Designing Kitchen For Rental Homes

September 16, 2023

Mrinmoy Dey

Designing a kitchen for a rental property requires a thoughtful and practical approach that balances functionality and style, writes Mrinmoy Dey.

Rapid urbanisation and migration due to the transient nature of modern lifestyles and career opportunities have given rise to rental homes. As more individuals and families are opting to rent, there is a surge of demand for well-designed rental spaces that offer comfort, functionality, and aesthetic appeal. The kitchen is often called the heart of the home and it isn’t any different in the case of rental homes too!

A property with a carefully designed kitchen is likely to be chosen faster by the tenants and thus avoiding void periods. However, tenants are unlikely to pay a premium just for the kitchen if the rental value is not aligned with the market rate. Hence, it’s important to not go overboard and maintain a balance. While these kitchens are also intended for residential use, they have an entirely different connotation in terms of intended users, aesthetics and functionality and will vary from kitchens designed for personal use by the homeowner. Hence, designers need to adopt a thoughtful approach that combines practicality, cost-effectiveness, and stylish elements to cater to the needs of various tenants.

Outlining the Requirements

Often, kitchen design is customised to suit the tastes, preferences, requirements and lifestyles of the users. However, designing kitchens in rental properties is an entirely different proposition with the potential users being unknown to the designer.

“Rental homes attract individuals from different walks of life, such as working professionals, students, and families. In most cases, there is a floating population that occupies these rental homes. The frequency of changes can be as low as two years. Therefore, the kitchen design must be adaptable and versatile to suit varying preferences and requirements,” shares Amaresh Anand, Principal Architect, Khosla Associates.

He further adds, “Designing a kitchen for those specific apartments or holiday homes needs to account for all those aspects and should be generic in nature. The idea is to fulfil the needs of a diverse set of people that will use the space. Of course, the basic amenities will be there, for example, dishwashers, ovens, microwave ovens, refrigerators, etc. However, the layout and the positioning of the appliances have to be planned in such a way that they will be comfortable to use for any user.”

Functionality, safety, and ease of maintenance should take precedence while incorporating a touch of elegance. However, the location and type of the property can be a giveaway to the kind of tenants that is expected to occupy these rental homes. For example, if it’s located near corporate offices, IT parks or industrial zones, working professionals and families are expected. Similarly, properties near university campuses or coaching centres or education hubs are expected to attract students. The average rental value of the properties near the vicinity can be another guideline.

"Rental homes attract individuals from different walks of life, such as working professionals, students, and families. In most cases, there is a floating population that occupies these rental homes. The frequency of changes can be as low as two years. Therefore, the kitchen design must be adaptable and versatile to suit varying preferences and requirements."

Amaresh Anand

Principal Architect,

Khosla Associates

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Space Planning

Often, kitchens in rental homes come in compact sizes making optimisation of space allocation a critical aspect of kitchen design. The kitchen layout needs to be planned, keeping in mind this factor. The use of modular cabinets and open shelving can maximise storage capacity while maintaining an organised appearance. Additionally, wall-mounted storage solutions, such as pot racks and hooks, can further free up countertop space.

Anshul Chodha, Principal Architect, Sanctuary Architects suggests keeping the kitchen generic. “There are few things in a kitchen that won’t change irrespective of who it is designed for i.e., 1) Four burner stove and chimney, 2) Oven, 3) Microwave, 4) Kitchen Sink and 5) Storage.”

He further adds, “I would suggest to split the volume of storage required proportionately for groceries, vessels, crockery, cutlery and seasonings. Also, one can go for a mix of pull-out drawers, especially below the counter, for easy access and cabinet storage.”

"Keep the kitchen generic. There are a few things in a kitchen that won’t change irrespective of who it is designed for i.e., 1) Four burner stove and chimney, 2) Oven, 3) Microwave, 4) Kitchen Sink and 5) Storage. Neutral and light colour palette and contemporary kitchen would be the safest bet."

Anshul Chodha

Principal Architect,

Sanctuary Architects