Kitchen, the new saloon

Once relegated into a humble corner with space for one individual to stand and dish out routine fare, the kitchen is fast transforming into a spacious, expansive, high-tech and design savvy area that entertains guests. In the newly-built contemporary luxury homes, the self-effacing kitchen is getting re-conceptualised into an important aspect of home design carrying multiple purposes.

“The kitchen is not just a place for cooking. It is an area for play. It is where the family comes together, like in the living area. Kitchen, along with the living space, forms a part of the house where family ties get better, conflicts are resolved and futures brighten. We tend to bring the kitchen into the living space and vice versa,” says Sameer AM, founder and CEO, Bonito Designs.

In older homes, more design considerations were given to the living spaces, while kitchens were purely utilitarian, says Mayank Ruia, CEO of Maia Estates, a luxury realty developer. Ruia believes over the past few years, kitchens have started becoming larger with open spaces where families come to cook, celebrate, enjoy and entertain.

A contemporary kitchen today is the epicentre of the home, where an entire family gets together on a holiday and dishes out mouth-watering menus over laughs and conversations, space where hors-d'oeuvres are crafted and cocktails are mixed, and where people mingle over a brunch or a party. 

Thus, almost 15% of the total space in a luxury home now comprises the kitchen and includes unique additions such as islands that work as breakfast counters, dining tables, salad bars, liquor cabinets and mini-libraries. The kitchen island, say experts, is now a must-have and is where kids complete their homework, where adults converse over coffee or cocktails, and where books are read at a leisurely pace.

“Breakfast counters are integrated with designs as part of present-day kitchens. Party essential cabinets like crockery, bar cabinets are also integrated as part of the kitchen design,” says Ravindra Pai, managing director, Century Real Estate.

To celebrate the re-moulding of the kitchen, designers and developers are infusing an array of vibrant hues, pastels, neutrals, gold and sparkle with warm textures to create a visual treat. Gone are the boring greys, whites and monochromatic palates. Pai says with modular kitchens having closed cabinets, slim chairs, streamlined stools and narrow tables; it brings in a sleek and contemporary look. “We design the kitchen in a way to provide ample counter space. Access to the kitchen space between work centres like cooking, preparation and storage are addressed adequately. While windows are planned to provide ample space to the cabinet area and our designs provide for natural ventilation and adequate light.”

Kitchens are also coming of age, getting smarter and aligned with the tech sensibilities of digital native homeowners.

According to Sameer, handle-less drawers, app-driven appliances and smart kitchens that regulate temperature, ventilation and check on grocery levels are not beyond the current graspable reality. “Infusion of home automation as a technology overlay amplifies the existing innovation within the kitchen. Kitchen appliances and storage talking to each other to provide a seamless experience are here already,” says Sameer.

Ruia says they have provided a three-tier kitchen that allows for a multitude of functions and use-cases. “The fully equipped personal kitchen, which is attached to the dining and living space, caters to the master chefs in us. It contains seamless gadgetry, such as induction hobs, wine coolers and Amazon Alexa integration, making it a perfect hang-out. The main kitchen has expansive countertops that provide space to cook, with inbuilt appliances to satisfy any chef. The utility is planned with precision measured cabinetry and large sinks to accommodate any size vessel,’’ says Ruia, adding that kitchen is a large consideration for buyers and the design is important to realtors. “A house’s resale depends greatly on its kitchen and many sellers aim to bring in new accessories, paint and appliances to help the sales.”

PLACE FOR SOCIAL SOIRÉE

• A contemporary kitchen is the epicentre of home, where an entire family gets together on a holiday 
   
• They dish out mouth-watering menus over laughs in spaces where cocktails are mixed, people mingle over a brunch or a party
   
• Almost 15% of the total space in a luxury home now comprises the kitchen and includes unique additions, say experts