JOIN USMore than just a room for cooking and feeding the family, kitchens are quickly becoming the place where most of the action at home is taking place. From preparing and sharing breakfast with the family in the morning to entertaining guests at an evening do, the kitchen is the centre of most activities. We live and work in our kitchens the entire day, and it is no wonder that the space is quickly becoming the heart of a home.
Whether you are creating a new space, renovating it or redecorating it, consider its impact on every aspect of your life before jumping in. Changes in the kitchen decor are permanent and can even contribute to your mood and life in general. Consider drawing inspiration from some easy-to-follow decor tips to transform the kitchen space from the mundane to the eclectic — the space you always wanted.
Muted monotony
It is always assumed that kitchens should be bright and beautiful, featuring striking
designs, contrast colours and vibrant hues. Given that colours are linked to appetite, we have been going in for colourful choices for long.
However, many modern kitchens are minimalist and are designed in plain white or dark colours to give them a versatile look. Another alternative is the use of black and white as a backsplash colour while leaving the rest of the room in brighter hues. This monochromatic palette adds a uniqueness appeal.
Storage, the quirky way
Although wall and bottom cabinets are kitchen standards, bringing an interesting perspective includes the addition of floating shelves to hold frequently used items like cups and saucers or display collectibles and accessories. Using pigeon-hole shelves along one wall adds an interesting decor aspect as well as functions as a handy way for storage of kitchen linen, cutlery and serving plates. Lining the back of the shelf unit with wallpaper adds a unique touch.
Merging two rooms
With open kitchens becoming the norm, it is common to find the kitchen and living room or dining room sharing the same space. Making the most of this includes decorating the space such that it exudes your own unique style. From painting the connecting walls with bright and vibrant colours, to creating interesting nooks, to placing a large-sized table at the centre of the rooms, which can be used for eating and entertaining, there are many ways in which kitchens can be enhanced, making them vibrant, casual and cool.
Big on style
Compact kitchens are seen in most Indian homes and can be a challenge to decorate. There are limited options to play around with, yet they can help bring out the homeowner’s personality. Keeping a muted palette for the room, and highlighting a particular decor in bright colours, such as a cabinet in sunny yellow or crockery in neon green, creates a focal point that takes the gaze away from the rest of the room.
Experimenting mode
Previously, kitchens just had just one style and scheme, but it has been observed that more and more people are playing with their personal styles, adding bright pops of colour, creating space for their passion, be it a baking nook or mixology cabinet. Colour combinations of vanilla white and high-gloss red, rustic brick backsplash with sleek veneer cabinets are unique and can rejuvenate the cooking space.
Quality first
A kitchen cannot do without the basics – the appliances and accessories that make cooking fun and engaging. These, how-ever, do not need to be staid and boring. Appliances like refrigerators, ovens and toasters can be bought to match the overall decor and colour scheme, while cutlery, pans and other accessories can be stocked and arranged in such a way as to enhance the decor. Case in point being the overhanging cooking pans range that can be placed over an island adding an interesting perspective.
Lighting secrets
Lighting, when cleverly used, can make the kitchen look like a work of art. Subtle lighting doesn’t just enhance the decor, but also highlights certain key aspects. Pendant lights, focus lights and under counter lighting can make even a boring kitchen seem eclectic.
(The author is head — marketing, Capricoast.com)