Blum Requirements Research

Identifying what furniture users need

For many years now, our in-house Requirements Research Department has focussed on the real-life demands that high-quality furniture has to meet day in, day out. In addition to internal studies and product tests in our own research environments, observations of kitchen and furniture usage in private homes are also carried out. These studies reveal important findings that are incorporated in the development of new products and the optimisation of existing ones.

AgeExplorer®

We give ourselves a hard time to ensure that users' lives are easier. The AgeExplorer® simulates diminishing strength, mobility and perception. The suit allows us to experience first-hand what it feels like to live with the symptoms of old age and other conditions.

More about the special suit

Kitchen observations

You have to know the habits and requirements of users if you want to develop products that are tailored to their needs. That's why we visit kitchen users in their homes all over the world and watch how they use their kitchens. We have been carrying out intensive research for more than 15 years.

We watch, analyse and strive to understand

We use video cameras and various tools such as measuring devices and questionnaires for our surveys. Our observations show us what the most frequent activities and workflows are in kitchens. They tell us what makes a kitchen practical, i.e. sufficient storage space and organised interiors, and what our products need to do. Our findings are used for the development of new products.

Research insights

We've not only established country-specific differences but also a great many similarities. For example, the main worktop is ideally between the sink and hob and should be about 90 cm wide - regardless of country. Ergonomic aspects have worldwide applicability too. Kitchen users all over the world do not like to bend down, stretch or climb onto worktops to reach things.