A tropical house design embraces a more open-plan living as well as living spaces that merge easily with the outdoors. Kitchens in such architectural designs are normally intended to be more than merely functional spaces: they become integrated living spaces. However, tropical kitchens have a more down-to-earth feel that relies on natural elements such as wood and stone. Modern kitchen equipment is then seamlessly and neatly incorporated into the kitchen area.
There are, however, a few elements that can alter your kitchen from simply functional to one of tropical appearance.
Two elements of a tropical kitchen may be costly to incorporate: a pitched ceiling, and an open-plan layout. The benefit of having a high-pitched ceiling in a humid and warm climate like Malaysia is this allows for better air circulation. Another benefit is that, as hot air rises and is replaced by cooler air, a higher-pitched ceiling offers the coolness denied by a ceiling of normal height.
Besides those aspects that may be difficult to incorporate, there are others that you could add to change the look and feel of the room.
Using wood and other natural materials
As with the rest of the tropical style, there is a definite bias towards using natural materials like wood or rattan. This may be in the form of solid wood cabinets, which will give the home an inviting and warm feeling. If, however, you would like a more modern version, your kitchen designer would be able to assist you by suggesting less detailed cabinets with cleaner lines. On the other hand, if you would like a more traditional look, having rattan inserts will not only help to add texture to the room but will also help to increase the air circulating within the cabinets: this reduces the chances of mold developing. An alternative to having rattan inserts is having louvered doors, which allow for better circulation.
If you would like to add some wood or rattan to your kitchen, you aren’t limited to just your kitchen doors. You can add wooden bar stools or ones made out of wicker. Bear in mind that, if the kitchen is open plan, you will need to consider as part of the decor, the other rooms that open onto to the kitchen. Also, adding a wooden fruit bowl could also be easy and practical at the same time.
Alternatively, ignore the wood and go for white
Although wood can give you that distinctly tropical feeling, more of a beach feeling can be created by painting your kitchen white. You can ask a professional painter to advise you on the best type of paint; a professional will be able to repaint your existing cabinets in a coat of white emulsion. However, when selecting this version of tropical, go for a completely white appearance – white walls, cabinets, and ceiling.
What will a kitchen be without a ceiling fan?
Not only will a ceiling fan help to circulate the air, but a fan in wood can also add a stylish touch to the room. With all electrical installations, make use of a qualified electrician to install your ceiling fan.
Natural light is also important. Large windows opening up onto the garden will help to flood the kitchen with light during the day. Having large windows also means that the kitchen could be exposed to the garden with its lush tropical plants.
How can you bring plants into your tropical kitchen?
Besides having floor-to-ceiling glass panels, or having a courtyard onto which your rooms lead, you can bring plants into your kitchen, or even arrange a few leaves in a vase. You could also give the impression of foliage with your fabrics on your stools. Or you could have a bold feature wall, with wallpaper in a leaf pattern, for only RM50 to about RM250 per roll.
Remember to keep your tropical kitchen practical
Having a durable countertop is a must, especially when cooking with ghee, kunyit, or soy sauce that could forever stain your pricey tops. Marble and granite are beautiful and not expensive. Chinese granite in Black Impala, for instance, costs around RM25 per square foot; European granite in Emerald or Pearl Blue costs perhaps RM60 per square foot. Brazilian granite in Oyster Blue or Blue Bahia may cost RM250 or more. Irrespective of which you go for, granite must be regularly sealed.
Quartz, on the other hand, is stain, heat, and clip restraint, therefore it makes a perfect material for your kitchen, especially if you love cooking and hate cleaning.
Also, think of your lights – from decorative pendants to shadow-free work lights so you can see what you are doing, interesting illumination will make your kitchen look impressive. For instance, you could add LED strip lights around the bottom of your cupboards to give that snazzy look. Speak to a professional kitchen planner and an electrician to help you find the best lights, but also budget for the installation. Installation costs per unit can be from RM30 to around RM140.
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