A kettle is equal parts kitchen workhorse and decorative accessory. So choosing one isn’t just a matter of finding something that can boil water.

“Look at it as art, as well as a functional element,” suggested Sarah Blank, a kitchen designer based in Greenwich, Conn. “When you do a kitchen and have this gorgeous range and hood, it’s nice to have a beautiful kettle on the stove.”

There are lots to choose from, given the number of designers who have tried to build a better kettle — from the classic English copper version that’s been around for a century or more to newer sculptural and electric models.

Whether you go with something traditional or modern, whatever you choose should last for decades. Ms. Blank still uses an Alessi kettle designed by Michael Graves that she has owned since college, she said: “Every home I’ve been in, it’s been there.”

• Is an electric or stovetop kettle better? One isn’t better than the other, Ms. Blank said, but she prefers stovetop models with a whistle and electric models with an automatic shut-off, for safety.

• How large should it be? Consider how many cups of tea or coffee you’ll likely brew at a time, and also the scale of your kitchen. Electric models should fit comfortably under upper cabinets, Ms. Blank said, and stovetop ones shouldn’t dwarf the range.

• Should it have a gooseneck spout? Gooseneck kettles offer a reduced flow and better control for making pour-over coffee, but an ordinary spout is faster for a quick cup of tea or dried soup.

Melior Gooseneck Kettle

Stainless-steel electric kettle with cork handle

About $40 at Bodum: bodum.com

Staub Enameled Cast-Iron Round Tea Kettle

Weighty kettle available in multiple colors

From $190 at Williams Sonoma: 877-812-6235 or williams-sonoma.com

Sowden Kettle

Electric kettle by George Sowden, available in multiple colors

$95 at Hay: 833-849-3025 or hay.com

Kaico Tea Kettle

Enamel-coated steel kettle with maple handle by Makoto Koizumi

$150 at Nalata Nalata: 212-228-1030 or nalatanalata.com

Corvo EKG Electric Kettle

Kettle with precise temperature control

$149 at Fellow: fellowproducts.com

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