Although it’s too early to say whether it’s the new normal, there’s been a clear postpandemic trend toward people cooking at home more and wanting to get the most from their kitchens. According to the 2022 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study from Houzz.com, “The median spend for both major and minor kitchen remodels increased in mid-2021 by 14% to $40,000 and by 25% to $10,000, respectively, compared to 2020.”
“I think that people have a greater appreciation of entertaining at home and cooking at home,” says Kim Taylor West, owner and principal designer at St. Louis–based K Taylor Design Group.
Here are three trends that are changing how we’ll cook for years to come.
1. High-tech help is here to stay.
According to the Houzz.com study, 35 percent of renovating homeowners report that at least one of their upgraded appliances includes high-tech features, with the most popular being wireless smartphone and tablet controls.
“We are seeing more demand for these features and capability as consumers continue to integrate technology into their day-to-day lives,” says Stephen Polloni, North America brand manager for manufacturer Fulgor Milano.
And now technology can even teach you how to cook better. For example, Cooksy is an AI-powered product with two cameras (one thermal and one for visible light). It’s mounted above the cooktop and measures the surface temperature of the cooking pans, communicating wirelessly to an app on a smartphone or tablet. Cooks can use the readings to make their cooking much more precise and easier with guided help from the app.
2. Aesthetics matter.
Homeowners don’t just want their cooking appliances to work better and make cooking easier — they want them to look great and match their style too. “I am seeing clients loving featuring their oven and their range. That becomes this beautiful piece of jewelry in the kitchen,” says John McClain, CEO and creative director of Los Angeles– and Orlando-based John McClain Design, and author of The Designer Within.
And with manufacturers increasingly offering the ability to customize the colors, hardware options, size, shape, finishes, and other visual aspects of propane ovens and stoves, the sky’s the limit. More consumers than ever are now able to get away from the standard white, black, or stainless-steel appliances of the past. McClain points to GE Café appliances with features such as knobs that can be easily switched out as an example of a line of high-end, visually striking appliances that are more affordable.
3. Cooking outdoors is in.
With more people staying at home because of the pandemic and wanting to connect with nature in their backyards, outdoor kitchens are hotter than ever and not likely to go away. “It’s almost a complete kitchen of everything you have inside, but people are wanting it all outside, which is incredible,” West says.
Because of its portability, availability, and the option to run a dedicated line outside, propane in particular is perfect for powering outdoor cooking. And it’s a mainstay for features such as fire pits and patio heaters, which make outdoor living and entertaining even easier and more attractive year-round.
And with people’s renewed focus on home cooking and wanting to make their kitchens focal points of their homes, these trends don’t seem to be going away anytime soon. “Now that the world is opening back up, I think that more people are now excited about entertaining,” McClain says. “And now this fabulous kitchen — indoor or outdoor — that was sort of made for their family, now they’re really loving showing it off for entertainment purposes.”
Check out the entire article on propane.com for more on these trends.
