The Evolution of Kitchen Design, How COVID-19 shaped the way we live

-Laurie Haefele, Architect, Haefele Design

The Evolution of Kitchen Design- How COVID-19 shaped the way we live

COVID made us redefine how we use our homes. During the increased time spent at home we rediscovered the value of our kitchens and gained confidence in our culinary skills. Now that the world has reopened for dining experiences, we are met with inflationary pricing, supply chain and staffing issues, and the feeling that the dining experience is not what it used to be.

These challenges reinforce that we can do better at home, fueling the demand for kitchen updates to personalize the right spaces for us, equipped with the right materials, appliances, and capabilities. Is this a renaissance moment for kitchens? This new era of kitchen confidence is inspiring better than ever kitchens that function on a higher level. I polled some incredibly talented, nationally recognized industry experts and architect/designers for their thoughts on how kitchens are evolving. Unsurprisingly, there was some common ground to the answers I received. If you are considering a kitchen remodel, be sure to read what these nationally recognized pros have to say about the evolution of kitchen design:

1. Kitchens need to be more multi-functional than ever

With increased focus on design and functionality, homeowners are looking for ways to make their kitchens more functional and enjoyable to use. The incredibly talented commercial and residential architect Bentley Tibbs of Dallas-based Abeyta Tibbs weighs in:

“The lasting affects COVID will have on the kitchen will be the realization that any kitchen, regardless of how humble or how grand, needs to be and can be even more multifunctional than before. Kitchens are still and will always be about food and gathering, but they are also now and forever about peaceful solitude. Creating spaces that can seamlessly accommodate such varying is going to be the next big challenge in kitchen design.”

-Bentley Tibbs, Abeyta Tibbs Architecture

-Bentley Tibbs, Abeyta Tibbs Architecture

People want more flexible/adaptable kitchen environments with better appliances, work surfaces, storage. Open kitchens are more popular than ever, as are islands- the bigger the better as space allows, with seating.

Multifunctional use of the kitchen allows little room for clutter. We are using our kitchens more for cooking, and more than ever as social spaces.

This requires durable countertop choices and access to workspaces, which means clearing the countertops to make every bit of space more useable.

2. The technical ability to conceal almost anything … is more meaningful than ever

Range hoods can even be concealed, which we see in Zephyr’s Lux Connect Island range hood, a flush with the ceiling minimalist hood that can be voice activated.

Zephyr’s Lux Connect Island range hood

Another way to conceal ventilation that offers design flexibility is Gaggennau’s integrated Vario 400 Downdraft System. You can customize this modular system with your choice of gas, induction, grill, wok, or Teppan Yaki cooktops, and the ventilation fits right in. Flush with the countertop, it will quietly draw odor and steam down into the countertop before they have a change to offend, while maintaining uninterrupted views.

Gaggenau’s integrated Vario 400 Downdraft System

Gaggenau has recently introduced a new recirculating downdraft that fits in the toe kick. Talk about a game changer for complex kitchen remodels, such as when there is no wall space for a traditional vent hood, or if ceilings are too high, or for island cooking, or uninterrupted views.

Concealing built-in appliances keeps the overall kitchen look cohesive.

“Anywhere we can hide appliances and order them panel-ready, we do. I love the look of unbroken cabinetry.”

-Joyce Pickens, Interior Designer, JDP Interiors

Nobilia Cabinetry, Riva

People who love their stainless appliances can even have the look of unbroken cabinetry, with Nobilia’s brushed steel cabinets.Expect cabinetry to big a big component of the National Kitchen and Bath Show this year…

Brushed steel cabinets by Nobila

Concealing countertop appliances while keeping them easily accessible, now more than ever- Organization is a key component for a multi-functional kitchen. Award winning Santa Monica (and east coast) based architect Laurie Haefele masterfully incorporates thoughtful storage into her projects to keep kitchens looking their best.

“With all the countertop appliances, it’s nice to have a place to hide them behind doors or in an appliance garage. If you do a lot of baking, a mixer tilt up shelf is handy. Also having a coffee system behind a pocket door on a rollout with matching stone countertop and integrated handles is a sleek option. Rollouts underneath with special dividers help keep kitchens looking uncluttered and streamlined.”

-Laurie Haefele, Architect, Haefele Design

-Laurie Haefele, Architect, Haefele Design

More and better storage is a universal want. Existing cabinetry can be retrofitted with organizational accessories to fit your personal needs. Rev-A-Shelf is a good resource for creative storage solutions.

Storage and more specific organization for cabinets, pantry spaces, and drawers addresses both function and aesthetic.

-Laurie Haefele, Architect, Haefele Design

3. Surfaces are being reconsidered

The same movement toward increased functionality applies to countertop surfaces. Increased kitchen use makes durable surfaces more important than ever. Many are opting for the look of natural stone without the issues. Dallas-based Lloyd Shubert is both an architect and owner of Pinnacle Marble and Granite, a major fabricator for the DFW region and beyond. In addition to designing beautiful kitchens, as a fabricator, he also has a front row seat to what is trending in general for counter tops and backsplashes:

“Although marble is a highly requested countertop surface, it has drawbacks in terms of staining, etching and scratching. The majority of tops we install in kitchens are the quartz materials that have the look and veining of marble without the issues. Quartzites are probably the second most requested stone for kitchens. I do think porcelain materials will be gaining for countertops in 2023.

-Lloyd Shubert, Pinnacle Marble and Granite Fabricators

Porcelain offers a cost-effective way to get the look of premium natural stones that is so realistic, even to the touch, with heat/stain/scratch resistance and durability for interior and exterior use. The options have expanded to look and feel exactly like marble, other natural stone options, even wood.

Laminam porcelain surfaces

Interesting side note-when the company Laminam started the large format porcelain category of porcelain, this was a game changer for kitchen designers because they no longer had to choose between aesthetics and durability. Laminam porcelains are designer favorites because their beautiful options are easy for fabricators to work with.

“Lighter colors are still most requested although contrasting the island with a more dramatic stone is very popular. Waterfall end panels and taking the countertop stone up the backsplash walls is always a popular choice.”

-Lloyd Shubert, Pinnacle Marble and Granite Fabricators

Finish options also further the individualization of kitchen design.

“Honing and leathered materials are requested by many customers, however, polished is still tops.”

-Lloyd Shubert, Pinnacle Marble and Granite Fabricators

The same emphasis on better quality and more durable purchases extends to appliances.

4. Appliance preferences are shifting

More than ever, people want to buy wisely when it comes to appliances, placing emphasis on durable purchases, technology, energy efficiency and sustainability. Supply chain issues have reinforced the importance of quality and branding. Rather than checking off a list of typical amenities for kitchens, people now plan with mindfulness and precision that is elevating kitchens to a highly sophisticated level. Appliances that were previously only available for commercial use are now gracing residential kitchens, giving people even more reason to dine well at home.

Sous Vide-is one of the biggest home kitchen transitions to bring the restaurant experience home.

Signature Kitchen Suite offers the first ever, only built-in sous vide, gas and two zone induction combination on the market. Yes please!

“Sous vide cooking is all the rage. I’ve had clients request a special sink and a special area of the kitchen to do their sous vide. If you like meat, sous vide is the way to go. It slowly cooks meat, making the meat basically melt in your mouth.”

-Laurie Haefele, Architect, Haefele Design

Signature Kitchen Suite sous vide range

Anyone who embraces sous vide cooking will find out fast if their ventilation is inadequate when they get to the sear stage. Energy efficient, quiet, powerful ventilation is incredibly important to factor into kitchen planning for safety and improved indoor air quality. Microwave vent hoods simply won’t cut it for the searing stage of sous vide, so plan accordingly.

Induction cooking is also on the rise. The electromagnetic fields which heat the cookware rather than the burner leave the cooktop surface cool to the human touch, making it kid friendly and easy to clean.

Gaggenau induction cooktop

“The one I love best is Gaggenau’s full surface induction top. The entire top is useable and as you move your pots and pans, the heat setting travels with the pot.”

-Summer Jensen, Interior Designer- Hawk & Co

“Commercial looking gas ranges with stainless steel or decorative hoods are still popular, followed by side by side cabinet depth refrigerators, built in microwaves and wine/beverage refrigerators in islands .”

-Lloyd Shubert, Architect

“Everyone wants more refrigeration. Smaller locations placed throughout the home too. Refrigerator drawers make for self-service juice drawers for kids as well as easy to grab milk storage for your built-in expresso machine. In the gym, to house cold towels.”

-Summer Jensen, Interior Designer- Hawk & Co

Under counter refrigerator drawers allow us to use the big refrigerator space more efficiently. Many come with adjustable temperature settings, allowing you to customize the temperature for different types of food and beverages, or place a produce drawer in a prep area.

Thermador Refrigerator drawer, interior design by Matthew Quinn

The pandemic understandably increased awareness of health and hygiene– creating added demand for faucets with hands free technology. Brizo’s SmartTouch technology is designed to make their faucets convenient, hygienic, and energy-efficient.

Brizo SmartTouch Kitchen Faucet

New culinary skills bring exciting new appliances to kitchens. Pizza ovens, warming and vacuum drawers, convection ovens with pizza making capability are also rising in popularity.

“What we are seeing is a democratization of culinary excellence. We no longer have to go to a 5 star restaurant for a culinary experience, as it is becoming more accessible.”

-Veronika Eagleson, Modenus Media

5.The Evolution the Kitchen Aesthetic

-Summer Jensen, Interior Designer- Hawk & Co

We all know that the kitchen is the backdrop to many of life’s stories. Gatherings often start or end in the kitchen. Many of us now work from the kitchen. Why not make this most used room more expressively our own? Kitchens are now being individualized like never before. The talented Summer Jensen of Hawk & Co sums it up perfectly:

“We are moving in two simultaneous directions in design. The technical ability to conceal almost anything. Refrigerators, doors into pantry spaces, hoods that disappear into ceilings. And then the intentionally overly ornate. The bright colored enamels, blingy gold details, quirkiness and expression of individuality. Make it your statement either way.”

-Summer Jensen, Interior Designer- Hawk & Co

To recap, the previously mentioned priorities that are factoring into modern kitchen design are:

storage and organization

multifunctional spaces

hidden appliances, built-in and countertop

uninterrupted views

durable surfaces

quality appliances

With so many moving parts, how exactly are people personalizing their kitchens? Los Angeles based designer Joyce Pickens is noticing a slight shift of kitchens going back to being slightly segmented and a little less open, which opens the door for a more distinct look rather than maintaining the cohesive flow of open plan design. She also makes a great point – to make good aesthetic use of the current available and customizable vent hood options.

“Range hoods are usually THE biggest focus of a kitchen and often a neglected or missed opportunity.”

-Joyce Pickens, JDP Interiors

Zephyr Roma Island range hood, design by Bradley Smith

“I am seeing the all-white kitchen is slowly giving way to diversity in colors, textures, and materials. Islands with a strong color, mixing lowers and upper materials, mixing metals and colors are becoming more popular.”

-Lloyd Shubert, Architect

Cabinetry and color offer countless options for personalization. Examples include:

Two-tone cabinets: involves using two different colors or finishes on the cabinets in a single kitchen. This can be done by painting the upper cabinets one color and the lower cabinets another, or by using two different finishes (e.g., a glossy finish on the upper cabinets and a matte finish on the lower cabinets).
Mixing materials: We are also seeing the mix and match of different materials for the cabinets. For example, lower wood cabinets and upper glass-front cabinets, or a combination of wood, stainless steel, and glass in the same kitchen. Island counter tops can also be varied for design individualization.
Black or navy blue cabinets: Dark, moody colors like black or navy blue are increasingly popular for kitchen cabinets, offering a bold, sophisticated touch to a kitchen design.

From a home value perspective, the benefits of kitchen transformations are long term. Quite a few of the ideas mentioned to make kitchens multifunctional also position kitchens for aging in place accessibility, while also appealing to younger generations who expect technology and energy efficiency… trifecta for home value.

“Gen Z encompasses some of the most affluent buyers, as they are positioned to inherit boomer wealth soon. This generation was born into technology and has a need for good cooking spaces to make really good food at home- it is an inherent part of who they are.”

-Veronika Eagleson, Modenus Media