 has already seen some interesting lighting trends. From cylinder-shaped lamps to all-black designs to complement a monochromatic color palette, lighting is an increasingly important part of kitchen design. Even in a small kitchen remodel, a strategic approach to lighting can make all the difference. So, from floor to ceiling, be sure to plan ahead with your architect and designers to get your lighting options right from the start.

People are definitely not downsizing their kitchens, they want spaces where they can live comfortably, especially for big families or those who enjoy entertaining large groups. But, nobody wants a gigantic kitchen with wasted space either. So, we’re seeing many custom home builders opting to increase the height of their ceilings instead.

Roderick Anderson, CEO & Design Director at SARCO Architects

5. Practical but Luxurious Kitchen Additions

6. A Flow Between Indoor & Outdoor Kitchens

In Costa Rica, the weather is often on our side. So, as a homeowner, it’s good to have the option of a second or even third kitchen outside where you can continue to entertain. That’s the beauty of custom homes and luxury — you can make your home as flexible as you like.

Patricia Gonzalez, General Manager at Santos Costa Rica

7. Wine as a Feature, Not Just a Beverage

If there’s one thing luxury homeowners love, it’s good wine. But did you know that wine can be more than just an enjoyable drink option in the Costa Rican sun?

In recent years, wine enthusiasts have been integrating their love of wine into their kitchen designs. And, it’s really catching on! 

By incorporating wine as a central element of the kitchen experience, even non-wine-drinkers can enjoy the elegance and atmospheric presence of wine-related kitchen additions.

But, aside from waterfall decanters or novelty items like temperature-control glasses — what key design features are wine lovers integrating into their kitchens?

• Custom wine storage: Enhance your luxury kitchen design with custom wine storage solutions that showcase your collection, while also keeping it organized and easily accessible. Choose from options like built-in wine racks, advanced temperature-control refrigerators, or separate wine rooms to suit your taste.

• Limited edition wine displays: Create designated wine display areas in your kitchen to showcase your favorite or most unique bottles, adding visual interest to the space. Consider incorporating glass-front cabinets, floating shelves, or custom lighting to make a feature out of your wine collection and add to the overall aesthetic of your kitchen.

• Wine tasting stations: Assign an area in your kitchen for wine tasting and appreciation, complete with a stylish porcelain countertop (a good material for potential spills!), bar stools, and wine accessories. Whether you prefer a built-in wine bar or a standalone wine tasting nook, incorporating this feature into your kitchen design can add a touch of sophistication and luxury.

Custom High-End Kitchens — Inspired by YOU!

During a new home project, many homeowners like to base luxury kitchen design ideas on things they see in magazines or on social media. But, when working directly with an experienced architect and design team, you’ll be able to explore luxury kitchen ideas inspired by you. 

Whether blending a rustic farmhouse aesthetic with a modern kitchen island or backsplash, or looking for something never-before-seen – whatever design features you connect with most, a great design team can help, aligning your preferences with an aesthetic that blends everything together cohesively.

So, always be honest with your design team about what you like, and who knows—you might even come up with some kitchen design ideas to inspire others!