What is Modular Kitchen?
Changing lifestyles, modern technologies, and the invasion of global fashion standards have pushed the degree of design innovation beyond one’s imagination. Keeping up with the constant change and upcoming trends while maintaining the sophistication, usability, and quality of materials, modularity in design has set in for a long time now. A modular design’s essential function is to simplify a product’s complexity by dividing it into smaller parts or modules. It is a form of the structured layout created in discrete elements put together on site. The primary tenet of a modular design is to provide flexibility with the loosely developed modules that can be configured in various ways – coupled, separated, and even replaced. This allows efficient scaling, duplicating, and creating harmonious aesthetics in a significant component and even multiples of the same. The concept of modular design has gained popularity in various fields, such as automobile parts, computer hardware, biology, product design, architecture, construction, and much more. Panning into architecture and interior design, prefabricated building blocks and modular furniture is the most familiar. All modular furniture is prefabricated in its respective manufacturing units, but not all prefabricated units are modular.
Kitchens, one of the essential spaces in any residence, undergo a maximum number of changes and upgrades. Beyond just the aesthetics and functionality of the space, consumer-friendly ergonomics and finishes play a vital role in a kitchen. It is a never-ending debate about which one is better, a typical kitchen vs. a modular kitchen. They come with their strengths, but one must not forget their shortcomings. Thus, making it a subjective decision based on one’s preferences. Modularity in kitchen design makes it substantially more convenient than onsite carpentry. Modular kitchens in the present day have the largest market and are in utmost demand. Besides being equipped with the most advanced appliances and using the most efficient accessories, modular kitchens can easily be customized and replace any part without disturbing and hampering the rest of the kitchen. This facilitates the installation process, avoiding the mess and chaos on site. Modular kitchens prove to be the most efficient alternative under renovation situations. It saves time, labor, and energy and reduces the transportation cost of vast and heavy sheets of raw materials. Making the movement more accessible, the storage and accessibility are much smoother. This also allows relocating the kitchen and moving it around, if required.
One of the most pivotal aspects of a modular kitchen are the refinement of the finished product. They hit the right spot when it comes to aesthetics. Due to its characteristic of prefabrication, each panel is produced, pressed, tested, and sealed in the factory. This brings absolute uniformity in the color, texture, and finish, making it seamless and homogeneous. Being an automated product, it opens an array of new, varied, modern finishes and materials. Not limiting itself to only the panel finish, there are numerous natural and artificial patterns and textures of countertop material, like stones, quartz, granite, marble, etc. With the help of these modern fixes, an easy-working triangle is created maximizing and appropriately dividing space as per its functionality.
“Kitchen design will take aesthetics and function into not only account but also emotional value supporting its use as a space for relaxing and wellbeing,” says Feo Kutcsh.
A kitchen is not just a space defined for cooking; it holds much more value to it. Being the heart of the home, the kitchen is the celebration of space that contains the value of emotions, where the family gathers. Extending the kitchen space into the dining and living areas and adopting the concept of open kitchens and modularity in kitchen furniture allows the design to blend in with the theme and feel of the house. This easy availability of color palate and finish creates an identical and consistent aesthetic. The flexibility of the modular kitchen allows modifications, not in terms of just its appearance but also the interiors and its usability. Each section can be customized in size, partitions, and accessories to accommodate the most. They are available layouts. – L-shape, U-shape, straight, parallel, and island. This brings in various design options that not only home the latest gadgets but also allow the designer to explore lighting variations. Hidden shelves, ventilated janitor units, dry spice trolley units, drying trays, soft closing fixtures, self-cleaning equipment, sophisticated inbuilt hardware, bent shutter edges, etc. make the kitchen is highly equipped and user-friendly.
One must not mistake these perks of a modular design for being mistake-proof. With the advancement of technology and facility, certain drawbacks require higher focus and attention. Since modular kitchens are factory-made, it needs to be planned much. This kitchen planning requires attention to each detail beforehand since it cannot incorporate further changes once under production. Also, allowing buffer and filler spaces is a must to ensure the best fit per the site conditions and minimize errors allowing some room to make adjustments. A thorough site survey is a crucial prerequisite.
But this does not restrict a user from opting for a modular kitchen. Considering this process’s commercials and price factor, it is an easy win for the modular now. At an early stage, modular kitchens being factory-made were an expensive choice. But now, the misconception that modern and highly efficient design is skyrocketing in the budget has been proved wrong. Due to their efficiency and saving labor costs, modular kitchens save valuable time and money. This cost-effective kitchen brings absolute clarity of expense before one places the order for production, giving it the liberty to cost- control and avoid surprises later. This concept has attracted a big pool of clients by providing flexibility in design and installation with a flawless finish. Considering the current scenario of extreme global environmental issues, designers and manufacturers are now making a conscious effort to ensure sustainability. This approach has started taking root in every form and every piece of furniture and design, thus extending the range of modular kitchens to green and eco-friendly options.
Reference :
- https://www.mgsarchitecture.in/building-materials-products/kitchens/2-the-trending-modular-kitchen.html
- https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/7-things-to-consider-when-designing-a-modular-kitchen/
- https://www.livspace.com
- https://joybird.com/blog/benefits-of-modular-furniture/
