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Surface Tension - Paint Mania
October 5, 2022
With numerous primers and paints available today, it is easy to transform a dowdy, outdated kitchen from top to bottom.
The Indian home paint (decorative paint) market has registered a robust growth over the last decade and is currently worth Rs. 20,000. For all homes irrespective of their size, the kitchen occupies significant space and importance. There was a time when an Indian kitchen was purely a functional space and sparse in décor. Over the last few years, greater dispensable incomes and upgraded lifestyles have given the Indian kitchen a contemporary makeover. With the advent of modular and open kitchens, aesthetics, of which paints are an integral part, are given due consideration.
Paint scores over other materials in terms of affordability, ease of application, maintenance and personalisation. Tiles and glass are relatively expensive materials, tiles are cumbersome to install and once laid out can’t be removed easily. Being prone to chipping and breakage, glass is difficult to maintain. Paint, on the other hand, is a versatile material, consumers can simply change the look of their kitchen by giving it a fresh coat of paint.
A lot of young consumers choose happy colours like bright yellows, oranges and blues that turn kitchen chores less stressful. Photo Courtesy: 43 Click North on Unsplash
Kitchen challenges
The kitchen is a high-traffic area, susceptible to dirt and grime, more than other parts of the home. While choosing paint for the kitchen, one should keep in mind that the paint should have resistance to household stains and be easily washable. Indian cooking involves the usage of oil and spices, when these settle on walls and cabinets they create an oily and sticky surface. With dust particles getting stuck, kitchen walls get dark ugly stains that are not only an ungainly sight but also difficult to clean.
Ones' kitchen paint should be non-porous so stains will not percolate in. It should also be resistant to the occasional splash of curry, pickle, ketchup, butter etc and be able to handle cleaning with soap and water on a regular basis. Paints with a soft sheen are more suited for kitchen areas than a flat matte finishes, which are difficult to clean.
Also, kitchens typically have a damp and humid ambience and when food deposits get stuck on walls, it becomes an excellent breeding ground for microbes such as fungus and bacteria. Thus, the paint one chooses for the kitchen area should be fortified with excellent anti-microbial compounds which are safe for humans and pets.
Tips to enhance kitchen through paint:
Paint Cabinet Interiors: Add a pop of colour to plain cabinets by painting the interiors a striking color.
The Fifth Wall: Normally left white, the ceiling is a perfect place to add colour in a kitchen where most of the wall space is taken by cabinets.
Create Drama with Contrasts: Take painting cabinets to the next level by using contrasting colours.
Chalk It Up: Add function and fun to your kitchen with chalkboard paint. This turns the former blank space into a fun message board.
Nouveau in the market
Since the kitchen is central to the health of the family, globally, there is a growing preference to use paints with anti-fungal, anti-bacterial properties which are safe for humans and pets. In India with growing health consciousness, this trend is expected to catch on very soon.
Today, brands like Shalimar offers a range of superior quality paints in a wide variety of colours that can be used for kitchen spaces. Shalimar’s Husain emulsion comes fortified with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and its superior stain-resistant formula makes it the perfect kitchen paint. Its fast-drying nature makes painting the kitchen a quick and easy task. For wooden cabinets and metal surfaces, Shalimar provides JetlacCarewood Enamel and Superlac Hi-Gloss Enamel that offers excellent gloss and is easy to clean.
In terms of aesthetics and colours, consumers are very conscious now of their choice of kitchen colours. Soothing greys, neutrals and pastels are for those who spend long hours in the kitchen whereas a lot of young consumers choose happy colours like bright yellows, oranges and blues that turn kitchen chores less stressful. Another trend is to paint cupboards and cabinets in a brighter shade, with a lighter tone of the same colour as the walls.
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