13
Jul

Smart Kitchen

Our day-to-day requirements are changing along with lifestyle and not to mention the climatic changes everywhere, with practically very little time on hand.
Many kitchens are designed in an open plan format nowadays, adjacent to dining or living rooms hence, it becomes all the more important to make the space hygienic, spacious, comfortable and welcoming.
So let’s talk about Smart Kitchens…

S– Sustainability
M– Modern
A– Aesthetic
R-Reliant
T– Tailormade

Pillars of Smart Kitchen
1 Efficient with energy & time-saving devices to prepare healthy meals.
2 Minimalistic approach for easy maintenance and a clean appearance.
3 Use of sustainable materials for durability and timeless quality.
4 Well-designed layouts for a functional, airy, and spacious look.

A well-designed smart kitchen not only means efficient appliances with a good layout but is made with budget-friendly sustainable materials, contains optimum storage for food & provisions, good plumbing and most importantly  good functional space between the sink, cooking range, and refrigerator(the work triangle) for free movement.

Proper ventilation and sunlight:

Who can deny the importance of natural light and proper ventilation in the kitchen? A well-lit kitchen with good sunlight is a healthy way to cook and enjoy meals.

Due to various reasons, if one does not have a window, in that case, it’s crucial to have an efficient rangehood suitable to your needs to remove the grease and smoke from your kitchen space with appropriate task lights.

Functionality and Appliances:

It is advisable to invest in energy-saving appliances for your kitchen as it is a one-time cost, value for money and low maintenance.

Refrigerator/ freezer-

The refrigerator/ freezer has to be placed away from direct sunlight for optimum function.
A constant supply of electricity is essential for efficient functioning so that food stays fresh longer. You may want to invest in an inverter for handling power fluctuations.

Sink, garbage disposal unit/ dishwasher-

The space below the sink can have wet & dry bins or a garbage disposer or compactor as suitable.
Pull-out trolleys are suggested for detergents, housekeeping materials, etc. next to it.
Above the sink, overhead cabinet space can be designated for daily dishes and glasses for convenience.
For maximum functionality and safety, the sink needs to be in the center of the cooking range and refrigerator, whatever the layout of the kitchen. If you have a dishwasher it should be placed next to the sink so that the transferring of the vessels is easy. Also, there should be enough space for the dishwasher door to open in front.

Stainless sinks are the most hygienic.

Garbage Disposer-

  • Eco-friendly & Sustainable.
  • Saves landfill.
  • Reduces the use of plastic bags.
  • Hygienic.
  • No dustbins are needed.
  • Easy to install & efficient.

Garbage compactor-

  • Reduces waste:
  • Saves landfill.
  • Reduces the use of plastic bags.
  • The smart alternative for dustbins.
  • Available in portable options too & saves space.
  • Efficient reduces odour.
  • Budget-friendly.

Countertop-

While selecting a benchtop, make sure you choose a scratch and stain-resistant and durable material which will last you long.

Eg- Oil finished wood is easy to clean and environmentally friendly.

Stainless steel is very hygienic but prone to lots of scratches.

Marble looks very elegant and popular but can stain if not sealed properly.

Nothing transforms a kitchen like a well-finished countertop, esp. when made with Caesarstone. It’s sustainable, non-porous, scratch & stain resistant, low maintenance, adds elegance, and is flexible in design.

Rangehood-

Keep your kitchen smoke and grease free, keeping indoors fresh and comfortable.

Rangehoods are available in 2 types – over-the-head chimneys and downdraft.

Downdraft rangehood is stationed near the gas stove or any appliance that needs ventilation, esp. where overhead rangehood is not possible or undesirable. It is Ideal for high ceilings and island cooktops.

Key features:

  • Sleek & space-saving.
  • Efficient.
  • Retracting when not in use.
  • Compatible with various kitchens & stylish!

For pocket-friendly – Place your gas stove close to the window preferably facing East. (Vaastu tip ) and add a good exhaust fan to clear the hot air, smoke. and grease from your kitchen.

Additional Tips
1 Flooring can become a stunning feature in your interiors by choosing a neutral colour scheme for the walls and furniture.
2 Choices for backsplash – porcelain/ ceramic tiles, natural stone, back painted mirror, coloured glass or stainless steel. Although stainless steel is mostly used by commercial kitchens as it is prone to scratches.
3 Creating an appliance bank or a space, especially for appliances with power points reduces the clutter on the platform and gives extra space.
4 If space permits, the kitchen can be attached to the utility /laundry room for the dryer, washing machine and housekeeping gadgets.
5 Space above the overhead cabinets can be used as lofts for extra storage.
6 A step-up stool to reach out for higher shelves.
7 It is very important to provide a ventilation grill if you have built-in devices for the heat to dissipate, for e.g freezer, refrigerator, oven, microwave etc.
8 While installing a dishwasher, dryer and washing machine it is advisable to leave space on both sides of the device for maintenance and mobility.

E.g of old-style cooking range.

  • Glass and wood being sustainable and environmentally friendly can be used for cabinets.
  • Pull-out trolleys for your spices and provisions are an easy way to organise.
  • See-through glass makes it more convenient.

E.g of Industrial style open plan kitchen with an island.

E.g of Gallery kitchen with open shelves & task lights.

  • Base cabinet drawers help you organise your heavy vessels, pots, and pans, create more storage space, keep your kitchen clutter free and look sleek and spacious and reduce frequent bending down.

E.g of Country-side kitchen

  • Adding a rod with hooks helps you stay organized.

Organised cutlery drawer looks clean, clutter-free and efficient.

Hope the blog has helped you in one way or another. Please share your thoughts in the comment section.

Thank you!