Modular Kitchens - The Need of the Hour

     “Design is where science and art break even”, - Robin Mathew

A modular kitchen refers to a kitchen made in a factory and then custom-designed to fit the consumer's needs and budget. The term, Modular kitchen design, stands for a particular perspective that involves the structuring of distinct parts like corner units, cabinets, drawers, wardrobes, accessories, gadgets, and sundry that can be eventually integrated into a single holistic system. The concept is based on meeting the diverse needs of the customer by breaking down complex systems into simple units fostering efficiency and flexibility where installed.Other than accessories, gadgets, and appliances, these kitchens are also about different textures and finishes, and the use of novel materials like stone, glass, etc. Also, the design focuses on creating a work triangle that facilitates easy movement between the sink, refrigerator, and hob. Whether it's a home kitchen, restaurant, or hotel kitchen, accessibility is the most important factor in this scheme where all things needed as you cook must be easily procurable.

Why Should We Invest In A Modular Kitchen?

Scroll on to check the reasons why we should consider adding them to our homes. ·The concept uses every nook and corner of your kitchen thereby fostering maximum functionality and storage. Modular design creates a clutter-free environment by offering a host of organizational solutions. Every unit comes with a set of accessories and cabinet styles that ease the kitchen experience.Since modular units are mass-produced, the installation is fairly cost-effective.These kitchens are easy to clean as you can reach practically every crevice in the structure. Also since the systems are collapsible, they can be repaired without any hassle.Modular kitchens can be personalized as per need and are available in a huge range of colors, textures, and designs.

The kitchens are so designed that they can be easily remodeled at any point in time by changing the cabinets, knobs, or backsplash including the cupboards.A plethora of modular kitchens is available in the market that you can explore. As for the shapes of these kitchens, they come in U-shaped (well-ordered and space-saving), L-shaped (works well for smaller kitchens), island kitchens (best for bigger kitchens), and parallel kitchens (does away with the need to walk between two work areas).Then there are freestanding island kitchens that incorporate extra storage space.

Open Plan Modular Kitchen

A modular kitchen with an open layout is a hot trend with many new modular kitchens sporting the style. The design includes a floor plan wherein the kitchen flows into the living room. The idea is to perceive the kitchen as a living space rather than a standalone cook zone. Many architectural designs envisage the kitchen as a family zone which includes the TV area, living room, library, and entertainment area. Since the idea is to hang around with family and friends sans spending more time cooking than needed, the kitchen embraces all the needed appliances and accessories like coffee machine and sundry. 

Space-Saving Kitchen Accessories In Modular Kitchens

Kitchen accessories are a conspicuous feature of the modular concept. Their job is to enhance the functionality and efficiency of the kitchen. For example, the cutlery organizer with built-in partitions for storing cutlery, the tall unit for storing dry groceries and bulky utensils, kitchen baskets to store utensils, pots and pan; bottle- pull outs for storing oils, juices, sauces, etc., the under-sink unit for storing kitchen supplies and the bin holder on the unit's shutter are some of the kitchen accessories popularly used.

The wasted corners of the kitchen are revamped by constructing corner structures to store appliances. Then there is wall-mounted cabinetry, pull-outs, sliding and folding shelves, and also midway shelves to access frequently used items that leave your counter free for cooking. All these accessories keep your kitchen stuff super organized saving time and space. Talking of space, built-in appliances in modular kitchens are a designer's dream since they leave behind loads of workspace and area to move around.

Built-in Appliances In Modular Kitchens

The built-in mechanism is an important aspect of modular kitchens.These integrated appliances have already caught the attention of all those looking to upgrade their spaces. And rightly so. They are not only space efficient but also work as design elements in your kitchen with the benefit of easy cleaning. Listed below a few of these elements to give an idea of how they spruce up your space by simply being there other than taking the kitchen's functionality to the next level. 

Built-in Oven

Ergonomics is the key factor here. These ovens are specially designed to save you from repeated bending (not good for your back) so that you don't have to keep crouching to check on the food. Or trying to slide those heavy and steaming hot dishes out of the oven. Installed at eye level, these ovens incorporate features like touch control and automatic programs to ease cooking. Futuristically designed, they save valuable space in the kitchen.

Built-in Refrigerators

Built-in refrigerators look super sleek and effectively close the gap between aesthetics and functionality. Though these refrigerators are confined to a 24-inch depth to keep them flush with the surrounding cabinets in the kitchen, they come in a plethora of widths. They can be customized widely to suit your need.

Built-in Hob

 Built-in hobs look uber stylish as they create a seamless look by fitting into the kitchen slab with the help of a concealed hosepipe. They are easy to maintain and are high on hygiene. Most hobs incorporate easy-to-use controls and touch panels making it a breeze to use them.

Built-in Extractor Hood

Whether installed adjacent to or in harmony with the overhead cabinets, concealed hoods articulate a design statement in your space. They are easy to install, maintain and can be inserted in almost any type of wall cabinet. Also, the hood can be fixed right above the hob or near the ceiling. The built-in hood fits smugly in the structure above the hob creating a harmonious look. It keeps the kitchen fresh and free of undesired toxic fumes.

Built-in Dishwasher

Built-in dishwashers are far more evolved than stand-alone models. Equipped with several spray arms, customized wash cycles, and targeted sprays for tough to clean ware, they are more flexible in terms of capacity and usage than their counterparts. They fit under the countertop, flush to the cabinets, delivering a neat and streamlined look. Since they go under the counter permanently, it creates extra workplace in the kitchen.

Modular Kitchens Integrate Smart Technology

 Kitchen appliances are getting smarter by the day. A sizeable number of modular kitchens integrate smart kitchen appliances to make cooking faster and simpler.Modular kitchens taking a cue from the racing technology have integrated smart techno in their interiors improving the functionality of the appliances. The current lifestyles of the consumers have met their match in the integrated smart-technology systems going up the tech ladder at a pace like never before. From your smart faucets to microwaves that you can easily control with your smartphone, you can taste the technology integrated into most of the appliances you use. Not to miss out refrigerators with televisions contained into their doors. Have guests over for dinner? Cover up your hob and sink area with the help of motorized lids that transform your kitchen into a living space. Chimneys in crystal that come with carbon pads and don't need any ducting area is another instance.  Some of these chimneys have sensor technology integrated into them and hence can switch on and off automatically as required. The ancient drawers have given way to soft-closing technology where you can open and close them with just a touch.The handle-less technology employed on your cabinets and doors elevates your kitchen experience as you breeze around the space.

Modular Kitchens Can Be Customized

You can customize your modular kitchen as per your design preferences and needs. A host of options are available in this regard. For instance, the sink has moved away from its traditional version and you get to see them in all kinds of different colors, shape, and materials. Whereas the finish of the kitchen elements is concerned, there is a variety of materials that have set foot in. These include finishes like glass, stainless steel, wood, lacquer, laminates, and even stones viz marble, granite, and slate. Glass is pure elegance and is used extensively in the upcoming kitchens. On the other hand stained glass doors when used for cabinets open up the space. Washable wallpapers are a common sight with kitchen decor. Kitchen backsplashes in brick, glass, and stainless steel are a game-changer.

The kitchen has been wanting to break away from the monotony of all white-spaces for some time now and is in a mood for a color renaissance. Whether it's the coming together of the famous blue and brown where the brown's grounding tones up playfully against the blue's cool tone or it's a burst of coral to bathe your entire cabinetry in peachy pink, the final result is astounding. Again, black on your cabinets or even walls inject a dramatic pop of color in your kitchen interiors.  People are seen leaning heavily on the green as well which can well disguise itself as a neutral and provide good enough saturation to the kitchen.

Open Shelving In Modular Kitchens

Open shelves change your modular culinary complexion into a chic and elegant display. With the advent of double islands, upper cabinets are on a steady decline with people gravitating towards the open concept. Since the line between the kitchens and the living room has nearly dissolved, it is important that the area feels less utilitarian. Enter open shelves with their lived-in and spacious feel where you both store and display.Why not pair your built-in with the elegance of shelving overhead? A perfect perch for your artifacts, books, and plants too! A cool way to make use of the space overhead!

Light Up Your Modular Kitchen

Your modular kitchen is incomplete without proper kitchen lights. That said the Kitchen is no longer an impersonal space where you enter to cook and walk out when finished switching off that the light behind you.On the contrary, it is the new living room where you cook, eat and entertain. Hence it's important that you treat it as the most functional and aesthetically appealing space of your home. Make sure that your space is properly illuminated to keep it looking classy and stylish.That said, you need proper light to work in the kitchen. Cabinet lighting can go a long way in illuminating all those dark areas in your cooking space. Create a layered look with ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting along with cabinet lighting for that wow factor. Try LED spotlights within the cabinets or LED strip lights within each shelf. Dimmers work well to control the intensity of light and create a warm soothing ambiance within the kitchen space.

It helps to introduce task lighting within the drawers and the cabinets to increase visibility. Countertop, in particular, should be well illuminated to create a comfortable cooking environment. Puck lights or fluorescent lights are ideal for under-cabinet lighting to light up the countertop.Other than that, a dramatic chandler or even a pendant light can be a great statement piece in your modular space. Use scones to stimulate the right vibes needed at your meals as they can easily customize the lighting depending on whether you like them well-lit for late lunches or mellowed down at dinner time.

The Final Word

Kitchens are more of a social hub today. To enable others to partake of this experience, it is important to loosen the structure and move the appliances into places that create extra work zones for others as well.  In other words, we need a space where one person starts to cook, the other joins in and maybe the third ends up concluding it creating a shared experience. This is possible through modular distribution and notable functionality.

It is this very aspect of the altered role and the character of the kitchen that has inspired architects and designers to offer a host of solutions to fit different needs. In the end, each one of us should be allowed to live this experience in keeping with one's style and wants and that's what the modular concept does. It brings together different concepts and lets you coat them with your finesse and finally come away with a product, that's flexible, functional, economic, and classy.

(This story has been published under arrangement from Better Kitchen magazine)