IKEA, or to use its snappier title, Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd, has designed a kitchen of the future based on the results of an independently commissioned study.

It revealed that, by 2040, the kitchen will be alive, reading our moods, automatically adjusting lighting to suit, suggesting recipes and even clean itself. It will be intelligent and think for itself, matching and moulding its persona to its owners tastes.

With that in mind, IKEA has created the conceptual SKARP kitchen, a smart room with more gadgets than Batman's utility belt. It will feature synchronised appliances that talk to each other, and iPad style devices, in order to cook or clean at the touch of one button. It's a bit like the current HDMI CEC functionality in home cinema, only with pasta.

The retailer also believes that environmental issues will be of ultra importance in future design: “With the majority of us spending the total of nearly a month in the kitchen over one year, it is the heart of the home”, explains Carole Reddish, deputy managing director of IKEA UK & Ireland. “We think that the economy, social changes, concerns for our health and especially the environment will greatly influence kitchen design in the future".

The SKARP kitchen break down is as follows:

1. Nutrition unit where food is grown without soil.

2. 3D food printer that prints layers of food.

3. Smart fridge that diagnoses nutritional needs with an interactive 3D display.

4. Multi-touch controlled tap for water waste monitoring.

5. Self-cleaning surfaces.

6. Device that monitors nutritional value of ingredients while food is being prepared.

7. Remote-controlled cooker that can be switched on in time for user's arrival home.

8. Retractable shelves.

9. Cabinets on rail system to allow height to be adjusted.

10. Smart energy monitor.

11. Genetically engineered food.

12. Space-saving devices for compact living.

A fair old list of innovations sure, but what about the Jamie Oliver Flavour Shaker? Everybody's got to have one of those, surely? Even if nobody ever uses one.

After all, what else would people give as wedding presents?

What do you think will be in the kitchen of the future? Or even in another room? Let us know in the comments below...

• Link - Tech deals: Bargain kitchen gadgets on the cheap

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