‘Aging in place’ is becoming something that is preferred by seniors across New Zealand, with the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently and comfortably.

This means more than the comforts of home – it means retaining a sense of independence and ownership well into retirement. As technology advances, we are able to remodel our homes to make this lifestyle easier to obtain and give us the kitchens of the future as we age. Overall, the kitchen is one of the more dangerous rooms in the home. It’s also a room in which we spend a large amount of time.

Our Kleenmaid induction cooktops include many safety features that make these cooktops a real asset when safety is a priority. They recognize the presence of pots and pans in the cooking area, automatically turning off and cooling just a few seconds after they are removed. The induction glass surface is only activated by contact with pots and pans and for this reason, the degree of heating of the induction surface is clearly less than more traditional surfaces. Spill protection comes as a standard feature on all Kleenmaid’s induction cooktops. They recognize when liquid is sitting on the cooking surface and will automatically shut off if not cleaned up. They will also turn off the cooktop in the event of overheating, long absence or an accidental start.

ICT9021 & ICT8021 also feature Thermal Dynamic Sensors. These sensors measure the temperature of the cookware and automatically adjust the cooktop’s power output to prevent the cookware from getting too hot (including if a pot were to boil dry). This reduces the risk of two things, burning the food and overheating the cooktop; very clever. One misconception is that induction hobs affect pace makers, which is unfounded.

Wall ovens are one of the most versatile, convenient and safe versions of an oven to have in an aging in place residence. They can be placed in multiple locations and accessible heights. They can also be aligned with the adjacent countertop, reducing the need to bend or lift.  You also may be able to reduce accidents by installing a pullout counter directly underneath the oven, making it easy to set dishes down as soon as they are pulled from the oven.

Ikon have a large range of wall ovens to choose from and all come with Thermal Reflective Glass and EzyKleen enamel as standard features. Thermal Reflective Glass ensures the heat is retained within the oven and not lost through the glass, meaning fingers won’t be burnt if the oven is accidentally touched while cooking. EzyKleen Oleophobic (oil repelling) enamels are safer as they are nickel free and non-toxic. They are cheaper as the cleaning cycle is only 30 minutes, not 3 hours so they use less energy. Lower cleaning temperatures of 250°C as opposed to 470°C means less wear on oven electronics and hardware.

Sinks are a hotbed of activity in any kitchen.  Consider both the height and depth of the sink to give optimal accessibility. It’s much easier to rinse vegetables and dishes in a shallow sink and it will mean that anyone washing the dishes won’t have to bend too far over to reach the drain. We have shallow sinks options that would be ideal in this situation including Compact 10, Diplomat 10 and Queen R30 from our range of Regent sinks. All are around 15-20cm deep, which is the recommended depth for making accessibility easier. Matching a shallow sink with tapware with sprayer attachments or pullout nozzles will make washing dishes a breeze. Tapware must be matched with the right type of sink to get the best use out of both.

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The kitchen has slowly moved from a space reserved for simply cooking and preparing food, to becoming the entertainment hub of the home, and appliances used for cooking have now become a statement on their own.

High-end appliances improve resale, allow for gourmet cooking and provide proper temperature controls, all while looking sleek and sustaining durability, efficiency and longevity.  Ikon have multiple appliances that are ideal for connecting food culture with advanced technology

Ceiling Rangehoods are a great option for cooking in combination with island bench units.  Sleek and stylish the slimline design of these products means the homeowner can enjoy open plan living and socialize without a big bulky rangehood getting in the way.  They can inserted into the ceiling, hidden away or created as a feature and can be used up to 3 meters away from the cooking zone. They are frequently used overseas in cultures where island cooking is a priority, New Zealand is just starting to take on this trend.

With a controlled environment perfectly suited to meet the needs of both young and aged wine, our beverage cabinet not only protects and stores wine but does so efficiently and affordably.  It offers the convenience of being able to store wine in one dedicated spot that can fit anywhere from a kitchen counter to a built-in unit which fits right in with the kitchen cabinets. Rather than storing wine in a basement or closet, wine can be right there in the kitchen near the preferred serving area – bring your wine cellar right into the kitchen.

On the cutting edge of cooking technology today are steam/convection ovens. Steam is one of the healthiest ways to cook a meal. Traditional ovens pull moisture out of the food as it cooks, while in a steam oven food is cooked in its own juices, enhancing flavor and retaining nutrients. Ikon have a range of steam ovens that will add a touch of class to any kitchen. Aside from the benefits of hydrolytic cleaning, our Hydrolytic™ convection & steam oven features EzyKleen Oleophobic (oil repelling) enamel which has been scientifically proven to repel grease and dirt, making cleaning up a breeze.

Perhaps the most overlooked, yet most critical function in the kitchen is the tap and sink with the most used appliance in the kitchen being the tap/sink combination. On average, a family of four will use their sink area 20-30 times a day. We encourage designers to think about reallocating budgets towards this most heavily used ‘appliance’ allowing clients to spend more for better quality and more attractive solutions.

Some of the products featured in this article:

Designing a kitchen is one thing, but designing a small kitchen can seem as if it demands compromises, whether that’s in functionality, or style. But with good planning even the most compact of kitchens can work efficiently and look fabulous.

Appliances that maximise kitchen space, that are compact but don’t compromise in style and quality are the key. With space at a premium in today’s compact living environments we have products that may be the solution you’re looking for.

A flush mounted Flow-In 2-in-1 cooktop with integrated downdraft system enables designing clean lines without the need for a bulky rangehood and can create space for additional storage instead.  The Flow-In solves the challenge of extraction on kitchen islands where it is impossible to use traditional or even built-in rangehoods and works well for kitchenettes and smaller kitchen spaces as the 520mm cooktop is perfectly adaptable to the standard depth of a 600mm countertop. The compact unit provides more space in the cabinet underneath the cooktop to maximise storage.

Downdraft extractors are a perfect solution for kitchen layouts where you can’t duct up into the roof cavity. We recommend purchasing one of our remote motor options to maximise cabinetry space, as the motor can be stored elsewhere in the home. They are also ideal for those who have windows behind their cooking space. With a touch of a button, the extractor can be raised out of the benchtop when needed and provides a powerful extraction solution while creating a modern and uncluttered look.

Sink Stations are a fantastic option for small kitchens when there’s a need to make use of as much bench space as possible. When the chopping board and roller mat and insert bowl are in place, Sink Stations can be used as a double sink option without the large cut out in the benchtop.  Giving kitchens a large sink to wash big pots or a small option for more delicate washing.  The mat offers drainage within the sink, hot pot placements and preparation of fruit & vegetables.  This is a great extension of the bench without having to compromise on space.

Slide-out rangehoods are real space savers and a great option if you have a narrow or small kitchen as they sit neatly underneath a cupboard and can pulled out when needed to eliminate steam and odours.  These now come in more powerful extraction units which are more effective

One of our products that epitomises the true meaning of versatile is our steam/convection/microwave oven. It can bake, steam, grill or simply microwave – this oven boasts 11 conventional cooking, 8 steam and an impressive 80 auto cooking menus. It also has a generous oven capacity of 35 litres. It ticks an impressive amount of boxes and replaces the necessity for multiple appliances filling valuable kitchen space.

Some of the products featured in this article:

And finally, for apartment design, our recirculating rangehood is a perfect solution. These rangehoods don’t require ducting as they utilise a fan to filter air then recirculate it back into the kitchen.

Ikon Sink Stations are designed here in New Zealand by OUR experts for the Kiwi home.

Drain your dishes and clean vegetables all in one place. There’s a large enough sink underneath to wash your big cooking dishes, even bathe the dog. Ok, maybe not a St Bernard, but your average size dog might appreciate an indulgent pampering session in one of our bigger sink stations.  

Sink Stations are a fantastic option for small kitchens when there’s a need to make use of as much bench space as possible. When the chopping board and roller mat and insert bowl are in place, Sink Stations can be used as a double sink option without the large cut out in the benchtop.  Giving kitchens a large sink to wash big pots or a small option for more delicate washing.  The mat offers drainage within the sink, hot pot placements and preparation of fruit & vegetables.  This is a great extension of the bench without having to compromise on space and are a fantastic option for small kitchens when you need to make use of as much bench space as possible.

With an insert bowl, you can save water and do a small wash. They are also ideal for holding beer, wine and ice when entertaining.

We have a large selection of sink stations to choose from. There are currently 10 models available and almost all of our sink stations (except for the Mini, IK8250) come with a FREE chopping board and roller mat

Some of our best selling sink stations: