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The Kettle is Cancelled: Gen Z Predicts The Kitchen of 2075

  • New Wickes research among Gen Z adults reveals the kitchen staples they believe will vanish within 50 years
  • AI chefs, hydroponic gardens and built‑in TikTok studios tipped to replace today’s appliances
  • A concept kitchen has now been created in collaboration with Wickes Design Consultants and Professor Deborah Sugg Ryan, based on the findings

Kettles, toasters and even ovens could be ‘cancelled’ from British kitchens by 2075 - according to new research* among Generation Z.

A survey of 2,011 UK adults, including 1,010 aged 18–27, commissioned by home improvement retailer, Wickes, found that the youngest generation of homeowners expect many of today’s kitchen staples to vanish within 50 years.

Instead, they predict AI‑powered chefs (32%), self‑sustaining hydroponic gardens (21%), zero‑waste systems (19%) and even built‑in content creation studios (11%) will become standard features.

To bring these predictions to life, Wickes worked with its in‑house Design Consultants and Professor Deborah Sugg Ryan to create a visionary CGI digital rendering that visualises the kitchen of 2075.

"The kitchen has always been a mirror of the times - from the post‑war prefab kitchen to today’s open‑plan living spaces. By 2075, the kitchen will be a multifunctional hub that reflects Gen Z’s values: sustainability, wellness, and digital connectivity. Expect seamless integration of AI, eco‑innovation, and spaces designed as much for broadcasting as for cooking."

Professor Deborah Sugg Ryan design historian and author

While Baby Boomers say they can’t imagine life without a kettle, almost a quarter of Gen Z (24%) believe it will be obsolete by 2075.

The findings suggest a radical shift in the nation’s kitchens, with one in five (20%) expecting bulky fridges and freezers to disappear, replaced by sleek, multi‑functional units hidden behind handleless cabinetry. Insight from Wickes Design Consultants shows that these subtle shifts are already starting to happen in store. Customers are now leaning towards more modern, simple units that are both smart and practical. Minimalist designs, such as the Madison handleless appliance doors, are becoming best-sellers due to their contemporary feel and easy-to-clean finish.

Driven by Gen Z’s focus on sustainability, health and digital living - and a move away from the bulky, wired appliances favoured by older generations, large ovens and microwaves - once the centrepiece of the kitchen - are also on the endangered list, with 23% of Gen Z predicting they will no longer exist.

"By 2075, the kitchen won’t just be where we cook - it will be the smartest room in the house. Hidden appliances, self‑cleaning surfaces and AI chefs will take care of the hard work, while modular layouts and mood‑responsive lighting will adapt in seconds to whatever the day brings. For Gen Z, the kitchen of the future is effortless, sustainable and always ready for its close‑up."

Dan Ferrari Head of Kitchens at Wickes

The Kitchen of 2075 - Key Predictions from Gen Z

  • AI Chef & Nutrition Planner - holographic or ultra‑thin display for guided cooking and personalised meal plans (32%).
  • Hydroponic Garden - fresh herbs and greens grown in a self‑contained, soil‑free system (21%).
  • Zero‑Waste System - discreet waste‑to‑energy chute integrated into the worktop (19%).
  • Appliance Garage - clutter‑free countertops with hidden multi‑use appliances (14%).
  • Content Creation Zone - built‑in ring light and camera mount for filming recipes or hosting live streams (11%).
  • Mood‑Responsive Lighting - customisable LED accents to suit cooking, dining, or entertaining (15%).

From tailored advice in store to working with expert Design Consultants, Wickes helps make kitchen dreams a reality. Wickes offers a free design service including a home visit and measure. Book your FREE appointment today at wickes.co.uk/designconsultant. 

Notes to Editors    

*Mortar Research carried out a survey targeting Gen Z and Non-Gen Z adults in the UK. The sample included a good spread of gender, age and region. The survey asked respondents about how they use their kitchens, how they feel about kitchen appliances, and how they think kitchens will be used in the future.

Demographic: 2,011 UK respondents

Sample date: 28.08.2025 – 29.08.2025

For more information, please get in touch with the Wickes Press Office at Clarion Communications on 020 7479 0910 or email wickes@clarioncomms.co.uk

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About Wickes    

Wickes is a digitally led, service-enabled home improvement retailer. With an extensive range of products and DIY brands, a Kitchen & Bathroom design and installation service, solar panel offerings, and a loyalty scheme for local trade, Wickes is the perfect partner to help with both small and large-scale projects. With 230 stores across the UK and an extended range online, it has everything customers need, whether an amateur DIY-er or trade professional.