An underrated aspect of your kitchen is the presentation. Utility is number one, but I like my kitchen to have a certain feel and aesthetic too. That entails everything from your chairs to your blinds to your serveware. You might think that salt & pepper grinders are something that can be neglected, but it’s the little touches that make a kitchen and dining area truly special. Here’s a look at some of my personal favorites I’ve seen at dinner parties.

I absolutely love the hexagonal design of these. It gives it a super sleek & modern look that fits great in a darker kitchen design. In general, HexClad has some of the best branding in the entire industry. I love how they distinguished themselves with a different design. It’s one thing to boast, “best in industry,” but entirely separate to have a product that you can look at and say “that’s HexClad.”

Aesthetics aside, the functionality of HexClad cookware is equally impressive. The cookware is crafted with a thoughtful approach to practicality. Its height is tall enough to hold a lot, and feels smooth in your hand.

Williams Sonoma is, for me, the standard in kitchenware. When we are talking about upscale appliances you have to mention their name. The marble mills are no exception. There were a few designs for me to choose from here, but I have a soft spot for this marble look. It exudes elegance. The HexClad I mentioned above is better suited for a dark kitchen aesthetic, whereas these mills belong on a granite or marble countertop. The feel is nice and smooth, and you simply can’t go wrong with these guys. The price point is not too shabby either, coming in at $150 currently.

Here’s a more affordable option from the ever-reliable Crate & Barrel. For $55 you can have this mill grinder set which has a more traditional design. This fits well with your run of the mill (pun intended) kitchen. A nice wood table & chairs set, something more basic. But hey, sometimes the best look is the simple one.

We all know the utility of these guys is going to be strong. To be completely honest, you don’t notice a drop-off in quality from the more expensive ones at all. As far as shakers go it’s as safe as it gets for a good price.

I really like the look of these black and white mills. The black and white feels traditional but sleek. Am I the only one who almost sees chess pieces here? Maybe I’ve been playing too much online! Chess aside, the design of these salt and pepper shakers does catch the eye.

The price point of $75 is a good entry point for someone who wants to look into more upscale brands of kitchenware. Le Creuset’s ceramic ovens are some of my absolute favorites, and its nice to see they have a similar quality of shaker. I would definitely recommend this one.

Whether you choose HexClad, Williams Sonoma, Crate & Barrel, Le Creuset or one I didn’t mention, I find that small details like salt and pepper mills are what turn a kitchen or dining room for good to great. As always, happy cooking!