The Future of Kitchens
A survey of industry professionals predicts future trends in global home kitchen design
Silestone Institute compiled a report of what kitchens will look like 25 years from now. According to the report, Global Kitchen: The Home Kitchen in the Era of Globalisation, the kitchen of the future will be a multi-functional, hyper-connected and health-focused space. “The report compiled the main design and usage trends for the kitchen of the future,” says Vanessa Feo Kutsch, head of international communications for Cosentino Group, which supports Silestone Institute. “The results concluded the kitchen will be a space for leisure, work, health and relaxation, and with smart appliances and connectivity, and incorporating techniques and devices normally found in professional kitchens.”
What does that mean in practical terms? We review the findings and ask other industry professionals to weigh in.
What does that mean in practical terms? We review the findings and ask other industry professionals to weigh in.
Open and integrated planning
As the kitchen becomes ever more multi-functional and social, it will continue to be open and integrated with living and dining areas, rather than closed off as an independent room. Australian kitchens are already leading the world on this front, and it seems there is no looking back.
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As the kitchen becomes ever more multi-functional and social, it will continue to be open and integrated with living and dining areas, rather than closed off as an independent room. Australian kitchens are already leading the world on this front, and it seems there is no looking back.
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There has also been a rise in popularity of butler’s pantries of late, so are they also here to stay? Well it may depend on available space and the density of housing. “In recent years we’ve created more butler’s pantries adjacent to open-plan kitchens, and in some designs we’ve incorporated wine storage, cool rooms and laundries,” says Graeme Metcalfe, industrial designer at Dan Kitchens Australia. “I don’t see them being commonplace in every household, as you would require a great deal of space, but we incorporate an appliance niche for those that don’t have the space.”
More efficient and sustainable
Technological changes will undoubtedly affect kitchen design and use. The report finds that Australians’ high priorities are faster and more efficient methods of cooking, appliances that save energy, and taps that reduce water consumption.
“Our kitchens are going to need to have the ability to help us live more sustainably, for people to separate their waste and recycling more efficiently, and to reduce food and water waste,” says Ikea Australia sustainability manager, Kate Ringvall.
Technological changes will undoubtedly affect kitchen design and use. The report finds that Australians’ high priorities are faster and more efficient methods of cooking, appliances that save energy, and taps that reduce water consumption.
“Our kitchens are going to need to have the ability to help us live more sustainably, for people to separate their waste and recycling more efficiently, and to reduce food and water waste,” says Ikea Australia sustainability manager, Kate Ringvall.
Efficiency and sustainability will be aided by incorporating techniques and appliances normally found in professional kitchens. We already have combi-steam ovens or combination ovens that offer pressure-free steam, convected heat, and a combination of both to cook food in a healthier and more efficient way. Magnetic induction stovetops have become more popular; they cook faster and lose less heat in the process.
We also have tapware that helps to save water with aerators that mix in air and can reduce water consumption by 30 per cent. But this is only the beginning, with both trends forecast to become priorities in kitchen design.
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“As we slowly become a world of scarcity, the kitchen will need to be more efficient in terms of energy, food wastage and water usage,” says Metcalfe. “We’ve already made great inroads with water-saving devices, greater standards for electrical devices and increasing awareness among consumers of where our food comes from and where wastage ends up. How we will achieve greater efficiency will ultimately come down to technological improvements and furthering our awareness of these problems.”
Find a kitchen designer to design your dream space
Find a kitchen designer to design your dream space
Responsive lighting
Lighting will be important in creating a space for relaxing and supporting our wellbeing. Intelligent lighting will be variable to match the time of day, mood or even type of food being cooked.
Lighting will be important in creating a space for relaxing and supporting our wellbeing. Intelligent lighting will be variable to match the time of day, mood or even type of food being cooked.
Already on the market, Miele’s Pearl wall-mounted range hood features dimmable atmospheric lighting to help set the mood.
More advanced materials
Benchtops are one area people are prepared to spend on, and manufacturers have been investing efforts into producing new benchtop materials designed for durability, safety and hygiene.
Benchtops are one area people are prepared to spend on, and manufacturers have been investing efforts into producing new benchtop materials designed for durability, safety and hygiene.
Many are being manufactured and marketed today, such as Cosentino’s high-performance engineered-quartz surfaces Silestone and Dekton.
Browse images of stunning, contemporary kitchens
Browse images of stunning, contemporary kitchens
Ikea, likewise, is developing new products that are more sustainable and less resource-intense. The company recently launched its Kungsbacka range of kitchen doors and drawer fronts, which are made from both recycled wood and plastic from recycled PET bottles.
Connectivity and smarter appliances
As the internet becomes crucial to many activities in our lives, it will also play a role in the kitchen. The report suggests smart appliances will be internet-connected and manageable from mobile and wearable devices. In the kitchen of the future, we’ll be able to check recipes on the refrigerator door (in fact the Samsung Family Hub already has shopping, recipe and organisational apps on a screen on the front door). Our blender might ‘talk’ to our fridge to plan a nutritious smoothie based on what’s on hand, and we’ll be able to turn on the oven from work so the roast is ready by the time we get home.
As the internet becomes crucial to many activities in our lives, it will also play a role in the kitchen. The report suggests smart appliances will be internet-connected and manageable from mobile and wearable devices. In the kitchen of the future, we’ll be able to check recipes on the refrigerator door (in fact the Samsung Family Hub already has shopping, recipe and organisational apps on a screen on the front door). Our blender might ‘talk’ to our fridge to plan a nutritious smoothie based on what’s on hand, and we’ll be able to turn on the oven from work so the roast is ready by the time we get home.
Metcalfe says Dan Kitchens is cautious when it comes to recommending new technology until its has been reliably tried and tested. “I hope these technologies improve our lives and become a welcome aid and not a costly and gimmicky distraction,” he says. “But one thing is clear; the technological and cost divide between a base kitchen and a high-end kitchen will only increase.”
Intuitive benchtops
It won’t be just appliances that are smart, but benchtops too. They will have functions and properties that mean you can cook directly on the surface without the need for a specific panel, control appliances and, of course, connect to the internet. The benchtop of the future will be able to do other useful things too, including weigh food and ingredients, provide nutritional information, and absorb liquids. Sick of the nightly kitchen clean-up routine? Tomorrow’s benchops will be self-cleaning too.
It won’t be just appliances that are smart, but benchtops too. They will have functions and properties that mean you can cook directly on the surface without the need for a specific panel, control appliances and, of course, connect to the internet. The benchtop of the future will be able to do other useful things too, including weigh food and ingredients, provide nutritional information, and absorb liquids. Sick of the nightly kitchen clean-up routine? Tomorrow’s benchops will be self-cleaning too.
So did The Jetsons accurately predict the kitchen of the future? They may not have been far off when it comes to technology. Otherwise Australian kitchens are already well on the way, with open-plan and integrated spaces serving as multi-functional hubs that support our leisure, health and wellbeing.
Read more:
3D Printed Houses: Our Future or a Dead End?
The Future of Toilets in Homes
Tell us:
What are you most excited to see in the kitchen of the future? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, share or save this story. Join the conversation.
Read more:
3D Printed Houses: Our Future or a Dead End?
The Future of Toilets in Homes
Tell us:
What are you most excited to see in the kitchen of the future? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, share or save this story. Join the conversation.
We often refer to the kitchen as the heart of the home, and it will continue to be a hub of activity and a gathering place. Indeed, the kitchen of the future will increasingly become more social and multi-functional, as a space for family and friends to spend time together, a place to cook and eat, and as a place to work.
“Kitchen design will not only take aesthetics and function into account, but also emotional value, supporting its use as a space for relaxing and wellbeing,” says Feo Kutcsh.