Must-Have Appliances & Features for 2026 Kitchens
Appliances now do far more than cook, they shape how you live in your kitchen. On a recent showroom walk-through, Elaine Willox highlighted the features our customers are loving most for their 2026 remodels.
Venting Hob – Induction cooking with a built-in extractor.
Venting hobs combine two essentials:
- Fast, responsive induction cooking and powerful extraction — in one sleek piece of kit. Instead of relying on a bulky overhead hood, steam and smells are drawn away exactly where they’re created, keeping the room fresher and clearer.
- They’re ideal for islands and open-plan homes, where clean sightlines matter. With a flat glass surface that’s easy to wipe down, they also help maintain that minimalist, uncluttered look that defines so many modern kitchens.
Why customers love it:
Space-saving, low-profile, great air quality, brilliant on islands, and effortlessly modern
Slide & Hide Oven – Smooth access, better ergonomics
Ovens with disappearing doors have become a firm favourite. The door glides underneath as you open it, so you can get right up close to the cavity without leaning over a hot panel or squeezing around it.
It’s a game-changer in compact kitchens, busy family homes, and anywhere two people often cook together. Access is easier, safer, and more comfortable — whether you’re basting a roast or pulling out a tray of baking.
Why customers love it:
No door in the way, safer handling, smarter use of space, and a premium built-in look.
Warming Drawer – Small appliance, big lifestyle upgrade
A warming drawer quietly elevates everyday cooking. Yes, it keeps plates and food perfectly warm, but it also proves dough, gently defrosts ingredients and can even slow-cook.
Because it sits neatly under a single oven or in a stacked bank, it supports a balanced, high-end appliance layout.
Why customers love it:
Multi-tasking, discreet, and especially helpful for bakers, entertainers and busy families.
Boiling & Sparkling Water Tap
Instant boiling, filtered, chilled and sparkling from one tap. A 4-in-1 tap, such as a Quooker, is becoming a staple in our premium kitchen designs. It replaces the kettle entirely, bringing instant boiling water, filtered cold water, and even sparkling water from the same elegant fixture.
It saves space, cuts visual clutter, and speeds up everything from midweek cooking to hot drinks and cleaning.
Why customers love it:
Convenience, safety, sustainability and a beautifully streamlined worktop.
Wine Cooler – For wine lovers and everyone else.
A wine cooler isn’t just about storing bottles long-term. Many customers now use them for soft drinks, mixers and beer, freeing up space in the main fridge. Continuity, or intentional contrast, ensures the design feels integrated rather than isolated.
Models range from compact under-counter coolers to tall, high-capacity cabinets, with single- or dual-temperature zones depending on how you entertain. Integrated options can sit flush with your cabinetry for a seamless, custom finish.
Why customers love it:
Perfect drinks temperature, extra fridge space, flexible entertaining, and a luxury touch.
Planning Your 2026 Kitchen Remodel: Smart Tips from John Willox Kitchen Design
Think layout first
If you have an island or compact plan, features like vented hobs and hidden-door ovens free up movement and give you cleaner lines.
Design for lifestyle, not just cooking
Warming drawers, wine coolers and multifunction taps all support smoother daily routines and better hosting.
Aim for a seamless, built-in look
Flush ovens, integrated coolers and slim, low-profile appliances create the clean, high-end aesthetic many customers want.
Consider maintenance and airflow
With any venting hob, ducting or recirculating setup matters. Good planning now means better performance later.
Prioritise comfort and ergonomics
Appliances should make life easier — less bending, clearer surfaces, safer handling, better access.
Visit Our Showroom in Ellon
This is just a small selection of the appliances available through John Willox Kitchen Design. Visit our Ellon showroom to explore the full range. We’re open:
Monday – Friday: 9am–5pm
Saturday: 9am–12.30pm
We supply appliances exclusively as part of full kitchen design orders, ensuring everything fits seamlessly and works perfectly within your layout. Our team advises on electrical, gas, plumbing and ducting requirements so every choice feels confident and well-informed.
A Few of the Brands We Work With
NEFF · Dunavox · Quooker · Miro · Siemens · Hotpoint
A selection of the Appliances available as part of your kitchen design order:
Ovens · Ranges · Hobs · Hoods & Extraction · Taps · Sinks · Coffee Machine · Fridges · Freezers · Microwaves · Wine Coolers · Warming Drawers · Washing Machines · Tumble Dryers · Dishwashers
