The kitchen gadget or the kitchen appliance?

If you like cooking and are blessed with a bigger-than-average budget, then designing a new kitchen is something to relish - from the kitchen gadget, to the clever kitchen appliance, why not make the most of them?

Inbuilt coffee machine

You might think this is purely for the indulgent coffee lover and you'd probably be right. And that's the beauty of it. If you love a good coffee then you'll know that instant, percolator or plunger just doesn't do the trick, and while you could opt for a freestanding espresso machine, why not step it up a notch and permanently install one into the wall? Just think of all the money you'll save on not having to frequent your local coffee shop.

Kitchen pantry system

A great pantry doesn't just depend on having enough room - a good system within the pantry is the key. A couple of companies produce systems that make hard-to-reach areas accessible and ensure that you're able to use every bit of your pantry efficiently and effectively.

Kitchen rubbish system

Installing a specifically designed rubbish 'drawer' complete with separate bins for different types of waste is worth considering. Integrated directly into your cabinetry, not only does it make recycling a lot easier, it keeps all your kitchen rubbish out of sight.

Wine fridge

As anyone who entertains regularly will tell you, wine can take up precious food space in your fridge. The best solution? Install a wine fridge. They come in various sizes, but are usually the size of a bar fridge, with a clear door. You can even find some makes and models that feature different temperatures at different shelf levels, so different varieties of wines can be maintained at the perfect temperature.

Installed kitchen steamer

Steaming food has become one of the most popular ways to cook in the health-conscious noughties - so why not make life easier by installing a steamer directly into your benchtop? More at home in an industrial kitchen, they work equally well in a residential kitchen. You'll need to have adequate bench space and the right plumbing, but once in, we bet you'll never cook any other way.

And as for the future? Recipes will be projected directly onto countertops, so flicking through cookbooks will be a thing of the past; ovens will be programmed remotely using a mobile phone; and microwaves will be able to read a product's bar code and from that, judge exactly how long to cook for.

Sounds good to us!

Contact a kitchen designer in your area to find out more about kitchen gadgets and appliances: