The Rise of Secondary Kitchens!
In today’s open-concept homes, the kitchen often takes center stage. It’s connected to the dining area, living room, and sometimes even the TV room (Go Celtics!) With everything in view, the challenge becomes clear: How do you manage food prep, clutter, and clean up without disrupting the design aesthetic and vibe? That’s where the secondary kitchen comes in. Also known as sculleries, back kitchens, or hidden kitchens, these behind-the-scenes spaces are becoming more popular with homeowners today than in previous decades.
At KitchenVisions, we embrace the opportunity to design secondary kitchens that handle the heavy lifting while keeping the main kitchen clean, beautiful, and ready for guests. Secondary kitchens blend practicality, elegance, and most importantly, space, making them incredibly accommodating in modern kitchen design.
Why Add a Secondary Kitchen?
A secondary kitchen is perfect for home cooks and frequent entertainers who want to keep prep and cleanup out of sight. Whether you’re slicing and dicing some charcuterie for a dinner party, housing countertop appliances like microwaves and air fryers, or tucking away your coffee setup, this space helps maintain the main kitchen’s pristine appearance.
The need for visual clarity is real in homes where the main kitchen forms part of a visually unified space, most often lined up on one beautiful wall with open views of the dining and living areas. You might have glass-front cabinets, mirrored finishes, or even leather-paneled doors showcasing your best dishware and glassware. But that sleek, stylish display doesn’t always pair well with flour-covered countertops or dishes in the sink; this is why more homeowners are investing in a second, more utilitarian kitchen zone. A secondary kitchen can accommodate all the messy, practical parts of cooking: food prep, storage, small appliances, and even cleanup, keeping the visible kitchen open, clean, and ready to host.
Designing a Functional, Discreet Space
Secondary kitchens may be hidden, but deserve as much thought as the main space. At KitchenVisions, we approach every space with our core design philosophies: It must look beautiful and fulfill the needs of everyday use.
With many kitchen renovation projects, the secondary kitchen will have built-in storage for dry goods and small appliances to keep the counter space for food prep and sinks for easy cleanup. It will usually be aligned on a shared wet wall with the main kitchen for efficiency with plumbing needs.
Want more? We can even incorporate a walk-in refrigerator or root cellar for ultimate food storage, or tuck in a mini beverage center. Some homeowners prefer this space to be part coffee station, complete with a second water source and cabinetry tailored for mugs and espresso gear. The key is aligning this area with how you live and entertain.
Of course, this layout works best in homes with a bit more square footage. But don’t rule it out—secondary kitchens can often be carved out of oversized pantries, converted from utility rooms, or integrated into a wall of cabinetry. The possibilities are surprisingly flexible.
Secondary Kitchens: An Elegant Solution to a Modern Problem
Secondary kitchens aren’t just for gourmet chefs or sprawling estates. They’re a smart solution for anyone who values a clean, organized space and wants the freedom to entertain without stress. Whether prepping for a party or planning family meals, this space can make your life easier and your kitchen more beautiful.
Are you considering adding a hidden kitchen to your layout?
Contact us today to learn how our interior architecture/kitchen and bath design team can start the project.