Kitchen of the Future: What to Expect and What's Available Today

While scientists predict that real robots will soon appear on our kitchens and you'll be able to print your lunch on a 3D printer, some future technologies can already be used today.

Together with the brand Gorenje, we tell you what the kitchen of the future will surprise us with and how to keep up with time by setting up your own.

What can we expect from the kitchen of the future? The cooking range will no longer be just an integrated household appliance with clearly defined borders and heating elements. It will become a countertop that serves as both work surface and interactive panel for cooking food. You can place a pot anywhere, and control will be done via a display.

Appliance manufacturers are increasingly concerned about the ecological footprint of using any particular gadget. In the future, dishwasher machines will be able to 'sort' water used in different washing cycles. The liquid containing cleaning agents will be drained off, while clean water will remain in a special container — housewives will be able to reuse it for watering indoor plants or mopping floors.

The kitchen cabinet will continue to shrink in size, but its functionality will increase. Conscious consumption and household efficiency in action. With the growing number of gadgets requiring regular charging, even countertops will become wireless charging stations. That way, you won't have to worry about your tablet or phone running out of battery before you finish preparing a dish according to a recipe.

The refrigerator will become more than just a utility item for cooling food, but rather a personal secretary. With its help, you can post photos on social media, send an email to your boss, and call your mom. The shopping list will be compiled automatically based on what's already in the fridge. How about a range hood that can replace a tablet screen? Thanks to wireless internet connection, you'll be able to watch videos and recipes without leaving the kitchen. No need to think of where to hang a television.

Until all these bold ideas are ready, we suggest taking a look at existing solutions for the kitchen of the future.

Kitchen of the Future: What's Available Today?

'Smart' Assistants

It's not necessary to outfit your apartment with 'smart' appliances to the fullest extent, but a few devices that make life easier and more comfortable are always welcome right now.

For example, a convection oven will send you a message to your mobile that it needs cleaning or the door should be closed tightly, and can turn itself off if a dish starts burning. It's pleasant to start the day with a refreshing cup of coffee that's already prepared, while you're making the bed — of course, not without the help of a smartphone-controlled coffee machine.

Innovative Materials

Less wood, more modern durable materials — such is the trend chosen by many foreign furniture factories. Today, you can buy a cabinet with facades coated in so-called liquid metal. This material significantly reduces the weight of the facade, does not rust, has high resistance to scratches or dents, plus a stylish modern appearance. Perfect, wouldn't you agree?

Energy-Efficient Appliances

Conscious consumption is a modern trend. Kitchen appliances should meet new demands. For example, modern energy-saving appliances of class 'A' not only reduce electricity bills but also decrease the load on electrical wiring. New dishwashers use less water and detergent in a single wash cycle than older models.

Design: Tatyana Sever

Individual Approach and Transformability

The era has passed when you could only buy standard-sized cabinets. Today, individual production allows planning a kitchen that fits as perfectly as a suit made to measure.

The height and size of cabinets, the dimensions between functional zones — all follow ergonomic principles. Or they can transform when needed. For example, some factories produce modular units with sockets that can be easily relocated, just like moving a cup from the table to a shelf. No extension cords needed!

Minimalism and Practicality

Despite the abundance of materials and design options, kitchens are becoming more minimalist every year. This isn't only due to fashion trends: it's easier to maintain cabinets with clean facades without handles. Brightness and atmosphere can be added through color or accessories.

Design: Mikhail Novinsky

Setting Up the Kitchen of the Future: What You Need Right Now?

Next-generation household appliances are multifunctional and adaptive. Gorenje Simplicity ovens remember the selected temperature for each program and on next use suggest the last setting or most frequently used program.

A lighting device will come in handy on the kitchen to grow and maintain your home garden — with aromatic herbs and greens — in a shorter time.

In Gorenje Simplicity refrigerators, the intelligent system maintains optimal temperature regardless of how often you open it. The fridge constantly monitors usage frequency and automatically adjusts the temperature to prevent any rise and preserve food freshness.

In kitchens of the future, additional storage spaces, islands, and countertops with numerous drawers are indispensable for more convenient and functional storage.

For quick dish preparation, Gorenje's Simplicity collection cooktops are ideal, automatically detecting where the pot is placed and turning on the appropriate burner — separately or in combination with another burner depending on the size of the cookware. The function can be activated manually at any time during the cooking process.

The kitchen of the future cannot do without combining functional zones, such as a kitchen island with a dining table. With this layout, it's much more convenient to serve prepared dishes on the table.

Cover image: Design project by Mikhail Novinsky