The design enthusiasts, renowned interior designers and architects who are always on their feet in search of new trends couldn’t resist what the first design fair of the year had in store for them. IMM Cologne 2017, one of the most important furniture and decoration platforms worldwide, concluded recently. Parallel to the furniture fair and a topic of much interest to us, the kitchen event - 'Living Kitchen 2017' also took place which happens every two years in Cologne. The kitchen trade fair this year ran by the adage: “Inspiration and innovation”. 'Living Kitchen 2017', a worldwide central meeting point for the kitchen industry, had around 200 exhibitors from more than 20 countries this year. Like every other year, the fair showcases the very latest kitchen designs and features and this year too a vast range of new products and innovations were unveiled.
The kitchen, long considered far more than simply a place to eat, has become the focal point for communication and self-expression in today’s homes. It is quite clear that technology and design went hand in hand, smart homes were big, clever devices were designed and manufactured.
The technology:
Innovation in technology is predominant when it came to kitchen features. Smart homes with Smartphone driven kitchens peaked with technology offering to preheat the oven from the mobile phone, controlling heating and light, to access cooking recipes with video instructions or to view the list of ingredients for different dishes and serving sizes. The number of features easily controlled with the aid of a smartphone or tablet is endless.
Raised appliances have become standard issue. They enable even amateur cooks safe and convenient access to foods prepared in the oven. Intuitive stove and oven controls simplify handling. Modern ovens usually feature a pyrolysis capability. This high-temperature self-cleaning process is bound to become the standard for every oven. Ovens with integrated microwaves or steam cookers continue to rise in popularity. The demand here seems to tend towards speed and convenience. When it comes to low-temperature food preparation however, there is a clear trend towards healthy, vitamin-conserving cooking.
Another new feature consists of LED lighting, integrated into the oven or the extractor hood. This mood lighting exemplifies the importance of a comfortable, cosy kitchen. Entirely new are sound systems that can turn every kitchen into a concert hall or party. These concealed electronics turn virtually every surface, whether it is stone, glass, wood or wood-based material, into an exceptional resonating body. The sound emanates directly from the wall or floor unit, the countertop or the table. No additional speakers are required –a feature not only for technology enthusiasts. After all, contamination by grease vapours, for instances, is eliminated, and when it comes to protection against theft, the speaker systems are entirely invisible. Light and sound can easily be controlled remotely, quickly comfortable and flexibly via one’s own smartphone or tablet.
Integrated, flush-mount induction hobs will be standard. This ensures both energy savings and vitamin preservation. Induction hobs without separate fields are still gaining popularity and will be standard issue in modern kitchens. The concept of energy efficiency and energy savings has become generally accepted in the market. Electricity and water consumption is optimally reduced. LED lighting technology is employed for modern kitchen lighting. White goods are already divided into clearly delineated energy efficiency categories. The most energy-efficient products have, and they have a clear positive influence on the customer’s purchase decision. The bottom-line being, modern kitchens are steadily becoming user-friendly and making user’s life easier by integrating all the electrical appliances to be able to be controlled via smart terminals. Apps for tablets and smartphones is something widely seen across all platforms.
Materials:
Natural materials such as solid wood was seen everywhere. It flared with a combinations such as wood with metal or stone, dark, high-grade woods with glass and stainless steel, smooth white drawer and door fronts with open shelving units in warm wood tones.
Even metal is huge and shares the same highlight as wood in terms of appearance, but in a way more understated and matte than before.
The current product range of kitchen furniture employs mostly varnished fronts. Both matte varnishes as well as varnished laminate are popular. High-gloss varnish is decreasing in popularity; wood and wood look are maintaining their popularity. Especially favoured are combinations of a matte single stage varnish and real wood veneer or matte single stage varnished laminate and wood imitation. Solid wood kitchens are preferred among highly health-conscious target groups, but are far from being mainstream products.
The trend towards black is still ongoing. Black is being used for electrical appliances, for fitting solutions, for interior elements and for ceramic sinks as well as for complete cabinet and refrigerator fronts. Materials employed here encompass printed glass, varnish and laminate as well as slate.
There is also a rather strong trend towards ceramic or ceramic-look countertops. Ceramic sinks are equally important and popular. Ruggedness and longevity are the main benefits of this traditional material. This year the possibility of being able to fit a fully functional, invisible induction hob below a ceramic countertop took everyone by surprise. This innovation will certainly lead to widespread adoption. It will totally change the classical kitchen arrangement, and it will certainly be a must-have for purists and neatness enthusiasts. Solid surface materials are exceptionally popular when it comes to countertops. There is also a trend towards the use of stone finishes and granite. The use of stainless steel and glass, however, is decreasing.
Colours:
Coming to the colour, whether in a high-gloss or ultra-trendy matte finish, grey is a popular base colour in all areas of interior design and it is seemingly endlessly variable. White and grey remain strong traditional choices. The grey colour gives a concrete look and is highly favoured by some target groups, yet remains a niche within the big picture. Combinations of different front colour schemes and materials are generally popular. Moreover, the kitchen manufacturers place value on the picture as a whole and offer a colour palette to support the overall harmonious design of the home. Particularly sought after at present are subtle grey tones and materials such as silver oak and concrete.
Other colours that dominated in the event include aquatic blues and greens, vibrant orange and a continued use of mustard yellow and green.
Ergonomics:
The average height of people keeps increasing while proportions are changing. For people who enjoy cooking, an optimized arrangement and height of countertops are of paramount importance. Therefore, in almost all cases, a free-standing counter, accessible from all sides, is preferred. This counter is often vertically adjustable in order to be used as a bar table as well. Often, the wall units are mounted along a single wall. Due to increases in storage optimization, this is sufficient in most cases. All available space is utilized and every floor unit equipped with an intelligent drawer system or, in corners, with a carousel-type system.
Especially popular are paneled walls, visually camouflaging the kitchen furniture so only their fronts can be seen. Apart from the stylish appearance, solutions of this type are exceptionally easy to clean. Ergonomic kitchen planning also encompasses the arrangement of stove and sink, if these are integrated into the kitchen unit. A distance of 90 centimetres between hob and sink facilitates an optimal workflow.
Other trends:
At Living Kitchen, you’ll find modern, minimalistic kitchens as well as more traditional country style kitchens. Combining kitchen furniture and living room furniture or vice versa is a new trend. It combines kitchen and dining spaces, adjacent to the open living room which creates a spacious living experience. The flowing transition between kitchen and living room will remain in the trend and will help even more, to transform the modern kitchen in an active and comfortable residential zone. Also trending is the emphasis on sustainability and individuality, twists in the kitchen island, writable surfaces in the kitchen, multi-depth kitchens which use all space for storage without wasting space.
Overall, the modern kitchen design is understood as a part and parcel of living space which not only allows appliances, work surfaces and space to be used efficiently, but which is equally welcoming as a place to linger, to chat, and prospective social life. Design has become a key driver for the trade fair: good concepts, the integration of technical and multimedia features, the use of new materials, collaborations with renowned international designers and architects – LivingKitchen this year is a true highlight in terms of smart, innovative, sustainable and modern design.
 |
| Image Credits: LivingKitchen |
The kitchen, long considered far more than simply a place to eat, has become the focal point for communication and self-expression in today’s homes. It is quite clear that technology and design went hand in hand, smart homes were big, clever devices were designed and manufactured.
The technology:
Innovation in technology is predominant when it came to kitchen features. Smart homes with Smartphone driven kitchens peaked with technology offering to preheat the oven from the mobile phone, controlling heating and light, to access cooking recipes with video instructions or to view the list of ingredients for different dishes and serving sizes. The number of features easily controlled with the aid of a smartphone or tablet is endless.
Raised appliances have become standard issue. They enable even amateur cooks safe and convenient access to foods prepared in the oven. Intuitive stove and oven controls simplify handling. Modern ovens usually feature a pyrolysis capability. This high-temperature self-cleaning process is bound to become the standard for every oven. Ovens with integrated microwaves or steam cookers continue to rise in popularity. The demand here seems to tend towards speed and convenience. When it comes to low-temperature food preparation however, there is a clear trend towards healthy, vitamin-conserving cooking.
 |
| Image Credits: LivingKitchen |
Another new feature consists of LED lighting, integrated into the oven or the extractor hood. This mood lighting exemplifies the importance of a comfortable, cosy kitchen. Entirely new are sound systems that can turn every kitchen into a concert hall or party. These concealed electronics turn virtually every surface, whether it is stone, glass, wood or wood-based material, into an exceptional resonating body. The sound emanates directly from the wall or floor unit, the countertop or the table. No additional speakers are required –a feature not only for technology enthusiasts. After all, contamination by grease vapours, for instances, is eliminated, and when it comes to protection against theft, the speaker systems are entirely invisible. Light and sound can easily be controlled remotely, quickly comfortable and flexibly via one’s own smartphone or tablet.
 |
| Image Credits: Home Connect |
Integrated, flush-mount induction hobs will be standard. This ensures both energy savings and vitamin preservation. Induction hobs without separate fields are still gaining popularity and will be standard issue in modern kitchens. The concept of energy efficiency and energy savings has become generally accepted in the market. Electricity and water consumption is optimally reduced. LED lighting technology is employed for modern kitchen lighting. White goods are already divided into clearly delineated energy efficiency categories. The most energy-efficient products have, and they have a clear positive influence on the customer’s purchase decision. The bottom-line being, modern kitchens are steadily becoming user-friendly and making user’s life easier by integrating all the electrical appliances to be able to be controlled via smart terminals. Apps for tablets and smartphones is something widely seen across all platforms.
 |
| Image Credits: LivingKitchen |
Materials:
Natural materials such as solid wood was seen everywhere. It flared with a combinations such as wood with metal or stone, dark, high-grade woods with glass and stainless steel, smooth white drawer and door fronts with open shelving units in warm wood tones.
Even metal is huge and shares the same highlight as wood in terms of appearance, but in a way more understated and matte than before.
The current product range of kitchen furniture employs mostly varnished fronts. Both matte varnishes as well as varnished laminate are popular. High-gloss varnish is decreasing in popularity; wood and wood look are maintaining their popularity. Especially favoured are combinations of a matte single stage varnish and real wood veneer or matte single stage varnished laminate and wood imitation. Solid wood kitchens are preferred among highly health-conscious target groups, but are far from being mainstream products.
The trend towards black is still ongoing. Black is being used for electrical appliances, for fitting solutions, for interior elements and for ceramic sinks as well as for complete cabinet and refrigerator fronts. Materials employed here encompass printed glass, varnish and laminate as well as slate.
There is also a rather strong trend towards ceramic or ceramic-look countertops. Ceramic sinks are equally important and popular. Ruggedness and longevity are the main benefits of this traditional material. This year the possibility of being able to fit a fully functional, invisible induction hob below a ceramic countertop took everyone by surprise. This innovation will certainly lead to widespread adoption. It will totally change the classical kitchen arrangement, and it will certainly be a must-have for purists and neatness enthusiasts. Solid surface materials are exceptionally popular when it comes to countertops. There is also a trend towards the use of stone finishes and granite. The use of stainless steel and glass, however, is decreasing.
Colours:
Coming to the colour, whether in a high-gloss or ultra-trendy matte finish, grey is a popular base colour in all areas of interior design and it is seemingly endlessly variable. White and grey remain strong traditional choices. The grey colour gives a concrete look and is highly favoured by some target groups, yet remains a niche within the big picture. Combinations of different front colour schemes and materials are generally popular. Moreover, the kitchen manufacturers place value on the picture as a whole and offer a colour palette to support the overall harmonious design of the home. Particularly sought after at present are subtle grey tones and materials such as silver oak and concrete.
Other colours that dominated in the event include aquatic blues and greens, vibrant orange and a continued use of mustard yellow and green.
 |
| Image Credits: LivingKitchen |
Ergonomics:
The average height of people keeps increasing while proportions are changing. For people who enjoy cooking, an optimized arrangement and height of countertops are of paramount importance. Therefore, in almost all cases, a free-standing counter, accessible from all sides, is preferred. This counter is often vertically adjustable in order to be used as a bar table as well. Often, the wall units are mounted along a single wall. Due to increases in storage optimization, this is sufficient in most cases. All available space is utilized and every floor unit equipped with an intelligent drawer system or, in corners, with a carousel-type system.
Especially popular are paneled walls, visually camouflaging the kitchen furniture so only their fronts can be seen. Apart from the stylish appearance, solutions of this type are exceptionally easy to clean. Ergonomic kitchen planning also encompasses the arrangement of stove and sink, if these are integrated into the kitchen unit. A distance of 90 centimetres between hob and sink facilitates an optimal workflow.
Other trends:
At Living Kitchen, you’ll find modern, minimalistic kitchens as well as more traditional country style kitchens. Combining kitchen furniture and living room furniture or vice versa is a new trend. It combines kitchen and dining spaces, adjacent to the open living room which creates a spacious living experience. The flowing transition between kitchen and living room will remain in the trend and will help even more, to transform the modern kitchen in an active and comfortable residential zone. Also trending is the emphasis on sustainability and individuality, twists in the kitchen island, writable surfaces in the kitchen, multi-depth kitchens which use all space for storage without wasting space.
 |
| Image Credits: LivingKitchen |
Overall, the modern kitchen design is understood as a part and parcel of living space which not only allows appliances, work surfaces and space to be used efficiently, but which is equally welcoming as a place to linger, to chat, and prospective social life. Design has become a key driver for the trade fair: good concepts, the integration of technical and multimedia features, the use of new materials, collaborations with renowned international designers and architects – LivingKitchen this year is a true highlight in terms of smart, innovative, sustainable and modern design.
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