7 essentials for Indian Kitchens
Practical suggestions for the perfect kitchen for you
BLOG POST : 22 Sept 2020 | Pooja Narayan Director Architecture NBMA
Your kitchen is at the heart of your home. Whether you cook yourself or have a cook, or hired help managing the kitchen, you want it to be clean, airy, bright, well organised and practical to use.
We are often asked by clients about open kitchens, modular kitchens, Italian kitchens, layouts, finishes, appliances.
So here’s our go to list for Indian Kitchens – some must-haves that are practical and essential to make work in the kitchen easier and enjoyable.
1. Proper light & ventilation – Windows in kitchens are essential for both natural light and natural ventilation. Indian cooking produces smoke, grease and odour, and it is imperative for the kitchen to have adequate ventilation (both natural and mechanical) to rid it of strong cooking smells, smoke, gases and air-borne grease and maintain a healthy indoor air quality (IAQ). Remember to factor in natural ventilation, while providing for ducted chimneys and air conditioning. Under-cabinet/ worktop task lighting is a great way to illuminate your prep areas, and also works as mood lighting to highlight the wall designs.
2. A suitable and sturdy countertop – Indian cooking requires a strong and durable countertop, made of materials that are hardy, non-porous, low maintenance, unlikely to stain, and can stand up to a good amount of wear and tear. Granite and quartz as countertop materials are the most popular, followed by composite materials. Avoid using light coloured materials, or ones that are porous or brittle.
3. Deep drawers for large utensils – With so many kinds of cuisines, indian kitchens have a large number of utensils. Deep drawers, and magic corners with wire baskets can help to organise your pressure cookers, idli makers, kadais etc, without losing the lids!
Large pull outs are needed for drums for flour, rice and cooking oil.
4. A double bowl sink with drainboard – Most Indian households enjoy the luxury of having a maid to do the dishes. Its imperative to have a double sink, both for washing vegetables & meat etc, and for soaping and rinsing utensils. Large pots and pans need to be left on the drainboard to dry before they can be put away.
5. A place for all your appliances – Depending on the size of your home and kitchen, you might have an oven, a microwave, a blender, a coffee machine, an electric kettle, a fridge, a deepfreeze, a dishwasher, a washing machine, an air fryer, etc. Plan with your designer where each of these will go, to avoid clutter later. Integrate appliances like water filtration/ RO system, waste compactors etc at the design stage.
6. Well designed over counter and under counter storage, along with open shelves/ racks for frequently used items like spices, ghee, etc within easy reach of the cook top.
7. Plan for waste segregation, recycling, composting and responsible garbage disposal.
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