8 Must-Haves in Indian Kitchens
Deep drawers and double-bowl sinks: explore how these, and a few other essentials, make kitchen chores easier
Vinita Kunnath
18 July 2019
A Houzz India contributor, freelance writer, lover of the internet, travel, funny blogs and all things off-beat, with an eye for good taste and aesthetics. Home, not clothes, maketh a man.....or woman.
A Houzz India contributor, freelance writer, lover of the internet, travel, funny... More
Indian kitchens in their earlier avatars were a purely functional space, shorn of frills, meant solely for the one task they were designed for. The scenario has changed slightly – nay, largely – today. The cooking space is no more relegated to the cook or domestic help – and it’s used equally by other members of the household. It has become a bit of an informal hangout too, in the bargain undergoing a transformation into as much of a design space as, say, the living room. Here, we look at some design must-haves that are practical and essential to make work in the kitchen easier and enjoyable.
1. A durable countertop
Indian cooking can be heavy-duty, given the frying, prepping and variety of spices involved – and it becomes even more so in large (or joint) families, where the kitchen gets busier. As such, a strong and durable countertop is of primary importance. Granite and quartz as countertop materials are the most popular, followed closely by solid surface (for example, Corian). These materials are hardy, non-porous, stand up to a good amount of wear and tear, don’t stain easily and require comparatively less maintenance.
Which Is the Best Kitchen Countertop Material?
Indian cooking can be heavy-duty, given the frying, prepping and variety of spices involved – and it becomes even more so in large (or joint) families, where the kitchen gets busier. As such, a strong and durable countertop is of primary importance. Granite and quartz as countertop materials are the most popular, followed closely by solid surface (for example, Corian). These materials are hardy, non-porous, stand up to a good amount of wear and tear, don’t stain easily and require comparatively less maintenance.
Which Is the Best Kitchen Countertop Material?
2. Fuss-free cabinet surfaces
Sticky or food-stained fingermarks on cabinets can be a constant problem, thanks to children and amateur adult chefs in equal measure. So, opt for surfaces and finishes that are less likely to show up smudges and are easy to clean, such as smooth laminates or latex paints. Fingermarks are less visible on a matt surface than a glossy one, and even less so on a textured stone or wood door, so consider this when choosing cabinet and drawer fronts.
Find a kitchen designer to help with your next kitchen project
Sticky or food-stained fingermarks on cabinets can be a constant problem, thanks to children and amateur adult chefs in equal measure. So, opt for surfaces and finishes that are less likely to show up smudges and are easy to clean, such as smooth laminates or latex paints. Fingermarks are less visible on a matt surface than a glossy one, and even less so on a textured stone or wood door, so consider this when choosing cabinet and drawer fronts.
Find a kitchen designer to help with your next kitchen project
3. Proper ventilation
A well-ventilated kitchen rids it of strong cooking smells, at the same time offering an escape from air pollutants such as smoke, gases and air-borne grease. Mitigating their harmful effects will also result in the improvement of indoor air quality (IAQ). A ducted chimney does this best, as it extracts indoor air from the kitchen and expels it outside.
Tip: Don’t forget the benefits of natural ventilation, something that one overlooks in an era where air conditioning is the norm. If you have windows, open them – it’s a nice way to get some fresh air in to replace cooking odours.
How to Have a Smoke-Free Kitchen
A well-ventilated kitchen rids it of strong cooking smells, at the same time offering an escape from air pollutants such as smoke, gases and air-borne grease. Mitigating their harmful effects will also result in the improvement of indoor air quality (IAQ). A ducted chimney does this best, as it extracts indoor air from the kitchen and expels it outside.
Tip: Don’t forget the benefits of natural ventilation, something that one overlooks in an era where air conditioning is the norm. If you have windows, open them – it’s a nice way to get some fresh air in to replace cooking odours.
How to Have a Smoke-Free Kitchen
4. Double-bowl sink
A great option when one is particular about not mixing food types, double bowls come in handy to wash vegetables and meats separately, and the dishes too. What’s more, they make the unenviable job of washing dishes easier: use one bowl to immerse dirty utensils in soapy water and rinse them off in the other.
Shop for kitchen sinks from the Houzz products pages
A great option when one is particular about not mixing food types, double bowls come in handy to wash vegetables and meats separately, and the dishes too. What’s more, they make the unenviable job of washing dishes easier: use one bowl to immerse dirty utensils in soapy water and rinse them off in the other.
Shop for kitchen sinks from the Houzz products pages
5. More prep space
In large families, it is not uncommon to have more than one cook, necessitating the need for more than one prep area. The ideal solution would be a kitchen island, which gives you an independent work station. In a less-than-ideal scenario where space is a constraint, a peninsula works equally well, even for nuclear families, where it can be used as an informal dining area. In the kitchen pictured here, the peninsula also doubles as a serving station, since it is accessible to the dining room.
13 One-of-a-Kind, Gorgeous Kitchen Islands
In large families, it is not uncommon to have more than one cook, necessitating the need for more than one prep area. The ideal solution would be a kitchen island, which gives you an independent work station. In a less-than-ideal scenario where space is a constraint, a peninsula works equally well, even for nuclear families, where it can be used as an informal dining area. In the kitchen pictured here, the peninsula also doubles as a serving station, since it is accessible to the dining room.
13 One-of-a-Kind, Gorgeous Kitchen Islands
If you have a small kitchen, another way to maximise space is to have a pop-out board hidden away in the countertop, like in this picture, or an extendable drawer-like counter, which looks exactly like the main counter, except it is not integrated into the worktop.
6. Deep drawers for
a) large utensils
How often has one struggled to find space for oversized and unwieldy utensils, such as pressure cookers, idli-makers and the ubiquitous set of stainless steel boiling pots. Drawers with depth are perfect for storing these pesky but indispensable items of cookware.
a) large utensils
How often has one struggled to find space for oversized and unwieldy utensils, such as pressure cookers, idli-makers and the ubiquitous set of stainless steel boiling pots. Drawers with depth are perfect for storing these pesky but indispensable items of cookware.
b) odds and ends (or miscellaneous paraphernalia)
I can never seem to find a proper place to store my rolling pin and board, leave alone the medley of lids for my various storage boxes and assortment of tavas. If you are in the same boat, a deep pull-out, such as this, with dividers in between to separate items, is a perfect solution.
Look for storage solutions among these Houzz products
I can never seem to find a proper place to store my rolling pin and board, leave alone the medley of lids for my various storage boxes and assortment of tavas. If you are in the same boat, a deep pull-out, such as this, with dividers in between to separate items, is a perfect solution.
Look for storage solutions among these Houzz products
7. Under-cabinet lighting
With all the prep work that our kind of cooking requires, it would be nice to get all that done under proper lighting. Often, lighting under the cabinets doubles as task lighting. It illuminates the countertop, so when you’re cooking concentrated light focuses on your workspace. In addition, task lighting can work as accent lighting too, by highlighting a pretty backsplash, thus improving the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen.
8 Kitchen Cabinet Lighting Ideas
With all the prep work that our kind of cooking requires, it would be nice to get all that done under proper lighting. Often, lighting under the cabinets doubles as task lighting. It illuminates the countertop, so when you’re cooking concentrated light focuses on your workspace. In addition, task lighting can work as accent lighting too, by highlighting a pretty backsplash, thus improving the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen.
8 Kitchen Cabinet Lighting Ideas
8. Spice racks
Our innumerable spices could do with a small pantry of their own. Failing that, make do with wall shelves or small spice racks that give you quick access to kitchen essentials and ingredients that are used most often when cooking.
Tip: One can effectively use the space between the counter and overhead cabinets for fixing wall accessories for hanging ladles, spatulas, tongs and other utility items.
Read more:
Indian Kitchens: 8 Modern Designs for City Life
Kitchen Organisation: 14 Dream Pantry & Cupboard Designs
10 Indian Kitchens on Houzz That Evoke Envy
Tell us:
Would you add anything to this list of must-haves? Do tell us in the Comments section below.
Our innumerable spices could do with a small pantry of their own. Failing that, make do with wall shelves or small spice racks that give you quick access to kitchen essentials and ingredients that are used most often when cooking.
Tip: One can effectively use the space between the counter and overhead cabinets for fixing wall accessories for hanging ladles, spatulas, tongs and other utility items.
Read more:
Indian Kitchens: 8 Modern Designs for City Life
Kitchen Organisation: 14 Dream Pantry & Cupboard Designs
10 Indian Kitchens on Houzz That Evoke Envy
Tell us:
Would you add anything to this list of must-haves? Do tell us in the Comments section below.
Related Stories
Kitchen Ideas
7 Essentials For a Successful Kitchen Renovation
Remodelling your kitchen? Updating cabinets, walls, backsplash, flooring, storage should be a must on your list
Full Story
Kitchen Ideas
10 Key Kitchen Dimensions You Need to Know
Here are key kitchen dimensions that will help you design like a pro
Full Story
Indian Homes
Renter's Dilemma: How to Update an Indian-Style Kitchen Design
Follow these simple, renter-friendly tips to update your space into a modern kitchen
Full Story
Kitchen storage
Say Hello to the Most Popular Types of Kitchen Wall Cabinets
Find out which kitchen wall cabinet style combines convenience and good looks, is easy to maintain and best suited for you
Full Story
Decorating Guides
Is an Open Kitchen Layout Right for Indian Homes?
Explore the strengths and shortcomings of an open kitchen design and find out whether it makes sense in your home
Full Story
Most Popular
What's the Best Material for Kitchen Cabinets?
Choices are aplenty when it comes to cabinet materials. Find the pros and cons of the top 5 available in the market today
Full Story
Lighting Ideas
How to Light Kitchen Counters
By David Warfel
Discover these 6 professional tips for lighting your countertops and other kitchen workspaces
Full Story
Kitchen storage
6 Must-Have Modular Kitchen Accessories
These accessories for modular kitchens are guaranteed to increase efficiency and storage
Full Story
Photo Books
23 Scandinavian Kitchens That Pack Extra Punch
Blonde timber, white details and pared-back designs are key Scandi kitchen looks
Full Story
Kitchen Ideas
Have an Open Kitchen That Can Be Closed Off Too
By Jennifer Ott
Get the best of both worlds with a kitchen that can hide or be in plain sight, thanks to doors, curtains and savvy design
Full Story
Thank you for featuring our pot & pan storage solution! Check out our profile for a ton more of storage solutions and design concepts with cabinetry!
Mandi @ Dura