Voice-controlled machines and hands-free cooking: The future look of our kitchens revealed

New research shows that over the past year, 24% have worked in their kitchen at some point and after spending the majority of time at home, a fifth of homeowners now plan to update their kitchen this year.

With this in mind, German kitchen manufacturer, Kutchenhaus, polled Brits about the features they want in their dream kitchen and key elements that would make their lives easier. Using these results and knowledge from the industry, experts have predicted what the kitchen of the future will look like – and it’s not as tech focused as you might think.

Chris Smith, owner of the Kutchenhaus franchise in Warrington, explains “When we think of future designs, we think of technology, and this rightly so plays a huge part in the development of kitchen manufacturing. But what’s key to remember is the liveability and functionality of the room. Research shows that many want Smart appliances that make lengthy tasks efficient, but that a love of cooking is still directing the core design of our kitchens.”

Results of the research reveal that the flow and functionality of a working home-kitchen are priorities for homeowners planning their future dream kitchen.

Most wanted elements of future kitchens

Accessibility – 89%
Storage – 86%
Kitchen table – 62%
Sustainability functions – 60%
Appliances fitted with latest tech – 59%
Gas hob – 58%
Washing machine – 56%
Dishwasher – 53%
Open planned – 52%
Coffee machine – 47%

Functionality

Having a kitchen with accessibility is seen as the most important part of a kitchen (89%) which is closely followed by storage (86%), and next a kitchen table (62%) – all playing to the need of functionality.

Sustainability is dominating many decisions in the retail sector which kitchens are not exempt from. Nearly two thirds (60%) are wanting functions that promote sustainability in their future kitchen.

Technology

Technology plays a key part in future kitchen design with 69% stating appliances fitted with the latest tech is very important to them. Conversely, in a sign that we are reluctant to relinquish the time we spend prepping and cooking food, less than a quarter (24%) think coordinating their appliances with a phone or tablet is important.

Chris Smith comments “We expect it will be common place in 20 years’ time to have a central hub tablet that allows voice commanded control of recipes, timers, temperatures and appliance switch on.

“In the future everybody will be able to turn their coffee machine on while still in bed or start the dishwasher when at the supermarket.

“There will likely be a new way of cooking called volumetric cooking. This has already been established with the Miele dialog oven, where you can place ingredients into the oven at the same time and it will cook them all at different temperatures and speeds.”

Style

The kitchen of the future will have a stylish (68%), modern (59%) finish to it with an open planned layout (52%). Other desired features are an island (43%), open shelving (42%), a breakfast bar (40%) and bi-folding doors (33%).

Chris Smith of Kutchenhaus comments: “With the rate at which technology is changing, it is no surprise that we are dreaming of Smart products and interactive appliances to help speed up our time spent in the kitchen.

“You can see by our design that the future kitchen is accessible for everyone as well as allowing plenty of light into the room. Our kitchens will be mostly open planned, centred around an island for socialising with smart, tucked away appliances.”