15 Stylish DOCA Features That Add Elegance & Sophistication to Any Kitchen

A custom kitchen is a much sought-after upgrade for homeowners. It elevates the standard builder-grade kitchen into a sophisticated space that reflects the homeowners. The DOCA custom kitchens stand out among kitchen designs. These elegant and sophisticated kitchens feature beautiful materials, high-quality construction, innovative technology, and unique features. While every DOCA kitchen is unique to the client and homeowner, they all feature some common stylish features and characteristics.

1. Multiple Materials

Simple and budget kitchens have minimal materials. The opposite is true of a custom or luxury kitchen. DOCA kitchens always have multiple luxury materials that are artfully used together. This creates an elevated design that is visually interesting and tactilely pleasing. Typically, a DOCA custom kitchen will use wood, metal, glass, and natural stone. The use of these materials is balanced, which gives the kitchen a sophisticated feel.

2. Natural Stone with Depth

Natural stone is a popular material choice for modern kitchens. However, the low-quality stone is a disappointment to look at. It lacks color, graining, and depth. This results in a stone that falls flat in the kitchen design. In contrast, DOCA custom kitchens feature elegant stone. It easily becomes the focal point of the kitchen. Not only is the stone beautiful, but it is used extensively. The stone will cover an entire wall when used as the backsplash. Or it will cover the entire countertop and extend down in a waterfall design.

3. Open Floor Space

An open floor plan with plenty of space is a hallmark quality that luxury kitchens possess. This is why DOCA kitchens have open layouts. Even in small spaces, this design approach ensures the kitchen feels large and spacious. In addition, an open floor plan is essential for cooking ergonomics. When everything is positioned correctly, you can easily move about the kitchen while cooking. This reduces stress on your mind and body. Finally, the open design of the kitchen encourages traffic flow. This makes it easier to move through the kitchen. This encourages movement through the kitchen when there are multiple people in and about the kitchen.

4. Accent Lighting

Accent lighting transforms a boring kitchen into an elegant one. Accent lighting is different from ambient and task lighting. These lighting types serve a purpose. Accent lighting is more about creating a visual or design effect. DOCA kitchens use accent lighting to highlight specific interesting features. For example, you will see accent lighting an open shelf, inside glass front cabinetry, or mounted on a large kitchen island. LED lighting is the staple lighting method for DOCA kitchens. This is in line with the use of modern technology. The LED lights are customizable in brightness and temperature. They are also energy efficient and last for an impressive number of hours.

5. Integrated Appliances

Some homeowners want to show off their luxury or professional-grade appliances. DOCA custom kitchens can accommodate them by building custom cabinetry around the appliances. However, some homeowners prefer a cohesive design for the kitchen. They do not want their appliances to break up the visual lines or design of the kitchen. DOCA custom kitchens can accommodate this also. The large kitchen appliances, such as the refrigerator, fridge, and trash compactor, can all be hidden behind the matching cabinet fronts. In some circumstances, the appliance needs to blend but not be fully hidden. For example, a fridge with a glass door or a wine fridge. In this situation, a designer can create a cabinet front frame that integrates the fridge while leaving the glass exposed.

6. Innovative Technology

The team at DOCA continuously researches and tests innovative technology. This ensures that each of their custom kitchens has the latest in technology. This applies to all areas of the kitchen. It could be a protective and durable finish for the countertops and cabinets. It could be the quality and functionality of the cabinetry hardware. Finally, it could be innovative technology for plumbing and lighting solutions.

7. Functional Minimalism

Minimalist kitchens look beautiful with their clean lines and non-existent clutter. However, extreme minimalist kitchens tend to lack functionality. These kitchens are perfect for social media and magazines but not real homes. DOCA kitchens address this by creating minimalist-inspired kitchens that are also functional. The result is kitchens that look beautiful and minimal but are also functional for daily life.

8. Smart Color Palette

The right color palette sets the tone and feel of the kitchen. While DOCA kitchens are custom, they make it simple for homeowners and designers to create elegant and sophisticated designs. This is because the materials available are in colors that blend well together. The finished color palette will feature a balance of light and dark with touches of warm wood and sleek metals. The color palettes focus on neutrals that are timeless in design. The amount of natural light, size, and shape of the kitchen are all considered when choosing the color palette. An expert designer will help guide homeowners to ensure they choose the most flattering color palette for the space.

9. Touches of Warmth

The difference between a stock or commercial kitchen and a sophisticated home kitchen is warmth. DOCA custom kitchens may be large in size and scale, but they feel warm and comfortable to be in. The use of natural materials and artful design ensures that the space does not feel cavernous, sparse, or sterile. You can commonly see this with the use of wood flooring, which instantly warms a DOCA kitchen. Another common feature is the use of natural stone. Instead of using it sparingly, the stone is used on a large scale. You will rarely see a plain-colored stone. Graining and pattern create texture and depth that adds a sense of comfort.

10. Clean Lines

DOCA kitchens feature long, clean lines for a timeless and elegant design. This can be seen in the custom cabinetry design. A lack of cabinet hardware and flat panel or shaker cabinet front means you have a visually uninterrupted line throughout the kitchen. Integrated appliances also streamline the look of the kitchen. Finally, you will see long lines created with the use of long open shelves, long lines of accent lighting, and large kitchen islands.

11. Rich Woods

Rich woods add natural warmth and texture to interior design. High-end woods are a common feature of luxury home design. It is common to see the use of walnut, chestnut, oak, beech, or ebony in a custom DOCA kitchen. These woods are considered elevated and sophisticated. They have rich coloring and graining and have greater depth than pine or maple.

12. Subtle Details

DOCA’s custom kitchens are the product of expert designers. Because of this, they feature unique subtle details that elevate the kitchen from nice to impressive. Inspiration is taken from classic and traditional luxury kitchen design. This adds a sense of familiarity to the design. You may see farmhouse-inspired table designs used for the kitchen island. Or extra thick wood for the floating shelves. A glass panel hangs over a kitchen island to trap and direct cooking smoke or smells. The cabinet's glass is smoked to bring a subtle sophistication to the kitchen.

13. Contrast of Light and Dark

A DOCA kitchen plays with light and dark. This could be with the color palette or with the actual lighting. Standard kitchens tend to fall flat when it comes to design. DOCA custom kitchens stand out as elegant and sophisticated because they aren’t afraid to have strong contrasts between light and dark. This could be done with white lacquered cabinets and a dark natural stone. Or it could be with a light grey natural stone illuminated with accent lighting paired with dark wood cabinets.

14. Statement Light Fixtures

With large kitchen islands being a common feature in DOCA custom kitchens, another common feature is statement lighting. These large islands have oversized countertops that create plenty of workspaces. To make this workspace functional, it needs lighting. To address this, you will see DOCA kitchens commonly have large statement light fixtures hanging in the center of the kitchen over the island. These large light fixtures are unique and perfectly match the style, design, and materials used throughout the rest of the kitchen.

15. Accent Metals

Too much metal and a kitchen can look too industrial or commercial. No use of metal in a design, and a kitchen can look cheap or boring. DOCA custom kitchen use just the right amount of metal accenting to create visual interest and elegance. The DOCA inventory also includes several metal finishes, enabling designers to customize how they accent a kitchen. A common feature used in DOCA kitchens is metal. It can be used for the floating shelves or as an accent piece in the backsplash. In some designs, metal is used for some of the countertops.

Design Your Elegant DOCA Custom Kitchen

If you are unhappy with your current kitchen and dream of something better, then now is the time to start designing your DOCA custom kitchen. Work with one of our experienced designers to create a kitchen that complements your home while addressing the unique lifestyle needs of your family. We listen to our clients to understand their design tastes and functionality needs.

15 Stylish DOCA Features That Add Elegance & Sophistication to Any Kitchen