All interior guides
Planning and AI
Kitchens, storage and materials
Room ideas
Free tools
- Paint Calculator
- Tile Calculator
- TV Size and Viewing Distance Calculator
- Bed and Wardrobe Fit Checker
- Interior Style Quiz
No guide matches that.
All guides and toolsIn short
- Your walls, window, gas line and drain decide the layout more than taste.
- Parallel kitchens need 1 to 1.2 m between counters; L shapes need a corner fitting.
- Storage zones, a ducted chimney and good hardware matter more than the shutter finish.
Straight (single wall) kitchen
Everything sits on one wall: sink, hob and storage. It suits compact 1 BHK flats and studio apartments. Keep at least 600 mm of counter between the sink and the hob, add tall units at one end for groceries, and use the wall above for open shelves or wall cabinets so the counter stays clear.
L shaped kitchen
The most common layout in Indian apartments. The corner is the challenge: without corner fittings, the back of the corner becomes dead space. A carousel or a pull out corner unit makes it usable. Place the hob and sink on different arms so two people can work without bumping into each other.
Parallel (galley) kitchen
Two counters facing each other, common in Mumbai flats. It is very efficient if the gap between counters is between 1000 and 1200 mm. Put the hob and chimney on one side, and the sink and dishwasher or drying area on the other, so wet and hot work are separated.
U shaped kitchen
Three walls of counters give the most storage and work space, but only if the room is wide enough to keep a clear centre. In narrow U kitchens, one arm often becomes a breakfast counter or a tall storage wall instead.
Island and peninsula kitchens
Newer luxury flats sometimes have room for an island. It is a beautiful addition but needs about a metre of clear space around it. A peninsula, which is an island attached to one wall, gives a similar breakfast counter in less space.
Storage that matters more than layout
- Deep drawers instead of shelves in base units, so nothing hides at the back
- A masala drawer or pull out right next to the hob
- Tall pantry units for grains and bulk groceries
- A dedicated appliance zone with sockets at counter height
- Moisture resistant boards (BWP plywood or HDHMR) under the sink
Layouts compared at a glance
| Layout | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Straight | Studios and 1 BHK flats | Limited counter, plan tall storage at one end |
| L shaped | Most 2 BHK flats | Wasted blind corner without a corner fitting |
| Parallel | Narrow Mumbai kitchens | Gap under 1 metre feels cramped |
| U shaped | Larger kitchens | Narrow U traps the cook in the centre |
| Island or peninsula | New luxury flats | Needs about 1 metre clear all around |
Standard kitchen dimensions that matter
- Counter height: about 850 to 900 mm, adjusted to the main cook's height
- Counter depth: 600 mm, so base units and appliances fit
- Wall cabinets: about 600 mm above the counter, 300 to 350 mm deep
- Chimney: about 650 to 750 mm above the hob
- Clear space between parallel counters: 1000 to 1200 mm
Indian cooking needs that change the design
Indian kitchens deal with heavy tadka, deep frying and pressure cookers every day, so a good chimney with a proper duct to the outside matters more than any finish. Place the hob near the outer wall to keep the duct short.
Plan space for a water purifier with a drain, a mixer grinder close to a socket, and a place for the gas cylinder that is ventilated and easy to change. Many families also want a separate area for washing utensils, which works best on a utility balcony next to the kitchen.
Shutter finishes compared
| Finish | Look | Care |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate | Huge choice of colours and textures | Tough, easy to clean, best value |
| Acrylic | High gloss, mirror like | Shows fingerprints, scratches can show |
| PU lacquer | Smooth matt or gloss paint finish | Premium, chips need professional repair |
| Veneer | Real wood grain | Needs sealing, avoid near the sink |
| Glass | Light, modern accents | Best for wall cabinets, not base units |
Planning the work triangle
The work triangle connects the sink, the hob and the fridge. Each side should ideally be between 4 and 9 feet, and the three sides together under about 26 feet. Too far and you walk too much; too close and two people cannot work together.
In Indian homes the fridge often sits just outside the kitchen because of space. That works if the path is short and not across the main walking route of the home.
Storage zones that save time
| Zone | Where | What goes there |
|---|---|---|
| Consumables | Tall unit near the entrance of the kitchen | Grains, pulses, snacks, oil |
| Non consumables | Near the dishwasher or drying area | Plates, bowls, glasses |
| Cleaning | Under the sink | Dishwash, cloths, bins |
| Preparation | Between sink and hob | Knives, boards, spices |
| Cooking | Under and beside the hob | Pans, pressure cookers, ladles |
Countertops for Indian kitchens
Granite remains the most practical choice: very hard, heat tolerant and affordable in black or deep tones. Quartz looks cleaner and comes in lighter colours but should not take very hot vessels directly. Marble looks beautiful but stains easily with turmeric and lemon, so it suits only light use kitchens.
Designer tip: Ask for a raised back splash in the same stone behind the hob. It is easier to clean than tiles and grout.
Hardware that makes the difference
Soft close hinges and full extension drawer channels from a reputable brand cost a little more but decide how the kitchen feels every day for years. Tandem boxes for drawers, a magic corner or carousel for the blind corner, a bottle pull out next to the hob and a tall pantry with internal drawers are the most valuable upgrades.
Want us to design it for you?
If you would rather have a designer handle it, we offer modular kitchen design, 2 bhk interior design, home renovation, with AI renders of your own rooms before any work starts. We work across Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai, including interior designers in Ghatkopar, interior designers in Chembur, interior designers in Thane, and take projects in other major cities.
Related guides: Sliding vs hinged wardrobes, Plywood vs HDHMR vs MDF, Monsoon proof interiors.
Written by
The Arch Interior Design Studio team
An interior design studio in Mumbai that plans homes room by room and shows clients realistic renders before anything is built.
More about us