© Bulthaup

Why Germans Continue to Design The Most Remarkable Kitchens

A closer look at German kitchen design studios

Whether as manufacturers of cars, furniture, kitchens, or laptops: Germany has proven itself to be a powerhouse when it comes to innovative design. Here’s a look at the 5 top German kitchen brands that have become world-renowned for ingenuity, quality and integrated technology.

German innovation is so remarkable and German designers stay among the top in the world because they are concerned with reinventing existing industries through new concepts. With these innovations, Germans are ensuring trusted principles are continually improved, becoming super designs. Constant training allows designers alongside the rest of the German workforce to hone and improve their skills and expand their knowledge. In Germany, that which already exists is cultivated and made great through experience, which is why many German companies have become such design leaders.

German kitchen design studios have kept themselves relevant through constant innovation, re-invention and staying ahead of trends and fads. A German-designed kitchen is, therefore, a symbol not only of craftsmanship created over decades but also of major technological advances.

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Poggenpohl

Founded in 1892 by Freidemir Poggenpohl, Poggenpohl Möbelwerke is most likely the oldest dedicated kitchen manufacturer in the world. The company established itself as a white lacquer furniture company with ergonomic designs and innovative storage ideas in a time when the coal stove and hand washing laundry were the norms. Poggenpohl’s kitchens were easy to use and highly practical additions to any home.

With a strained economy houses became smaller during the interwar 1920’s, Poggenpohl’s compact kitchen units became increasingly popular. The company introduced a spacious freestanding kitchen cupboard, The Ideal, in 1923 and this innovative design became the frontrunner for the fitted kitchen as we know it today. After Freidemir Poggenpohl’s death in 1924, his very capable designers and manufacturing team continued their search for kitchen design excellence.

Always looking for new ways to improve their designs and offering, Poggenpohl launched a host of other designs in the years to follow, keeping at the cutting edge of kitchen design even today. Freidemir Poggenpohl stated that his company’s goal was to improve the kitchen. Simple yet very effective, this has driven Poggenpohl to attain kitchen design excellence continuously.

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Leicht Kitchens

Another German kitchen powerhouse, Leicht has been a premium brand for nearly a century. Founded by carpenter brothers Alois and Josef Leicht in 1928 in Waldstetten, Southern Germany, Leicht has grown into a multi-million Euro company that exports to 55 countries worldwide.

With a signature aesthetic and timeless designs, Leicht manufactures functional and sustainable kitchens that make use of carefully selected materials. They take pride in both modern design and time-honoured techniques and seamlessly combine the two into an exceptional kitchen experience.

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Nobilia

Another family-owned business, Nobilia, was founded in 1945 in Avenwedde by brothers Johann and Willy Stickling. Originally a carpenter’s workshop, their initial products included utilitarian and occasional furniture pieces. By 1947, they were focussing almost exclusively on the manufacturing of kitchen cupboards. In 1956, the brothers ended their partnership, with Willy taking over the living room furniture and Johann continuing with the original Nobilia.

By 1961, Johann’s son, Heinz, joined the Nobilia and gave the brand some new life. When Heinz’ younger brother Werner also joined the company in 1967, the limited partnership was renamed NOBILIA-Werke J. Stickling KG. From then on the family business exclusively focussed on and became market leaders in fitted kitchen manufacture and design.

From the mid-1990’s, Nobilia produced 1,000 kitchens per day, growing to 2,700 kitchens per day by 2006. By 2007, the brand was awarded the “Golden M” award for its environmental management system from the Deutschen Gütegemeinschaft Für Möbel (German Furniture Quality Control). Their 2009 introduction of an in-house testing laboratory for all new items was the first of its kind in the industry. After many expansions and phenomenal growth, Nobilia produces a total of 28,700 kitchen units per day in their two plants combined, making them the biggest kitchen manufacturer in Germany.

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SieMatic

Bursting onto the scene at the Leipzig Trade Fair in 1929, the “Erna”, “Hannelore” and “Ruth” kitchen buffets by August Siekmann Möbelwerke quickly made a name for themselves. With the advent of reform kitchens in 1953, the company launched a redesigned kitchen series with Japanese Sen surfaces, later described as golden elm.

By 1960 the company was renamed SieMatic and the first product under the new brand name, the SieMatic 60, was a roaring success. The futuristic design, innovative use of materials and functionality set the new design style for kitchens. This was the first kitchen that boasted fully integrated handles, giving it a clean and streamlined look. This design icon was relaunched in 2000 as the SieMatic 6006 to celebrate 40 years of hands-free kitchens.

SieMatic also launched their highly original SieMatic Style collections in 2015, a reinterpretation of the original kitchen buffet. This beautiful contemporary series won the coveted German Design Award in GOLD.

© Bulthaup

Bulthaup

Founded by Martin Bulthaup in 1949 in Herford, the Martin Bulthaup Möbelfabrik relocated to Lower Bavaria in the early 1950’s to explore the untapped resources and craftsmanship of the area. Quickly establishing itself as a market leader even beyond Germany’s borders, the company outgrew its facility. The 1970’s marks the era when their existing production facility was built and Martin’s son, Gerd Bulthaup, took over the reins.

After working with brand pioneer, Otl Aicher, in the 1980’s and taking on the principles of the Bauhaus, “form follows function” became central to the development and manufacturing of new products.

With the publication of Aicher’s new book, The Kitchen is for Cooking (Die Küche Zum Kochen) (Freiburger Graphische Betriebe, 1982) a new era of cooking as a social activity and past-time was ushered in. With ergonomics as the guiding factor, the kitchen was now an extension of the living room of the home, where many different activities were taking place. By 1988, the kitchen workbench was introduced with a combination of water and preparation areas.