Karnataka   

Think while you cook

Is kitchen, the place only for cooking? On the other hand, does the space provoke logical thinking? Many people think so and their spending on kitchens is on the up. "No doubt, the aroma from your kitchen tickles your mind. But, a well-maintained kitchen also soothes it," says Sanjeev, a software engineer. He bought a flat recently and spent considerable time and amount in the market searching for appliances as well as accessories to make his kitchen a "model kitchen".

"We launched our products in March. The response from the customers is highly encouraging. The sale is beyond our expectations," says Yogesh Shenoy of Gilma. It reflects how kitchen have evolved over the years and how much people are ready to spend. As compared to the days of yore, kitchens have come a long way from being room with slabs of stone to a space in the house filled with sophisticated appliances and luxurious accessories.

"Earlier, only Page-3 people were spending huge amounts of money on their kitchen. Now, even the people belonging to middle-class spend huge sums of money on their kitchen, though sometimes it is beyond their budget," says B. L. Narayan, Chief Executive of Fast Floor. They are ready to go that extra mile, so that the space meets social standards. As kitchens gain prime importance in the Indian household, all the family members want to have say in the matter. "We took ten days to finalise the colour of the cabinets as my parents, mother-in-law, sisters and aunt were involved in the selection," says Sanjeev. The important features to look out for while building a good kitchen are the layout, open shelving, clear counter services and alternative storage space. People should be aware that the size of the kitchen is not important, if the space is defined, he says.

"With the increasing income levels and more people settling in Bangalore, the market is flooded with varieties of kitchenware. Imported kitchen appliances and accessories are also popular," says Mahesh Shah of Elenza. Italian modular kitchens, designer kitchens, fast-track kitchens; the choice for customers is wide but mind wracking.

With all the hype about designer kitchens and the amount of money spent on them, there is one class that is forgotten; the lower sections of society. These people have to make do with the basic amenities and cannot indulge in luxuries that come with the designer ware.

For them, the kitchen is the place for cooking and not a space that provokes logical thinking.

By A B SUDHINDRA

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