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You don’t need a demolition crew or a second mortgage to make your kitchen feel luxurious. Often, the difference between a “builder-grade” kitchen and a designer space comes down to the hardware and fixtures. These small touchpoints catch the eye and set the tone for the entire room.
Swapping out a faucet or changing cabinet pulls is a weekend project that offers a massive return on investment for your home’s aesthetic. Here are ten modern fixtures that bring high-end style on a budget.
1. Matte Black Faucets
A matte black faucet acts as a sculptural centerpiece. It provides a sharp, sophisticated contrast against white countertops or subway tiles, instantly modernizing the sink area.
How To Get The Look:
- Pair with a white or light gray backsplash for maximum contrast.
- Choose a high-arc gooseneck design for a professional kitchen feel.
- Keep the surrounding countertop clutter-free to let the faucet stand out.
Shopping List
- Matte black kitchen faucet
- Black pull down kitchen faucet
- Modern black sink faucet
- Single handle black kitchen faucet
- Black stainless steel faucet
- Touchless matte black faucet
- Commercial style black faucet
- Black bar sink faucet
- Matte black faucet with sprayer
- Moen black kitchen faucet
2. Brushed Gold Cabinet Hardware
Gold or brass hardware warms up a kitchen and adds a touch of jewelry-like elegance. The brushed finish is key—it looks refined and hides fingerprints better than polished brass.
How To Get The Look:
- Mix with navy blue or forest green cabinets for a trendy, rich look.
- Ensure the finish matches your lighting fixtures for cohesion.
- Use longer pulls on drawers for a more contemporary, custom appearance.
Shopping List
- Brushed gold cabinet pulls
- Gold kitchen handles
- Brass cabinet hardware
- Champagne bronze drawer pulls
- Gold cabinet knobs
- Modern gold drawer handles
- 5 inch gold cabinet pulls
- Square gold cabinet handles
- Knurled brass pulls
- Gold cup pulls
3. Glass Globe Pendant Lights
Lighting is often called the jewelry of the home. Glass globe pendants offer a timeless, mid-century modern vibe that feels airy and doesn’t visually clutter the space.
How To Get The Look:
- Hang in pairs or threes over a kitchen island.
- Use warm-toned Edison bulbs to create a cozy ambiance.
- Choose fixtures with adjustable cords to get the perfect height.
Shopping List
- Glass globe pendant light
- Modern kitchen island lighting
- Clear glass pendant light
- Gold globe pendant light
- Mid century modern pendant
- Black globe pendant
- Industrial glass pendant
- Single globe pendant
- Opal glass pendant light
- Kitchen hanging lights
4. Stove Pot Fillers
Nothing says “gourmet kitchen” quite like a pot filler installed over the stove. While they look incredibly luxurious, many models are surprisingly affordable and save you from hauling heavy water pots across the kitchen.
How To Get The Look:
- Match the finish to your main sink faucet.
- Install high enough to clear your tallest stock pot.
- Opt for a folding arm design to tuck it away against the wall when not in use.
Shopping List
- Kitchen pot filler faucet
- Wall mount pot filler
- Matte black pot filler
- Gold pot filler faucet
- Brushed nickel pot filler
- Folding stove faucet
- Double joint pot filler
- Modern pot filler
- Deck mount pot filler
- Commercial pot filler
5. Stainless Steel Farmhouse Sinks
A farmhouse (apron-front) sink is a focal point that screams custom design. Stainless steel versions offer a sleek, industrial update to the traditional ceramic farmhouse sink and are generally more durable.
How To Get The Look:
- Look for a low-divide or single-bowl design for washing large pans easily.
- Ensure your cabinet base can support the apron-front installation.
- Use a bottom grid to prevent scratches.
Shopping List
- Stainless steel farmhouse sink
- Apron front kitchen sink
- 33 inch farmhouse sink
- Single bowl farmhouse sink
- Gunmetal farmhouse sink
- Black stainless farmhouse sink
- Workstation farmhouse sink
- 30 inch apron sink
- 16 gauge stainless sink
- Farmhouse sink with accessories
6. Under-Cabinet LED Lighting
Good lighting transforms a room. Under-cabinet lighting eliminates shadows on countertops, making prep work easier while adding a soft, expensive-looking ambient glow at night.
How To Get The Look:
- Use warm white (2700K-3000K) for a cozy look, or daylight (4000K) for tasks.
- Hide wires behind the cabinet lip for a seamless install.
- Choose dimmable options to control the mood.
Shopping List
- Under cabinet led lighting
- LED light strips for kitchen
- Motion sensor cabinet lights
- Rechargeable under cabinet lighting
- Wireless under cabinet lighting
- Puck lights with remote
- Hardwired under cabinet lights
- Warm white led strip
- Dimmable under cabinet lights
- Smart kitchen lights
7. Industrial Floating Shelves
Replacing a section of upper cabinets with floating shelves opens up the kitchen visually. The combination of natural wood and metal brackets offers a chic, bistro-style aesthetic.
How To Get The Look:
- Style with your best matching dishware or glassware.
- Use brackets that match your faucet or cabinet hardware finish.
- Don’t overstuff them; negative space is part of the appeal.
Shopping List
- Floating kitchen shelves
- Industrial pipe shelves
- Wood floating shelves
- Heavy duty shelf brackets
- Rustic wood shelves
- Black metal shelf brackets
- Wall mounted kitchen shelves
- Open kitchen shelving
- Live edge floating shelf
- Farmhouse wall shelves
8. Built-in Soap Dispensers
Cluttered countertops ruin the look of even the most expensive kitchen. A built-in soap dispenser removes the need for ugly plastic bottles, creating a seamless, hotel-like sink area.
How To Get The Look:
- Install directly into a pre-drilled sink hole (often meant for a sprayer).
- Choose a large capacity bottle that sits below the counter to reduce refill frequency.
- Ensure the pump finish is identical to your faucet.
Shopping List
- Built in soap dispenser
- Kitchen sink soap dispenser
- Matte black soap dispenser
- Brushed nickel soap dispenser
- Under sink soap container
- Gold soap dispenser pump
- In counter soap dispenser
- Extension tube soap dispenser
- Modern soap pump
- Stainless steel soap dispenser
9. Magnetic Knife Strips
A magnetic knife strip isn’t just functional storage; it displays your tools like art. It clears up drawer space and makes you feel like a pro chef every time you reach for a blade.
How To Get The Look:
- Mount on the backsplash or the side of a cabinet.
- Choose a wood finish that complements your cabinets, or stainless steel for an industrial look.
- Arrange knives by size for visual balance.
Shopping List
- Magnetic knife strip
- Wood knife holder wall
- Stainless steel knife magnet
- 16 inch knife bar
- Walnut magnetic knife holder
- Heavy duty knife magnet
- Double sided knife block
- Magnetic utensil holder
- Acacia wood knife strip
- Modern knife storage
10. High-Arc Pull-Down Sprayers
If you’re still using a low-profile faucet with a separate side sprayer, you are missing out. High-arc faucets with integrated pull-down sprayers are the gold standard for modern kitchens, offering superior functionality and a commanding visual presence.
How To Get The Look:
- Look for “docking” technology that keeps the sprayer head firmly in place.
- Choose a coil-spring design for a commercial kitchen aesthetic.
- Verify the height fits under your upper cabinets if installed on a perimeter counter.
Shopping List
- Pull down kitchen faucet
- Commercial kitchen faucet
- High arc kitchen faucet
- Spring neck kitchen faucet
- Touch activated faucet
- Brushed nickel pull down faucet
- Single hole kitchen faucet
- Faucet with magnetic docking
- Chef style kitchen faucet
- Modern sink faucet sprayer
Upgrade Your Space This Weekend
Renovating a kitchen can be overwhelming, but updating fixtures is approachable and instantly gratifying. By focusing on these specific touchpoints—faucets, lighting, and hardware—you can elevate the perceived value of your home without the massive price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the easiest kitchen fixture to replace for a beginner?
Cabinet hardware (pulls and knobs) is the easiest place to start. It usually requires just a screwdriver. If you buy hardware with the same center-to-center measurement as your old handles, you won’t even need to drill new holes.
2. Are gold fixtures just a passing trend?
While trends cycle, brushed gold and brass have established themselves as timeless neutrals in kitchen design, similar to stainless steel. They add warmth that modern kitchens often lack, suggesting they are here to stay for quite some time.
3. Do I need a plumber to install a pot filler?
Yes, usually. Unlike swapping a faucet where the water lines already exist, a pot filler requires running a new cold water line through the wall behind your stove. This makes it a slightly more involved project than the others on this list.
4. Can I mix metal finishes in the kitchen?
Absolutely. Mixing metals gives a kitchen a curated, custom look. A common rule of thumb is to pick one dominant metal (like stainless steel for appliances) and one accent metal (like matte black for faucets and hardware).
5. How do I know what size farmhouse sink to buy?
Farmhouse sinks require a specific type of base cabinet. You generally need a sink that is slightly smaller than the cabinet width (e.g., a 33-inch sink for a 36-inch cabinet), though some manufacturers offer retrofit models that fit existing standard cabinets.
