The Luxe Kitchen Feature You’ll Regret Splurging on Most, According to Contractors

The opportunity to build out a luxury kitchen is something many homeowners dream of, with running wish lists of high-end upgrades that include oversized refrigerators, sleek pot fillers, bold marble countertops, and more. It’s a pricey project, so it makes sense that many people think long and hard about which features they want to incorporate into their space. The most surprising thing? According to pros, you might actually come to regret some of those iconic splurges.

I tapped contractors who have helped hundreds of clients plan for their dream kitchens to hear what luxury kitchen upgrades homeowners came to regret later. Not only will learning from other people’s design mistakes help save you money in the long run, but it’ll also help you avoid going through a similar painful regret with your space. Here is what a few contractors had to say. 

The number-one regret for homeowners is, surprisingly, a built-in coffee bar. Typically featuring a high-end machine, shelving, a small sink, and plenty of room for storage, dedicated coffee bars are a popular wish-list item — but, according to contractors, most clients end up ignoring this luxe built-in entirely. 

“It’s the siren song of the modern kitchen,” says contractor Adrian Andronachi of AGA Builders of built-in coffee bars. “They’re great in theory, but the reality can mean a symphony of beeping error messages and frantic calls to appliance repair technicians.” Built-in espresso machines are temperamental, and Andronachi says they require specialized cleaning, descaling, and filters, resulting in high repair and maintenance costs. “I’ve seen clients abandon their built-in systems altogether, opting for the simplicity of a Nespresso machine or even, dare I say, a humble pour-over.”

Mike Belk, home improvement expert, interior designer, and owner of BELK Tile, agrees. “A lot of homeowners realize too late that they don’t actually want to spend time maintaining an espresso machine every day, and it ends up being more effort than it’s worth.”

A few other honorable mentions? Carr Lanphier, CEO of Improovy, a paint service company, says he’s seen clients regret opting for open shelving in a kitchen. While exposed shelving can make a space feel elevated and more open-concept, the lack of functionality quickly irritates many homeowners. “Dishes and other kitchen gear stored on open shelves tend to accumulate dust faster, while the shelves themselves usually boast less space,” he says. “I’d recommend adding open shelving as an additional storage option alongside traditional cabinetry, versus replacing it altogether.”

Another gripe several contractors shared came from a bonus feature many homeowners assume will be more useful than it actually is: a second sink. “Homeowners end up defaulting to the main sink for basically everything, leaving the prep sink to collect dust or become a place where random kitchen items get tossed,” says Belk. “Luxury in a kitchen should make life easier, not add frustration,” he adds. “Some upgrades are worth every penny, but others turn into expensive regrets. When planning your dream kitchen, the best splurges are the ones that actually get used and don’t require a second thought.”