INTERIOR

INTERIOR | LET'S REVAMP THE IGNORED

ROOM, OUR KITCHEN

When we build a home, a lot of our time goes on living areas and bedrooms. A commonly ignored space is the kitchen. The kitchen is often poorly built, with bad lighting and small countertops. In reality, the kitchen is the one room where we spend most of the time at home, cooking and eating. Here are a few tips to transform your kitchen without ripping it apart or deconstructing it.

Tips for kitchen lighting and floors from Riddhi Kadakia Garg - Interior Space Planner, Riddhi Design Studio Instagram: riddhi_interiorspaceplanner

1Lighter shades are preferred for the flooring of the kitchen to make the room appear larger and at the same time, it looks neat and tidy.

2The anti-skid tiles always takes away the deal as it keeps children and adults safe. It is also the ideal flooring for the kitchens as per Indian taste.

3A combination of warm whites and natural whites has always been a go-to option in my designs, as it can be altered as per mood, occasion or get-togethers arranged at home.

4Strip lights used in the skirting area or some shelf lights can create drama and are used to create a look that feels modern.

5Reflective or glossy tiles also help the lights brighten up the area, helps the kitchen area look lit up, and gives a luxurious touch to space.

Tips for Countertops and Storage from Varsha Prabhu - Architect & Director, Urbanshaastra Smart Build Pvt. ltd. Instagram: @varshaprabhudotcom

Kitchens are the most used part of our homes and the most used area in the kitchen is of course the countertop. What’s the most important thing about a kitchen countertop?

1The kitchen countertop height is one of the most important and heavily ignored aspects of designing a kitchen. What’s a beautiful kitchen for if it gives you a sore back after cooking your favourite meal? The height we usually see in the Indian market is 800mm or 2’8” measured from the finished floor level. So, get the measuring tapes out, and start measuring the ideal countertop height, stand straight, bend your arms at the elbow and measure the height from your elbow to the floor. The ideal height for you would be a measurement 4inches less than what you just measured.

2The next important detail for countertops is the material of the slab. The criteria while selecting your countertop material should be durability. Quartz is a wonderful material that gives you the best of both worlds – function and aesthetic. The variety available to suit your design aesthetic is incredible. Apart from that, we have our very own Indian Natural granite stone which is economical, functional, aesthetic and super easy to maintain.

3Open shelves are great options to store and display items you use regularly. In Indian households, which aren’t centrally air-conditioned, dust always accumulates. Open shelves are notorious for all the dust and grime. I always suggest my clients minimize the open shelves in kitchens from the hygiene perspective. Glass shutters with different finishes like clear glass, frosted glass or some beautiful etching do a great job to create a hide and seek effect with what is stored in your kitchen cabinets.

Few important factors to look at:

• Carefully choose the counter material to suit your cooking needs. The priority should always be in the order – Durability, Maintenance and Cost • The colour and finish of your countertop should be decided to compliment the colours and finishes of your kitchen cabinets. • The edge detail on the countertop is essential for both functionality and appearance. Remember edges need detailing both on the top and the bottom of the countertop slab. • Use the open kitchen shelves to add personality to your kitchen by using quirky storage boxes or displaying items from your crockery collection. • For open shelves, go for opaque materials like wood and stone rather than glass.