Kitchen 2024 - The heart of our home
The kitchen, once a purely functional space, has evolved over the last two decades into a place that is not only used for cooking, but is also a social center of the home. Technical innovations and social changes have significantly influenced this change and thus shaped the layout and design of today's kitchen. But how exactly has the kitchen developed over the past 20 years and where is the trend heading in the future? Let's take a closer look:
Let's go back to the year 2000. Around this time, the kitchen, dining and living room began to be divided into three individual areas into one. The kitchen was no longer purely a functional space, but was integrated into the general living area and thus became the center of the home. A meeting point for residents and guests. In the course of this development, a lot has also changed in kitchen appliances. The desire for quiet and inconspicuous devices led to many innovations in this area. A development from this time, for example, is the induction hob, which regulates the cooking temperature much more precisely and efficiently compared to the usual electric hob.
3 LIVING AREAS - 1 ROOM
Around 2010, cooktops with integrated extractor hoods became increasingly popular. This innovative solution makes it possible to do without a ceiling-mounted extractor hood. This promotes the holistic sense of space in cooking, eating and living and allows more freedom in kitchen design. At the same time, handleless fronts on cupboards and drawers became increasingly popular, giving the kitchen a modern and minimalist look.
In 2020, with advanced digitalization, smart home technologies increasingly found their way into the kitchen. This means we can now control and control various devices and functions “smartly”. From smart refrigerators that monitor contents and create shopping lists to voice-controlled ovens with virtual assistants, the options have become increasingly diverse.
Parallel to the technical changes, social trends and changes have influenced the design standards of the kitchen. At the beginning of the millennium, subtle colors dominated kitchen design. The country house style was very popular at this time. In the 2010s, the kitchen island established itself as a central element. Clear shapes and lines are characteristic of this period, as is the color white in many shades. During this time, the kitchen increasingly became a place of communication and gathering.
KITCHEN IN THE FUTURE
Due to our increasing need to spend our free time consciously and to live healthily, we are increasingly celebrating the process of cooking. It is trendy to cook for ourselves and for family and friends. The kitchen is increasingly developing into a space in which we realize ourselves. Our individual preferences in terms of functionality and design are the focus. In addition, the issue of environmental friendliness is also playing an increasingly important role in the kitchen. Energy-efficient appliances and the use of sustainable materials have become a key concern for many kitchen owners and planners.
A kitchen is a long-term investment in the future. After all, you don't buy a new one every year! So what should I take into account today when planning a new kitchen so that it will continue to be contemporary in the years to come.
• Overall concept through wall, floor and ceiling design
• Kitchen furniture becomes home furniture
• Multifunctionality and space optimization
• Use of natural and pollutant-free materials
• Connected and energy efficient kitchen appliances
• Smart food storage
• Options for waste separation and recycling to minimize waste
• Energy-efficient artificial lighting that is atmospheric and functional at the same time
