Kitchen innovation through the decades

From more conservative, wallpaper decorated kitchens to today’s sleek and contemporary style; there’s been a whole lot of changes over the last three decades that have made kitchens what they are today.

The 1980s kitchen

It was in the 1980s that kitchens became big – a focal point in the home and a place where family and friends could socialise and gather. The popularity of the British kitchen meant people were much more willing to invest in stylish, open plan design and were keen to get help from the experts.

Innovations in appliances such as extractor hoods, dishwashers and ovens meant that the kitchen became more of a showcase piece. The kitchen was no longer just about functionality and practicality, although these remained important; it was becoming the heart of the home for social activity.

There was still a long way to go when it came to design though. Appliances were generally black and white and still quite clunky, while furniture was built for functionality with little thought given to style. Walls were also drowned in wallpaper, often in country style.

The 1990s kitchen

By the early 1990s kitchens were being fully utilised as a social space. This meant bigger kitchens were in and smaller kitchens with separate dining areas were out. The introduction of breakfast bars and islands complemented the move to a more social setting.

They also reflecting the growing need for storage – which was cleverly concealed in appliances and furnishings like the island.

Style became increasingly important in the 1990s, with neutral, soft colour palettes coming into fashion and more stylish materials and furnishings being used.

The 21^st century kitchen

The 21^st century kitchen has moved away from being spacious to making the most of the space you have. Kitchens both small and large can benefit from fabulous features such as the kitchen island and booth seating areas.

Stainless steel, concrete and slate, as well as many other favourites, is now commonplace in many kitchens, while spotted ceiling lights have allowed for that perfect ambience.

When it comes to style, the 21^st century kitchen infuses all the best bits from years gone by – giving way to the ever popular styles of the German, Contemporary and Traditional kitchen.

With the busy lives of families and young professionals in this century there’s also been a need for better and more efficient technology. Manufacturers, like NEFF, have realised this need and created a whole host of sleek and contemporary products to meet the needs of the modern day family.

If you want to bring your kitchen design up to date why not visit us at one of our North West kitchen showrooms? You’ll find us in Manchester, Blackburn and Colne. We can talk you through the latest designs and show you how to modernise your kitchen while keeping to a budget.

Do you remember your ‘80s kitchen? Tell us all about the design and how your style has modernised in modern day in the comments below – or tweet your story to us @ModernKitchens