Kitchen Guides
6 Must-Have Upgrades for a Modern Kitchen
Considering upgrading your kitchen further? Here are 6 ideas you won't regret spending your money on
If you are planning to renovate your kitchen or are installing a new one, take a look at these latest modern upgrades – a mix of functional and design ideas that are not fleeting trends but here to stay.
…and zoneless at that
Zoneless induction hobs are incredibly versatile and, therefore, increasingly popular. Instead of having a number of designated cooking zones, you can place your saucepans anywhere on the surface of a zoneless hob. It allows you to use very small to very large pans, fitting as many on it as the area can take, in any arrangement.
Note: You need special induction-friendly cookware, or any iron, enamel or steel vessel that has a perfectly flat bottom which is magnetic (that is, a magnet sticks to it).
Zoneless induction hobs are incredibly versatile and, therefore, increasingly popular. Instead of having a number of designated cooking zones, you can place your saucepans anywhere on the surface of a zoneless hob. It allows you to use very small to very large pans, fitting as many on it as the area can take, in any arrangement.
Note: You need special induction-friendly cookware, or any iron, enamel or steel vessel that has a perfectly flat bottom which is magnetic (that is, a magnet sticks to it).
2. LED lighting
Thanks to ever-changing technology, LED lighting has lost its chilly, unfriendly look. Moreover, they are super energy-savers, longer-lasting than halogen and fluorescent bulbs and can be used in a variety of ways. They can be installed anywhere in your kitchen, as uplights, downlights or accent lighting, and offer a simple but effective means of transforming the look and feel of the space. Here, LEDs have been used as ceiling lights, to light up the cabinets and to illuminate the work space beneath.
Thanks to ever-changing technology, LED lighting has lost its chilly, unfriendly look. Moreover, they are super energy-savers, longer-lasting than halogen and fluorescent bulbs and can be used in a variety of ways. They can be installed anywhere in your kitchen, as uplights, downlights or accent lighting, and offer a simple but effective means of transforming the look and feel of the space. Here, LEDs have been used as ceiling lights, to light up the cabinets and to illuminate the work space beneath.
Tip: Being ultra-slim and malleable, LEDs strip lights can be installed in tight spaces and hidden from view. The colour, shape, size and wattage of the LEDs can be chosen to suit the location, function and design concept.
Pro tip: LED lighting is great for the insides of drawers and cabinets. It will save you many a nick and cut when you’re rummaging through your ‘junk drawer’.
See why you should switch to LED lighting
Pro tip: LED lighting is great for the insides of drawers and cabinets. It will save you many a nick and cut when you’re rummaging through your ‘junk drawer’.
See why you should switch to LED lighting
3. Minimalist spaces
It’s time to bid goodbye to frills and fancies in your kitchen, which add unnecessary visual bulk and crowd the room. Adopting clean and simple lines is a lot lighter on the eye.
For a minimalist design to work, stick to a neutral colour scheme with discreet-looking accessories and fittings. There’s only one tag line to minimalism: think simple.
It’s time to bid goodbye to frills and fancies in your kitchen, which add unnecessary visual bulk and crowd the room. Adopting clean and simple lines is a lot lighter on the eye.
For a minimalist design to work, stick to a neutral colour scheme with discreet-looking accessories and fittings. There’s only one tag line to minimalism: think simple.
Tip: If straight, clean lines are too sterile for you, add visual interest by way of a splash of colour or a pattern. The even lines and plain colours of this slick kitchen stand out against the tiled floor, which brings an arty edge to the space. This is reflected in the line of utensils that hang on the far wall.
Pro tip: Add a twist to minimalism by pairing clean lines with mixed textures (say, grained wood benchtops or floor rugs) – all in a very minimalist manner, of course.
Pro tip: Add a twist to minimalism by pairing clean lines with mixed textures (say, grained wood benchtops or floor rugs) – all in a very minimalist manner, of course.
4. Integrated appliances
Appliances out in the open collect dust and begin to lose their sheen after use. Solution? Integrate them into your kitchen with clever panelling and built-ins. Having appliances tucked away behind closed doors lends the kitchen counter a designer edge – it looks more like a custom piece of furniture and less like a kitchen.
Appliances out in the open collect dust and begin to lose their sheen after use. Solution? Integrate them into your kitchen with clever panelling and built-ins. Having appliances tucked away behind closed doors lends the kitchen counter a designer edge – it looks more like a custom piece of furniture and less like a kitchen.
Fitting an oven at waist-height is kinder on your knees, and it fits nicely into a bank of units like this, as does the refrigerator. Keeping the cabinet doors and the gadgets’ fronts flush and choosing cabinet handles that match those of the oven will help to integrate the appliances to maximum effect.
Tip: This goes for range hoods, too. Build the hood into custom cabinetry that matches or complements the rest of the kitchen.
Tip: This goes for range hoods, too. Build the hood into custom cabinetry that matches or complements the rest of the kitchen.
5. Deep drawers
Storage is a perennial necessity in any kitchen. Drawers can help a kitchen feel less cramped and more spacious. They’re more accessible than typical base cabinetry and simple to integrate into a kitchen design. Deep drawers can be used to store items such as large pots and pans, reducing the need for wall cabinets; just make sure you measure first.
Tip: Add-ons such as pegboards and drawer organisers keep things tidy and accessible.
Storage is a perennial necessity in any kitchen. Drawers can help a kitchen feel less cramped and more spacious. They’re more accessible than typical base cabinetry and simple to integrate into a kitchen design. Deep drawers can be used to store items such as large pots and pans, reducing the need for wall cabinets; just make sure you measure first.
Tip: Add-ons such as pegboards and drawer organisers keep things tidy and accessible.
6. Two-toned cabinets
Kitchens have traditionally been monotones, a classic and safe option. However, two-toned cook spaces are certainly more attractive and suit both classic and contemporary styles. Using dual tones allows you to draw attention to a specific part of the kitchen and makes it visually more interesting.
Here, the glossy black bottom cabinets are in sharp contrast to the white counter and overhead cabinets in this kitchen. The matte wood-brown and grey on the wall bridge the contrast gap.
Find out what’s the best material for kitchen cabinets
Kitchens have traditionally been monotones, a classic and safe option. However, two-toned cook spaces are certainly more attractive and suit both classic and contemporary styles. Using dual tones allows you to draw attention to a specific part of the kitchen and makes it visually more interesting.
Here, the glossy black bottom cabinets are in sharp contrast to the white counter and overhead cabinets in this kitchen. The matte wood-brown and grey on the wall bridge the contrast gap.
Find out what’s the best material for kitchen cabinets
Last but not the least – smart kitchens
You may need to wait a while to upgrade to this but forewarned is forearmed. Tech in the kitchen is slowly coming of age, although it may take a while to catch on in India. From sensor-activated lights that illuminate the kitchen only when it’s in use to smartphone alerts when dinner’s done to refrigerators alerting you about groceries that are running out, the kitchen of the future is soon going to be a thing of current reality.
Read more:
10 Indian Kitchens That Evoke Envy
24 Unbelievable Kitchen Makeovers
Tell us:
Which of these upgrades would interest you? Any other ideas you can share with us? Do tell us in the Comments section below.
You may need to wait a while to upgrade to this but forewarned is forearmed. Tech in the kitchen is slowly coming of age, although it may take a while to catch on in India. From sensor-activated lights that illuminate the kitchen only when it’s in use to smartphone alerts when dinner’s done to refrigerators alerting you about groceries that are running out, the kitchen of the future is soon going to be a thing of current reality.
Read more:
10 Indian Kitchens That Evoke Envy
24 Unbelievable Kitchen Makeovers
Tell us:
Which of these upgrades would interest you? Any other ideas you can share with us? Do tell us in the Comments section below.
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Fast, safe, and aesthetically pleasing – there are many reasons to love induction cooking. Because induction burners radiate little heat, even cramped kitchens stay cool while cooking, and surfaces remain safe to touch. (Not immediately after removing a hot vessel, though – the heat of its metal is transferred to the glass surface of the induction cooker, so it is very hot for a while.) They heat up the dish very quickly, speeding up cooking time. They look super sleek and are easy to keep clean.