Understanding Purposeful Design: All About the Kitchen

written by Dan Brunn

Have you ever walked into a space and felt immediately at home? It’s a feeling that is hard to identify at first, but there’s just something about the design, layout, or even the vibe of the space that makes you feel at ease. If you read my last post, you likely know what creates this feeling. As you may have guessed, it’s purposeful design.

Last month, I talked all about the tenants of purposeful design: inherent usability, familiarity, and timelessness. From my perspective as an architect, it’s clear that the feeling of home I referenced above is created by each of these three tenants is present. When a space is designed with purpose, you have an immediate sense that the architect took the time to think about how to best utilize each and every inch before even considering the aesthetics.

But the truth is that purposeful design is based as much on the design of a space as it is on the materials, furniture, and appliances that are placed within it. After all, if careful thought is put into designing the structure of a space, why wouldn’t you put the same level of contemplation into the items that round out the room?

This is especially true when it comes to the kitchen, and it’s one of the reasons I have always been drawn to Bosch home appliances. With Bosch there are no frills or gimmicks, just beautiful, functional pieces that bring that familiar feeling of home to any kitchen.

While I love all Bosch appliances for their functional pieces and modern design aesthetic, there are a few stand-out appliances that I simply cannot design a kitchen without. Whether you’re looking to remodel your kitchen or collecting ideas for your future dream home, read on for my three must-have appliances in any purposefully designed spaces.

1. SideOpening Wall Ovens

The average American kitchen often features a range with a cooktop above and an oven below. In some spaces, this certainly makes sense, but if you’re looking at a remodel or build a totally new kitchen, I would suggest flipping your perspective. Wall ovens are incredibly convenient, allowing you to easily place food inside or take food out without bending over, hunching, or lifting hot, heavy pans. But, what if innovation could make this appliance even more functional? Side opening oven doors, like those featured in the Bosch SideOpening Wall Oven open, allow even better access to the oven. Imagine being able to walk right up to your oven and easily pull out your very heavy Thanksgiving turkey from the oven, without having to bend over. This is the definition of purposeful design, where form follows function to create an even easier experience in your kitchen.

2. Downdraft hoods

Have you ever walked into a kitchen and wondered, “where’s the ventilation hood?” We’re used to seeing hoods above the cooktop, either built into the underside of a cabinet or microwave, or mounted above the cooktop as a standalone kitchen feature. A downdraft hood, on the other hand, is an elegant solution that retracts into your counter when not in use for a clean, uncluttered look that is the utter definition of purposeful design.

While ventilation hoods work wonders in your kitchen, clearing the air of grease and steam, there’s something about the Bosch downdraft hoods that continues to resonate with me. Not only does it function incredibly well because of the proximity to your cooktop, it traps particles faster meaning cleaner air in your kitchen and less residual odor. And it tucks away with the push of a button for a modern, seamless aesthetic. And my favorite part? When it’s time to clean your ventilation filter, simply pop the filter out and stick it into your dishwasher.

3. Custom Panels

I have always felt that the kitchen is the heart of the home. To this end, I strongly believe that appliances in the kitchen should resemble furniture more than the inside of a laboratory to create a peaceful and serene space. To achieve effortless integration between your appliances and cabinetry, custom paneling is the way to go. Custom panels are designed to match items like your dishwasher and refrigerator to your kitchen cabinetry, helping to transform your kitchen into a sleek Modern Haven without compromising the function of your appliances. Guests won’t know where your cabinets end and your appliances begin!