Micro Kitchen Design

According to the United Nations, by 2030 the world’s population is expected to hit 5 billion! This population explosion may significantly drive down the average size of living spaces. With this information FirstBuild created their very first challenge, the FirstBuild Micro-Kitchen Challenge. This challenge asked participants to create a fully functioning kitchen in a 7ft x 25 space. Five kitchen designs from participants in four countries were chosen, and now FirstBuild is working on incorporating elements of each of the designs in micro-kitchen prototypes. These prototypes will be manufactured and first sold to test markets.  Let’s take a look at what our future kitchen could look like.  

Below are the 5 chosen designs.

 

This micro-kitchen’s clean and simple design is spot on. It has all the amenities required in a kitchen without feeling cluttered. This micro-kitchen looks like it has a pull-out breakfast bar that can be hidden if not used, and will still allow for drawer use. What a great detail!     

 

The perfect micro-kitchen for the urban loft owner. It has plenty of storage space and the pop of red adds a fun touch to the white cabinets. This design also has a pull-out breakfast bar. A noticeable feature for micro-kitchen designs.   

 

 

This could be what a 2030 home will look like! The charcoal grey and white micro-kitchen is tucked up against what looks like a closet and loft style sleeping quarters. The prominent feature with this design are the stemware racks, the built-in TV, and the butcher block above the kitchen’s appliances. The butcher block serves as both a cooking area and countertop. Just add a couple barstools. 

 

Another clean and simple design! This is a glimpse of a family of four’s micro-kitchen. Electric stove top, raised butcher block, and camouflaged storage and appliance space.    

 

This kitchen is perfect for the eclectic micro-kitchen owner! The sea green and turquoise accent line on the cabinetry, the diamond patterned tile, and the light wood backsplash and countertop create a fun and unique design! It has a space for everything. Even a place for your washing machine! How convenient!  

Can you picture yourself 16 years from now with a micro-kitchen similar to the ones above? What else does the future of interior design hold?  

Emerging Interior Design Trends

Stone: Marble Furniture

This elegant material has been making its way into kitchens and bathrooms for a long time, but as of lately it has been making a statement in furniture design. Marble is breaking away from solely being used as countertops and backsplashes and emerging into desk lamps, table tops, side tables, and accessories. Add a marble piece to your space to add a sophisticated modern appeal. It will certainly be a piece to admire and to talk about.  

 

A solid marble table lamp by

Jonathan Adler can be found here.

 

 

A luxurious calacatta marble table by

Sean Woolsey can be found here.

 

 

A great example of how to incorporate a solid marble side table

into your living room! This modern eclectic living room

was designed by Jake Curtis. More photos of

his work can be seen here. 

 

Metal Finish: Rose Gold

An exciting new trend!  Rose gold is easing its way into the lime light and making its way onto the shelves in the form of faucets, accessories, and lighting. This gorgeous material puts a feminine touch on any space.   

 

This gorgeous rose gold Dorn Bracht mounted

kitchen faucet can be found  here.

 

 

This CB2 geometric rose gold candle holder

can be found here.

 

 

This lovely rose gold vintage pendant

by Arteriors can be found here.

Metal Finish: Copper
Another metal finish trend, copper! This trend is really taking off. Instead of using a chrome, satin nickel, or oil rubbed bronze finish, copper is being requested to bring a new metal into the mix. Copper accent pieces add a unique character to any space.

 

For this dining room, designer, Jake Curtis,

used copper accents (pendant, vase, and plate) 

to add an unexpected touch to the space.

See more of Jake Curtis' work here.

 

 

This mid century modern copper

pendant from Anthropologie

can be found here.

 

 

This 3-piece shiny copper flatware

set from CB2 can be found here.

 

 

Wood: Natural Shape Furniture

Wood furniture is taking on wood's natural shapes, highlighting the unexpected curves and beautiful grain into statement pieces. The full length wood frame mirror, natural wood top accent table, and wood bed frame below are perfect examples. Add a unique natural shaped wood piece to your space to give it a rustic and nature like charm.

 

 

An example of how to incorporate

a natural wood shape piece

into your bedroom! This full length wood

framed mirror was added into a

bedroom designed by Tessa Neustadt.

More of her work can be seen here.

 

 

This natural wood accent table, from

HD Buttercup, can be found here.

 

 

This unique natural wood shaped bed frame,

by The Joinery, can be found  here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to School: Dorm Room Essential

It’s that time of the year when summer vacation comes to an end and you head to all the “back to school” sales.  Some students will be starting their first day of college and moving into their “new home” for the next 9 months. Usually, dorms are not the most ideal living space when it comes to design, but there are ways to add your personal touch.

We stumbled upon this INLET by LivingPlug, and think it’s both a stylish and functional essential for dorm life. The INLET provides a high capacity USB 2.1a circuit, 3 tamper resistant receptacles (outlets), and an “Unplug” button to kill vampire charges. In addition the interchangeable faceplate system allows you to make your INLET unique by choosing from the INLET faceplate design options or by creating your own! Not only does the INLET enhance the outlet's overall utility, but it conserves energy as well.  

Instead of having an outlet with only two plugs they can have an outlet with three plugs and an additional USB plug-in. An INLET can be plugged into an existing outlet and would be perfect for a student who needs to charge their laptop and iPhone at the same time, while still having their desk lamp plugged in for those late night study sessions. He or she won’t have to worry about switching their charging cords when one device runs out of battery anymore with their INLET!

Here are a few of our favorite INLET faceplates that will add a fun design to any dorm!  Click on the photos below to take you directly to that specific INLET's homepage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To see ways you can incorporate an INLET to your space visit LivingPlug's facebook page here.