There is a saying that “the kitchen is the heart of a home”. This is true for every kind of kitchen, be it modern or traditional or minimalistic. Gone are the days when kitchens were looked at as spaces in one corner of the house, where one toiled in the heat. Today’s kitchens are designed to be functional, inspiring you to experiment and be creative in your cooking. It is now a space where the whole family can hang out, eat or participate in the cooking process. In many instances, the kitchen opens up to the living area which ensures that you can watch television or can continue to have a conversation with your loved ones while cooking up yummy meals. So if you are looking to renovate your kitchen or build a new one, here are some tips to make it a truly functional one that can also reflect your character and style.
Type Of Kitchen
Choose what kind of kitchen you want to build. A Modular Kitchen is the preferred modern way to design your kitchen. It is versatile and as the name suggests, has “modules” that you can choose. These are easy to assemble and uninstall, come in a variety of finishes and can be customized to suit your specific needs. The other option is to go in for a Carpenter Made Kitchen. While these can be pocket friendly, the finishing and precision often depend on the skill of the carpenter. It is also not easy to uninstall as these are mostly “fixed permanently”.
Ergonomic Design
Ensure that your kitchen is built to suit your needs. The most used areas when cooking are the countertops, the hob, the sink & the refrigerator. Make sure these are easily accessible and not far from each other. Usually, these are placed in a triangle for easy access. It is also important to ensure that the countertop and hob are suited to your height so you don’t stoop or stretch when cooking. Similarly, use the cabinets at the top to store things you access daily and the ones below to store things you use once in a while.
Color
If you have an open kitchen, choose colors that go with the rest of the house. Choose colors that are timeless and those that hide food stains and oil spills. You could have some fun and have accent walls with bright colors or even some wall decal stickers with quirky quotes. Warm chocolate or wood colors on the cabinets are a good option and usually go well with other elements of the house too. Similarly an all-white or a monochrome kitchen speaks of subtle elegance.
Counter Tops
When choosing the material for your countertop, go with natural stone like granite that is sturdy and will not absorb stains. There are many aesthetic designs available and can be put in as a single slab – so it is easier to clean and maintain. Though a bit expensive, they are long-lasting and don’t break easily with daily wear & tear. Artificial materials like laminates are also used for countertops. While these are less expensive, they can end up looking “cheap” and usually are not very long-lasting.
Modular Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets allow for discreet storage and are a very important component to make your cooking experience a seamless one. Modular kitchens allow for many drawers and even utilization of corner spaces. You can have exclusively created spaces for storing appliances that you don’t use regularly like toasters, mixers, kettles etc. These cabinets also come with good quality stainless steel fittings with soft-close mechanisms that ensure minimal damage during usage, thereby increasing the product life too.
Sink Space Utilization
It is always advisable to have a 2-sink unit in the kitchen as it is more convenient. It is easy to scrub using one and place it in the other for washing at one go, thereby saving water. If you have space, get 2 separate units so that you can keep the utensils for washing in a utility area and have one exclusively for your cooking needs in the kitchen. The most commonly used material for the kitchen sink is stainless steel. It is affordable, durable and suited to all countertop surfaces. Other popular choices are copper sinks or one built-in with stone. The space below the sink can be enclosed with the same finish as your cabinets to have a uniform look and feel. It helps cover the pipes and can also double up as storage for your cleaning supplies. You could also fit in bins on the doors for dry and wet waste so that it is easy to clean and dispose as you go.
Safety First
Your kitchen is the space you use many appliances that can lead to a mishap if not maintained properly. Ensure you check your wiring and sockets regularly to avoid electrical shocks when using appliances. Similarly, if using a gas cylinder keep it in an undisturbed space. While some prefer to keep it under the countertop, it would be better to keep it in a ventilated space like the utility with enclosed wiring to the hob.
You can have decorative and ambiance lighting in the kitchen. Use these for decoration and choose practical, bright lights when cooking/cleaning as this will help you see better and helps avoid accidents.
Ventilation is also very important in the overall safety of a kitchen. It helps air out the strong smell of food & spices and also helps to keep the mold away. Opt for sliding doors or windows that can be easily opened to air out your kitchen. The chimney also helps to air out the fumes when cooking. You could also install an exhaust fan for additional suction.
What are your tips for a great kitchen? Do write to us with your comments.