Blending aesthetics and utility

A kitchen is often the heart of the home. Traditionally, kitchens have been an elemental part of Indian homes.  When we think about kitchens, cooking is the first thing that strikes our mind. What most of us often forget is that the kitchen is actually the centre of attention of your home. A kitchen combines aesthetics and functionality and is a social space for casual interaction with family and friends. There are a lot of factors that have to be taken into account while designing a  new kitchen  or remodelling an existing one.  Modularity, minimal aesthetics and top-notch functionality are what modern kitchens are all about.  Even though kitchens have evolved greatly on aesthetics, today's hectic and diverse lifestyle demands equal functionality.

The essentials

Kitchen cabinets  can be made with  a variety of materials. Many cabinets  are built with a combination of wooden products such as plywood, particle board among others. Kitchens lend themselves to a variety of wood-based products, countertops, flooring, stainless steel appliances, glass cabinets and accessories as well.  The finishing is always strong, but sometimes there can be problems with the materials. In order to get the most out of your cabinets, they must be properly installed and maintained regularly.

One of the components which makes the kitchen complete is the countertop, also called worktop. A countertop is a horizontal work surface generally constructed in kitchens and bathrooms. It is usually installed on the cabinet for support. A few of the counter tops are pre-cut and are standard in size. We can choose the material and design based on the appliances and sinks that are installed. Natural stone and quartz are one of the most commonly used materials.

Countertops are made appealing by chiselling them in the front. These edges are more than just decorative features as the rounded edges prevent injuries. While working in the kitchen, we use water and other liquids often, and they spill. This tends to spill onto the cabinets beneath. As most of the materials used in the cabinets are wood-based products and metals, exposure to water or moisture is not desirable. This will affect the durability of the kitchen. The best and easiest solution to prevent this is by introducing water grooves in the countertop. This serves as the protection between countertop spills and the cabinets.

The details

Water grooves are linear channels that run on the surface of the countertop. The grooves are usually located half an inch to an inch above the cabinets, just below the countertops. The water spilt on the countertop normally tends to flow down. By preventing the drips from reaching the cabinets, the water grooves help prevent damage from decay.

The market has varieties of built-in groove countertops available. They can also be added with the help of the rotary tool. And not just in the kitchen cabinets ­- this can be done in vanity units or any other units where the countertops are exposed to water spills. This small aspect will help save the cabinets from water damage and helps increase the durability of the kitchen.

Water grooves are little known but play a significant role in the durability of a kitchen. It is substantive yet unrecognised. We call it the unsung hero. It is important to invest in a quality kitchen and ensure features like water grooves are part of the upgrades. After all, the kitchen is the most valuable and useful space when it comes to the resale value of a house.