Kitchen renovations remain the most popular interior room to be upgraded, commanding the highest spend with an increase of 25 percent compared with last year (according to the eleventh annual Houzz & Home survey of nearly 70,000 U.S. respondents). Dream kitchens come with a double dose of inspiration, expert design, practicality and luxury components that offer tons of convenience.

Remember the days when a base or wall cabinet consisted of a box that may have included a couple of stationary shelves? Today, we expect a kitchen cabinet to command organization by offering customized departments within the box or drawers such as pull-out shelves, built-in knife blocks or slots for cutting boards, to name a few options.

Dream kitchens are designed to reflect the way you live in your kitchen space. Every task is considered that takes place in this space and the kitchen designer makes a way for it to be incorporated into the layout. Materials and finishes are specifically chosen with the homeowner’s lifestyle, season of life, design style, budget, workspace, task zones and of course, entertaining in mind.

Smart appliances and where and how they are placed are usually driven by daily habits applied to the kitchen space. One sink or two (island or wall placement), undercounter refrigerator/freezer drawers, separate refrigerator or wine storage panels, gas or electric ranges, a hidden pantry, built-in coffee station to custom color finishes? Dream kitchens are tailor-made to suit its owner. My favorite dream kitchens have a healthy dose of practicality with a sense of understated elegance.

Inspired? I am! To view the entire gallery, please visit House Beautiful.

Cabinetry: Studio Dearborn, Painted Black Horizon by Benjamin Moore

Photography: Adam Kane Macchia