Nothing shapes the feel of a home like the kitchen does. And newconstruction homes offer buyers ways to shape kitchens not only to set the feel of the home but to tailor the lifestyle for everyone living there.
Maybe you’re a first-time home buyer purchasing a thoughtfully designed, detached single family home or a home in a multi-family complex that offers a turnkey lifestyle near transit.
Perhaps you’re moving up to a bigger home in the suburbs and there’s a chance that a third generation of the family might be joining you in the purchase.
Or perhaps you’re downsizing to simplify life on a single story with lowmaintenance everything, but you still want all the family to come and spend time with you. The fact is, there are many reasons to consider new construction and, no matter your situation or price point, you can expect a kitchen that delivers scalable luxury.
From wine country enclaves and neighborhoods in the shade of the foothills to creative multi-family communities closer to the region’s major cities, contemporary kitchens in new-construction homes blend nature, comfort and connection. No matter where you buy, the center of a newly built home will be steeped in lifestyle upgrades.
Builders study what buyers want and need, which leads to thoughtful design, architecture and construction that makes the kitchen into more than just a place to cook and eat. Durable and bright quartz countertops are now the fresh, new norm, often featuring eco-friendly or recycled finishes that provide beauty, durability and lasting value.
For those who like a wider variety of colors, granite and composite stone counters are other options. Under-mount stainless steel sinks keep any counter surface looking sleek, while glass or ceramic tile backsplashes add splashes of personality.
Kitchens in new construction homes also include thoughtful layouts that keep kitchens at the heart of daily life, often flowing directly into dining and family spaces so no one feels cut off during busy mornings or lively gatherings. For example, wide sliding glass doors might connect the kitchen to the patio or extend into a California Room for true indooroutdoor living. And oversized windows or skylights flood the space with natural light by day.
Kitchens in most new homes feature variations on generous center islands. For instance, peninsulas with seating are popular for smaller kitchens. And in some larger homes, you might find both a peninsula and an island. No matter the size or the layout, these surfaces anchor the kitchen and any openconcept spaces, providing room to prep, eat breakfast, share a snack, do homework or pop open the laptop to check work email.
Other key offerings for contemporary kitchens include under-mount, stainless-steel sinks and flush-mount stainlesssteel refrigerators, often included in high-end brands as a standard offering. Also in the stainless steel realm, some kitchens include second dishwashers, beverage refrigerators and prep sinks. In addition, induction cooktops and smart, built-in ovens not only add precision to prep and cooking, but help keep the indoor air cleaner.
Cabinet layouts are also smarter than ever.
Many include built--in organizers, deep drawers for large pots, softclose hardware, hidden charging stations, pull-out mixer stands and slide-out recycling stations that help keep mess-making to a minimum.
Other contemporary touches include voice- or touch-activated designer faucets, programmable and dimmable lighting designs such as designer pendant lighting and under-cabinet LED strip lighting. Combined with canned lighting in adjacent rooms, this layered lighting allows the space to transition from bright, natural light by day to soothing, cozy light by night.
In every corner, a well-designed kitchen supports how you really live. It’s flexible enough for rushed mornings, open enough for people to gather and smart enough to keep daily tasks running smoothly behind the scenes. Make a luxury kitchen wish list before your next set of new-home tours.
You might be surprised how much of your expectations are already included.