I recently watched a kitchen remodel by the Property Brothers that captured many of the
best trends in modern kitchen design. 6 Best Kitchens from Property Brothers: Forever
Home Season 7 | Drew & Jonathan
They got about 80% of it right.
What stood out most was their focus on functionality instead of just aesthetics. Too
many kitchen remodels prioritize what photographs well over what actually works for
daily life.
These remodels made several smart choices:
Significantly expanding countertop space
Making pantry storage a major design feature
Using large, deep drawers in base cabinetry
Those decisions improve how a kitchen actually functions.
Bigger Countertops Matter
One of the smartest parts of the remodel was the expanded countertop area.
Counter space is functional real estate. Whether cooking, unloading groceries, baking,
or meal prepping, larger uninterrupted work surfaces make a kitchen easier and less
stressful to use.
Too many modern kitchens sacrifice prep space for visual trends.
Pantries Finally Get the Attention They Deserve
Another major improvement was the emphasis on pantry storage.
For years, kitchen design focused heavily on decorative cabinetry while treating food
storage as an afterthought. But real families need organized, accessible storage far
more than open shelving and display space.
A well-designed pantry reduces clutter, improves organization, and makes the entire
kitchen work better.
Deep Drawers Beat Lower Cabinets
The oversized drawers in the base cabinetry were another excellent decision.
Deep drawers are simply more practical than traditional lower cabinets. Instead of
kneeling and digging through dark cabinet spaces, everything becomes visible and
accessible immediately.
For pots, pans, mixing bowls, containers, and small appliances, drawers are one of the
most useful upgrades in modern kitchen design.
The Problem With Long Narrow Eat-On Islands
Now for the 20% I disagree with.
I still do not understand the obsession with long, narrow eat-on islands lined with stools
in the center of the kitchen.
They look great on television and in staged photos, but in real life they often make
kitchens less functional.
A long narrow island becomes a barrier. Instead of moving efficiently between the
refrigerator, pantry, sink, and range, you constantly have to walk around it just to cook.
And with kids, the island stools inevitably become the default hangout spot:
Backpacks dumped nearby
Homework spread across the counter
Crumbs, spills, and clutter everywhere
Kids sitting directly in the cooking path
The island stops functioning as workspace and starts functioning like a cafeteria counter
planted in the middle of the kitchen.
Designers love the image of families gathering around an island. The reality is usually
congestion right where the cooking happens.
A kitchen should prioritize workflow first.
If every trip to the refrigerator or stove requires circumnavigating a giant seating
structure, the design is following a trend more than supporting real daily life.
The best kitchen layouts maximize prep space, and move seating outside the main
cooking zone.
Good Kitchen Design Should Make Life Easier
The best kitchens are not the ones that photograph best.
They are the ones that reduce friction every single day:
More workspace
Better storage
Easier movement
Less clutter
Better workflow
The Property Brothers clearly understand much of this shift toward practical kitchen
design, and these remodels reflected many genuinely smart ideas.
But modern kitchen trends still need a better balance between appearance and function.
Perhaps practicality should win.