Opulence on the menu: How kitchens are becoming the new centrepiece of luxury living

In India’s most stylish homes today, the real flex isn’t a sprawling living room or a marble-clad foyer, it’s a kitchen that looks (and feels) like it belongs in a boutique hotel.

Walk into one of these homes and you might just find yourself pausing at the kitchen. The counters gleam like a showroom, the lighting is moody and warm, and every appliance is tucked away with meticulous precision. It’s not just a space to cook in anymore. It’s a space to show off – a stage for gourmet aspirations, smart living, and a signature dash of personal flair.

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Today’s high-end Indian kitchens boast sleek, built-in appliances, curated gadgets that wouldn’t look out of place in a design magazine, and tech that quietly works in the background.

Think smart ovens that remember how you like your tandoori chicken done, or fridges that send you a nudge when you’re running low on Amul butter. It’s style and substance, hidden in plain sight.

Statement kitchens are more commonplace than ever before

This isn’t just a passing Pinterest trend. The demand is very real. According to a spokesperson from BSH, brands like Bosch, Siemens, and Faber completed over 3,500 kitchens in India last year, each with ticket sizes above Rs 10 lakh. Astoundingly, more than 300 of those crossed the Rs 50 lakh mark. A figure that once seemed reserved for high-rise penthouses in Mumbai or Delhi.

Image credit: Design ArTec

But perhaps the most surprising detail? These lavish kitchen setups aren’t limited to the metros anymore. Tier 2 cities in India are seeing a spike in luxury kitchen installations, signalling a shift in aspiration and lifestyle.

Seamless living: The rise of built-in kitchen appliances

Luxury kitchens and seamless built-in appliances go hand-in-hand. In the kitchens of new-age Indian homes, the appliances aren’t just smarter, they’re invisible. Bosch, Siemens, and Faber are at the forefront of this built-in revolution, offering refrigerators that glide into custom cabinetry, dishwashers tucked away behind matte panels, and ovens that could pass off as minimalist art pieces.

Indian brands like Kaff, Elica, and Crompton are also making inroads with stylish built-in options designed for compact urban kitchens.

Architects are increasingly treating appliances as part of the architecture itself. “To achieve visual harmony, we approach these appliances as architectural elements rather than standalone units,” says architect Nirmala Banaji of Banaji & Associates.

“Cabinetry is custom-designed to envelop ovens, dishwashers, and refrigerators, often with panel-ready fronts that match finishes, grain direction, and colour palette.”

Image credit: Banaji & Associates

For homes that prioritise both form and space-efficiency, built-ins offer a clear advantage. “We opt for space-savvy designs by integrating a built-in oven or hob that frees up counter space and eliminates the need for extra storage containers,” adds Architect Chhaya Sharma of Design ArTEC.

“Built-in appliances make the most of the space in any kitchen, no matter how big or small, giving the impression that it is more open and well-organised.”

Small gadgets, big drama

While major appliances fade into the background, countertop gadgets are stepping into the spotlight, and in India, they’re getting a glam makeover.

Enter Croma’s pastel kettles, and Wonderchef’s luxe collections that offer a pop of colour and a dash of style to your kitchen. Brands like AGARO and Butterfly are offering chic blenders and smart fans that fit right into a design-forward kitchen.

And of course, the coffee machine boom is real. From Nespresso boutiques opening in metros to home brewers from brands like Croma, Philips, and Blue Tokai, it’s clear that caffeine culture is now as much about the aesthetic as it is about the espresso shot.

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“Some [clients] even request dedicated coffee stations, herb-growing walls, or climate-controlled pantry zones,” notes Sharma. “These features reflect a shift in kitchen design: from utilitarian zones to highly personalised, experiential spaces.”

Image credit: Design ArTec

There’s also a growing shift towards wellness-led appliances. Slow juicers and air fryers are becoming must-haves in high-end kitchens, reflecting an evolving attitude toward healthier living. Friends and family now gather in kitchens not just to clink wine glasses – but to toast with blended juices and smoothies, too.

A beautifully designed kitchen demands small appliances that look just as good as they perform. The new rule? If it’s going to sit on your counter, it better make a style statement.

Decor that feels personal, not just posh

Indian kitchens today aren’t sterile, white-on-white spaces. They’re personal galleries, blending old-world charm with new-age finesse.

Expect to see handcrafted ceramic jars from Jaipur, brass utensils from Tamil Nadu, and vintage spice boxes styled on open shelves. Wall art featuring food-inspired prints, handwoven macramé planters, and ornate lacquerware pepper countertops and islands.

Lighting, too, plays a starring role. Think Moroccan lanterns over the breakfast counter, sconce lighting tucked into breakfast nooks, or a bold Fos Lighting pendant above the island. It’s all about layers, textures, and creating a kitchen that feels rich, warm, and utterly Instagrammable.

Kitchens as India’s new social hubs

In modern Indian homes, the kitchen is no longer a “back-of-house” space. With open-plan living becoming the norm in luxury apartments and villas, the kitchen flows into the dining and lounge areas seamlessly.

This has led to a new design challenge. “The modern challenge lies in designing spaces that transition between daily utility and entertaining elegance without compromise,” says Banaji. “Creating distinct functional areas through subtle design cues rather than physical barriers helps in a functional kitchen.”

Image credit: Banaji & Associates

Sharma agrees. “In the era of open floor plans and spotlight-ready show kitchens, the challenge lies in balancing seamless flow with purposeful zones,” she says. “I focus on strategic spatial layering – using islands, lighting, and material transitions to subtly define functions without disrupting visual openness.”

Whether it is weekend brunches with the gang or cooking classes over Zoom or hosting a card party with artisanal cocktails, it all starts in the kitchen. Some even have built-in wine chillers, hidden Sonos speakers, or portable projectors that double up as entertainment hubs, because why should the party stay confined to the drawing room?

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These aren’t just rare outliers. “Clients are increasingly requesting features like built-in wine chillers, touchless faucets, voice-activated lighting, and hidden induction cooktops for a clean, contemporary look,” confirmed Banaji.

High-end Indian builders are even offering “show kitchens”, which are separate from the “wet kitchen”, so homeowners can entertain while the real prep happens discreetly behind the scenes.

Showpieces with a pulse

Ultimately, these kitchens are no longer designed to just cook in – they’re designed to be admired.

“From exotic stone countertops and artisan hardware to integrated tech and open shelving styled like galleries, every detail is intentional,” says Sharma. “They’re commissioning handcrafted cabinetry, installing climate-controlled wine towers, and customising layouts around hosting.”

Banaji puts it simply: “The kitchen is no longer just functional; it’s a curated showpiece of modern living, where entertaining meets elegance.”

In 2025, the kitchen is where design, innovation, and personality collide, and it’s officially one of the most luxurious rooms in the Indian home. Whether you’re roasting, toasting, or simply showing off your statement Smeg, one thing is clear; India’s kitchens have never looked, or felt, so good.