Splurge vs. Save: The Art of a Well-Invested Kitchen
Designing your dream kitchen starts with a single question: where does luxury meet lifestyle?
A kitchen renovation isn’t just a home upgrade—it’s a high-stakes investment in how you live every day. For many of our clients, it’s the most significant interior design decision they’ll make. So naturally, the first question is often the most overwhelming:
“Where should I spend my money, and where can I save?”
At Marcia Moore Design, we approach this question with intention, clarity, and a touch of creative magic. Because luxury doesn’t always mean “more expensive.” Sometimes, luxury means knowing exactly what matters—to you. Let’s walk through how we guide our clients toward the perfect balance of splurge and save—without ever compromising on style.
An addition to this home created room for this spacious family-centered kitchen. / Photo by Karen Palmer.
1. A New Kitchen Without Starting Over
Sometimes a kitchen doesn’t need a full-scale renovation—it just needs a designer’s eye for refinement. In this space, we kept the bones intact but reimagined the details. Existing cabinets were refreshed with a rich coat of paint and dressed in bold new hardware. We added elegant crown molding for architectural interest and paired it with a dramatic backsplash that brings depth and texture.
The countertops and appliances? Still original. But with the addition of a statement light fixture, sleek matte black faucets, and tailored woven shades, the whole space feels transformed.
Proof that thoughtful upgrades can deliver a high-impact result—without the high-end price tag. This kitchen is a testament to the beauty of working with what you have… when what you have is brought to life with intention.
A minor remodel elevated this kitchen from dated to dramatic./ Photo by Karen Palmer.
2. Start at the Foundation: Your Design Pyramid
Every space we design follows our signature Design Pyramid. In the kitchen, that pyramid starts with what takes up the most space—appliances and cabinetry. These aren’t just visual anchors; they shape the function, layout, and rhythm of your entire space.
Where to Splurge:
- Appliances for real cooks: If you find joy in sautéing, roasting, or perfecting your grandmother’s pasta sauce, this is your green light. Sub-Zero refrigeration, dual-fuel ranges, convection steam ovens—go for it. These pieces elevate not only your experience but your home’s value.
- Custom cabinetry: Tailored storage, soft-close everything, and hidden gems like charging drawers or vertical spice pull-outs. This is the luxury you feel every single day.
Where to Save:
- Mid-range appliances: If takeout is your love language, opt for beautiful, reliable options and shift your budget to aesthetics and finishing details. A gorgeous kitchen is still within reach—you’re just prioritizing where it counts for you.
High end appliances and a statement range hood instantly label this a cook’s kitchen. / Photo by Michael Jacob.
3. Countertops: Statement or Silent Partner?
Your countertops are where design meets daily life. Coffee spills, wine splashes, lemon wedges and all—they need to hold up, and look good doing it.
Where to Splurge:
- Quartzite or Engineered Quartz: These surfaces are low-maintenance, durable, and drop-dead gorgeous. They offer a beautiful return on your investment in both function and form.
Where to Save:
- Mix materials: A luxe island surface paired with a simpler perimeter counter is a designer trick that makes a big visual impact without breaking the budget.
Exotic Italian marble graces the island, while a less expensive white quartz is used with the perimeter cabinets. / Photo by Karen Palmer.
4. Fixtures + Faucets: The Jewelry of the Kitchen
Think of fixtures like accessories—they can make or break the outfit.
Where to Splurge:
- One standout faucet or fixture: Think a sculptural matte black faucet or a brushed brass pot filler. Small detail, big moment.
Where to Save:
- Cabinet hardware: There are elevated looks at every price point. And since it’s easy to swap out hardware down the road, it’s a smart place to conserve budget.
A stunning polished nickel faucet and hammered nickel sink set the tone for bar area of this kitchen. / Photo by Karen Palmer.
We splurged on unique hardware for the pantry (left) and saved on inexpensive hardware for the rest of the kitchen./ Photo by Suzy Gorman
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5. Lighting: Underrated Luxury
Lighting is everything. It sets the mood, enhances functionality, and can transform even the most modest kitchen into something extraordinary.
Where to Splurge:
- Under-cabinet LED lighting: The glow is elegant, the function is essential, and the vibe? Impeccable. Plus, it makes prep work safer—especially on monochrome surfaces.
Where to Save:
- Overhead fixtures: Skip ultra-trendy lighting and opt for timeless styles. Save your bold design statements for easily replaceable elements.
Under-cabinet can lighting creates a very functional aesthetic for this minimalist kitchen. / Photo by Suzy Gorman.
6. Flooring: Beauty Beneath Your Feet
Kitchen floors take a beating. But they also create the visual base of your entire space—so choose wisely.
Where to Splurge:
- Hardwood or engineered wood: Warm, soft underfoot, durable, and forever timeless. Ideal for anyone who spends time standing and stirring.
Where to Save:
- Porcelain tile that mimics stone: A beautiful alternative that offers style, durability, and value. While porcelain comes in a wide range of prices, there are many cost-effective styles to choose from. Save a little on the flooring so you can add radiant heat below – you will love, love, love it! I am working on a kitchen remodel now where we are using 24” square porcelain tiles. Stay tuned in a couple of months for a photo of that finished project!
Beautiful engineered wood works well on a concrete slab floor. |
/ Photo by Suzy Gorman (left) & Marcia Moore (right) |
Final Thoughts: Design That Reflects You
Luxury isn’t about buying the most expensive item in every category. It’s about understanding where value meets lifestyle, where splendor meets practicality, where your kitchen becomes an expression of your story.
We design spaces that look as good as they feel—and work as beautifully as they look.
Design smarter. Spend intentionally. Love your kitchen.
