18 Gifts for People Who Always Want the Most Aesthetic Version of Everything

Everybody knows at least one person who always wants the most aesthetic version of everything. You know the type, and they probably have one of those pricey retro refrigerators that’s constantly in need of repair. But no home cook should have to choose between form and function, and if you’re willing to get a little spendy, it’s possible to find a prettier and more reliable version of just about anything these days.

Because we’re constantly testing new gear and timeless workhorses, Bon Appétit and Epicurious editors regularly discover products that are as functional as they are beautiful. In fact, some of the most gorgeous cooking tools and stylish small appliances are top performers in their categories. So if you’re shopping for someone whose gold-toned can opener can’t actually puncture metal, save everybody some trouble by buying something from this list of the most eye-catching gifts for people who love to cook.

A ceramic egg crate

At first glance, it can be hard to put your finger on what makes one person’s kitchen look so much better than anyone else’s. Beyond cleanliness and nice cabinets, the difference often comes down to little details like fresh flowers and upgraded storage solutions. One of the most budget-friendly storage upgrades is using a ceramic egg crate instead of a cardboard carton, and this speckled version makes an especially great gift for anyone who keeps their farm-fresh eggs on the counter.

Fancy brass measuring tools

Yes, stainless steel measuring cups and spoons are incredibly functional and dishwasher-safe, and they make perfect sense for busy home cooks. But let’s be real: stainless steel is nowhere near as pretty or photogenic as brass. So what if these brass cups and spoons need to be washed by hand? Everybody will be looking at them.

A retro-chic food processor

Cuisinart has been making some of the best food processors money can buy for half a century. To celebrate that success, the brand recently released a retro-inspired 50th Anniversary Edition of its iconic 14-cup model. With a cream-colored base and a clear amber work bowl, it’s the perfect gift for anyone who is very into the 70s aesthetic, or for the relative who’s been dropping not-so-subtle hints that they would like to inherit their grandma’s first-generation Cuisinart food processor when she’s, um, done using it.

An on-trend mug

Speaking of 70s vibes, Haand’s Short Mugs are the perfect gift for the person who’s still using vintage mugs that may or may not be releasing a little bit of lead into every cup of coffee they drink. Like ceramic serveware they might find at the thrift store, these handmade vessels look like somebody’s eccentric aunt spun them on a pottery wheel 40-something years ago, but unlike actual dishes from that era, you can be sure these are lead-free. They’re also dishwasher-safe.

The gold standard in gooseneck kettles

Nearly everything Fellow makes for brewing and enjoying coffee is both beautiful and functional, and this smart gooseneck kettle is among the best offerings from the brand. It has presets for pour-over, Aeropress, and tea, and you can even fill and schedule it before bed so your water is boiling when you wake up.

The only Dutch oven anyone actually wants

There is no cookware more iconic than Le Creuset’s round enameled cast iron Dutch oven—and no “color” more coveted by Instagrammers than white. Add a shiny gold knob, and you have the most aesthetic version of the most iconic cookware money can buy.

Le Creuset Signature Gold Knob

If your aesthetically-minded giftee already has a Le Creuset Dutch oven they love, you can still help them make it even more beautiful with a knob upgrade. A gold-toned Signature knob will make their trusty old cast iron cooker feel new again, and it’s a great option if you’re working with a stocking stuffer budget.

The most classic stand mixer

Other brands may finally be competing with KitchenAid in the stand mixer category, but none is as picture perfect as a classic KitchenAid tilt-head. I’m partial to the 5-quart Artisan Series model because it’s big enough for big batches of cookie dough, but not so big that it takes up all my counter space. If you get it in a light, neutral color like Porcelain, it will look like a prop from a Nancy Meyers movie set.

A colorful baking sheet

If you’re reading this, you’ve surely been targeted with ads for Caraway’s colorful cookware. With its trendy colorways, pale-gray interior ceramic coating, and shiny stainless steel (or gold-toned) handles, it’s easily some of the most aesthetic cookware on the market. Their large baking sheet is the prettiest baking sheet you can buy, period. It makes an especially good gift for someone who primarily uses their sheet pans to roast vegetables, prepare sheet pan dinners, and adds a pop of color to their Instagram food photos.

A standing mat that looks like a nice rug

Anti-fatigue kitchen mats are great for anyone with knee, foot, or back problems as well as anyone who just spends a lot of time in the kitchen. For a long time, the good ones were quite hideous, but now it’s possible to get standing mats that are as pretty as designer rugs. House of Noa is making some of the most stylish options available right now.

A fancy match cloche

This amber glass match cloche is a great present for the dinner host who would never dare to be seen lighting a candle with a gas station lighter or Aim ‘N Flame. Since it comes filled with 120 long matches and a striker sticker on the side, it’s a complete gift. If you want to go one step further, add a candle from our Ultimate Candle Gift Guide.

A fashion-forward carbonator

If you have a serious sparkling water habit, there’s no question that the Aarke Carbonator III is the chicest way to stay hydrated. It doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles—all it does is carbonate water—but it’s so beautiful that we don’t need to ask it to do anything else. “I built an entire beverage station around my Aarke III, and any time someone comes over to my house, it’s the first thing the ask about,” says BA’s Commerce Editor Carina Finn.

An upgraded spice grinder

Is a manual spice grinder the most efficient way to get freshly-ground spices on demand? Absolutely not. But this compact cast-iron gadget from Frieling is certainly the most aesthetically pleasing option for getting the job done. Even if it requires a little extra elbow grease, it’s still a great tool for making custom spice blends on the fly.

An elevated Vitamix blender

Blenders aren’t exactly known for their good looks (unless, of course, that industrial kitchen vibe is your thing), but most home cooks know it’s what’s on the inside of small appliances that counts. In the case of this Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series blender, it’s a 1,500-watt motor and laser-cut stainless steel blades that makes the absolute smoothest soups and smoothies. Still, this was a gadget due for a glow up, and we’re already lusting over the sage green colorway.

A sleek cold press juicer

Like blenders, juicers aren’t traditionally easy on the eyes—or at least they weren’t until Nama introduced its J2 Cold Press Juicer. This sleek, slender machine is as functional as it is beautiful; one Epicurious reviewer even called it “a revelation” for its ease of use and the high-quality juice it produces.

A truly stunning drip coffee maker

The Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker isn’t just the most beautiful drip coffee maker you’ve ever laid eyes on, it’s also one of the best-performing drip coffee makers according to the thorough testing done by the experts at Epicurious. Even the Specialty Coffee Association gave this machine its official seal of approval.

A minimalist travel mug

With no hinges, flip-top straws, or other unsightly features, this minimalist travel tumbler from Japanese brand Kinto is the most beautiful to-go drinking vessel I’ve ever used. It does a fabulous job of insulating both hot and cold beverages, and it’s incredibly functional thanks to a two-tiered, leakproof lid that allows for filling and sipping from different levels.

A gorgeous glass pour-over carafe

Yield makes some of the prettiest coffee-making equipment you can buy, and their glass pour-over carafe is no exception. It’s made from durable borosilicate glass and comes in five on-trend colors, like a translucent amber and a vintage-inspired bottle green hue. If you’re not a coffee person, this is a very chic way to serve infused water, iced tea, or a batched cocktail at your next dinner party.