Photography courtesy of brooksBerry, by Alise O'Brien
In today’s kitchen, clutter has no clout. Homeowners want quality over quantity, says brooksBerry & Associates owner and design director Chris Berry. “There’s a cleansing, a move toward practicality,” she says. “Some of our older clients, in particular, want to feel less encumbered by stuff.”
Kitchen appliances not only need to get the job done but also practically disappear. Built-in appliances lose their visual status as objects, resulting in a sense of tranquility in the kitchen. “Our clients don’t want to see the appliance,” says Berry. “They don’t want anything to break up the space.”
With this in mind, we’ve compiled a collection of popular kitchen offerings that make life easy without occupying precious countertop real estate.
- Step up to the coffee system and cup-warming drawer, push a few buttons, and enjoy a cup of coffee. Reclaim counter space with this system, which can be built into cabinetry.
- The days of microwave ovens placed above the range are over, says Sara Pilch of Henry Plumbing Kitchen & Bath Galleries. Instead, many of her clients opt for the convenience of microwave drawer ovens.
- More clients are also inquiring about icemakers—not models built into the fridge but separate units altogether, with doors that match the kitchen cabinets. “For those who entertain a lot and frequently use ice, it’s been really popular,” Pilch says. Check out icemakers from KitchenAid.
- Steam ovens heat quickly and can be used to make anything. Chris Powers, design consultant for Alspaugh Kitchen & Bath, says nearly every major brand—from Dacor to Thermador—now offers them. Similarly, built-in wine coolers—from simple and straightforward to high-tech and high-end—have grown in popularity.
