Trends in kitchens and bathrooms by Dave Nemeth

The focus on these two areas of the home have changed drastically over the years, and they will continue to adapt technologically over the next few years as technology gets more advanced as well as more affordable. Kitchens have always been a focus area for great design, with some companies specialising in maximising the space of this functional area, as well as providing a beautiful aesthetic. Finishes over the years have become more complex and advanced and we have seen elements such handle less doors and cupboards as well as mood lighting taking centre stage.

The huge popularity of cooking shows on the T.V., as well as the downturn in economy over past years has resulted in men and women alike spending more time experimenting with cooking and therefor more time in the kitchen. Kitchens have followed on from the other interior trends and the design has been more tactile in appearance as we see elements such as concrete, reclaimed timber and brass being the order of the day. Counter tops have become thinner and where quartz and variants of granite were previously favourites, we now see stainless steel, brass and even concrete being used.

Future trends in the kitchen will however be driven by the  "the internet of things" which refers to the way in which it is not just humans that interact electronically but also our environments and appliances. 

The overriding importance of the cooking space will have less of a focus on the aesthetic and more on the functionality. These two elements will combine in time and reach a great synergy, but the current focus is being driven by technology and we have seen how refined laptop computers have become, in comparison with their earlier counterparts. You may be asking, why and how this kitchen area could communicate with us, so here are some examples of technology already available albeit at extraordinary high prices.

Fridges will notify you via your mobile phone of what is running low and what you need to buy. Similarly this will happen with our cupboards and spice cabinets, there is already an egg tray on the market that keeps you informed of how many eggs you have. Ovens will be programmed to cook the perfect meal and notify us when the cuisine is ready. Screens placed in strategic areas, will allow for immediate access to millions of recipes via voice command and immediately know whether or not you have all the right ingredients.

Bathrooms have also changed and will continue to evolve, as these spaces were often an after thought in the design process. They were considered purely private places, which needed little space and little light. Bathrooms have now become a huge focal point in the overall design of the interior space with the main bathroom being a well-designed extension of the master bedroom.  Bathrooms are becoming far bigger and far more open with only the actual toilet being provided with privacy. The bathroom has become more of a social wellness centre, where the focus is on relaxation and where couple can still interact. There is also more integration with exterior areas and recent years have seen a huge increase in outside baths and showers leasing out from the interior bathroom.

Technology has of course crept into this area as well and these advances include large mirrors that double up as info stations, which allow us to check social media, weather and news as we brush our teeth. Changeable mood lighting as well as sound are two highly valuable assets and assist in taking the stresses of our manic lives away. Taps are a thing of the past as water flow is all controlled through sensors and towels can be heated via mobile activation from your smart phone as you leave your office.

One of the biggest advancements in this area has come in the form of the shower, which can now cost as much as a small car. These showers have water jets that can be activated from all sides and almost every angle. They have seats for comfort and allowing for longer more relaxed periods of time spent in them. These too include mood lighting and more importantly hook up to you digital music players to allow for the perfect ambience.

It is clear to see in both these examples that the trends will be driven first and foremost by the technology and initially the aesthetic will be based on accommodating these great advancements. We are going back to the Bauhaus school of thought where form follows function. As seen in SAHO