Throughout the quarantine, many people have dedicated a lot of time to personal hobbies. The rise of gaming and streaming has led to many high demands and buyouts. Computer graphics cards are extremely expensive and hard to find. With all the hype about gaming and streaming, does it end with just the computer? Can we incorporate this into a kitchen?
Gaming setups typically focus on a simplistic, clean, and modern aesthetic. We commonly see that these computers will feature RGB lights that change like a rainbow. The personal computer, desk, and chair are widely black or white in color. The chairs typically feature a European race car seat design.
Now that we know the aesthetic of gaming computer setups let’s recreate this with kitchen cabinets.
Why Would Anyone Want This in Their Kitchen?
No, we are not telling people to play computer games in the kitchen. However, kitchens can learn to incorporate ideas to either modernize or simplify the look. Sometimes a kitchen has too much going for it and looks too busy. Whether it is the clutter or too many countertop appliances, one may run out of room and space for
The Cabinets
photo: Cannibal KitchenWith a modern clean aesthetic, modern kitchen cabinets fit this image quite well. Much like computer setups, European cabinets are available in white, gray, black, and even a wide variety of finishes. Some of these finishes may include matte and gloss exteriors on the doors. Just like the computer setup, European cabinets feature a clean, modern design without any distractions.
To create a look where no distractions are present, handless kitchen cabinets are the prime objective. There are two ways to achieve this look: bar handles and push blum tips. Bar handles will attach to the very top of the cabinet door, which will sit flush under the countertop.
A gaming kitchen benefits from the lighting that is present in gaming computer set-ups. Having kitchen handles that do not bounce around the light will highlight the other features of the kitchen
Countertop in a Gaming Kitchen
photo: DwellWhen one looks at a gaming setup, no huge color separation is visible. The same should apply to a gaming kitchen. A dark countertop should work with grey or black cabinets, while white will work with its respective counterparts.
Even dark woodgrain options are viable with butcher block. One option not recommended is extremely busy designs. Granite, marble, and certain designs of quartz like Calacatta will stand out too much from the simple and sleek cabinets.
With the other features needed to incorporate in a gaming kitchen, one would not want traditional cabinet features to stand out like a sore thumb. This still depends on individual preferences.
White gloss cabinets may benefit from a Calacatta quartz countertop as there would not be much contrast. Definitely avoid excessive designs with the countertop while exploring the other characteristics of this kitchen trend.
Sink
photo: Construction Review OnlineLike other modern kitchens, a gaming kitchen will use an under-mount stainless steel sink basin. Single or double basins can be available options for the homeowner. This depends based on one’s preferences. Single basin sinks allow larger pots and baking trays to be cleaned more easily. Double basin sinks allow multitasking to be utilized.
Cleaning plates and food prep can be done simultaneously. Unlike other potential trends, there will be no ceramic sink, or farmhouse sink should be incorporated. Farmhouse sinks typically are focal points as the front basin protrudes from the cabinet front. Most modern kitchens do not want to incorporate features that stand out from the cabinets.
Lighting
photo: Minger LEDAs tempting as using RGB lighting solely in the kitchen sound, kitchen functionality needs traditional lighting to brighten the room. Modern kitchens will feature recessed lighting, which does not stand out. Some kitchens will feature a chandelier or lamp as the focal point of the kitchen.
Modern and contemporary kitchens will not feature a chandelier as the focal point. Multiple recessed lights will be lined to create a minimalistic look. Although most people may want to have RGB lighting on the lights, these will be the primary way of brightening the kitchen.
Most smart lightbulbs have the option to change the light colors. When having guests over or when cooking in the kitchen, it is recommended to use the smart lightbulb white-light setting.
RGB Lighting
photo: Southam DesignRGB light strips can be incorporated into the kitchen in many ways to recreate the RGB lighting found on gaming computer towers and keyboards.
The 2 most common are under-cabinet lighting and over-cabinet lighting.
As modern kitchen cabinets do not go up to the ceiling, adding lighting on top and underneath wall cabinets will create the lighting most gamers and streamers are familiar with. Having over-cabinet lighting is more difficult to achieve and will cost more to set up. There are some customers that prefer to have modern style wall cabinets go up to the ceiling. Different available options
Cable Management
photo: Kitchen MagicA kitchen workspace may be the one room that benefits from cable management. People will typically focus on cable management with office space or computer setups. Nobody likes seeing cables everywhere. Cable management helps organize and keep everything where it needs to go. The less clutter seen, the more clean a modern kitchen looks. This characteristic is present in gaming setups.
How does one pull off cable management in a kitchen? When remodeling a kitchen, installing outlets in locations that best hide visible wiring may be helpful. These may be on the side of an island or tucked away under the wall cabinets, not exposing the outlet socket on the wall.
This allows for clean full backsplash options without cutting an indent for the outlet. Another option is hidden outlets. They will have spring loaded button and will need to be pressed to reveal the sockets. Many people may not like the
Power Track
photo: EubiqWhen the backsplash is added, a rail system integrated into it is installed. The power track has slots for multiple types of adaptors that can be inserted anywhere along the rail.
To keep the look modern and minimalist, the adaptors can be pulled out of the track and plugged in only when used. The power track helps hide the look of outlet sockets that many people do not like breaking apart full backsplash options in the kitchen.
This rail can be installed using a wide variety of methods. The most common is high above the backsplash. Power rails can also be installed near the countertop for cables that are not extremely long. This option may be viable for charging appliances not typically found in the kitchen for easy access.
Lastly, the power track can be installed under the wall cabinet for those who do not want to see the metal bar visible. This may conflict with undercabinet lighting, so one can pick and choose which options they prefer to go with.
Smart Kitchen
photo: Metro Self StorageAlthough the concept of a smart kitchen is new, smart kitchens will add screens to the kitchen. The two common appliances incorporating smart features are microwave hoods and smart refrigerators.
They can even go above and beyond to function like a tablet to pull up recipes, browse the internet, or even access your phone’s data and information.
Smart kitchens are more than just putting high-end electronics in the kitchen; they are about incorporating a much easier way to accomplish tasks in the kitchen. Gaming setups have options like this via a stream deck to access shortcuts at the tap of a button. These smart appliances can do that for your gaming kitchen.
Just because an appliance does not have a screen does not mean it is not smart. Even a sink faucet can be smart. Motion sensors can turn some faucets on without operating a handle or switch. Even appliances not found in all kitchens can be incorporated into a smart kitchen and connected to your phone.
Smaller homes may have washers and dryers near or in the kitchen. All these appliances can be controlled and activated with just your phone. Talk about power at your fingertips.
Amazon Echo, Apple Homepod, or Google Home
photo: SunsetWhat’s better than having a helper at all times? A smart speaker can help in various ways and can be your hands-free device in your kitchen without needing to tap on a screen with dirty hands.
People may choose a different smart speaker depending on certain phone models and home preferences. Apple users who choose to stick in that specific ecosystem will choose an Apple Homepod.
People looking for a more advanced assistant to pull up complicated searches or shop online by voice command may choose an Amazon Echo. Each year, more smart speakers will evolve and develop with new features.
How helpful are smart speakers in the kitchen? You can add groceries to your shopping list, place orders with just your voice, or even look up recipes, all without touching your phone.
In a kitchen, your hands will typically be kept busy cooking and prepping food. With the addition of smart appliances, these smart speakers can even control these appliances on your command.
Do you need the smart oven to stop cooking while you are washing plates? Kitchen technology will continue to improve with the addition of voice-activated smart speakers.
What Not To Do in a Gaming Kitchen
“What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”
A gaming kitchen essentially mimics the idea and concept of a smart kitchen where everything can be linked to technology. However, some people will not like the aesthetic of a gaming computer setup. The kitchen is a social area where family and friends come together to eat, cook, and interact with one another in person.
Some things should be left in a gaming setup and not incorporated into a kitchen—keep the computer outside of the kitchen.
Gaming chairs should not replace any chairs at a dining room table. These chairs commonly mimic a racing car seat and are meant to sit a person for long periods of time.
Many people spend hours of their day sitting on these chairs, so they are designed with features like armrests to support the user. Armrests on a dining room chair would limit ease of access and functionality. Yes, they are still chairs, but each chair is designed with a particular purpose in mind.
What Downsides Are There With a Gaming Kitchen?
photo: Home DesigningShaker kitchen cabinets have long been the king of home remodeling projects. They are the most versatile and aesthetically pleasing design many home remodelers use.
Without a doubt, white shaker cabinets reign supreme on the popularity charts. Yet, even though one can use a white shaker kitchen and incorporate new ideas into an existing kitchen, the distinct look may not be what is intended. In the long run, white shaker cabinets will be the best option, but they won’t fit the picture for this trend.
Finding furniture that compliments a kitchen like this will not be easy. Interior designers typically find and plan furniture, backsplash, flooring, and lighting all together to have even balance throughout the kitchen. With a unique combination of features in a gaming kitchen, finding a dining table and chairs may be nearly impossible.
One idea that may complement a gaming kitchen would be a contemporary dining room. A glass dining table and modern black chairs will highlight some of the features of this unique kitchen.
What Benefits Come With a Gaming Kitchen?
photo: Wave LightsAlthough one may cringe at the thought of a “gaming kitchen,” it is theoretically a smart kitchen with some emphasis on the lighting changes. Smart kitchens benefit the most when all appliances, lights, and smart speakers are connected together and managed by a single phone or voice.
The ease of convenience allows the user to fully maximize the use of the kitchen without worrying about complicated messes, forgetting about timers, and even multi-tasking jobs in a busy room.
The additions a gaming kitchen adds can be hidden from plain sight to the average person and adjusted by an application when others are not in sight. The future of kitchens may be more than meets the eye.
