Pros & Cons of a Modular Kitchen

Find out the strengths and the shortcomings of a modular kitchen before you commit

Pooja Khanna Tyagi24 July 2017

Houzz India Contributor. An Architect , Interior Designer, Valuer, a Marathon Runner, and love Writing Poetry and Creative Stories on Building Design. Have been practicing since the year 2000 with specialization in the field of Corporate Interiors with projects extensively published in journals of national repute. Recently honoured with the reputed A3 Foundation award for Journalism for the year 2016 an for architectural poetry in the year 2018. Currently practicing and residing in Delhi and Noida. Website: www.khannaenterprise.com, Email: poojakhanna224@gmail.com, M:9891993392

In recent years, the modular kitchen has become increasingly popular for urban homes, leaving the conventional kind lagging behind. These new-age kitchens are pre-fabricated in factories and are tailor-made to the homeowner’s requirements, with flexibility in creating a straight, L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen layout. They are installed as modular or semi-modular units. Conventional kitchens, on the other hand, are carpentered on site (some modular accessories can be purchased and fixed on to the cabinets) and the design, selection of materials and the final finish usually depends on the skill of the carpenter. If you are planning to renovate your kitchen, our guide will help you decide whether a modular kitchen is the way to go.

SHAHEN MISTRY ARCHITECTS

Pro: A sleek look

Modular kitchens impart a sleek, high-end, luxurious look. Various configurations with colour, materials and finishes can be combined to create a kitchen that suits your taste to a T and blends with the overall decor of the home.

Browse through some gorgeous modular kitchens

sk designs

Pro: Good space management

These kitchens are designed by expert professionals; it ensures good planning, an efficient working layout, a de-cluttered look and clever utilisation of space with organised storage.

Modular Kitchen

Modular accessories are fitted on to the cabinets and drawer units to create dedicated storage for cutlery trays, utensils, bottles, spices, vegetables and garbage holders. Even the end corners that are usually inaccessible due to the cabinet’s depth can be converted into functional space with accessories like corner carousels.

SEA Group Germany

Pro: Easy to maintain

Modular kitchens are termite-proof and the parts are easy to change or replace in case of any damage. Kitchens fabricated out of BWR (boiling water resistant) plywood can last a lifetime but kitchens made of MDF (medium density fibre) or particle board as the base material will require gentle handling while opening or closing the drawers/shutters.

Good product manufacturers ensure that the cabinets in moisture-ridden areas, like the sink-cabinet, have an outer finish similar to the rest of the kitchen and the inner layer is lined with a sheet of 1-mm-thick aluminium to create a waterproof membrane.

For added water protection, opt for modular kitchens that are supported on sturdy legs at least 6 inches above the floor. There are brands like Godrej Interio, Sleek and Hafele that offer good warranty periods

Tip: For the Indian style of working and cooking, it is advisable to go for granite countertops and cabinets made of BWR plywood with outer membranes of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) boards, WPC (wood-plastic composite) panels or steel.

Make it a point to install good-quality hardware that is rust-proof and avoid placing damp vessels within the cabinets, to prevent fungal growth.

The Working Ants

Pro: Available in multiple options

The standard kitchen modules include wall units, floor units, tall storage, cabinets, drawers of various sizes and dedicated spaces for built-in appliances. There are many options to choose from, in terms of designs, colours and finishes.

The materials used for cabinets and drawers are pre-laminated MDF, pre-laminated particle board or BWR ply with laminate finish; the materials used for counter-tops are BWP ply with laminate finish, solid surface or polished granite.

Browse through some modular kitchens

Praxis

Pro: Quick and easy installation

Kitchen modules come to site in a prefabricated ready-to-install form that is easy to transport and assemble. This saves one from the tedious carpentry work, noise and dust that are unavoidable during the fabrication of a conventional kitchen.

Another plus is that even if you plan to shift your home, the entire kitchen can be dismantled and reassembled at a new location.

Maison Du Luxe

Pro: Easy to clean

A well organised space always looks neat and is easy to maintain. As regular maintenance, the kitchen cabinets and countertops can be gently scrubbed and cleaned with a solution of non-toxic liquid detergent. Do make it a point to periodically clean the dirt and grime from the hinges and channels for smooth functioning.

Open Atelier Mumbai

Con: Expensive

The main drawback of a modular kitchen is that the cost of installation is high. It is much more expensive than conventional kitchens.

Shubham Photography

Con: Not suitable for rough use

These kitchens shouldn’t be subjected to rough use. The telescopic channels, rollers, and the hydraulic hinges and rollers used for the drawers and shutters should be handled gently and carefully. Rough use may strain the hinges, loosen the channels and result in poor opening and closing mechanisms.

Atom Studio

Make sure that the drawers are not loaded beyond their bearing capacity as this may damage the alignment and cause the drawer to sag over a period of time.

Tip: As a precaution, avoid keeping hot objects or utensils directly on a solid surface or laminated BWR plywood countertop; the surface has a tendency to get damaged, discoloured or cracked.

Read more:
5 Things to Know Before Installing a Modular Kitchen

Tell us:
What would be your choice – modular or conventional kitchens? Tell us in the Comments section below.

Paragon Kitchens