Future Perfect

Highly adaptable, multifunctional kitchen design is more than just a passing trend, writes guinevere davies

- Guinevere Davies

There’s no doubt that the kitchen is central to modern life. More than just a place where we store food and prepare meals, the kitchen functions as a space for eating, relaxing, entertaining and, this year most of all, working. As a result, the must-have kitchen innovations are focused not only on aesthetics, but versatility too.

SMART YET STYLISH DESIGN

This year, more than before, the importance of home and the kitchen in particular has come into sharp focus, as Danielle Steenkamp of Sterlings explains: “More ergonomic designs are becoming a must for ease of use in the kitchen space. Practicality is now a huge essential, but that does not necessarily mean that the design has to be compromised – it should enhance it.”

Philip Richards of blu_line says, “The kitchen is developing into a dynamic space that acts as the architectural anchor to the interior. The kitchen, and the kitchen island specifically, is not just about being a functional space or a stunning aesthetic element anymore. It needs to be able to develop and adapt and evolve to the activities and emotions desired from the overall living area. The kitchen is, now more than ever, a place where boundaries can be pushed and innovation can happen.”

This includes blurring the boundary further between the living, dining and cooking areas as far as look and feel goes, says Diva Cucine’s Anthea Adam. “Currently the new luxury is cocooning, and although our designs remain minimalistic and well-equipped with clean lines, the use of wood is still evident and a little less dark than last season. The use of glass and lights is predominant, adding to the luxurious and understated elegance.”