With homes decreasing in size, countertop space becomes more and more precious. As a result, cooking appliances are becoming more streamlined, with many performing multiple roles instead of just the one. Multicookers and all-in-one appliances that can bake, steam, grill, measure and even provide recipe suggestions are slowly becoming the norm as they save both space and time. These “uber-appliances” are usually designed to be highly user-friendly, with aesthetically-pleasing features and step-by-step guides built into the system.

Whipping up fancy feasts (or even a simple dinner) won’t take ages, not with cutting-edge ovens that are engineered with a host of clever features to make light work of cooking and meal prep. High-tech sensors will automatically monitor and regulate the cooking process for immaculate roasts and bakes, and automatic functions let you choose from preset recipes, so the oven does all the heavy lifting for you. Hate having to clean afterwards? These futuristic ovens feature pyrolytic self-cleaning to degrease or can generate steam to prevent the buildup of limescale and make cleaning super easy.

This kitchen workhorse has gotten major upgrades over the years, but the latest models show that we’ve only just scratched the surface. The new generation of refrigerators don’t just keep your groceries at optimal temperatures – they’re WiFi-enabled so you can conveniently look inside either remotely via a smartphone app no matter where you are, or through unique tinted glass panels that keep cool air from escaping. Some even come with integrated touch screens, so your fridge can recommend recipes based on your existing ingredients, and remind you when your vegetables are expiring, helping to reduce food wastage.

Future kitchens will make sure you hydrate well, too. This comes in the form of compact water filter systems, flasks and pitchers that are easy to use and contain advanced filters that work hard to sieve out impurities and give your household cleaner and more purified water to drink. They also take the hassle out of conventional stovetop boiling, and tankless designs are more hygienic as they reduce the chances of contamination. No more large and clunky units that are an eyesore, the newest versions are sleek, slim and a perfect companion for the modern home.

Make your morning brew from the comfort of your bed with the latest coffee machines that can be remotely activated and programmed via a smartphone app. It’s almost like having your own robot barista, which dispenses the exact amount of coffee-to-milk ratio depending on the option you choose, be it a cappuccino or latte. Café-worthy beverages can be served up in a pinch!

The walls have come down and layouts are becoming more fluid. While kitchens and dining rooms used to be segregated, the open-concept trend sees them becoming a combined space and the focal point of homes. This means extended countertops that double up as dining tables and prep space, glass doors and windows that open up space, as well as more appliances built into the cabinetry for a sleek and seamless look.

Laundry spaces, which are typically an extension of the kitchen space, are also getting an upgrade. Imagine putting your clothes in to wash before leaving for work and coming back to a freshly washed pile, or getting to wash two separate loads at the same time, or being able to add another item to the wash even when the cycle has started?

That’s what you can look forward to with today’s most advanced washing machines, which can be synced with your phone so you can start your wash remotely, or have special settings that let you delay your wash at your convenience.

This post was published on November 13, 2018, and updated on August 29, 2020.

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