Inside the Scullery
Dallas Luxury Kitchen Trends

If you’ve toured a new construction luxury home in Dallas recently—especially in the $2 million and up range—you’ve likely noticed one consistent trend: the scullery kitchen. Once considered an optional space, the scullery is now a standard feature in many modern homes built for entertaining, privacy, and everyday efficiency.

In this article, we’ll break down the most common kitchen-adjacent spaces in today’s luxury homes, including sculleries, prep kitchens, and walk-in pantries with cabinetry. We’ll also explain how terms like back kitchen, dirty kitchen, and hidden kitchen fit into the conversation—since buyers and designers often use them interchangeably.

The rise of scullery kitchens, prep spaces, and cabinet-finished pantries reflects a broader shift in how luxury homes are designed and lived in. In Dallas, homes priced above $2 million are now expected to offer layered kitchen functionality—spaces that support entertaining, minimize clutter, and keep the main kitchen visually clean.

These features align with the lifestyle of today’s high-end buyer, who values both everyday efficiency and discreet service zones during events.

A scullery is a secondary kitchen adjacent to the main kitchen, designed to keep mess out of sight and streamline prep work and cleanup. It typically includes a sink, dishwasher, and built-in storage, and may also feature a second oven or refrigerator drawers.

Common features:

• Second sink and counter for food prep

• Additional dishwasher or appliance station

• Seamless cabinetry matching the main kitchen

• Optional door or separation for privacy

A back kitchen, also referred to as a working kitchen or service kitchen, is often used interchangeably with a scullery—but may be more enclosed or fully outfitted depending on the home.

Key distinctions:

• Sometimes contains a cooktop or wall oven

• Can be accessed through a hallway or pocket door

• Provides full separation from main entertaining areas

A prep kitchen is a more expansive version of a scullery—often functioning as a second full kitchen in high-end custom homes. These are especially common in new builds across Highland Park, Preston Hollow, and Frisco’s gated communities, and are ideal for entertaining or chef-prepared meals.

Features may include:

• Full-size refrigerator or freezer

• Commercial-grade range or double ovens

• Dedicated pantry access

• Quartz or marble countertops and high-end finishes

You may also hear terms like “dirty kitchen” or “working kitchen” used to describe similar spaces, particularly when the area is designed to handle heavy cooking or cleanup. In some homes, these spaces are fully enclosed and vented to keep heat, smoke, and odor away from the main living space. Likewise, a “hidden kitchen” might refer to a scullery or prep space that’s visually concealed behind cabinet-style doors or flush architectural panels, offering a seamless look in an open-concept floorplan.

Modern walk-in pantries in Dallas luxury homes have evolved beyond simple shelving. Many are now designed with custom cabinetry, solid surface counters, and electrical outlets to serve as an extension of the kitchen.

Pantries often include:

• Built-in drawers and lower cabinets

• Appliance stations for coffee makers, microwaves, or mixers

• Integrated lighting and ventilation

• Flexible storage zones for bulk items and serveware

While modern sculleries and prep kitchens have taken center stage in newer luxury construction, the butler’s pantry remains a relevant and desirable space—especially in homes with formal dining rooms. Traditionally used to stage meals and store fine serveware, today’s butler’s pantries often serve as transitional spaces between the kitchen and dining area.

Modern versions often include:

• Glass-front cabinetry for display

• Warming drawers or beverage coolers

• Under-counter ice makers or wine storage

• Quartz countertops for plating or serving

• Dedicated space for china, linens, or barware

Some luxury homes now integrate butler’s pantry functions into the scullery or prep kitchen, but in larger floorplans—especially those with formal entertaining zones—it remains a distinct and useful space.

The growing popularity of scullery kitchens isn’t just a local trend—it’s being recognized nationally by leading design publications. As homeowners prioritize clean main kitchens and well-organized support spaces, the scullery has re-emerged as a go-to solution for both everyday function and elevated entertaining.

In fact, Martha Stewart’s editorial team recently spotlighted the scullery as a rising star in kitchen design. The article highlights how these rooms are evolving from traditional dishwashing zones into smartly designed extensions of the main kitchen, often outfitted with cabinetry, secondary sinks, and concealed storage for small appliances.

Whether you’re touring high-end Dallas homes or planning your own custom build, it’s clear that kitchen-adjacent spaces—especially the scullery—are becoming essential to modern luxury living.

Kitchen-adjacent spaces like sculleries and prep kitchens are now standard in many of the city’s most exclusive neighborhoods, particularly in homes priced above $2 million. Common areas where you’ll find these features include:

• Highland Park

• Preston Hollow

• University Park

• Frisco

• Prosper

• Southlake

• Westlake

These features are especially appealing to relocating buyers from markets like California and New York, where multi-zone kitchens and fully separated prep spaces are already common in upscale homes.

If you’re building or buying a luxury home in Dallas, it’s important to consider more than just finishes and appliances. The layout—and the inclusion of functional, well-planned kitchen-adjacent spaces—plays a major role in how well the home supports everyday life and entertaining.

For today’s buyers, these rooms are no longer an upgrade. They’re the new standard.
Let’s connect to explore homes that align with what modern luxury living truly looks like.