Today’s kitchen is a living and breathing space, dedicated to more than just cooking meals, baking and  cleaning up. Filled with energy and life, kitchen is the soul of a home : it has become a conversation facilitator, a space to hang out and catch up with your loved ones. Kitchen styles come in many varieties and you must have a strong idea about how you’d like your new kitchen to look. Whether you are all about luxury or bound to the basics, awareness of these fundamentals can make all the difference.

Space plan : Space planning of a kitchen can actually make a kitchen feel larger or more open.Modern kitchens do more than their traditional predecessors,We are basically putting a family room, breakfast room and kitchen  all in one space. This means re-evaluating the traditional work-triangle: refrigerator, sink and stove. Plan your kitchen based on “activity centres” or “zones.”

<> Work Zones:  The basic work zones to think about in your kitchen are : 

• Consumables zone: The area used to store most of your food. This may actually be split into two zones: one for your refrigerator (fresh food) and one for your pantry or food cabinets (dry goods, oils, etc.).
• Non-consumables zone: The area used to store everyday dishes, including plates, bowls, glasses, and silverware.
• Cleaning zone: The area that contains the sink and dishwasher (if you have one)
• Preparation zone: The area where most of your kitchen prep happens. This may be a stretch of countertop, or a kitchen island.
• Cooking zone: The area that contains the stovetop, oven, or range, and possibly the microwave.

<> Activities
Additionally, a kitchen might also provide spaces for these activities:

Design elements in a kitchen?

Few important factors that you should consider are :

Flooring: Your kitchen floor, besides being practical and durable, is a major design statement as well. The floor you choose affects every other element of your design and with the variety of materials, colours and textures available today, your choices are nearly endless.

Kitchen Cabinets: For a modern look, you need to make your appliances look built-in. Especially your refrigerator, since it occupies the highest space in the kitchen. A kitchen also needs space to store food, cookware and small appliances. Design the cabinets in such a way that all these can fit in.  Use soft shades on kitchen cabinets to visually expand a small room.

Kitchen Backsplash :Refined or funky, neutral or loud: What’s your style? Your  kitchen backsplash is a personality piece, the focal point.The tiles you choose to spruce up the wall space between the countertop and cabinets and above the range, should showcase the colour scheme and theme of your kitchen, whether contemporary or traditional.

Counter space :Finding appropriate places for appliances, creating pantry areas for groceries and extending countertops for dining purposes will maximise counter space. An island is a luxury item that can offer added counter space and an eating area. Often a peninsula can add countertop and seating space, too. Both these installments can offer added cabinetry and needed storage as well.Use light colours in a small kitchen. Dark coloured counter tops  shrink an already small space and make it less inviting.

Sockets in the cupboards  : The trend these days is to hide your appliances away in a cupboard. Ensure that you plan for electric sockets to be installed inside your cupboards, so your appliances can actually be plugged in.

Lighting  :The most effective lighting for the kitchen involves four layers blended together: task, ambient, accent and decorative lighting, this would give a warm and inviting environment that works with your other design elements to create a practical workspace and lively entertainment area.

Bon appétit !!