Modern furniture is a new trend in today’s world and all of us want our furniture to be stylish and unique. So similarly, when it comes to the kitchen, we want the kitchen to make a statement in our home. A modular kitchen is an option that helps to make your kitchen stand out with a great design, finish, looks, and durability.
Modular kitchen refers to a kitchen, which has a set of modules of boxes, cabinets, drawers, countertops, and other related units which makes the overall setup of your kitchen convenient, efficient, affordable, and durable.
Types Of Modular Kitchen
Modular Kitchen can be of various types depending on the plan and layout of the kitchen. Generally, the modular kitchen is of the following types -:
1. L – Shaped Kitchen – It is one of the most common layouts of kitchens in India. The furniture is placed on two sides with L shape and the other two sides are open.
2. One-Sided Kitchen – This is the simplest type of modular kitchen. In this kitchen, the furniture is placed only on the front side and the other three sides are open. This type of kitchen is most suitable for smaller areas.
3. U – Shaped Kitchen – It is the modular kitchen that requires the most resources and also has a high storage capacity. There is furniture on the three sides and there is access only from one side to the kitchen.
4. Parallel Kitchen – It is a compact version of the U shaped kitchen. In this type of kitchen, there is furniture on the two opposite sides while the other two sides are open for access.
How To Make A Modular Kitchen
Making a modular kitchen is pretty easier than you think. It gives you a definite edge over the normal kitchen. Also, it will not make a big dent in your pocket if you follow these basic steps -:
1. Select appropriate material for the carcass of the kitchen – The carcass of the kitchen is basically the structure that holds and supports the whole kitchen. So you need to decide the material with which you wish to make the carcass of your kitchen. Generally, plywood, steel, MFC, WPC, stone are used to make the boxes for the kitchen carcass.
This is one of the most crucial steps since the boxes determine the kitchen’s durability. Stones are the most durable option, but then it is not easy to make the stone carcass for all. You would need an expert who can set this stone structure for the kitchen.
So, 18 mm plywood is considered the best option for making the boxes for the kitchen carcass. It is strong, durable, and fairly easy to set up for the carpenter.
2. Select proper shutters/ doors/ drawers – The shutters, doors, and drawers of the boxes are the main highlight of your modular kitchen because they will decide the overall look of the kitchen. So you need to give a proper thought about the color and texture you want for your kitchen.
Along with colors and textures you also need to decide the finishing i.e. matt, gloss, emboss glass, etc. Make sure the shutters’ color coordinates with the counter-top and tiles of your kitchen.
3. Choose the internal fittings of your kitchen – There are a variety of innovative fittings available in the market today to create an efficient cooking space for your kitchen. You need to pay attention to the amount of load that can be placed on each fitting.
The pressure and hydraulic fittings are considered the most efficient fittings as they enable the soft closure of the doors and shutters. This restricts unnecessary jerks and thus helps in increasing the life of the furniture.
4. Choose the tiles for your kitchen – Tiles act as aesthetic highlighters for the kitchen and must be used wisely to add color and symmetry to the modular kitchen.
Tiles protect the kitchen boxes from possible wall water leakage and stains. Tiles also provide much-needed support to the boxes that are hung on the wall of the kitchen.
5. Appliances for the kitchen – You should plan well in advance about the kitchen appliances that you require for your modular kitchen. Space and plug points for each kitchen appliance need to be planned properly to avoid any unwanted issues later on.
Also, you should have an elaborate drawing about the electrical and plumbing points for the kitchen. This ensures that there are points given properly for your sink, microwave, chimney, water filter, and other such appliances. You should discuss all your requirements with the designer before the finalization of the drawing.
6. Selecting the countertop – The countertop is your primary workspace in the kitchen. You need to ensure that it is heatproof and matched properly with the colors of your shutters, doors, and tiles.
7. Choosing knobs and handles – You should invest proper time and resources in finalizing the knobs and handles for your kitchen. They may not seem that big of a deal, but in fact, they have a great impact on the look of the kitchen and they also decide the ease with which you can operate in the kitchen.
Advantages Of A Modular Kitchen
1. Easy To Remove – If you ever have to move to another home then a modular kitchen is the best option as it can be dismantled easily.
2. Easy To Clean – It is easy to clean and it also requires less maintenance. Most of the drawers and storage boxes are kept closed; as such they do not require frequent cleaning.
3. Less Installation Time – The installation time of the modular kitchen is also very less. A skilled carpenter can easily install the kitchen in almost no time.
4. Less Expensive – If you make your choices wisely then a modular kitchen can be a very affordable option.
5. Durable – Modern modular kitchens made of waterproof materials are highly durable and can last very long.
6. Aesthetic Aspect – The modular kitchen is one of the most important places of a modern house and they do a great job in enhancing the beauty of a house.
7. Insect Free – Modern modular kitchens are built in such a way they efficiently restrict the entry of rodents and insects. As such they are very helpful in maintaining hygiene.
Best Plywood For Modular Kitchen
There are many different materials that can be used for the construction of the modular kitchen. Selecting the best option is very crucial for your modular kitchen. Generally, there are many options available such as MDF, HDF, Plywood, Blockboard, WPC, Stone, and Steel.
MDF and HDF can be used if you have a low budget for the modular kitchen. HDF is denser and has good resistance to water as compared to MDF, but both of them are not very durable and hence they are not generally suggested for making modular kitchens.
WPC is another option for making the kitchen, it is an expensive option and there have been issues regarding its sturdiness especially with the heat and high temperatures.
Plywood comes in various types and it is considered the best option for making the structure of the modular kitchen. It can hold the fittings and fixtures of the modular kitchen far better in the long run than its counterparts. It is economical, sturdy, and easy to use. You should opt for boiling waterproof plywood for making a modular kitchen structure. It is available in the range of Rs. 100 to Rs. 150 per sq. ft. in India.
Blockboards can be used along with the plywood for making a modular kitchen. Blockboards should be used for making covers, doors, and drawers of the kitchen. It is light weighted and as such, it can be easily cut and used for making the covers, doors, and drawers of the kitchen.
Modular Kitchen Price
The price of the modular kitchen depends on a lot of factors. There is a misconception that modular kitchens are expensive but if you make the correct decisions you will find that modular kitchens are in fact cheaper.
The major factors that decide the modular kitchen price are listed below -:
1. Structure Material Cost – The main cost of the kitchen is decided by the material that you use for making the basic structure of the modular kitchen. If you use 18 mm plywood, which is considered the best option, then it is available in many varieties which can cost anything from Rs. 50 per sq ft. to Rs. 200 per sq ft. in the market. Depending upon your requirement and your budget you may choose the best option for you.
2. Labor Cost – Labor cost is also a major cost component and it also varies depending upon the place your house is located in. In India, labor costs can be as low as Rs. 100 per sq ft. and may go up to Rs. 500 sq ft. depending upon the skill of the carpenter and the city you live in.
3. Fitting, Fixtures, and Hardware – The handles, sockets, hinges, profiles, screws, and other such hardware items, form another major cost component of the modular kitchen.
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