HOME AND HAPPINESS (3/5): A GUIDE TO COOKING AND DINING INTO ONE’S HEART
- Malika Vaidya
- Oct 4, 2020
- 7 min read
A kitchen along with a well-designed dining area is a way to set a healthy lifestyle and create a cozy family space. The process of cooking and having a meal is made enjoyable with a well-designed kitchen and dining area.
Traditionally, the kitchen and the dining area were two rooms/ areas separated both functionally and spatially. Today, due to a space crunch in cities, the idea of a modern kitchen with combined dining area has gained popularity. Initially aimed at addressing the issue of space crunch and maximize the space utilisation in small apartments, the modern kitchen gained popularity because of the convenience and pleasure it brought. Cooking felt less of a chore as one was continuously engaged both visually and physically with their surroundings and family compared to feeling of being lonely in an enclosed space in a traditional kitchen.
The recent pandemic has compelled one to take a long hard look at one’s abode. People have gone back to eating meals at home and this has brought the kitchen to the forefront of house dynamics – it has become the place where we spend a major portion of the day.
So, today, we are taking a look at how one can revamp the kitchen and the dining space to meet one’s personal requirements and mood, ranging from pocket friendly and quick makeovers to some major overhauls.
KITCHEN
A good kitchen design maximizes counter space and storage and is a pleasure to use. It has an efficient working area (kitchen work triangle) and is naturally well lit and ventilated.
COLOUR
Colour is an important aspect in a kitchen and should be used mindfully. It can be incorporated in a kitchen through walls, cabinets and appliances. One can stick to neutral colours for the cabinets and walls while adding an accent of colour with appliances. Also, a contrast can be created by keeping the walls neutral and adding colour to the cabinets and vice- versa. Though, it is advised that darker colours be avoided in a kitchen (as it makes the space appear smaller and dingy) but, if the kitchen has ample natural light, one can experiment with dark colours such as warm browns or deep greens and blues.
For a more detailed look into colour, one can read through our previous article….
MATERIALS
Walls: Paint is an easy and inexpensive way to update a kitchen wall. As kitchens are a busy space in a household, there tend to be a lot of splatter and spillage in the area. Hence, cleaning the walls in case of splatter and spillage should be easy and manageable.
There are two types of paints that one can select from – oil paint and latex paint. Oil paint is very resistant to water, which is why it works well in kitchens. It also tends to be very shiny, so it's mainly used on cabinets, woodwork and doors. Latex paint is the more popular option for kitchen walls and it comes in a few different finishes. It is best to select a satin or semi-gloss finish for kitchen walls as these are easier to clean.
Cabinets: They are made up of two components – the skeleton and the outer covering.
For the skeleton, Plywood, MDF or HDF, particleboard or wood are the most common choices.
· Marine or BWP (boiling water proof) plywood is moisture resistant and is the best option for kitchen and bathroom cabinets where a lot of water spills and splashes happens.
· High Density and Medium Density Fiberboards (HDF and MDF) are engineered woods. They are made with wood particles bonded together with hot glue. These boards are commonly used for kitchen cabinets, but are less durable and offer less strength than plywood.
For the outer covering - While the most common finish is laminate, modular kitchens also commonly come in PU, acrylic or membrane finishes.
· Laminates are available in a wide variety of eye-catching colours, textures and finishes. They are high on durability and easy to clean and are inexpensive, making them the most popular choice.
· Membrane finishes comes in as a close second. With a seamless finish, it ensures high durability. It is a PVC foil available in matte, glossy and wooden finishes. The membrane is the most popular finish for kitchens today.
· PU finish comes in glossy or matte. It is painted right on the shutter for a seamless, durable finish that is very appealing. It is very hard and extremely durable but is also the most expensive finishing option.
Counter tops: The most commonly used materials for counter tops are laminates, stones and acrylics. For laminates, the bare counter is covered with a sheet of high-pressure laminate. Stones such as granite, marble and quartz are highly durable and easy to clean.
One can choose a counter top colour and texture that compliments the wall finish or cabinets and shelving or the flooring.
FLOORING
Some of the most durable materials for kitchen flooring are waterproof vinyl, ceramic tiles, laminates, hardwood, engineered wood, bamboo flooring and cork flooring.
· Ceramic tiles – It is an extremely durable flooring material that is very hard and impervious to water and stains. It lasts indefinitely with little change to its appearance or function over time. The tiles are also available in numerous colours, faux natural patterns, as well as sizes, shapes, and even mosaics.
· Waterproof Vinyl planks usually resemble an upscale laminate floor, giving a modern, convincing look.
· Hardwood is by nature a very durable flooring material in most areas of the home, but it has limitations in any areas susceptible to moisture—and that includes kitchens. Any hardwood flooring, whether solid hardwood planks or engineered wood flooring featuring a hardwood veneer, is more susceptible to problems with moisture and stains than other flooring materials.
· Cork flooring – an eco – friendly alternative in the market, cork flooring is resilient and is known for being the most comfortable and joint friendly flooring option.
· Bamboo flooring - bamboo is actually harder than hardwood, and its manufacturing process makes it more resistant to moisture and water damage. It is an increasingly popular choice for kitchens since it is considerably more durable than wood. The drawback to bamboo is that it is somewhat more expensive than hardwood.
LIGHTING
A kitchen should have the means to get ample natural light. But, in reality, a lot of kitchen areas tend to be poorly lit and ventilated. In this case, artificial lighting can help nullify the lack of natural light in the space. Another option for ceiling lights are rack lights which can be installed where there is no false ceiling. Apart from the general lighting i.e ceiling lights in the kitchen, task lighting plays an important role. Under cabinet lights are important as they ensure safety and act as task lighting.
Pendant lights act as ambient lighting and can be used as centre pieces in lighting. Having multiple lighting options ensures flexibility and provides sufficient light in the room.
DINING AREA
A good dining space offers comfortable seating and circulation around it.
FURNITURE
The dining table is the focus of a dining space. Hence, the size, colour and the material used, makes or breaks a space. One needs to first and foremost identify the size of the dining table taking into account the space available. Second comes the shape of the table – round or rectangular.
Round tables feel less formal and induces conversation but a larger round table has the opposite effect but at the same time reduces the formal tone of official parties. On the other hand, rectangular tables are traditionally used and are a great option for groups larger than six. One needs to take a call depending on the number of people they wish to entertain. Sometimes, the shape and size of the table is dictated by the room itself.
While selecting chairs, one should pay attention to its design i.e they should be ergonomic, comfortable and easy to move around. Chairs made of solid wood look and feel great but tend to be very heavy to lift.
Hence, the material used for tables can be classic such as wood and marble, which are durable and don’t wear out easily and the colour palette can be kept neutral. And, one can play with colour, upholstery and style of the chairs.
For a traditional dining room, the dining table takes the centre stage and is usually placed in the centre of the dining room. On the other hand, in an open plan kitchen space, the dining table is usually placed in a corner or can be incorporated with the kitchen as a kitchen island cum dining table. In both the above cases, a pendant light helps to create a focal point for the room.
The recent trend of bench style dining looks chic and minimalistic. But a backless seating becomes cumbersome for longer duration and the bench style proves difficult to manoeuvre while serving.
DÉCOR
A centre piece on the table such as a flower vase or a candle stand, etc can add an element of elegance to the table. Table runners and placement mats chosen to compliment the upholstery add a layer of detail to the whole space. Lot of themes ranging from classic to quirky to boho chic can be explored and incorporated to make the dining area and table a sight to behold.
One can play with materials while adding contrast as is seen in the above images. In both cases, wood is contrasted with black colour. The use of wood veneers for the cabinets and the addition of the colour yellow in the first image brightens up the kitchen considerably as compared to the second one.
Playing in the same tonal space as seen with the cabinets and counter tops, adds a seamless depth to the kitchen area. The splash of colour on the wall helps in breaking the monotony of the space. Also, under cabinet lights are used as task lighting for the counter.
The dining table is a combination of wood and metal giving it an up-cycled look while the chairs add the much needed colour contrast to the neutral theme of the room. Placement of table centre pieces along with a pendant light, draws one's focus to the dining table.
Whether you are looking for some makeover tips or just good old inspiration, we hope this helps you to optimise your kitchen and dining space according to your needs. after all, the kitchen and dining area is the heart of the home which feeds the soul.
You have written very informative post about home decor.