Fashioning the Kitchen of the Future

We work in an innovative and everchanging industry. That’s one of the main reasons we come to work excited every day. There’s no better showcase of the trends in both kitchen form and function than EuroCucina. Europe’s benchmark kitchen sector event was held recently in Milan, Italy. It is Fashion Week for kitchens and baths. The reason why EuroCucina is import to our industry and our customers is this show offers windows into the souls of what the kitchen of the future will look like and trends that are likely to dominate kitchen design for years to come. Artificial intelligence for the kitchen is real. One EuroCucina display featured a small robot that sits on the kitchen counter and visually projects guidance on a countertop or backsplash for preparing food, cooking or creating shopping lists. The robot can scan the contents of your refrigerator and offer recipes and options based on what’s in there. Using voice recognition and connected appliance technology, the robot assumes the role of personal chef offering suggestions for meals, step-by-step cooking instructions and warnings of potential allergens. The technology will preheat the oven and send a text relating how much time is left before a meal will be ready. The AI platform can also order groceries ala Alexa. There were also range hoods that could project images onto countertops and operate appliances. It’s a sign of things to come. Another innovation at EuroCucina was a countertop with touch-sensitive controls that generates energy to power small appliances such as hand mixers or blenders without cords or plugs. The countertop surface also included an induction layer capable of warming or cooking food or for use in ironing clothing. While still in the development stage, this technology shows what the future might hold. Prevalent color schemes were neutral with white and gray being mixed with light wood tones. Wood such as teak and other varieties with considerable gradation, striation and patterns were dominant. Marble sinks, backsplashes and countertops also were trending throughout the show floor. The industrial look remains hot. There were rugged and industrial aesthetics in countertops and cabinetry. The kitchens on display featured marble and butcher block tops combined with wooden cabinets. Another trend was the use of metal inlays as accents in cabinetry, countertops and seating. There were lots of geometrically shaped islands and countertops. Under- and in-cabinet and drawer lighting as well as shelf lighting were visible throughout EuroCucina. Open shelves, island extensions, curved counters and islands were also featured in numerous displays. The displays focused on continuing to evolve the kitchen as the epicenter of the home with designs that promoted collaboration from meal preparation and cooking to socializing. How can you take advantage of the latest trends to create the kitchen of your dreams? Give us a call at 215-357-9300 or make an appointment to visit our showroom at 350 Bustleton Pike, Feasterville, PA 19053. We look forward to explaining what’s on trend and how those trends can withstand the test of time for your new kitchen.