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Trendy Kitchens: A Take on Design and Function
May 2, 2023
A peek into the kitchen gives us an idea of the various features that work towards making it a trendy, efficient and aesthetic space.
In India, the kitchen has always been considered a holy place and its sanctity, is given high regard. Traditions dictated a number of rules associated with the kitchen and cooking - one could not wear slippers here, one had to bathe before cooking or even entering the space and hygiene was given utmost importance. However, despite this, little regard was given to the functionality or aesthetics of the space itself.
Over the past decade, the scenario has changed dramatically. Maybe it is the increasing importance given to interior design, the entry of international kitchen design players or even the increasing disposable income of customers. From a space delegated to a rather unimpressive corner devoid of any creativity, the kitchen has now transformed into the ‘heart of the home’.
Each kitchen has a different aesthetic and ambience. However, the components pretty much remain the same, just in a new avatar. Plate racks, equipped drawers, extractable internal shelves and a multitude of integrated accessories come with minimalistic design. Each compartment, large or small, is best used to enhance and facilitate storage. It merely depends on the need of the customer. However, the design also goes hand-in-hand with aesthetics; the customer today looks for style, uniqueness and technology. Some components go one step beyond the mundane to provide an experience like never before.
A personalised kitchen is a top priority for customers today – be it in terms of technology, utility, design or colour. Photo Courtesy: Aaron Huber on Unsplash
Antibacterial treatment
In the kitchen, the worktop and sink base unit are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria. Special antibacterial treatment applied to seals fully eliminates any type of bacteria attack. Anti-bacterial countertops have a surface treatment to reduce 99.9 per cent of bacteria, ensuring maximum protection. Also, these surfaces are stain resistant and heat-proof. One can avail of seven heights of worktops with a minimum thickness of 14 mm to a maximum of 120 mm, which can combine to create innovative volume effects. Coloured glass, okite, marble, laminate, steel and several other finishes can be added to complete the look. The antibacterial seals in sinks are effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria, mould and algae, protecting backsplash and sink base units from damage. They are also compatible for use with foodstuff and present no risk whatsoever to human health or the environment.
Sinks can also purify the air and are constructed using an anti-bacterial composite material that is innovative, self-cleaning and capable of interacting with the kitchen environment to reduce air pollution. It performs a triple action - anti-pollution, anti-bacterial and self-cleaning.
A large number of colours are available in different modern finishes like laminate, acrylic and lacquer, and classic ones like veneer and wood. Photo Courtesy: Andre Francois Mckenzie on Unsplash
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Hot areas
New hobs blend their sober designs with revolutionary direct flame burner technology. These burners comprise a single, elegant, ultra slim component that radiates the flame vertically so as to avoid any useless flame dispersion. Cooking is perfectly uniform and allows for saving up to 20 per cent time and energy compared to the standard burner. The chimney is a new accessory that not only enhances the beauty of the kitchen with its elegance but is also technological superior. In the Indian kitchen, it works towards instantly absorbing the smoke and fumes from high-temperature cooking combined with the increased use of oil compared to western cooking. The new-age chimneys are ductless and come with filter technology. Moreover, they are positioned differently – from wall-hung, they are now positioned like chandeliers and perfect for an open kitchen concept. The multiple options available in chimneys are wall, roof or floor chimneys in accordance with kitchen design.
An elegant kitchen with a contemporary feel can turn ordinary gestures into novel emotions. Photo Courtesy: Bilal Mansuri on Unsplash
Furniture frenzy
A new technology that has been introduced in kitchens is soft-close. Drawers, baskets and doors have hardware that allows them to be closed softly, without banging or any noise. As a result, the door stops where you want it to and resists wear over time. This feature is possible using the ‘clip top blue motion’ system. The servo drives motorised mechanism of this system can also automatically open drawers, baskets and doors with the gentlest of touches to give the user more freedom, even with one’s hands full. This feature can be applied to drawers and deep drawers with blue motion.
Other innovative technologies in shutters are as follows:
Wall units
Lift upholding: Anti-crushing safety for fingers, soft closing, adjustment of the opening force.
The flap door opening provides full access to the cabinet. Doors stop at any position thanks to the progressive stop system.
Vertical opening: Total opening upwards, even in the presence of top units, and the compartment is fully accessible.
Oblique vertical opening: Tilting movement for a full opening in limited space.
Corner wall unit: Doors and hinges with 180-degree opening for the best use of all the corner spaces.
Glass wall unit: With wooden or aluminium satin and