The truly smart kitchen: More than just app control - innovative details hidden away

A well-planned kitchen is characterized not only by the quality of its main components such as fronts, countertops, and appliances. True efficiency and daily comfort often reveal themselves in thoughtful detailed solutions that address specific everyday problems. Specialized built-in appliances and fitting systems can significantly improve the functionality, order, and ergonomics of a kitchen. However, these niche products are often associated with high costs and specific technical requirements. This guide presents various integrated solutions, explains how they work, their advantages and disadvantages, and offers a critical assessment for kitchen planning.

1. Use of the plinth area: Storage and integrated functions

The plinth, that 10 to 15 centimeter high area between the base cabinet and the floor, is considered lost space in most kitchen plans and is merely covered with a panel. However, there are technical solutions to actively use this space.

Solution 1: The built-in plinth vacuum cleaner

• Function and technology: A compact suction device with a flat housing is invisibly installed in the kitchen plinth. The system is basically a mini central vacuum cleaner. Dry dirt such as crumbs, coffee grounds, or pet hair is swept with a broom in front of the suction opening. By pressing a foot switch (usually made of stainless steel), the powerful motor is activated and sucks in the dirt. The dirt ends up in an integrated, commercially available vacuum cleaner bag.
• Advantages: Enables quick, convenient, and ergonomic cleaning of small, everyday dirt without having to fetch a large vacuum cleaner or bend down.
• Disadvantages and considerations:
  • Costs: The purchase costs are significantly higher than for a conventional small device such as a cordless handheld vacuum cleaner.
  • Installation: Requires a dedicated power connection in the plinth area and a precise cutout in the plinth panel. Planning must be done early.
  • Limitations: The system is only suitable for dry dirt and does not replace a full vacuum cleaner for general floor cleaning. The suction power is concentrated on the immediate area in front of the opening.
  • Alternative: A lightweight, cordless handheld vacuum cleaner stored in a drawer with an integrated charging station offers a more flexible and cost-effective solution. It can be used throughout the apartment and is not tied to one location.

Solution 2: The integrated plinth step

• Function and technology: A special fitting system that turns the plinth area into a stable, extendable step. With light pressure, often combined with a push-to-open mechanism, the step slides out. It serves to safely reach the upper compartments of ceiling-high wall cabinets. High-quality systems automatically lock under load to prevent accidental sliding back and are designed for weights up to 150 kg. Often, a flat drawer is integrated directly under the stepping surface.
• Advantages: A firmly integrated and always available climbing aid that increases safety compared to handling a wobbly chair. It can also be useful for children to safely reach the countertop or sink.
• Disadvantages and considerations:
  • Costs: It is an expensive special fitting system that significantly increases the price of the respective base cabinet.
  • Storage compromise: The system reduces the height of the lowest drawer in the cabinet above by the height of the step construction (approx. 10 to 15 cm). So regular storage space is exchanged for the stepping function.
  • Alternative: A high-quality, lightweight, and stable folding step. Modern design folding steps are extremely flat, can hang inconspicuously in a niche on the wall, or fit in a narrow gap next to the refrigerator. This solution is significantly cheaper and more flexible to use.

2. Appliance integration in the drawer: The tidy countertop

The countertop is the most valuable surface in the kitchen. Appliances that are used only a few minutes a day often block this space. Integrating these appliances into a drawer is an elegant but elaborate solution.

The foldable built-in toaster

• Function and technology: A full-fledged long-slot toaster is firmly mounted on a special, stable mechanism in a drawer (from 30 cm cabinet width). To use it, the drawer is pulled out and the device is folded up with one hand, where it locks in a vertical position. An integrated safety mechanism ensures that the power supply is only enabled in this upright and locked position. After cooling down, it is folded flat again, the power supply is automatically cut off, and it disappears in the drawer.
• Advantages: The work surface remains free of a rarely used appliance and thus always looks tidy.
• Disadvantages and considerations:
  • Costs: Significantly more expensive than a conventional, even very high-quality standalone device.
  • Repair/replacement: In case of a defect, the entire fixed installed unit must be replaced. A simple exchange for a new model from another manufacturer is not possible.
  • Safety and cleaning: Crumbs fall directly into the drawer and must be regularly removed to minimize fire risk.
  • Alternative: The conscious decision for an aesthetically pleasing design appliance that serves as a design element on the countertop, or simply storing a standard toaster in an easily accessible cabinet.

The foldable built-in slicer

• Function and technology: A complete metal slicer is mounted on a stable folding mechanism in a drawer (from 45 cm cabinet width). When needed, it is pulled out, unfolded, and locked.
• Advantages: Offers the functionality of a powerful device without permanently occupying space on the countertop. Ideal for users who frequently slice bread, sausage, or cheese themselves.
• Disadvantages and considerations:
  • Costs and space requirements: Requires a complete, wide drawer and represents a considerable investment.
  • Cleaning: Cleaning the device and removing cutting residues in the drawer can be more cumbersome than with a standalone device that can be placed in the sink for cleaning.
  • Alternative: Purchasing a high-quality standalone device that is stored in an easily accessible pantry cabinet or on a stable pull-out shelf in the base cabinet when not in use.

The cordless built-in hand blender with charging station

• Function and technology: A battery-powered hand blender is stored in a custom-fit charging station in the drawer, which is connected to the power grid.
• Advantages: The device is always tidy, fully charged, and ready to use immediately. Cordless use increases safety (no cable near hot pots) and comfort.
• Disadvantages and considerations:
  • Costs: More expensive than a conventional hand blender with a cable.
  • Battery life: As with all battery devices, the battery wears out and its capacity decreases over the years. The battery is often not easily replaceable.
  • Alternative: A high-quality hand blender with a sufficiently long spiral cable and a well-thought-out storage solution in a drawer insert.

3. Conclusion and recommendation for new kitchen appliances

The integrated detailed solutions presented here offer a high degree of comfort, order, and a purist aesthetic. However, they are consistently in the upper price segment and represent niche products whose integration into kitchen planning should be based on a rational cost-benefit analysis.

Before deciding on such a solution, the following questions should be critically examined:

1. Problem definition: Which everyday problem really bothers me so much that I am willing to invest a significant amount in a specialized, built-in solution?
2. Cost-benefit consideration: Is the financial additional expense in reasonable proportion to the gained comfort? How often will I use this special function per month?
3. Analysis of alternatives: Is there a simpler, more flexible, and more cost-effective standard solution that also solves 80 percent of the problem?

In many cases, thoughtful organization with standard solutions (e.g., a high-quality handheld vacuum cleaner in a charging station, a stable folding step in a niche) can offer comparable benefits at significantly lower costs. The presented built-in solutions are an option for plans where a maximum degree of integration, a uncompromisingly tidy appearance, and a high budget are the focus.