Month: August 2019
No, the Price of your Modular Kitchen does not only Depend on its Area!
Looks can be deceiving, even when it comes to your modular kitchen price.
Every home cook for whom their kitchen is a paradise wants an affordable one too. There is a huge misconception that the cost of a modular kitchen is ONLY dependent on the square footage of your kitchen. The reality is actually far from this. Yes, the kitchen’s area is a factor but there are many other factors influencing modular kitchen prices. A kitchen may look similar to another one from the outside, but may in fact cost exorbitantly higher owing to the other factors that have contributed to the spend.
In this article, we guide you through the different factors influencing modular kitchen prices and offer our input on where you can cut costs and where you must refuse to compromise.
Some factors that determine the cost of your kitchen are:
Size of your kitchen
The size layout of your modular kitchen does matter. A larger square-footage gives you the gift of space, where you can add more kitchen modules and have a layout of your choice. The addition of modules depends on your needs, which means, if you want to try out all the recipes in the magazine and spend hours together in the kitchen, you need a more advanced module. For someone who doesn’t believe in spending too much time in their kitchen, the bare minimum Straight-Line Layout would work for them. More modules will, quite naturally, translate to a higher price.
Material Used
The cabinet materials you will find in the market range from those that can burn a hole in your pocket to the pocket-friendly ones. Plywood is the material of choice for those looking for practicality and remaining on a budget. Some of the materials available and used for cabinets in the market are MDF, HDF, solid wood, and ply.
Shutter Finish Used
With regards to shutter finishes, most carpenters give quotes based on laminates (mica) only but there are several options when it comes to finishes. While the use of other finishes may increase the cost, if you want to preserve superior aesthetics, it is a great choice to make.
Cabinet Modules
Pick the right type of cabinets, tailored to your space and needs and ones that you will use frequently, to get a budget-effective kitchen.
Drawer systems, tall units, pull-outs, cutlery trays, and space-saving corner and loft units are a few of the options. While the installation of these may cost you a little more, it will increase the utility and functionality of your space and is an investment you must consider.
Countertop & Backsplash
Some of the materials commonly used for countertops are quartz, Corian, natural wood, or polished granite. Depending on your aesthetic requirements, your countertop budget may change.
When it comes to the backsplash, a few people prefer metals as they offer an industrial look and are easier to clean whereas others play it safe with stone or glass. Refrain from using stone with a lot of texture as it may make it challenging to clean and maintain. The cost varies highly depending on the size and material used.
Appliances
Your modular kitchen could include built-in appliances like hobs, chimneys, and so on. Choose the most essential ones and enjoy your affordable and colorful little heaven or splurge on creating the kitchen out of your dreams.
Now you can easily understand how a kitchen that may look just like another can vary in price from one another. It is important to not just judge a kitchen and estimate its budget on its size and first appearance as there are many factors that influence the final cost of your kitchen.
Ladies, Here’s How to Keep your Wardrobe Chic and Organised!
The appearance of a woman’s wardrobe can be misleading when it comes to looking organised. You read it right, misleading. A pile of stacked clothes with a combination of various materials, types, and even accessories can make the almirah look messy. Sorting out clothes, shoes, and jewelry could pose to be a mammoth affair, but you’re only a few taps away from redoing your closet in style, and get easy access to everything inside!
Separating the clothes
You definitely don’t want the kurtas and skirts tumbled together in a pile, this is why you need to start planning for space. Section each area of your wardrobe and assign spaces for the different kinds of clothes. Here are a few options you could try.
- Segregate the clothes based on colors. You could arrange similar colors together or group them further into same-colored Indian/western outfits.
- Have a section each for casual, formal, and nightwear.
- Jeans, trousers, and kurta pants can be assigned to one section of the almirah.
- Tops, dresses, and informal blouses can occupy another section.
- Sarees are best paired with their blouses and can be hung inside cupboards.
- Salwar suits should be folded and kept along with their matching shawls, so as to avoid misplacement.
- Scarves, coats, and blazers can be hung inside the cupboard.
- Keep a separate division for undergarments alone. Assemble it based on usage.
As an extra tip, place the clothes you wear regularly on top, while the infrequently used ones can be placed below.
Shoes, Jewellery, and Accessories
Don’t just end it there with the clothes. A neatly organised wardrobe comprises everything that accompanies your outfit. So, where do all the other elements of your closet go?
- Shoes and slippers should be assembled in pairs, and placed on pullout shoe racks or hinge type racks. Leave a little space in between pairs so as to make them look less messy.
- Handbags, shoulder bags, totes, and sling bags can be hung on organisers like wardrobe stands. As a precautionary measure, keep it away from too much sunlight as it could damage leather goods if any.
- Arrange jewelry (including watches) in boxes or consider keeping bangles and earrings separately. Bangle stands and earring holders are available in stores, so if you are a jewelry lover, you could invest in a few accessory organisers.
- Make-up and hair accessories can be arranged close to the mirror. This will make it easier for you to grasp it at ease.
Additionally, storage containers can be used to stack up unwanted items that clutter your closet. Hangers are an essential part of all neat cupboards. Use them to hang clothes or belts. Furthermore, to make it look more organised, keep the hangers with clothes facing the same direction.
Keep old or tattered clothes in labeled boxes, so as to reuse or recycle. Old scarves, belts, sports equipment, eyewear, neckties, and face masks are accessories that tend to take up the nooks of women’s wardrobes. Usually, the smaller items are hard to organise and hence make the wardrobe look muddled. Remember to always remove the unwanted pieces while arranging your cupboard.
Every woman has a different lifestyle, so does her wardrobe. It may not be possible to accommodate all the necessities into a small space. Hence, carefully planning out space and incorporating your own ideas could result in a comfortable wardrobe approach.
Need a wardrobe as we suggested? Bespoke Decor is here to help! Contact us on +91 90 20 10 70 22 | 23
A Gentleman’s Guide to Organised Wardrobes
With piles of clothes crammed into the corners of your closet, truth be told, it sure does reflect on your personality. From socks to belts, all your pieces of clothing need to go into designated spaces. Walking into a corner of your bedroom with neat and stacked up clothes will also help you figure out how you need to be dressed, whether it’s for your office or a weekend escape.
Decluttering your wardrobe is a challenge, but finding your favorite t-shirt that was once lost, could be a blessing in disguise. Not only does it tidy up the mess, but a sorted cupboard gives you a sense of fulfillment and peace. Tackling this chore of arranging a gent’s wardrobe can be made easy with a few tips.
Preparing the space
The first and most important aspect of cupboard organising is to plan the space for your wardrobe-essentials. A local furniture expert could be consulted to plan the type of closet you need. These services can be availed if you are looking to refurbish your wardrobe with specific fittings, materials, or colors. A variety of compartments can be utilized to accommodate clothes, accessories, and even grooming kits. To cater to ease of access, the kind of cupboards to use can be customised too. Sliding door wardrobes, walk-in types, and even the classic hinged door cupboards can stand apart, provided there is a classified section for each integrant of your belongings.
What goes where?
Now that we have talked about finding the right space, we move ahead with fitting the essentials into compartments, or more like arranging based on ease of access. From socks to belts, men have different ways to identify their mess, but an organised cupboard saves them time.
- Shoes- The quote, ‘good shoes take you to good places’ speaks of men who love flaunting a pair on different occasions. Arrange them in order of preference, or use up shoeboxes to distinguish your running shoes from leather boots.
- Clothes– The most tedious process, but the prime element of every closet. Firstly, categorise your casuals and formals. The formal suits can be hung and placed together, while the casuals can be folded and kept separately. Pants and jeans can be grouped together. To further segregate casual shirts and t-shirts, consider placing the same colors together. This makes it easier to choose clothes. When it comes to innerwear, keep a separate space alone for those clothes. Socks should always be paired up so as to avoid loss and waste of time.
- Belts, ties, pocket squares, watches, and cufflinks-can be maintained in a single space but arranged separately.
- Grooming Kits –and other accessories can be assigned another slot in the same closet space.
The layout of each living space may be different, so will the size of a wardrobe. Almirah organising accessories like hangers, pull-out units, belt holders, etc can be used, but with consideration to making your space look less congested.
Always evaluate your clothes and accessories over a time period. The ones that don’t fit anymore, the worn-out pieces, torn clothing, etc. should be stacked in boxes so that it can be reused or discarded. Additionally, you can label them accordingly.
To glam up the whole wardrobe experience, consider getting a full-sized mirror attached to one of the sliding doors or almirahs in your space. After all, who doesn’t like a self-check before heading out?
Planning to customize your wardrobe? Get the best solutions from Bespoke Decor. Contact us on +91 90 20 10 70 22 | 23
Kitchen Ergonomics 101: A Science & Art
For your comfort and safety
Starting your kitchen interiors plan keeping in mind ergonomics and functionality is a good idea.
Here’s why kitchen ergonomics are important for your kitchen interior design:
- To create a practical kitchen layout
- To ensure safety
- To ensure comfort and avoid long-term issues
- Easier completion of all kitchen related tasks
- Efficient organisation of the workspaces in the kitchen
Let’s explore a few simplified guidelines regarding kitchen planning to ensure a smooth ergonomic flow, as suggested by the interior design experts at Bespoke Décor:
Kitchen Entry
The door should have a clear path of opening and closing and floor space without interfering with the safe operation of any appliances or another door. It is recommended to leave a clear path of opening at least 32” wide for a 3” door.
Work Triangle
Make sure there is an uninterrupted path of traffic between the three main work zones in your kitchen- the cooktop, sink, and refrigerator. For more details on the work triangle, check out our article here.
Kitchen Sink
After finalising the position of the kitchen sink based on the work triangle, let’s examine a few technical aspects of the sink. It must be lesser than 34” and not deeper than 6.5”. The lower portion of the sink must be free of abrasive or sharp projections which may potentially injure the user. The sink should have a landing area between 18-24” long.
Refrigerator
It is recommended to leave a clearance of at least 15” between the landing area of your fridge and any other surface. There must be sufficient floor space in front of the fridge to facilitate opening.
Cooking Surface
There must be a minimum 12” of landing area on one side of the cooktop and 15” on the other. For safety reasons, a clearance of minimum 9” is recommended behind the cooking surface if placed on the countertop. Another safety implication is to avoid curtains if your cooktop is against your window. Also, make sure that there is adequate ventilation- properly sized ducted ventilation should do the trick in modern kitchens.
Countertop
Your kitchen should have a minimum of 158” of countertop space placed at a depth of 24” at least with a 15” clearance above it. It is also recommended to ensure that your countertop edges are smooth and rounded to avoid accidental injury.
Storage Cabinets
For more details on storage cabinets, check out our base and wall cabinet articles.
These recommendations are akin to just a drop of water in the ocean. To get a detailed understanding, contact our designers at +91 90 20 10 70 23 or contact@bespokedecor.in
Top 5 Kitchen Styles for your Home in Kerala
Choose your aesthetic from the most-loved kitchen styles!
Aesthetics and functionality are the priorities of any space where kitchen interiors are completed. When you invest in curating a bespoke kitchen from scratch, keep in mind your family’s requirements, and tailor-make a kitchen that will work for you.
In this blogpost, we shall be discussing the nuances involved in creating a kitchen style based on the aesthetic that appeals to you best. We have listed out the top 5 that appeal to the Kerala-based market and everything you need to know to create your dream kitchen with us at Bespoke Décor.
1. Traditional Kerala Style
Feel the twinge of nostalgia every time you walk into your kitchen with the elegant and functional Kerala vintage style kitchen aesthetic. This one feels most like home with all the elements of the kitchen tying together in the Kerala home setting.
Opt for countertops with an iron copper appearance, contemporary backsplash options to plain tiles of a colour palette that suits traditional kitchens. To give your kitchen the traditional Kerala kitchen design, it would be a good option to choose wall and base cabinets with shutters made of natural wood. However, if you are concerned about the seasonal challenges that natural wood presents, why not opt for a material of your choice treated or stained to offer a similar appearance.
Our signature collection has just the thing for you- ‘The Epicurean’ would suit a traditional Kerala kitchen really well with its dark wood island counter and artistic elements. Choose a Kerala style mural painting to complete the look and don’t forget to customise the cabinet pulls in wooden finishes instead.
Extra points for styling your countertop and glass-concealed shelving with traditional Kerala-style bronze and copper utensils.
2.Minimalist
If you are someone who is drawn to a minimalist style and way of living, opt for cool tones like white with a hint of pastel shades for your overall kitchen. Maintain clean lines with an all-white kitchen with ivory countertops, backsplash, cabinetry, and appliances. For a pop of color, get the wall and base cabinets in pastel shades.
For an all-white look, opt for the country-style Suave 5-piece Veneer Kitchen. If you’re more inclined towards pastel shades, our signature ‘The Nature Lover’ Sleek modular kitchen is sure to get your attention!
3.Opulent & Luxurious
For a kitchen remodel, it is not uncommon for clients to want a design as opulent as the rest of their home interiors. Think high ceilings with ornate chandeliers, marble countertops and French-style cabinets. Modify your wall cabinets to darker wood stains to offset the marble countertops. You could also opt for a few glass concealed cabinets holding crystal and chinaware to lend an air of richness to your kitchen. Style with marsala elements and don’t shy away from getting a curtain swag from a local upholsterer. Curtains are not a good option in kitchens but offset your blinds with a curtain swag up top to complete the luxe look!
Our ‘Striking Veneer Combined With Matte Finish Handles Kitchen’ with its magnificent wood finishes can be the foundation onto which you build up the opulence of your dream kitchen.
4.Futuristic
The futuristic style of the kitchen is a popular option these days. Speak to an expert interior designer to install ceramic or grey colored cabinets with bespoke lighting and interesting shapes for a kitchen that looks straight out of the future!
Do not be afraid to experiment with different shapes for your kitchen cabinetry. Invest in good lighting to complete your futuristic kitchen look. Say no to all wood elements!
You may love our ‘Minimal Grey Combined With Dark Ceramic Island Finish’ modular kitchen if you prefer the futuristic style.
5.Organic
For a simpler kitchen interior design, the organic look is a client favorite. White walls with a light-colored backsplash and light-brown stained wood wall cabinets with a herb garden can breathe that air of life needed in a kitchen. This look is easy on the eyes as well as on the budget!
We have many modular kitchen designs to suit the organic kitchen look- our favorites are the ‘Enchanting Veneer Blended With Smart Corian Finish’, ‘Laminate PU Combination’, ‘Vintage Wooden Style Kitchen’ and ‘Superb Handless PU Veneer Combination’ modular kitchens.
Which style is your favourite? Reach out to us at +91 90 20 10 70 22 | 23 to discuss your kitchen remodel!
