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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 brill finishes frames, coloured glossy and satin glass are available in all colours as per the overall palette.
Plate rack unit: All plate rack units have grills and drip trays in stainless steel or crominox finishes.
The Wall unit with hood works to fully integrate the chimney in the wall unit.
Each kitchen has a different aesthetic and ambience. However, the components pretty much remain the same, just in a new avatar. Photo Courtesy: Collov Home Design on Unsplash
Base units
Opening with soft close hinge: Doors close gently and silently with the ‘clip top blue motion’ system.
180-degree opening: Maximum accessibility available to the unit with 180-degree hinges.
Base unit with ironing board provides telescopic guides for a fully-integrated ironing board.
Base unit with table: A table hidden in a drawer compartment to provide an additional work surface.
The drawer below the oven uses each space in the best possible manner.
Pull out baskets or LeMansbasket: Convenient trays with sliding mechanisms or crescent shape baskets help to use the space to the last inch.
Base unit with deep drawers and internal drawers with a wide range of accessories for customisation; full-door deep drawers with extractable recycle waste bins.
Plate racks, equipped drawers, extractable internal shelves and a multitude of integrated accessories come with minimalistic design. Photo Courtesy: Jason Briscoe on Unsplash
Column units
The column unit for storage is as big as a real pantry. This unit works to convert isolated corners in the kitchen into functional space. One can mount a LeMans tray, independent baskets, the resina dtray, etc., which conceal and exploit every inch of kitchen space. It can also include a pull-out basket with a swivel system; columns with the Pegaso mechanism in which the door opens sideways; and one can also choose the internal equipment according to one's needs.
Column units can also be equipped with handy trays with sliding mechanisms and reinforced shelves, which are designed for heavy loads and are available with or without lights. Some pull-out baskets fully exploit the 30 cm-wide space. The innovative strike system in reinforced shelves prevents the shelves from bending even when they are supporting heavy loads. The oven column unit with a vertical opening door also allows one to place the microwave above the oven.
The design goes hand-in-hand with aesthetics; the customer today looks for style, uniqueness and technology. Photo Courtesy: Steven Ungermann on Unsplash
Trends today
A personalised kitchen is a top priority for customers today – be it in terms of technology, utility, design or colour. If it is a space with curved corners, the shutters and cabinetry must be curved. Even breakfast counters are following the trend. Extended or peninsula counters are also most preferred now. This comes with the concept of an open kitchen where the kitchen and living areas are amalgamated mainly due to limited space in apartments or flats.
Apart from this, now, a large number of colours are available in different modern finishes like laminate, acrylic and lacquer, and classic ones like veneer and wood. Kitchens now come as handleless spaces to give a minimalistic look. Otherwise, those with handles come with quaint handles that give a sense of antiquity. Overall, an elegant kitchen with a contemporary feel can turn ordinary gestures into novel emotions, making the kitchen a place to gather and celebrate!
[The article was authored by Leena Agarwal, National Head - Design & Operations, Cucine Lube India and was first published in the April-June 2014 issue of Kitchen Ideas.]
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