Question

Discuss the characteristics of a good kitchen.

Mention five important factors to be considered while planning a kitchen and state why each of these factors is important.

Write a short note on the colour scheme suitable for a kitchen.

Mention the factors to be considered while planning doors and windows for a kitchen.

Explain the importance of proper flooring in the kitchen.

Answer 1

1. Aspect: The aspect of the kitchen should be eastern or north-eastern to get the early morning sun rays. It keeps the kitchen cool for the rest of the day and also helps to keep bacteria and microorganisms at bay.
2. Size: The size of the kitchen depends on several factors, like the available space in the house plan and the number of persons for whom the food is to be cooked. The cost and activities to be performed, also determine the size of the kitchen. The kitchen should be large enough to permit easy movement of the homemaker between the work counters, to allow sufficient circulation of air, to carry off the heat generated from meal preparations, and to allow storage and counter space.
3. Colour: Colour is of great importance because the wrong colours in a kitchen may create an uncomfortable setting. Hues on the cool side of the colour wheel should be used. Intense, warm colours should be avoided. Light colours, preferably white, should be used in the kitchen ceiling, preferably to counteract the, heat of cooking.
4. Windows or Ventilation: Windows provide the kitchen with natural lighting and ventilation. Therefore, enough area should be provided for them. Minimum window area should be equal to at least 10 per cent of the floor area. If possible, one counter should have ample daylight from the window and facilitate an outer view.
   An exhaust fan fitted over the kitchen window helps better ventilation to remove out hot air and odours.
5. Walls: Like the floors, the walls should be easy to clean and maintain. A wainscoting or glazed tiles (dado) up to 600 mm above kitchen platform or a splashback of washable permanent material is suitable, which requires no upkeep. Plain or washable wallpaper may be used but is less preferred.
6. Flooring: The kitchen floor should be practical and durable. It should be made of such material and finishes which are easy to clean and maintain. It can be made of colourful tiles and linoleum, which are not too hard on the feet of the homemaker. The choice of flooring is also a major design statement and affects every other element of the design. Rubber tile is beautiful, resilient, and keeps its finish well. Anti-skid ceramic tiles, laminated wood, concrete, and stones with a natural rough finish are also good flooring options.
7. Work Counters: The height of the work counters should be 2 and half feet above the floor. It should be according to the height of the person who works in the kitchen. Materials to be used on work counters should be resistant to acid stains, be able to withstand heat, and be easy to clean and maintain.
8. Lighting and Electrification: Good lighting in the kitchen is very important. A combination of general lighting and lights below the overhead cabinets provide for efficient lighting solutions. Plenty of electrical points should be planned if electrical appliances such as toasters, mixers, blenders, microwave ovens, etc. are to be used.
9. Storage: Proper storage in the kitchen is very important because the placement of equipment and utensils can either improve or reduce the efficiency of various functions.
10. Doors: Doors in the kitchen are considered as necessary evils, because they take away space, and ease of movement and working efficiency is decreased. Hence, there should be very few doors and should be provided where there is no major work centre in the middle. It helps in the efficient use of energy and time with minimum disturbances.
11. Ceiling: The kitchen ceiling should be simple and neat. Wallpaper or any wall coverings for the ceiling should not be used. Any pattern on the ceiling is likely to create a distracting effect.