Editor's Festive Pick: The Kitchen Edition, 8 Upgrades for the Busiest Room in the House
In an Indian home, Diwali does not happen in the living room. It happens in the kitchen. Chakli dough at midnight, besan ladoos cooling on every flat surface, the good steel dabbas finally coming out, and four relatives arguing about how much ghee is too much ghee (there is no such thing).
And every year, the same problem. Nowhere to put anything.
Welcome back to Editor's Festive Pick, the segment where I pick products I would genuinely spend my own money on, tell you why, and give you the link to buy. We have done the bathroom and the front door. This time, we are in the kitchen.
This edit is mostly about one idea: use the walls. Four wall cabinets at very different sizes and prices, a rack that clears your counter in an afternoon, a wall-mounted mini bar for the Diwali card party, a pocket-sized kettle with proper temperature control, and one bonus pick for after the guests leave. The Wall Cabinet Edit
If your kitchen counter is covered in jars, the fix is not a bigger counter. It is the empty wall above it.
1. Spyder Home Decore Orio 6 Door Wall Cabinet
Why I recommend it: The biggest of the four, and the one to pick if storage is the whole point. At 180 cm long, it covers a full stretch of wall and hides multiple shelves behind its doors, with a dedicated lower section for smaller items like spice jars and tea tins. The matte burgundy and white finish is a welcome break from the endless grey and white kitchens on Instagram, and it adds warmth without shouting. It also works outside the kitchen, in a pantry, dining area or home office.
Good to know: It measures 180 x 70 x 30 cm, so measure your wall twice. It comes with a 1-year warranty and is sold as easy to assemble.
Price at time of writing: ₹9,499
2. Bniture 5 Door Wall Mount Kitchen Cabinet (Slate Grey)
Why I recommend it: If you want your kitchen to look like a modular kitchen showroom without the modular kitchen bill, start here. This slate grey wall cabinet has five doors plus an open section, which is exactly the right mix: hide the mismatched mugs and spice packets, and leave the nice jars on display. At 150 cm wide, it holds crockery, cups, containers and everyday essentials for a full family kitchen.
Good to know: It measures 150 x 70 x 30 cm and is made from engineered wood. It also suits a dining room, balcony utility area or office pantry.
Price at time of writing: ₹8,699
3. VIKI Modular Kitchen Wall Cabinet with Acrylic Doors
Why I recommend it: This is the cabinet for anyone who owns a good dinner set and is tired of hiding it. Transparent acrylic doors show off your crockery, glassware or the pretty jars you bought for the festive season, while keeping the dust out. Inside, you get a mix of shelves, hinged doors and pull-out drawers, so it is far more organised than a plain cupboard. The board is termite, borer and scratch resistant, and the cabinet is made in India.
Good to know: It measures 120 x 80 x 30 cm in a Brussel Walnut finish, is designed for DIY assembly and comes with a 1-year warranty.
Price at time of writing: ₹7,210
4. Madesa Reims Flip Up Wall Cabinet (Black)
Why I recommend it: Small, sharp and very clever. At 70 cm wide, the Madesa Reims fits the awkward spaces bigger cabinets cannot, like above the sink, beside the chimney or over the fridge. The door flips upwards on a gas piston, so it stays open on its own while you reach in, and it closes smoothly instead of slamming. The black painted finish is designed to resist moisture, and the aluminium handles and metal hinges are built for daily use.
Good to know: It measures 70 x 33 x 31 cm. It arrives flat-packed, the listing says installation is done by a service partner, and it comes with a 1-year warranty.
Price at time of writing: ₹4,999
The Counter Clearer
5. iBELL Multifunctional Wall Mounted Kitchen Organiser Rack
Why I recommend it: If a full cabinet is more than you need, this rack does a surprising amount for about two thousand rupees. Spices go on the shelf, ladles and spatulas hang on the hooks, cutlery dries in its own compartments, and there is a two-tier drying area for plates and bowls. It also has space for chopping boards, pot lids and dish towels. Your counter goes from chaos to clear in one afternoon. The carbon steel build is sturdy enough for a busy Indian kitchen.
Good to know: It is wall-mounted, so you will need to drill. Fix it near the sink for the drying rack to make sense.
Price at time of writing: ₹2,070
For the Card Party
6. Bniture Wall Mounted Mini Bar Cabinet (Flower Wenge)
Why I recommend it: Diwali card parties are a national tradition, and every host needs a bar corner. This wall-mounted mini bar holds bottles and wine glasses in one neat unit that also looks good on display. At just about 10 cm deep, it takes up almost no room, so it works in a small dining area or a living room corner. The flower wenge finish gives it a warm, wooden look that suits most Indian homes.
Good to know: It measures 76.2 x 61 x 10.1 cm and is designed for DIY assembly, with all hardware and instructions included.
Price at time of writing: ₹3,599
How the Editor Picks
Every product in Editor's Festive Pick goes through the same three questions. Does it solve a real, everyday problem? Does it hold up in Indian conditions like humidity, heat and shared family use? And does the price make sense for what you get? For kitchen storage, I added a fourth: does it free up counter or floor space? Every cabinet and rack in this edit goes on the wall.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I add storage to a small kitchen without renovating?
Use the walls. Wall-mounted cabinets and organiser racks add storage without taking up counter or floor space. A compact flip-up cabinet like the Madesa Reims fits above a sink or chimney, while a rack like the iBELL organiser clears the counter of spices and utensils.
Are engineered wood kitchen cabinets good for Indian kitchens?
Engineered wood is a popular and affordable choice for wall cabinets. Look for boards with moisture, termite and borer resistance, keep the cabinet away from direct water and steam, and wipe spills quickly to make it last.
What size wall cabinet should I buy for my kitchen?
Measure the length of free wall above your counter, leaving space for your chimney. For a long wall, a 150 to 180 cm cabinet like the Bniture or Spyder works well. For tight spaces, a 70 cm unit like the Madesa Reims is easier to fit.
Is a mini electric kettle worth it?
Yes, if you make tea or coffee for one or two people, or travel often. A temperature-controlled kettle like the XECH Hydroboil heats only what you need and keeps it warm for hours.
What are good Diwali gifts for a new home?
Useful kitchen upgrades make excellent housewarming gifts. A wall-mounted organiser rack, a mini bar cabinet or a comforter set are all practical gifts that get used every day.
The Final Word
A better kitchen does not always mean a new kitchen. Put the wall to work, clear the counter, add a small appliance that makes daily chai easier, and the busiest room in the house suddenly feels calmer, just in time for the ladoo assembly line.
That is the Kitchen Edition. Next week, another corner of the house gets the Editor's Festive Pick treatment. Tell us which one you want next on Instagram at @alt_bollywood.
Missed the earlier editions? Read Editor's Festive Pick: The Bathroom Edition and Editor's Festive Pick: The Smart Lock Edition.
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