Before we jump into the trends we see for 2020, we would like to give appliances the credit they deserve. Appliances are not only an important part of a kitchen design, they should enhance a client's lifestyle. How do appliances enhance a client's lifestyle?

• By giving a client the ability to prepare restaurant quality meals

• Allowing them to use techniques always available to chefs

• Improve / change their shopping habits with unique storage

• Reliable preservation for your fresh food & frozen food

• Easy clean-up

• Specialty appliances make life easier, fun & delicious

• Provide a home design that creates an inspiring atmosphere

We see the following trends for 2020. Some are continuing from past years and others we believe will become the "new norm".

• Specialty products will become more desirable due to the amazing techniques and lifestyle changes they add to a client's repertoire of cooking, drinking, convenience & storage choices.

• Consumers are seeking uniqueness in their kitchens. They want built-in coffee machines, wine storage, blast chillers, combi-steam ovens, walk in fridges.

• Stainless steel will continue to dominate the kitchen. The look fits all style kitchens.

• Matte black and white stainless continue as the top colors under traditional stainless

• Hiding appliances with cabinetry panels is still a choice for many clients

• Custom ranges in colorful palette choices will continue to grow, like in Europe.

• Smart features are a factor in appliance choices . Clients like using apps to control their appliances.

Let's look at several unique products only chefs have enjoyed for years. Now consumers can own them in their home. With increasingly busy lifestyles, consumers are also looking for products to streamline their cooking, preparing and shopping.

• Built-in-Coffee Makers - The features now offered rival the baristas. Some have memory so you can save a favorite style by name. Coffee choices have grown - cappuccino, espresso, latte. Steamed milk. Miele Coffee Machine

• True commercial cooking - Brands such as Bonnet French Cooking Suites allow the affluent client to build their own range. The features exactly match the commercial Bonnet ranges built for restaurants such as The French Laundry and Jean-Georges. You can even build a Wolf steam oven or Gaggenau wine unit into your suite. Cooking Suites

• 18" dishwashers, such as Bosch introduced, are great for small kitchens, Kosher kitchens , ADA kitchens and additional cleaning for holiday and family parties. Bosch 18” DW

• Combi-steam ovens are increasingly popular. This is different than a regular steam oven which does not brown. Combi-steam ovens such as Miele, Bertazzoni and Rational, steam and brown as well as more features. You get the fast cooking, succulent foods by steaming and can brown in the same unit. This saves you the extra step of browning in a frying pan. Healthier, faster, delicious food. Units like Rational, which is a commercial unit for the home, is a self cooing center. No experience in cooking necessary to make amazing meals. Kim Kardashian has the larger size Rational units in her kitchen. Combi-Steam Center

• Walk-In Refrigeration - Companies like Arctic for the Home make walk-in fridges, just like in commercial applications, for residential use. They build to order so you can choose a perfect fit for your kitchen, put it in the garage, basement, etc... They also let you choose if you want a combination of fridge/freezer or all fridge or freezer. Walk-in Fridges and Freezers are a life saver for families who live in remote areas, large families, and families that entertain often. The addition of a walk-in can also streamline shopping and adds food storage for emergencies. Walk-In Fridges

• Blast Chill/Blast Freezer - Irinox out of Italy is the first commercial appliance manufacturer of blast chillers to create a built in for the home. You can prepare meals and blast chill or freeze them. Then set the timer to thaw and reheat your meals - just in time for you to get home. The best part is due to the speed and method of chilling or freezing, your meals taste exactly like you just prepared it. It maintains the color, vitamin and consistency of just cooked or raw foods. You can also blast freeze produce and when it is thawed, it tastes fresh picked. No more soggy fruit out of the standard freezer. This is how restaurants serve fresh local berries in January. This is a time saver and will give you fresh prepared meals and foods all year long. Blast Chill!

• Wine storage in the kitchen continues to be a statement piece and allows ease of access. The basement wine cellar can be visited at your convenience. Gaggenau Wine Units

• Hearth Ovens - Ovens such as Woodstone creates an amazing ambiance in a client's home. Besides the delightful cooking results, the look and feel completely transforms a room. They are also perfect for the outdoor kitchen which is another continuing trend into 2020. Hearth Ovens