The kitchen is where life happens. The kitchen is not just where food is being prepared and eaten, it is the heart of the home where conversations take place, where memories are made and shared, where the party inevitably ends up, and where people and families connect.
As we can see through the eyes of our experts, the kitchen has come a long way…and it is going to go even further. By looking back at where the kitchen has come from and where it is headed, this report demonstrates how the kitchen has grown with the times to become one of the most evolutionary rooms in the home. It serves as an entertainment centre, a dining room, and a workspace. And this list will only expand as the kitchen continues its constant evolution.
As technology continues to advance, we see how it enhances the cooking experience, providing leading-edge, hard-working tools all creative home chefs will continue to value so they can express their own personal flare in their gourmet creations. Touch-activated controls, conversion systems and induction technology will bring premium performance and high-technology items straight into the hands of home enthusiasts. Steam assist technology in convection ranges will enable home enthusiasts to enjoy the same beautiful results as that of a professional chef. Cleaning up will be a breeze with the addition of steam assist technology to dishwashers – making dishes not just clean, but also sanitized.
The environment promises to maintain its position as a top priority for Canadians, and the kitchen will continue to reflect this prevalent issue through its evolution. Energy-saving home appliances and advanced technologies will help environmentally-aware consumers decrease their impact on the environment. And as awareness and demand build from the savvy home enthusiast, more changes are no doubt to come. Not only will kitchen appliances reflect this green trend by offering increased energy efficiency, but kitchen design materials will also reflect the desire for environmental sustainability. Additionally, the kitchen will be a place where home enthusiasts will exercise their desire to get back to nature, sampling organic foods, local, market-fresh produce and new ingredients.
Our experts have demonstrated that the social hub and heart of the home will continue to change with the times, leaving us with an interesting thought to ponder: how will those changes affect us, and what will our own evolution look like?