THE KITCHEN OF THE FUTURE

Dr D’arcy says as more people settle into working from home long term, the need increases for cooking areas to be more separate and discreet.

“We now find that you can’t actually have a meeting when someone is trying to prepare a meal, for example,” he says. “We might need to start putting the walls back up.”

When asked whether the kitchen is here to stay for the long term, Dr D’arcy says perhaps the concept of what a room is – with a defined and static purpose – is something we shouldn’t become too attached to.

“Over time, the way that we have defined rooms and the number of rooms we need and what the function of those rooms are has changed,” he says. “It’s something specific to cultures, and it’s something specific times, and those things will always change.” According to Global Kitchen: The Home

Kitchen in the Era of Globalisation, the kitchen of the future will be a multi-functional, smart-connected and health and wellnessfocused space.

Speaking to Houzz, Vanessa Feo Kutsch, head of international communications for the Cosentino Group, noted that, “The report compiled the main design and usage trends for the kitchen of the future.”

“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,” she says.

And appliance company Smeg goes even further. “Kitchen design will continue to reflect the cooking and entertaining needs of homeowners as well as aesthetic style, be it urban or contemporary.”

“While monochromatic colourways remain on trend in the modern kitchen, contemporary designs with mid century aesthetics will be a way to explore colour and texture… while luxury appliances such as blast chillers, vacuum drawers and wine cellars are guaranteed to reimagine the heart and soul of the home.” says Jim Kalotheos, managing director, Smeg Australia.