Eat-in Kitchens

If you are thinking of doing some renovations at home, why not consider a new look for your kitchen? Gone is the conventional idea of the kitchen as a gloomy, uncomfortable corner of the house where one steps in only to do the cooking. Contemporary kitchens are bright, pleasing spaces where you can not only cook with ease using the latest culinary gadgets but also relax and dine in comfort.

An eat-in kitchen is a space where you can dine informally with the family or friends, or give yourself a refreshing start to the day with your newspaper and a steaming cup of coffee. Choose a medium to small sized dining table, preferably with a glass top that can be wiped clean easily. If you’re a purist and just can’t do without your white linen tablecloth, consider topping it with transparent glass so that it doesn’t get despoiled by the inevitable spillage in the kitchen! Another option is to have an ‘island’ counter in the centre of the kitchen which can serve as a multi-purpose surface for chopping and other cooking-related activities as well as eating. Bar stools or something similar are ideal to place around the counter when you want to eat, and can be put aside when not required.

Do ensure that the colour scheme of your kitchen is bright and reflects light well. Bold colours such as yellow or orange and pastels like pink create an atmosphere of warmth and serenity in your kitchen. You can try different kinds of lighting as well. If you’re going to opt for a central all-purpose counter, consider a bright source of light just above the surface, low enough so it doesn’t hurt your eyes but high enough to illuminate your chopping and other activities. You can also consider a skylight with a retractable glass cover, which will create a delightful natural ambience in your kitchen by letting the natural light in. Make sure your kitchen is well-ventilated with plenty of windows. Curtains are not usually a good idea because of their flammability, but you can try half-curtains with frills at the top of the window frame for a quaint look.

If your budget is considerably large, you may also want to opt for a modular kitchen. Modular kitchens are quite the rage today, with special design stores that offer imported as well as indigenous models that can give your kitchen a sleek contemporary look. A combination of steel and wood fittings is definitely pleasing to the eye, and is a joy to use. Modular kitchen units can be custom fitted with the latest implements to make the task of cooking a delight rather than a chore.