December 27, 2019

Urbanization is increasing in popularity, and so interior designers are looking for more ways to save on valuable square footage in a tiny kitchen or bath. Fortunately, manufacturers are answering the call with space-efficient products; these innovative designs make good use of every inch available. KBB spoke with five of these creative manufacturers to find out more about the challenges in this market, the trends they are seeing and where they feel the movement is going next.

Why are small-space products growing in demand?
“The trend toward smaller living spaces and the challenge of limited space in urban markets have impacted product development, marketing and merchandising across a number of homewares categories, including home organization, furniture and kitchenware. This has inspired consumers to think about flexibility, efficiency and lifestyle compatibility when making a purchase.” – Daniela Maldonado, Liebherr marketing manager for the Americas

“From retirees who are tired of cleaning a giant kitchen to urban millennials who prioritize location over square footage, smaller living spaces have a much wider appeal than the old shoebox apartments of the past. Whether you’re renting or buying, size just doesn’t mean what it used to. There’s less time for housekeeping than previous generations, so for many, the very idea of a huge six-plus-bedroom home is daunting! When you see an adorable tiny home that seems to pack everything you need into a less-expensive, smaller footprint, the appeal is hard to deny.” – Emily Intravia, marketing manager for Summit Appliance

“A variety of lifestyle changes taking place across the country have created consumer demand for quality, compact appliances in the kitchen that also embody streamlined design. Small-space living is continuing to be embraced amid a heightened understanding that living in small spaces doesn’t have to mean sacrificing amenity and appliance capabilities of ‘full-sized’ homes. Whether it’s young professionals moving into big cities with small kitchens, first-time buyers wanting style but not having space for larger appliances or empty nesters downsizing as their children leave home, the demand for space-saving appliances is applicable to a variety of lifestyles and living spaces.” – Anja Prescher, director of brand marketing at Bosch Home Appliances

The 24-in. Liebherr HCB 1060 Integrable Fridge-Freezer with BioFresh and NoFrost has door-on-door technology that allows for custom paneling to be affixed directly onto the appliance door, ensuring that the cabinet and refrigerator door open as one, allowing for additional design options and easy installation.

What characteristics are evident in the most successful space-saving products?
“Products need to take into account the environment in which they live. The point when appliances can be contextualized and designed to work with their surrounding environments is the point when they can be seen as a tool for inspiration and optimized for their usefulness. It’s very important to remember we are designing products to fit into lifestyles and always remind ourselves it’s not ‘all about us.’” – Whirlpool Corporation

“Space saving means more than just small. If products aren’t designed with end use in mind, you might be left with a whole bunch of ‘space-saving’ pieces that have to be piled on top of each other. Appliances, for example, have always been available in compact sizes, but many commodity units are not designed for built-in or zero-clearance installation. It’s great to have a 20-in.-wide refrigerator, but if your unit needs an additional 4 inches of space on each side, all you’ve done for your small kitchen is reduce your storage capacity. Smart design means considering exactly how a smaller product will fit into a space-challenged area, right down to the smallest detail.”– Intravia, Summit Appliance

“These products should function and look like their larger counterparts. People do not wish to compromise when it comes to the performance – or the look – of their kitchen appliances; they want the same features with all the power and premium benefits as their full-sized counterparts. Limited space doesn’t mean you have to downsize on quality or great looks. In fact, many times in small spaces, a pop of color can make a huge impact in terms of design. And, since the products are more diminutive, people are sometimes even more emboldened to make a dramatic design statement.” – Eliza Woolston Sheffield, president, BlueStar

“It’s essential that small-space appliances adhere to absolute form and function, with each element serving a purpose. It’s also ideal that appliances don’t protrude into the open space of smaller kitchens.  Additionally, in a compact kitchen, every square inch needs to be considered and used efficiently.” – Prescher, Bosch

The 24-in. RNB Gas Range from BlueStar can be tailored to suit cooking preferences. In addition to burners, designers can choose from integrated grill tops, griddles or even chef-inspired French tops.

Where do you feel space-saving products in the kitchen and bath will go in the near future?
“I believe that moving forward, we are going to be seeing places and spaces that are more multifunctional. In this environment, space-saving products will become increasingly intelligent in their design, offering consumers more all-in-one solutions that are both smart and easy to digest. As these products become more intelligent, they will not only diminish their physical footprint, but they will also reduce the need for other products in your home, making living in smaller spaces easier and more comfortable.” – Maldonado, Liebherr

“Most of us are not ready to sacrifice all the conveniences we grew up with in our traditional kitchens, meaning we will have to find more creative ways to maintain functionality in less space. One of the most space- and cost-saving solutions is to reduce the number of products one needs by combining the functions where possible: speed ovens that double as microwaves, super-slim refrigerator-freezers that include icemakers and all-in-one washer/dryer combos.” – Intravia, Summit Appliance

“At BlueStar, we continue to listen to what our customers really want and need, and that’s what dictates our design. That’s how we design every one of our products. We first learn about the target customer and develop a few key elements that are critical to the product. As our product is a kitchen appliance, we look to people who use these appliances to get feedback about what is desirable. This includes listening to kitchen designers, professional chefs, home cooks and other food prep enthusiasts who just know what they want in the kitchen and provide valuable insight, whether we are talking small spaces or large.” – Sheffield, BlueStar

“Space saving products have to take into account their environment and are often more flexible in their install methods and location. This flexibility and sensitivity to its surroundings will open up new opportunities for more seamlessly integrated product. It will be a time where product function and location are no longer driven by the products individual intent, but instead driven by the rooms intended experience.” – Whirlpool Corporation

The 6-in.-wide SWC007 Wine Refrigerator from Summit Appliances can be installed under counters and is flush with cabinetry. It also works for more traditionally sized kitchens, where builders find themselves with too much cabinet space.

JennAir has small space products  available to the public now in two different design expressions – RISE and NOIR. JennAir Brand also offers modular cooktops to allow endless possibilities and configurations that can be scaled as large or (as small) as your home and heart allows.