As we wait for life to return to some sort of normality, it’s the perfect opportunity to think about upgrading our interiors and embracing a smarter way of living. For many of us, a wi-fi thermostat and a few Alexa gadgets are as far as we’ve dared to go. Yet the world of smart living, and smart kitchens in particular, is moving on pretty quick so it’s a good idea to get with it now while we’ve got a bit more time on our hands. Here’s our pick of the top smart solutions to revolutionise the way you use your home in 2021…

Scavolini connects the home with Dandy Plus

Dandy Plus is the new smart kitchen, living and bathroom collection from Scavolini and the first furniture designed with built-in Amazon Alexa. This means that we can literally ‘talk’ to our homes. Dandy was Scavolini’s best-selling kitchen in the 1980s and now Dandy Plus is the perfect evolution for 21^st century homes.

To develop the new collection, Scavolini partnered for the first time with leading architect Fabio Novembre. Dandy Plus was conceived to appeal to a younger generation, who now expect a level of connectivity in their homes. This is where the idea to bring the voice of Alexa into the furniture originated. “These young homeowners will decide how to interpret their connected kitchen, whether to prepare food there or to listen to music while awaiting its delivery,” explains Fabio Novembre. “Their society is a virtual community that uses Alexa to provide the right piece of advice at just the right time.”

Alexa is built into the Task Bar, which is secured to the wall as part of the kitchen, living room or bathroom furniture set-up. The aluminium profile houses the smart speaker through which users can control appliances, their music, lights – or any other compatible devices. There are also plug sockets and USB ports along with shelves, accessories and containers for convenient charging. Not only that, but the worktops also have built-in wireless charging points.

The distinctive ‘bridge’ design that wraps round all the units, curved corners and bright colours all define the collection. And there are five colours to choose from for the customisable elements such as handles and buttons – Coral Red, Mustard Yellow, Agave Blue, Prestige White and Slate Black.

www.scavolini.com

Sharp launches Innit-enabled smart oven

Integrated with the cooking platform Innit and designed with cooking automation, this new Sharp Love2Cook multifunction oven enables even the most unlikely of cooks to get creative in the kitchen and experiment with recipes to produce new dishes every night of the week. With this oven, traditional recipes can also be adapted according to diet, preferences or even what’s left in your fridge.

Available in stainless steel and black the extra-large capacity 78 litre KS-76S50 smart oven offers a seamlessly connected cooking experience for perfectly cooked dishes every time.

With Love2Cook, you can instantly unlock hundreds of recipes that have all been specifically created for use with this oven. It is also easy to adapt and customise any selected recipes to create new culinary concoctions. Simply by swiping and tapping your smartphone, you can mix and match ingredients and components according to your personal preferences and lifestyle, dietary restrictions, health goals and even what food items you have in your fridge.

No matter how many ingredients you decide to substitute, this oven will ensure perfectly cooked results, automatically working with the Innit app to set the ideal temperature, cooking mode and oven time. All the programme timings for your main and side dishes will be co-ordinated automatically, so that everything is hot and ready to serve at the same time.

www.sharphomeappliances.com

Joy Resolve introduces new Wireless Charger

Coffee aficionados will love this new device from London design company Joy Resolve. The creators of the iconic coffee-brewing alarm clock – The Barisieur – have now come up with a Wireless Charger to complement the coffee machine and it can be plugged into the USB charging port located on the back of the coffee alarm clock, allowing your phone to recharge while you do. It can also makes the ultimate desk companion, being able to connect to your computer and charge your phone while you work. Once your phone is placed on the charging pad, the white LED light will indicate your phone has connected and an ultra-thin rubber grip prevents the phone from slipping. It is also compatible with both Apple and Android devices. It’s available in black and walnut or silver and blond.

www.joyresolve.com

Amazon launches new Echo Show 10

The all-new Echo Show 10 is a complete re-imagination of Alexa with a screen and has been upgraded in every way. It features a 10-inch adaptive HD display that automatically stays in view when you interact with Alexa – as you move, the screen does too – and the new 13-megapixal, wide-angle camera pans and zooms to keep you at the centre of the frame. Perfect for following recipes and step-by-step guides as you cook. It also helps make your home smarter and more secure – you can securely access a live feed from another Echo Show device or the Alexa app with the ability to remotely zoom or pan the display and camera to see the entire room. Plus, its built-in smart home hub capabilities include support for Zigbee and BLE.

www.amazon.co.uk

INTU Boiling Water Taps introduces hands-free tap collection

With the increased need for hygiene, a touchless tap is the perfect product for a kitchen revamp or wet zone upgrade. With this in mind, INTU Boiling Water Taps has developed a touchless, hands-free tap collection that works via electronic infrared sensor technology to improve hygiene, reduce the risk of contamination and save time, too. It’s available in chrome, brushed nickel, gunmetal and matt black.

www.intuboilingwatertaps.co.uk