By Jane Kariuki
House hunting is the bane of many urban residents’ lives. Trudging from estate to estate,
neighbourhood to neighbourhood, and going up and down stairs, is not fun for anyone. More often than
not, all that hassle is just to walk around underwhelming, yet seemingly overpriced houses wondering
when the pain will just stop.
Even when you walk into the houses that are gleaming on the outside, with fancy large and well-
finished living rooms, the kitchens still look dreary and cramped. You stand there in this tiny room
wondering just how you are expected to fit all your appliances and have some counter space left over
to cut up the vegetables and knead the chapati dough when you cook.
To many, these tiny kitchens stand as a reminder to work hard and build their own houses where they
will do better. And that is possible; especially for the people who keep their ear to the ground listening
for the best and most efficient trends in home design.
The world is running away from the “four walls and nothing else” approach of building kitchens. Now,
homeowners and renters want kitchens that fit into the modern functional aesthetic of open spaces,
pristine countertops, and loads of storage. This includes cleverly integrating everything into the design
and not having things tacked on as additions later.
Built-in appliances are the present and the future. Their integration in Kenyan homes aligns with global
trends in kitchen design, emphasising seamless aesthetics paired with functionality. Furthermore, the
concept of the “invisible kitchen” where appliances blend with cabinetry to create a cohesive look is
gaining traction all over for minimising visual distractions and allowing the kitchen to merge with living
spaces.
In Kenya, real estate developers are slowly catching up, incorporating state-of-the-art kitchen
appliances into residential project to add value and appeal to potential customers.
To match this, appliance manufacturers are now turning to sleek, yet minimalist designs that fit in a
variety of kitchens whether they are contemporary, cottage style, galley, or even industrial design.
However, built-in kitchens are not only a matter of style and aesthetic; they are changing the interaction
between people and their homes. A stand-alone oven may take up space in the kitchen, while a built-in
one disappears into the background until it is needed. It changes how cooks move around their
kitchens and, considering cooking is often a communal activity, who can join in the fun.
The advantages of built-in appliances also include environmental consciousness. With modern design
and technology, manufacturers are creating appliances that are not only beautiful and integrated, but
also energy efficient. In the past, energy-saving features were seen as optional extras. Today, they are
central to purchasing decisions.
The impact of these developments extend beyond individual homes. Developers who offer high-quality
integrated appliances enjoy a competitive advantage, signalling modernity and sophistication to
prospective buyers and renters. Homes with built-in appliances attract better selling and rent prices
because, for residents, the benefits are clear – less clutter, easier cleaning and a living environment
that feels intentionally designed rather than pieced together.
The future of urban housing is likely to continue in this trajectory where compact and efficient living is a
sustainable response to the changing realities of urban growth. While once viewed primarily as styling
upgrades, built-in appliances are now being considered essential tools for modern living.
Technology will continue to drive this evolution. As smart home ecosystems become more widespread,
appliances will integrate more deeply into digital living networks, allowing homeowners to control their
ovens, fridges and dishwashers from their phones.
In this changing landscape, companies like LG which blend innovation, design, and sustainability will
play an important role in shaping how Kenya’s urban population lives. The rise of built-in kitchens is
definitely about more than just cooking; it reflects a broader shift towards thoughtful, efficient, and
future-ready urban homes.
The writer is the Head of Marketing at LG Electronics East Africa