The Covetable Kitchen: Dreamy Additions to Your Home

It’s a cliché, but the kitchen really is the heart of the home, especially in Ireland. It’s not just a place where meals are prepared — it’s a lively place where the door’s always open and the kettle’s always on.

Because of its constant use, kitchen design has evolved over the years, shifting from function to comfort, efficiency, and a little homespun luxury.

If you’re wondering how you can upgrade your kitchen, we’ve put together a wishlist of eight dreamy ideas to get you started. Some are high-end indulgences, while others can be reimagined for any budget, location, or style.

Choose natural materials and textiles

In an era of glossy plastics and engineered finishes, we’re seeing a revival of natural materials. Stone, timber, linen, and wood add tactility and soul to spaces that might otherwise feel sterile and even cold.

You don’t have to invest in a full stone splashback or full linen curtains, though: small investments like a seagrass rug, timber shelves, or a sheepskin throw can really soften a kitchen’s ambience while also adding interest and style.

Upcycle and reuse preloved furniture

Ireland’s antique stores are packed full of gorgeous, handmade furniture that just needs a little TLC and an opportunity to shine in a new space.

An antique dresser can become a larder, while a salvaged butcher’s block or farm table could make the most beautiful (and moveable!) kitchen island. Old railway sleepers can be repurposed into shelves and a forgotten church pew makes a great bench for the kitchen table. Upcycling isn’t just good for the environment — it’s a great way to add contrast, depth, and a connection with our history and heritage.

Splurge on a boiling water tap

In Ireland, where the kitchen kettle is always on the go, a hot-water tap is a big investment that might just pay off.

According to Hotwatertaps.ie, running a boiling water tap costs approximately 12 cents per day, while boiling a kettle costs roughly 3-8 cents. So, if you're boiling your kettle four or more times daily, “a boiling water tap could potentially work out as the more cost-effective option over time”.

It’s also great for preparing food, sterilising bottles, and cleaning dishes — a small (if initially expensive) way of making life’s chores that little bit easier every day.

Choose your lighting carefully

Irish weather changes regularly, sometimes sending dark clouds across blue skies in a matter of minutes. That means that natural lighting can be fleeting, so you may need to have artificial lighting available as a standby.

Nowadays, that means layering, from freestanding floor lamps to wall sconces, hanging pendants, and dramatic chandeliers. Most experts recommend choreographing kitchen lighting around activities: task lights for prep, ambient lights for socialising, and dimmer switches that can be adapted as needed. Woodie’s has a great selection of lighting solutions available at all their stores nationwide.

Plus, all An Post Insurance customers who purchase a new home insurance policy will be entered into a promotion with the opportunity to win a €1,000 Woodie’s gift voucher every month. That could buy you a lot of lights!

Get smart about storage

Most modern families are drowning in stuff, with kitchens piled high with toys, sports equipment, schoolbooks and all the flotsam and jetsam of life.

This means that storage is a top priority for most householders, although a fully-fledged bootroom or utility room is out of bounds for most of us. A tall, cleverly fitted cabinet can do the same job. Hiding wet coats, muddy wellies, and full schoolbags behind a sleek door. Talk to a kitchen designer, builder, or carpenter about where you can find a little extra space to help keep chaos at bay.

Add metal accents for a polished finish

The kitchen may be a hardworking space, but it deserves a few fancy flourishes too. Metal accents — such as brushed bronze taps, brass handles, and stainless steel trims — are the jewellery of interior design. They catch the light, provide a delicate contrast, and elevate even the simplest kitchen cabinetry.

You can choose to go to luxury providers to find these finishes, or you could find your own on Etsy, eBay, or any of the big online discount retailers. Just remember that you may need some help installing them — you don’t want to accidentally drill through your kitchen cabinets!

Elevate your electrics for a professional feel

When most people imagine their dream kitchen, they’re borrowing heavily from professional cooking environments like restaurants or TV sets. While they do push the budget boundaries, it is possible to install some professional-style equipment that can give a serious home cook tools that are indulgent as well as practical.

For example, you might choose a sleek induction hob, sous-vide drawers for precision cooking, and invisible extraction that won’t hurt your ears every time it’s turned on. Pick and choose what might matter to you for a little added luxury — and finesse — in your kitchen.

Consider a connected kitchen

Nowadays, the most modern and forward-focused kitchens hum to the tune of invisible technology. You might already have an Amazon Alexa or smart thermostat, but think about how your family life could be transformed by:

• Voice-controlled lighting and sound systems
• Smart fridges that monitor freshness and food quality
• App-controlled ovens that you can preheat remotely
• Integrated charging and smart control stations
• Intelligent dishwashers that can automatically adjust cycles

The trick with smart tech is subtlety. You don’t want big touchpads on every wall — just invisible technology that’s there when you need it, hidden when you don’t.

The best part about these ideas is that you can pick and choose what’s important to you. For families that like to cook, it could be a professional oven. For those that live an outdoor lifestyle, a bootroom might be the perfect addition. If you’re caring for a newborn baby, a boiling water tap may make those 4am wake-ups a little easier.

Because the most covetable kitchen will be the one that works most for you — filled with family, food, and laughter for years to come.

No matter what your kitchen looks like, you need to protect it. The best way to do this is with affordable home insurance. Here at An Post Insurance, we have Buildings and Contents Insurance, Landlord’s Insurance, and Tenant’s Contents Insurance to choose from. We even provide Home Emergency Assistance, Alarm Discounts, and a range of optional extras that give you peace of mind as well as protection. Reach out to us to get a quote now.

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