How to Create Your Kitchen Wish List
Now comes the fun part: dreaming. Before budget reality sets in, give yourself permission to imagine your perfect kitchen. Every feature you've ever admired on Pinterest, every frustration you want solved—write it all down. Then we'll get strategic about priorities.
Quick Summary
Time needed
30-45 minutes
Goal
Prioritized feature list
Tools
Notebook, Pinterest
Why a Wish List Matters
Your wish list serves two critical purposes. First, it ensures you don't forget features that matter to you. It's easy to focus on cabinets and countertops and realize after installation that you forgot about under-cabinet lighting or pull-out trash. Second, it helps you make conscious trade-offs when budget gets tight.
The Trade-Off Reality: Most remodels hit a point where something needs to be cut. Without a prioritized wish list, you'll make emotional decisions under pressure. With one, you'll make strategic choices that preserve what matters most.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Brain Dump Everything (10 minutes)
Set a timer and write down every kitchen feature you've ever wanted. Don't filter, don't research costs, don't worry about feasibility. Just capture it all.
Prompts to Get Started:
- •What do you wish your kitchen had that it doesn't?
- •What features have you admired in other kitchens?
- •What daily frustrations would you solve with unlimited budget?
- •What would make cooking more enjoyable?
- •What would make entertaining easier?
- •What aesthetic touches would bring you joy?
2. Research Approximate Costs (15 minutes)
Do a quick search on each item to understand the ballpark cost. This isn't about getting exact numbers—it's about understanding if an item is $200 or $2,000.
Common Feature Costs (2024-2025):
3. Categorize by Priority (10 minutes)
Sort every item into one of three categories. Be honest with yourself about what you truly need versus what would be cool to have.
1Must-Have
Would regret not including these. They solve real problems or bring significant daily value.
Example: "Functional trash pullout—I hate the current exposed garbage can"
2Really Want
Would be disappointed to skip, but could live without if budget requires.
Example: "Under-cabinet lighting—would love it but kitchen functions fine without"
3Nice-to-Have
Delightful extras. Include if budget allows, skip without regret.
Example: "Pot filler—would feel fancy but I don't cook with big pots often"
4. Reality Check Against Your Scope
Review your wish list against the scope you defined in Step 1. Some items may require expanding your scope—decide now if that's worth it.
Scope-Expansion Questions:
- • Does this require moving plumbing or electrical?
- • Does this need structural changes (walls, windows)?
- • Would this add significant time to the project timeline?
- • Is the value worth the scope expansion cost (usually 20-40% premium)?
5. Number Within Each Category
Finally, rank items within each priority tier. If you need to cut Nice-to-Haves, which goes first? If budget allows one Really Want item, which gets picked?
Example Ranking:
Must-Have
- New countertops
- Functional island
- Pull-out trash
- Soft-close drawers
Really Want
- Under-cabinet lights
- Farmhouse sink
- Built-in spice rack
Nice-to-Have
- Pot filler
- Warming drawer
- Cabinet lighting
Popular Kitchen Dream Features
Not sure what to put on your list? Here are the most commonly requested features and honest assessments of their value.
Larger Island with Seating
High ValueIf space allows, an island with overhang for seating transforms how you use the kitchen. It adds prep space, storage, and a casual eating spot. This is often the #1 regret when skipped.
Walk-In Pantry
SituationalAmazing if you have the space and buy in bulk. But a well-organized cabinet pantry with pull-outs can work nearly as well for less cost. Consider your shopping and storage habits.
Double Ovens
SituationalPerfect for serious bakers and holiday entertainers who regularly cook multiple dishes at different temperatures. For most households, a single large oven with convection is sufficient and more cost-effective.
Pot Filler
LuxuryLooks professional and saves trips to the sink. But you still need to carry full pots to the sink to drain. Most valuable when the stove is far from the sink and you frequently cook pasta or stock.
Under-Cabinet Lighting
High ValueOne of the best cost-to-impact investments in a kitchen. LED strips provide task lighting for food prep and create ambiance. Often less than $1,000 installed during a remodel.
Professional-Style Range
SituationalBeautiful and powerful, but requires compatible ventilation (often $1,000+ itself). Only worth it if you actually use high BTU burners and large grates. Many home cooks are perfectly happy with mid-range options.
Wish List Mistakes to Avoid
Prioritizing looks over function
That gorgeous open shelving looks amazing on Instagram but requires constant dusting and perfect organization. Prioritize features that improve daily life, not just photos.
Forgetting the "boring" stuff
Soft-close hinges, quality drawer glides, and adequate outlets aren't exciting but affect daily satisfaction enormously. Don't spend so much on statement pieces that basics get shortchanged.
Not considering future needs
If you might age in place or your family situation could change, consider features like varied counter heights, accessible storage, or space for a beverage fridge. It's cheaper to include now than retrofit later.
Copying someone else's list
What works for a food blogger or your sister may not work for you. Base your must-haves on your actual cooking habits, not aspirational ones. Be honest about who you are in the kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular kitchen remodel wish list items?
The most requested features include a larger island with seating, a walk-in pantry, double ovens, pot filler faucets, under-cabinet lighting, a farmhouse sink, professional-grade range, built-in coffee station, pull-out trash and recycling, and soft-close drawers. Prioritize based on how often you'd actually use each feature.
How do I decide between must-have and nice-to-have features?
Ask yourself: Would I regret not including this every time I use my kitchen? If yes, it's a must-have. If the feature would be nice occasionally but you'd rarely think about its absence, it's nice-to-have. Must-haves solve daily problems; nice-to-haves add occasional delight.
Is a pot filler worth it in a kitchen remodel?
Pot fillers cost $300-$1,000 for the faucet plus $200-$500+ for installation (running water line to the stove). They're most valuable if you frequently cook with large pots of water and your sink is far from the stove. For many homeowners, a large single-bowl sink handles this need more affordably.
Should I get double ovens or one large oven?
Double ovens are worth it if you frequently cook multiple dishes at different temperatures simultaneously—common for holiday hosts or families who bake often. A large single oven with convection handles most cooking needs and costs less. Consider how often you'd truly use both ovens at once.
Ready for the Next Step?
With your prioritized wish list in hand, it's time to think about how your kitchen fits your actual lifestyle. This reality check ensures your design decisions serve your daily life.