Page 12 - Fast Forward to a Sustainable Future

Originally published February 2016

European Styling

for American Homes

Thoroughly conceived compact appliances appeal to urban dwellers
and downsizing empty nesters alike.

BY BARBARA HORWITZ-BENNETT

MERICAN HOMES KEEP
getting bigger, and so do the
appliances found inside the
typical home. But concurrent
with that trend is another one,
A seen in developments such as
the Tiny House movement and the increasing
popularity of “micro-apartments.”
“Empty nesters are downsizing, and young
professionals are moving to big cities with
small apartments, and even smaller kitchens,”
says Dan Kenny, director of brand marketing
for Bosch Home Appliances. “Compact
appliances are also in demand for secondary
spaces throughout the home, such as a
basement or media room.”
While this small unit trend originated
in Europe, it has migrated in a big way to
the U.S., where builders are seeking quality
options capable of fitting into smaller
residential spaces—appliances that retain all
of the style, performance features and options CREDIT: BOSCH HOME APPLIANCES
of their larger counterparts.

A NEW MARKET NICHE
Bringing its European design techniques Compact Kitchen. Bosch’s 24-inch appliance line is responding to increasing demand for
and brand name to the home appliance high-end solutions for small spaces.
marketplace, Bosch unveiled its 24-inch kitchen set to the North features. The Bosch’s 24” 500 Series Counter-Depth Bottom-Freezer
American market in 2015. The series includes a wall oven, glass door Refrigerator has been named Energy Star’s Most Efficient for 2016
refrigerator and electric and gas stovetops. A compact washer and and uses just 337 kWh annually. Features include HydroFresh
dryer complete the 24-inch appliance clan. drawers to keep fruits and vegetables fresh longer and all-level and
Although notably smaller than regular-sized 30-inch and 36-inch sidewall LED lighting. A hidden hinge and reversible doors allows
kitchen and laundry room appliances, the slimmer appliances can still for next-to-wall placement and nearly flush installation.
meet most households’ volume demands. Bosch’s 24-inch refrigerator,
for example, delivers 11 cubic feet of food storage, along with a large THE REST OF THE FAMILY
capacity freezer. Similarly, the laundry pairs can accommodate full- The gas and electric cooktops show off sleek European styling.
size loads and wash and dry up to 18 towels in one load. Notable features offered by the 24-inch wall oven include 10 cooking
The slimmer units are efficient and packed with performance modes, with special categories like frozen food and pie modes, dual-

12 FAST FORWARD TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE