Pull Out Kitchen Storage Space

Today, cluttered work platforms, disorganized storage and random placement of objects in kitchens are passé. The contemporize kitchen is now characterized by clean lines, an understated sophistication, a planned outlay and an almost clinical approach to deciding storage areas. This highly organized work space aids efficiency and thus minimizes drudgery. In this section we zero in on kitchens that incorporate precise storage techniques, and are each full of ideas.

The large kitchens are more difficult to organize, hence the less effective it will be. Though the kitchen has an additional 8 ft x 8 ft space next to it where the fridge is kept, the actual preparation and cooking of food takes place in the 10 ft x 10 ft area.

Post and pans are stored in a cabinet below the cooking surface – spatulas and ladles are kept neatly in drawers lined with colored paper, to the left of the electric cooking range. I have heard of too many accidents with gas cylinders and here we hardly have any power cuts, so it has not really been too inconvenient. In any case, Screation normally eat a light lunch of sandwich or pasta salad, with a large bowl of fresh fruit for dessert. Dinner is the warm meal of the day and comprises typically, of chicken or pasta with sauce. The only thing I miss is not having a place to eat within the kitchen, because of its size.

Between the kitchen and the dining room is an 8 ft x 8ft service area which has glass shutters on the cabinets. A drawer that I happened to open contained a small note pad with pencil, some money for sundry shopping and a small wad of grocery bills. Drawers beneath were just as neatly organized with neatly ironed kitchen towels and dish scrubbers in one, table linen in the other.

Screation has a glass kitchen is a bit of an exaggeration, nevertheless that is the first impression one gets. A glass wall rises from the strip of wall above the window right up to the sloping roof and since the roof above the kitchen is double height, the sheer expanse of glass is very impressive. The glazed wall faces east so the kitchen is bathed in morning sunshine.

Screation’s kitchen extends form the family room and is separated only by the breakfast counter. A quaint touch is the monkey-top-like feature in the centre of the tiled canopy that defines the kitchen space. This is indeed a nostalgic reminder of the old place. The color theme for the kitchen is a sophisticated black and grey; polished black granite for the counter and top of the MobileIsland, and grey for the cabinets and the distressed beading. The cabinets used to store kitchen utensils are two-shelved trolleys which pull out when needed and fit flush under the counter. Plenty of spacious storage cabinets make life easy and keep the kitchen uncluttered.

The mobile island with storage underneath is such a useful appendage to any kitchen and provides an additional work surface. Two doors open on to balconies on either side. I find this very handy; I have a few potted herbs on one, and the other is a large sit out adjoining the dining area. The sit-out can take spillovers at party time but a more mundane function is sunning utensils and drying things before putting them away.

There is a mezzanine floor above the family room which overlooks the kitchen. It is from here that one can get a true perspective of the extraordinary articulation of a cathedral-like space which unabashedly is a functional kitchen.

This 8 ft wide, L-shaped kitchen reveals a variety of surprises and is replete with good ideas conceived and implemented by both Screation and designer JD. On entering, one sees the pretty window, painted by JD, with frilled curtains at the far end. The flooring was originally terrazzo, which was left undisturbed and an extra layer of marble tiles were added, wall to wall, to cover every inch of space, even under the cabinets. All the work areas are tiled up to cupboard height and the wall paint can be cleaned with soap and water. The counters are marble and I preferred a steel sink.

Interestingly, the electrical gadgets are enclosed in dust-free, glass-fronted cupboards that open at the press of a button, the door sliding into the partition while the gadget is in use. Built-in plug points, one in each cupboard for the gadget it houses, ensure that the socket does not become loose with repeated use. A small idea, but an eminently sensible one.

To the right of the sink, the window space doubles as storage for glassware, while permitting light to enter from the room beyond. A small TV thoughtfully provided by JD for her servants, rests in a corner. Another interesting aspect of this kitchen is that all the lower cabinets can be rolled out on castors, making cleaning an easy process. The trolley next to the washing machine holds linen and there is one for the garbage as well. The cabinets are all perfectly organized and orderly. A small blackboard near the fridge holds reminders of jobs that need to be done and there is even a little folding table and three stools for the three grandchildren when grandma rustles up a meal.

Only rarely does one come across a kitchen that achieves that perfect balance between aesthetics and efficiency. A large, L-shaped the predominant color used here are cream (tiles, wall and laminate) and brown (work platform and splash-back). The kitchen is replete with good storage ideas and each unit serves a distinct purpose. The cabinets used to store crockery have pill-out trays at different levels. The corner space is well-utilized, with cabinet’s services by carousels for easy access. These units take care of the wall units are tiled which make them easy to maintain and also keep the shelves of wood and glass pest-free.

The units near the sink take in all the washing and cleaning items and the dishwasher is placed to the left of the sink. The cabinets above have the dish-rack and aqua guard. The cabinets near the hob have space for all the pots and pans of daily use. The storage cupboard, which is adjacent to the fridge is designed by Cali and is truly an efficient way of putting away one’s monthly grocery items. The back has horizontal shelves which take in the bulk of the groceries. Another thoughtful addition is the two-way rack to hold small items. The kitchen is well-lit and has tubes fitted under all the wall units, thus illuminating the entire work surface.

Although the kitchen is fairly spacious, the area traversed while preparing a meal is only 6 feet; from the fridge to the washing area or sink and then to the stove. Space in my kitchen has been used to optimum advantage. Special niches and space have been provided for every conceivable gadget and implement. Next to the refrigerator, is a vertical niche, where all the serving trays are kept?

A corner has a foldable shutter which opens to reveal a rotating unit for pulse and pickles, located just below the cooking hob. The two drawers below the hob are used for ladles and spoons. The two lower drawers have extra depth for larger utensils. The open shelves are used for a timepiece or a flashlight. They also provide relief form the shuttered closets in the kitchen.

The dish-rack is cleverly concealed behind a double shutter. The bottom is left open, so that water can drain off into the sink. Gas cylinders are kept on the terrace and copper pipes lead from the cylinder to the stove. This serves the dual purpose of safety and space conservation.

A cantilevered granite counter within the kitchen serves as a breakfast counter. The roll-top hatch below conceals a niche for the toaster and juicer. These have extended cords and can be brought out onto the counter for easy reach. Glass slats provide natural light and ventilation. Just outside, is a 4 ft x 11 ft utility area where the messier kitchen chores, such as grinding and washing of utensils are done? The glass-shuttered shelves above the breakfast counter stock crockery for mealtimes. The strength of such a kitchen lies in that ‘there is a rightful place for everything, and the kitchen remains clean and uncluttered with little effort’.

To make full use of the available space designer Cali provided full length platforms on either side of the walls, with cabinets above and below providing ample storage. The shelves in the most of the cabinets have pull-out trays made of stainless steel. This makes for easy maintenance, as steel is water-resistant and long-lasting. Most of the base units are on castors. The wall units have basic storage facilities and some have glass shutters. The dish-rack is concealed. It has steel partitions and an open base.

Another interesting inclusion is the open storage provided at the base of the breakfast table and in some corner cabinets. They take in the cook books, sauce bottles, jam tins, etc... And also break the monotony of the closed cabinets. In this kitchen practical consideration takes precedence over mere aesthetics.

Designer JD kitchen is replete with practical ideas for storage which facilitate easy maintenance and convenience. He has provided shelves with specific dimensions for specific terms. For instance, the cutlery dividers in the drawers can be rearranged to accommodate different size of spoons and ladles. A full-length larder and cabinets take in most of the groceries and crockery. The wall units which are used to store the silverware have a set locking system and wood and glass shelves. Pull-out drawers in metal are used to store perishables. All the cabinets and drawers are clad with laminate both on the inside and outside. This makes for easy maintenance and facilitates better viewing. The shutters of the corner cabinets are so angled that they make the space inside easily accessible. The aqua guard is fitted above the sink but under a ledge that holds glasses etc, to prevent drips on the filter.

An attached verandah has been incorporated into the main kitchen for light and ventilation. All the heavy washing and cleaning in done here. The area under the sink is kept open at the back so that blocked pipes can be attended to and the garbage bin to and the hidden here. The kitchen is designed according to the dictates of designer with the sink, hob and fridge placed accordingly. These and many more features make kitchen an organized and efficient workspace.