Kitchen design and fitting – Biophilia Kenya

Choosing modern kitchen fittings for a discerning home

A kitchen is the heart of any home which makes it arguably the most important part of the house. It is therefore imperative that the accessories used in the kitchen should be designed for every aspect of life.

Africa being an emerging market, it has started to experience new technologies that embody a modern Kenya. The introduction of modern kitchen fittings has revolutionized the African market and made it realize that utility and comfort can be incorporated in the same design.

What to find in a kitchen

Kitchen mixers & Sinks

A good kitchen mixer has more to offer than just water, it can be used for instance as a pull-out spout to fill pots or water plants on the cupboard. The same applies to kitchen sinks, they should offer you a solution to the mess under your kitchen sink. When it comes to selecting the right basin mixer, quality is essential because you do not want to replace your mixer every few years. “Functionality is also paramount; like the select button makes it easier to turn the water on and off, including using the back of your hand or elbow,”

Kitchen faucets

A kitchen is an environment where both comfort and functionality have to co-exist. Therefore, when selecting kitchen faucets, it is essential to consult with the designer on which style to adopt. The choice of materials together with the design of the furniture and appliances can match or contrast but always needs to follow a rationality.

Kitchen faucet, modern kitchen in loft style, black table, gold luxury faucet kitchen.

According to Emanuela Tavolini, GRAFF Europe Sales Director, good kitchen faucets represent the perfect combination between design and functionality. “Most of our faucets are in fact equipped with a revolving spout and a side spray. The faucets and side sprays provide different kinds of water jets to make everyday cleaning and rinsing operations easier,” she adds.

Cupboards

Advancement in technology has revolutionized how people use kitchen spaces and furniture. With every home accommodating cupboard space, Hinges are still the most effective way of articulating cupboard doors. According to Leopold Müllner the Export Manager at TZ Austria, there is a market for high-end products. “We handle all the requirements from the market in terms of humid and temperature issues. We have a big range of different supporting materials which are moisture and water-resistant and also have a UV resistance property,” he adds.

Ms. Maliboho of Roco mentions that, recent innovations in terms of functionality such as controlled movement of cupboard doors, closing via a dampening system all further add to the end user’s appeal, from Soft-Close mechanisms that prevent banging of furniture, Door to Door Folding Systems that enable space saving especially in smaller kitchens, right through to Push- to-Open hinges and mechanisms that also allow for one touch opening of furniture; not forgetting the Anti-Slam Devices which can be fitted to dampen the force of closing surfaces thus preventing damage over time.

Handles

Every good kitchen needs great handles. The right handle selection and positioning can transform the look of your kitchen units, giving them an ultra-modern look.

“When choosing a handle, the design certainly plays a primary role, but other aspects such as ergonomics, ease of grip, solid grip, ease of cleaning, and absence of edges, should not be underestimated,” mentions Mr. Luca Frigerio of Citterio Giulio SpA in Italy.

Drawers

Kitchens have to withstand the rigours of everyday use. So it is important that they not only look good but are practical too. Modern kitchens not only offer trendy features and sophisticated looks but are also top in terms of functionality. They make everyday kitchen use fun. But buying a new kitchen can also be a bit of a challenge. The kitchen you decide on will last for 15 years or more, and it is often very difficult to keep an overview of the latest product innovations.

Hangers

Hangers are used to speed up the installation of drawers in a kitchen. There are different configurations of cabinet hangers. They all do the same thing even though they might look different. Hangers come in pairs: One side screws to the cabinet, and one side screws to the wall. It just a matter of joining the two parts together to hang the cabinet. According to Xabier Noguera of Indaux in Spain, apart from quality, style and flexibility, hangers also need to have the safety aspect.

Hinges

Hinges are used in every kitchen cupboard. There is a huge choice of types and sizes of hinges that have a variety of uses. Therefore, before replacing a hinge in your kitchen you will need to identify the specific hinge that you will need. According to Mr. Doğukan Çetiner of Samet in Turkey further adds that, North African countries are quite keen on brand and quality compared to other African countries. However, Middle and South African countries have also started to catch up, adding performance into the mix.

Outdoor kitchen

An outdoor kitchen can be as simple as a grill, table, and chairs, or as elaborate as a fully outfitted kitchen complete with built-in appliances and seating. However, according to Sandra Frylén of Roshults in Sweden, an outdoor kitchen should be just as functional as an indoor kitchen. Everything you can have indoors should be able to be outdoors.

Kitchen appliances

The speed at which technology is developing is neck breaking. Everything now is smart, and the modern kitchen appliances have not been left behind. Valcucine in Italy observes that the very first technology is still the human power. The handmade fittings are comparable to a real tailoring approach. “In the luxury sector finishing and details are crucial factors to obtain a modern and personal house,” he adds.

Ovens and Hobs

Ovens are becoming more and more efficient, saving you time and energy and cooking your food faster and better. Additionally, increasing automation takes all of the guess-work and risk out of cooking as ovens and hobs are becoming able to calculate how long, and at what temperature, food should cook for.

Nematic provides hoods that uses the BLDC technology, hobs that uses the Solid Core Burner and ovens that have tripled gazed doors for complete safety and peace of mind.

What's new

Induction hobs

While not exactly new to the scene, induction hobs are becoming more and more widespread as people realize how good they really are. Made up of magnets designed to exclusively heat the pot or pan, the actual hob remains completely cool to the touch throughout the process.

Able to change the temperature as quickly as gas, they are extremely responsive, energy efficient, and much safer than electricity or gas hobs – perfect for when you have children in the house.

Refrigerator technology has also developed rapidly to keep food fresher for longer at the exact ideal temperature and humidity. Some smart fridges are now even able to tell you when your food will expire and what groceries you are running short on.