The
heart and the most functional part of the house - the kitchen - can be
completely disorganised and ugly if there has been no planning involved in
creating it.
Think
Smart
It's
not the space as much as planning that creates a good kitchen. If you are
renovating, figure out what's wrong - is it colour, mood, placement of cabinets,
bad electrical fittings or is it a case of insufficient or ineffective storage?
Often, worn-out cabinets need to be replaced. For a fair assessment, write down
all the points that come to mind as you go around inspecting your kitchen.
Keep
In Mind
A
well-defined place: Take note of the placement of the doors and windows. Natural
light and air bring in an element of freshness. Check which way the door opens
and what it opens out into. Demarcate the wet and the dry areas. Though you
might see pictures of kitchens that show the sink immediately next to the hob,
that is an impractical arrangement.
Allocate
sufficient space for storage, keeping in mind the needs and habits of the
family.
Tip:
Add cabinets under the counter and if space permits, build wall cabinets as
well. Fit the corners with corner pieces called carousels or magic corners. Opt
for a larder unit, often called a tall man, to stock sundry bottles and little
containers.
Aesthetics
and functionality:
The look of the kitchen
need not follow the décor theme that runs through the rest of the house,
unless it has an open plan layout and is visually linked to the living and
dining areas. A kitchen is like a laboratory where everything has to be at an
easy distance. Consider open shelves to add storage at minimal cost. You must
have a place for everyday crockery, utensils, cutlery, gas cylinders, grains,
spices, snacks and of course, the mop, duster, soap, etc. Shelves at a height
and at floor level can be brought to better use if you have pullout drawers.
High drawers may be reached by climbing on to a stool.
Tip:
Give your kitchen a fresh paint job. If the cabinets are getting old and you
don't want to spend too much, just change the shutters. Tiles too, can be
changed if the colours make you weary. Or, complement the old cabinets with a
few new ones to create a fresh look.
Comfort:
Understand your needs and requirements. The aim should be to meet them all.
Often, one may desire something like an island counter, or a breakfast table in
the kitchen, but space might be a constraint. In such cases, a designer or an
architect can find ways of accommodating your dream. Ideally, island kitchen
layouts are practical only in larger kitchens. In smaller kitchens, the island
would hinder free movement. It's best to have the hob, sink and the fridge in a
triangle.
This
makes your working more comfortable. You need counter space close to the fridge
and microwave to put your things on to after you take them out.
Tip:
If a breakfast table cannot be accommodated, a fixed or drop-down bar counter
can be considered.
Forms
and patterns: The current designs in vogue for kitchen shutters
are:
• Straight
lines with corresponding handles
• Laminated
shutters in unimaginable colours and a stainless steel finish
• Chrome
and glass, which create a contemporary look
To
add glow and glamour, add spotlights to glass shutters. If the kitchen is small,
as is the case in most apartment dwellings, it's best to stick to the modern
minimalist look in a combination of laminate and glass. Laminate is easy to
maintain and sturdy too. Solid wood/classic designs are not advisable for
small kitchens, as they tend to make the space look smaller and darker. Go for
the classic look only if you have a large kitchen with lots of natural
light.
Tip:
To make small places look less busy, choose designs that don't scream for
attention. A shutter of any colour will look good against
white or light-coloured walls. Paint one wall bright if you want an element of
funkiness. Decide the colour and texture of the flooring and walls while
deciding the colour of the cabinets.
The
dado area (the area between the kitchen counter and the wall cabinets) is often
the most neglected part of the design, when it should indeed the focal point.
Lighting:
Light should be one of the first things to be considered while designing a
kitchen. Check out the designer lights in different shapes and sizes available
in the market these days. Bring the breakfast area and work counters to life by
adding good lighting. And of course, remember to allow natural light
in.
Tip:
Have a combination of general, mood and task lighting. Fluorescent tubes
concealed behind pelmets or cabinets work well. A track system on the ceiling
can be directed in different directions to light even the darkest of corners.
Provide extra socket points for appliances.
Accessories
and props: Collect an enviable assortment of things that not only enhances the
look, but also adds functionality. Look for chrome bars that hold spice bottles,
silver foil and kitchen towels. Basically, some décor!
Tip:
Place a vase of fresh flowers, a pin-up board, a food collage or a crockery
collection to add beauty.
Make
Your Kitchen Colourful
• Use
a lot of colour.
• Use
the pin-up board to tack on recipes and notes of things you need to stock up on.
• Pick
up a knife block for your knives. It looks smart.
• Appliances
and crockery add zing. Use them effectively in the kitchen.
• A
bowl of fruits, a vase with celery growing in it, a wicker basket full of
onions, greens or napkins could brighten up any corner.
• A
collection of ceramic plates or jars from around the world could make an
interesting corner.
• A
string of garlic pods or corn adds a country look.
• Cookery
books can be lined on the shelf for utility and beauty.
• Some
wall space can be devoted to pictures.
• The
handles, taps and colours can dictate the mood of the kitchen. Make sure they
belong to the same theme, if you don't want a kitschy look.
• You
can make your own string of red chillies. Take a rope and string big red
chillies while they are still fresh. Hang them so that they do not lose their
shape. In a few weeks, the hanging will be ready.
