When we look inside the house, the kitchen seems to be a central hub for any household. However many architecture and interior design companies consider the kitchen an important space for creating aesthetic and more functional culinary spaces. From layout planning to application selection, top architecture and interior design company provide both insights and help people create their own personal and functional kitchens. But what makes a design company create a kitchen as an aesthetic space? Let’s explore accessories, storage solutions and practical utility designs. Whether you’re a cooking enthusiast or a family-oriented homeowner, this blog will provide you with valuable insights for creating a kitchen that expresses your lifestyle and sense of warmth in your home.
Designing Your Dream Kitchen
The kitchen is the main area of the house, which works seven days a week. There are so many factors that need to be fixed before we finalize the kitchen design. Every house has a different requirement for its kitchen. We first have to analyze their current working style to fix their kitchen.
1. Vastu
Vastu plays an important role in the Indian kitchen. The position of the stove has to be in such a way
that the person cooking should face east while cooking. This almost fixes the pattern in which the
counter has to be organized.
2. Accessories
We need to know the list of accessories available so that we can fit them accordingly in the kitchen. Some basic accessories are
- Cutlery tray
- Plate basket
- Plain basket
- Oil pullout
These are basic needs for any kind of kitchen and hence we try to fit them into the basic kitchen design. For the basic kitchen, we can use two accessories. If we have space, then we go with three accessories, which look elegant.
Managing the corners is a challenge. We can use accessories like a magic corner, D-tray, or carousel unit in the corner. But this would increase the budget. When we can’t use the accessories, then we try to give an L-shaped corner shelf or an openable shelf for cylinders in the corner.
We also have accessories for an overhead unit like the cosario, which can be fixed below the OHU, a dish drainer above the sink, a pullout unit, etc.
We get pull-out baskets for storing non-refrigerator items like onions, potatoes, etc.
We also get dustbin accessories, which can be placed below the sink unit.
3. Appliances
We need to list out the appliances that the customer wants to use and try to fit them in the kitchen space. Some basic appliances would be
- Fridge
- Mixie
- Induction stove
- Grinder
We generally try to position the fridge in the corner, defining an end for the kitchen slab. Mixie is a day-to-day affair and hence we need to give space on the platform near the stove. So we try to put a rolling shutter in the corner over the platform. We can keep the appliances closed when they are not in use. The advantage of using the rolling shutter is that we can store other appliances like juicers, toasters, etc. on the shelf and all this would be tucked away by the rolling shutter.
When we fix the microwave oven, we need to make sure that there is no backply in that unit, as there would be a lot of heat generated.
A chimney outlet has to be planned. If we have to run a pipe across to reach the outer wall, we can try doing it over the OHU and even do a dummy box cover.
4. Water Line
The sink has to be placed in such a way that it is not a disturbance to cooking. It has to be far away from the cooking stove. The sink comes in a variety of materials, like SS, quartz, granite, etc. We need to choose based on the décor and budget. The size of the sink is also to be fixed to either 2’ or 3’, with or without a drain. To give the floor trap, we generally give a 3” raised floor below the sink.
The Aqua Guard is placed either above or below the sink.
If the client wants a dishwasher, it is better to place it near the sink so that the pipelines can be managed. The height of the dishwasher has to be ascertained. Some models are 3’ high and this has to be managed with the kitchen top.
5. Kitchen Top
The kitchen top is fixed at 2’9”. The kitchen top can be either granite, quartz or corian. Granite is the cheapest option. It is a natural stone. It is generally not advisable to use light-colored granite for the kitchen as it is not strain-resistant. When we install the granite, we generally create a groove right next to the nosing below the counter so that water dripping from the top can be routed. To avoid this, some prefer a corner patty on top.
6. Breakfast counter
When we have an open kitchen, the breakfast counter becomes a mandate to define the edge of the kitchen. We generally try to give this at 3’ or a little higher so that the kitchen top is segregated from the dining. We generally try to give a bar stool from the dining section and hence we need to provide a minimum of 6” leg space below the counter from the dining area.
7. Asthetics
We do tiling between the kitchen counter and OHU so that it is easy to clean up. As a leading architecture company, we know the importance of Aesthetics. it can be brought up by the choice of tiles as well as the kitchen color scheme. We try to break the monotony by giving one brighter tone for a back splash, which will highlight the kitchen. We can also suggest tiling over the OHU until the false ceiling bottom.
8. Storage
Sufficient storage is a must for any kitchen. We fix the appliance storage, utensil storage and provision storage. We also need storage for monthly provision, rarely used utensils, additional cylinders, etc. We generally try to create a storage room attached to the kitchen. We also try to give a minimum of 2’6” to 3’ tall storage in the kitchen. A loft can also be suggested, to some extent, where rarely used items can be tucked away.
9. Utility Area
We generally plan for a washing machine, dishwasher, dryer and cloth hanging area in the utility. We can provide a janitor store in this area. We can also plan for the second sink in this area so that the utensil washing can be done here and the vegetable washing in the kitchen sink.
10. Some Interesting Ideas
Some interesting things we have designed for clients in the past based on their requirements
- We had given the old lady of the house a bench to sit on and prepare, as she cannot sit on the floor or stand and work. Subsequently, this bench became a cozy corner for the members of the family to just sit and snack or chat with their mother while cooking. It became a happy corner.
- One of our clients said that they make rotis invariably every day, and there were a lot of people at home. So we gave them a pull-out unit where they kept a single small cylinder with a burner along with roti-making equipment. She can just pull out, sit on the floor and make rotis, and thus we scored a happy customer.
- One family drinks water only from a pot. So we gave them a slab adjacent to the sink where they could place the pot. Aquaguard water can fill the pot and they can open a tap in the pot for their water requirements.
- One customer had brought the kitchen wall down, meaning to have an open kitchen, through the builder. When we tried to do a kitchen, it had a kink in the front and it was quite a big space. We converted that space into a storage room with a door that can be locked. The front portion became a handwashing area accessible from the dining room. The client was so happy that she could keep her open kitchen clean and store everything in the store.
- A little girl in the family was so interested in baking and her father wanted to encourage her. But the kitchen was always busy. So we created a separate counter and placed all her baking gadgets near it. She can bake anytime without disturbing the regular cooking space and the father was super happy about the idea.
There is so much to learn from each project. Yet any new project has to be studied before we pen down the design. The kitchen is the expression of the lady of the house and it is our responsibility to keep her in good spirits. By spending time with the client during design, we can create a very functional kitchen.
Conclusion :
On the whole, creating a perfect kitchen needs meticulous representation of different aspects, from functionality to aesthetics. By highlighting house owners’ needs and wants, architects create spaces that elevate people’s day-to-day lives. By including innovative and creative solutions, a leading architecture and interior design company promises your kitchen to express the balance of style and practicality. Ultimately, an architecture & interior design company always has a goal to create a functional and beautiful kitchen that serves as the heart of a home, providing happiness to those who live there.
