Not very many people can have skylights, 12-foot ceilings and a marble backsplash in their kitchen but that doesn't mean that some of the most luxurious kitchens can't help inspire your own space. In the Champions of Breakfast episode of HGTV's Top 10, experts like designers Jonathan Adler and Karim Rashid break down why each of the 10 kitchens (see gallery below!) are not only beautiful but functional and comfortable as well.

I've narrowed down the ideas to the top three most useful and realistic (because I certainly can't start adding windows let alone skylights to my condo).

1. Incorporate Seating

The theme of this episode is eat-in kitchens and each one featured some sort of casual seating, including islands turned into breakfast tables with tall chairs or stowaway stools, built-in breakfast nooks or cosy arm chairs arranged just outside the cooking area. The experts explained that, as we all know, kitchens are becoming the hub of a house. It's where people congregate at parties and where your family hangs out before and after work so it should be just as comfy and functional as your family room.

If you have a small kitchen that opens into or overlooks your dining or living room, this is great news for you. If you have a breakfast bar or counter, put it to use by adding stools where guests can perch while you prepare dinner. Arrange your living room furniture so it not only faces the television but makes conversation between the kitchen and seating area easy.

If you have a big kitchen that can accommodate some extra seating, add a small arm chair in the corner (out of the way of possible splatters) or add a big island that can double as a table with some new chairs (go with chairs with backs as opposed to stools so guests feel comfortable).

2. Light

The experts agree that natural light makes kitchens inviting. Make the most of the light you have. Like I said, you're probably not going to start knocking down walls or cutting holes in the ceiling to get more light but if you have windows, reconsider your window covering. Swap out heavy fabrics or busy patterns for airy fabrics that let the sun in. If you don't have any windows or natural light nearby, make sure you invest in some high quality lights that don't buzz or give off an unnatural hue. And if you have the room and the ceiling height, incorporate a chandelier or an interesting hanging light fixture for an extra touch of class.

3. Glass Cabinets

Playing on the theme of light, why not replace some of your boring opaque cabinet doors with glass doors? HGTV's Top 10 experts loved the way the glass-front cabinets allowed light to travel through the rooms and really opened up each space. One kitchen even featured cabinets with glass on both sides — the cabinets were actually backed by a window, so the homeowners looked past their kitchenwares and into the backyard.

Not everyone has enough storage space that the stacked dishes in every cabinet will look beautiful, but adding glass doors that complement the rest of your kitchen to a specific column of shelves, like where you keep your wine glasses or decorative vases, can open up your kitchen. Or, in an open-concept space, separate the dining area from the kitchen with a big, open shelf.

Related:

• Watch this episode of HGTV's Top 10
  
• For more kitchen inspiration visit our Kitchens site!