High-powered, professional-style appliances are not essential for creating effective, functional kitchens, an expert has said.Design commentator Derek Donovan wrote for McClatchy Newspapers that over the past few years, mainstream kitchen designs have reiterated the same look of dark granite countertops around the kitchen sink, clean lines of cabinetry and powerful hobs and cookers that evoke the no-nonsense, high-volume bustle of a restaurant kitchen.However, Mr Donovan called into question the value of such appliances, noting that double ovens and eight-burner hobs can be very expensive.According to some experts, these luxury appliances are far from a necessity. And in many cases, theyre overkill, he added.Mr Donovan also spoke to Steve Swayne, a technology manager for Whirlpool, who noted that while many people simply want the pro-style look for their kitchen, most families do not need them for the cooking tasks they undertake.This week, Reuters reported that a growing number of kitchen owners are choosing cookware items with muscular qualities because of the popularity of macho TV chefs like Gordon Ramsey and Marco Pierre White.