Kitchen on wheels

Can you imagine your kitchen as a small mobile unit that can move anywhere in your house? No, we are not kidding you. Portable kitchen islands, a popular concept abroad, is now a reality  in India as well. Bindu Gopal Rao gives you the low-down on what these kitchen islands are all about.

Portable kitchen islands are mobile units with drawers and cabinets, which allow space for commonly-used items in the kitchen. Such units are usually seen as ‘slide-ins’ under a kitchen platform and can be moved around the kitchen and wherever they are needed within the house. So when a meal is being cooked, it can be moved near the stove and this allows easy access to items required while cooking.

Portable kitchen islands can easily be moved anywhere thanks to convenient caster wheels. They are a great solution if you are short on space as they can be pushed into a corner when not in use. In addition to versatile storage, a portable kitchen island provides a comfortable spot for a number of activities. “Adding a set of counter stools or bar stools around it creates a casual area for eating, reading, homework, entertaining and more. For example, during parties it can double up as a preparation table or even a food table. Just dress it up by putting a table cloth on the top and roll it outside to the dining area. Besides all this, a portable kitchen island is also a good option when you are out of your budget and still want to renovate the kitchen,” says Anubha Charan, Decor & Style head at Heaven­andHome.com.

The need for easy access of kitchenware, mobility, and changing Indian urban lifestyles has prompted the use of portable kitchen islands. This is especially true for people who are always on the move and dine a lot with guests.

“What’s more, portable kitchen islands are ideal for limited space. “When you need extra space in the kitchen or want to take your kitchen outside the kitchen, then portable kitchen islands are very handy. Kitchen islands have become a very important kitchen utility in a multitude of ways. Portable kitchen islands come with compact cabinets on wheels, and are commonly available in two different materials-stainless steel and wood.
But other options such as granite, marble are also available,” says Mehal Chhaya from homeanddecor.in Adds Umang Srivastava, Jt. MD of Casa Brands, the pioneers in Home Organizing & Storage Category under their brand ‘Bonita’,

“Efficient home organisation is the keyword in today’s scenario. It is all about managing your house with efficient organising products while creating more space in the existing house without losing its aesthetic beauty. The idea of portable kitchen islands is one among many concepts to create flexible space. Portable kitchen islands give you the flexibility of creating more space for your cooking needs without taking up fixed space in your kitchen. There is definitely a big future in India for such efficient organising products.”

Acceptability

A relatively new concept in India, the idea is becoming increasingly popular as space gets more constrained and people are on the move, shifting houses and even cities every few years. “They are available at most home decor stores across the country. However, an increasing number of families are just getting them built from a local carpenter and mason – like most other pieces of furniture in India,” says Charan. This is a new trend in India and usually seen in spacious apartments and houses. “They can be custom-made, based on a design that one would find suitable to match one’s interiors,” says Anirban Banerjee, Head of Interior Design at iDream, a multi-disciplinary Architectural and Interior Design Firm.

What’s new

Portable kitchen islands reflect the same trends seen in kitchen storage in general – primary being touch-close doors, ergonomically designed fittings and more efficient storage. Plus, the countertops are also increasingly available in a variety of materials – like steel, granite, butcher's block and wood – to suit your interiors.

Most popular base materials remain wood and steel. Multi-use islands are gaining portability, especially due to paucity of space in an urban environment. “Portable kitchen islands that double up as a small breakfast table or a mini bar serve multiple purposes.
Trendy ones can even incorporate an induction heater or a gas stove, such that such units can be taken outdoors (in a house with a lawn) and used for cooking. Some units even come with washing facilities,” says Banerjee.

Challenges

Maintaining portable kitchen islands come with their own set of challenges. “The wheels are usually the first element to go bad. For maximum durability, opt for ball-bearing wheels: They will effortlessly swivel and work well on either hard floor surfaces or heavy pile carpet. For tops, granite works well because of its easy-to-clean surface, durability and resistance to heat and scratches,” says Charan.

As such units are exposed to water, the materials used to make such units need to ensure easy maintenance. “Often surfaces like Corian (a solid surface brand from Dupont) and stainless steel are used to give seamless finishes, such that water percolation risk is minimised. Besides water, because the units are mobile, they tend to bang against things. So the sides need to be tough as well. Wheels need to be strong and robust to ensure a long life,” says Banerjee.

Challenges notwithstanding, the concept is one that will come to stay and soon. The kitchen island usually has cabinets underneath which means there is more storage space.

“People who love their kitchen to be neat, clean and spacious would love the extra storage space kitchen islands provide to stash away utensils and dishes. The cook of the family could sit while they work or if you have guests who chat incessantly then kitchen islands come to the rescue. We always run out of counter space. A kitchen island gives everyone another counter that can be used for chopping vegetables, rolling out dough or a number of other things.

“Not only is it cheaper to get a portable kitchen island that rolls on wheels but it is also very versatile. A rolling kitchen island can provide more space than a fixed one,” says Chhaya. Get ready to cook on the go!