Designing the COVID-Transformed Kitchen of 2021
Two award-winning designers created the “ideal” 2021 kitchen for IBSx, fitting it with dynamic storage solutions and innovative appliances in a practical floor plan. Architect Deryl Patterson of Housing Design Matters says she views the new kitchen as the COVID Transformed Kitchen, which includes spaces for multitasking, quarantine buys, and new hobbies. The kitchen island becomes the main hangout spot in the home and supplies space for new activities. Patterson suggests larger kitchen islands with more than three seats and if possible, placing seating at 90 degree angles for easier conversation. And homeowners need a spot to house their new air fryers, bread makers, and immersion blenders: the Messy Kitchen.
Many cooks resorted to Amazon to delivering a variety of kitchen gadgets with just a click of the mouse. The list might include: Air Fryers, Bread maker, sous vide, rice cookers, quesadilla maker, immersion blenders… This begs the question, where do we put it all?
THE MESSY KITCHEN
Enter the need for the Messy Kitchen. One of the cornerstones of our “Daily Lifestyle Solutions”, the Messy Kitchen became home to all the new, small kitchen appliances and gadgets. Think of it like an appliance garage on steroids. The Messy Kitchen could simply include extra counter space out of view of the main living area with ample outlets for our gadgets. A larger budget might include a second dishwasher or refrigerator. I like adding a sink to the Messy Kitchen, as you can never have enough places to wash your hands.