A host of state-of-the-art kitchen designs seamlessly combining flair with functionality have been put on display in Germany.Leicht, based in Waldstetten, recently unveiled the Concept 40 which ditches traditional floor and wall cabinets in favour of innovative panels that can provide a cleaner layout.We wanted to get away from the kitchens visual appearance and put the focus more on living, said Ulrike Kolb of Leicht. Eggersmann is also focusing on simple elegance with its Design Art range, which masks all appliances behind white cabinet doors. Meanwhile, Poggenpohl creates additional space and improves lighting via a unique aluminium frame integrated into the kitchen island.Ursula Geismann, of the furniture industry association of Germany in Bad Honnef, claims consumers are increasingly favouring open plan designs that encourage people to enter the kitchen and take part in a collective cooking experience.She said Most kitchens have a counter at which you can sit and the kitchen and dining room are no longer separated by a wall.