Kitchens are essential parts of every house and often reflect the owners’ individual tastes and design sensibilities. In the modern architecture and interior design industry, modular kitchens have become very common and are increasingly being incorporated even in older homes. Keep reading to understand exactly what a modular kitchen is, its components, types and pros and cons of modular kitchen designs.
What is a Modular Kitchen?
A modular kitchen is one which consists of manufactured and/or prefabricated modules that can be assembled on-site. Individual components—such as shelves, cabinets, their doors, drawers, and shutters—are brought to the site after undergoing processes like manufacturing, cutting, and prelamination. These are then joined together in the actual kitchen to ensure precision in fitting and alignments. Offering many impactful benefits over traditional kitchens, these kitchens are integral aspects of every newly built home.
Modular Kitchen vs Normal Kitchen
Incorporating manufactured and finished modules, modular kitchens heavily rely on machines and factory manufacturing processes and simple (but skilled) manual labour work required for on-site installation. Each element consists of standardised modules, hardware and installation procedures, thus significantly reducing the overall time required for completion.
On the other hand, intense manual labour is required to make normal kitchens, where all the elements are customised, cut, finished and installed as required on the site itself. While readymade modular kitchens have developed in the last century due to the progress of new construction technologies like prelamination and machine-manufacturing, kitchens have been built in the traditional way for multiple centuries before that.
Components of a Modular Kitchen Design
Typically, the latest modular kitchen designs consist of the following elements:
- Modular kitchen cabinets and storage solutions
- Kitchen countertops
- Modular kitchen sinks
- Cooktop and appliances
- Finishes like flooring, dadoing and lighting
- Smart Systems
Let’s explore these components in detail.
Modular Kitchen Cabinet Design and Storage Solutions
The common components of modular kitchen cabinetry are:
- Base Units: These are storage units present below the kitchen countertop and typically rest on and get supported by the floor, making them ideal to bear heavy items like large utensils and dishwashers.
- Wall Units: Supported on walls above the countertop, these shelves can generally hold objects with low to medium sizes and weights. They commonly have lift-up and/or pull-out mechanisms to ensure easy accessibility.
- Tall Units: A tall unit is a storage cabinet that has a height of around 7 feet and visually resembles a wardrobe. Such units are usually used as small pantry or grain storage spaces.
- Corner Units: Since closed kitchen corners are tricky to access, corner units in modular kitchens can often be rotated, pulled out or moved with the aid of innovative hardware fittings.
- Drawers: Drawers are generally placed below the countertop level to provide easy accessibility and can bear low to medium weight objects. High quality stainless steel channels are commonly used to ensure their smooth movement in modular kitchen room designs.
- Loft Units: Located above easily accessible heights, loft units are used to store kitchen items that are not frequently used.
- Open Shelving: Typically used to increase the aesthetics in modular kitchen interior design, such shelves can be utilised to store and/or display decorative items, indoor plants, fancy crockery, dishwashers, mixers and microwaves.
- Other Storage Solutions: These include movable trolleys, storage and drying baskets, utensil holders, crockery stands and other additional units that can be customised as required.
Kitchen Countertops
Countertops act as the actual working platform where cooking and other kitchen functions take place. Kitchen countertop materials are diverse, and some of the common ones used are:
- Marble: Although extremely durable and versatile, marble countertops can be very expensive and require constant repolishing to reduce the absorption of oil, water and stains.
- Granite: This is one of the most commonly used kitchen countertop materials and is available in multiple colours and patterns, blending mid-range costs with high efficiency.
- Quartz: Quartz is an engineered stone made by mixing mineral quartz and resin. Although cheaper than natural stone and available in more colours and patterns, quartz countertops can absorb oil and stains more easily.
- Concrete: Thin precast concrete slabs are often used as countertops in industrial kitchens. Although casting the concrete on-site is also possible, this can be time-consuming and damage other kitchen elements.
- Wood: Solid wood and engineered wood panels can be used to make kitchen countertops. Despite being visually unique and structurally strong, such countertops are vulnerable to rotting and termite infestations due to the constant exposure to water.
- Stainless Steel: Most often used in hotels and commercial modular kitchen designs, stainless steel countertops are easy to clean and cost-effective.
Modular Kitchen Sink
Kitchen sink designs can be created using various materials like:
- Granite: Sinks made of granite are extremely durable and strong. However, they are also expensive, heavy and can experience chipping upon impact.
- Stainless Steel: Although durable, lightweight, affordable and easy to clean, stainless steel sinks can experience scratches easily.
- Enamelled Cast Iron: Cast iron sinks are coated with porcelain enamel to obtain a smooth and glossy finish. Although strong and durable, such sinks can undergo rusting when they get chipped due to high impacts.
- Acrylic: Since they are affordable and available in a variety of colours and patterns, acrylic sinks are the most commonly used type of sinks in modular kitchens.
- Composite Materials: Composite materials (such as granite and acrylic resin, stone dust and resin) for sinks blend the best properties of different materials, often offering strength, durability and versatility.
Kitchen sink taps used in modular kitchens generally have a brass, stainless steel or nickel base that has a Chromium Plating (CP).
Cooktop and Appliances
- Chimneys: Chimneys suck out heat and moisture from kitchens. Modular chimneys are available in various types such as wall mounted, built-in, downdraft, island and telescopic.
- Hobs/ Stoves: Hobs are available in two varieties- countertop and in-built. While in-built hobs add a clean and sleek finish to modular kitchens, countertop hobs are more easy to repair and maintain.
The house wiring diagram must detail out the number and types of switches required to operate all the kitchen appliances, including hobs, chimneys, mixers/grinders, exhaust fans, dishwashers, coffee makers, etc. It is important to provide additional sockets and place these switchboards at accessible locations while maintaining a safe distance from water and heat.
Finishes
- Flooring: Non-slippery finishes such as rough, semi-polished or matte finished tiles or natural stone flooring that cannot absorb stains and oil easily are ideal for modular kitchen designs.
- Wall Dadoing: This refers to tiles that are installed on walls. In kitchens, wall dadoing upto a height of 7 feet can prevent the accumulation of stains and oil on exposed wall surfaces. Plain and smooth tiles are easy to clean and ideal for this application.
- Lighting: Sufficient lights must be placed on the ceiling (ideally above the hob or countertop) or walls (ideally above 7 feet heights) of kitchens to ensure functionality. The type and number of lights used are also based on the home lighting design.
Smart Systems
Advanced smart technology and home automation systems such as sensor-based water taps, energy-efficient appliances and smart lights are included in the latest modular kitchen designs. Such systems make kitchens more functional, sustainable and easier to use and maintain. These systems can also be integrated with the overall building automation system to enable enhanced comfort, operability and security, making them an integral aspect of modern kitchens.
Types of Modular Kitchen Designs
Based on the Kitchen Layout
- Straight Modular Kitchen: Such a layout has a single straight countertop and works well for open kitchens that have only one supporting wall.
- Parallel Kitchen Design: This is the ideal modular kitchen for small kitchen areas with a long and narrow shape and consists of two parallel countertops.
- L-Shape Modular Kitchen Design: This layout is ideal for medium-sized kitchens, especially if they have two neighbouring plain walls and two other walls with large openings.
- U Shape Modular Kitchen: Acts as an optimal layout for large square-ish kitchens as it minimises the need for walking between the workspaces.
A modular kitchen island can be included in any of the above layouts to increase the functionality and aesthetic quality of the kitchen.
Based on the Primary Material Used
- Stainless Steel Kitchen: Most often used in restaurants and other commercial spaces, stainless steel kitchens are lightweight and easy to clean. However, stainless steel fabrication on-site (if any small modifications are required) can be a difficult task.
- Aluminium Modular Kitchen: Although more expensive than a few other types, aluminium kitchens are easy to clean and do not require additional finishing materials like veneers, laminates or paints.
- Solid Wood Kitchen: Different types of wood (generally hardwood varieties) can be used to make kitchens. However, a solid wood kitchen would constitute a semi-modular kitchen design, as many finishing processes like fixing beading, rounding of edges and painting are often done on site.
- Engineered Wood Kitchen: The core materials used here are engineered wood products like plywood, MDF and fibreboard. With easy workability, customisation (with finishes like veneers and laminates) and low costs, these are the most commonly adopted materials for simple modular kitchen design in residences.
Modular Kitchen Cost
The modular kitchen cost is mainly dependent on the base material used. The common prices for kitchen cabinets made of different base materials are as follows:
| Base Material Used | Kitchen Cabinet Cost Per Square Foot (₹) | |
| Solid Wood | 4,000 – 20,000 | |
| Engineered Wood | MDF | 2,300 – 3,700 |
| Plywood | 2,400- 5,000 | |
| Stainless Steel | 3,000 – 15,000 | |
| Aluminium | 2,700 – 12,000 | |
These prices indicate the rate of cabinets with their area measured in elevation.
The minimum price of a modular kitchen (with a minimal area of 65 sq ft) is around ₹1.75 lakhs, including the basic hardware fittings, a sink, countertop, hob and chimney. However, this price can go up depending on the type of finishes, brand, hardware fittings, appliances used, location and market trends. For example, a luxury kitchen of the same size can cost at least ₹4.5 lakhs.
Considerations for Modular Kitchen Planning and Design
To ensure efficiency and convenience, consider the below kitchen planning elements and tips:
Standard Sizes of Modular Kitchen Cabinets
The general sizes used in kitchen cabinet design are:
| Type of Storage | Length (inches) | Height (inches) | Depth (inches) | Height From Floor (inches) |
| Base Units | As required | 30 – 34 | 22 – 24 | 2 – 3 |
| Wall Units | As required | 24 – 40 | 12 – 15 | 58 – 62 |
| Tall Units | As required | 72 – 84 | 22 – 24 | 2 – 3 |
| Loft Units | As required | 18 – 36 | 15 – 24 | 72- 90 |
| Cutlery Drawers | 12 – 36 | 3 – 6 | 22 – 24 | As required |
| Mid-Size Drawers | 12 – 36 | 6 – 9 | 22 – 24 | As required |
| Large Utensil Drawers | 12 – 36 | 9 – 15 | 22 – 24 | As required |
Standard Sizes of Kitchen Countertops
- Standard width of countertops= 24 inches (2 feet)
- Standard height= 34-36 inches (2’10”- 3’0”)
- Minimum distance between two parallel countertops: 48 inches (4 feet)
Kitchen Work Triangle
The kitchen triangle is an imaginary triangle drawn by joining the centre points of the refrigerator, sink and stove in kitchens. The dimensions of this guiding principle are used to ensure functionality and efficient space optimisation in kitchens. According to it:
- The length of each side of the triangle must be between 4 ft and 9 ft.
- The sum total of all the three lengths must not be less than 13 ft and not more than 26 ft.
- No tall obstacles should be placed along the lines of the triangle or between it in order to maintain clean movements.
Expert Modular Kitchen Planning Tips
- Segregate your kitchen space into dry, semi-dry and wet areas to optimise functionality and ensure easy maintenance.
- The minimum kitchen size is 64 sq ft (8 ft x 8ft) for a typical residence. Straight and parallel kitchen layouts work well for narrow, rectangular kitchen spaces, while U-shaped and L-shaped layouts are ideal for square-ish kitchen sizes.
- Incorporate smart building technology, such as smart lights, energy-efficient appliances and voice-activated controls to make your modular kitchen design future-proof. Always ensure there are extra plug points provided (both 6A and 16A points) to be able to use additional or unplanned electrical appliances.
- Plan the kitchen to maximise natural light and ventilation. Also include provisions for exhaust fans to remove stale air and odours so that good indoor air quality can be maintained at all times.
- Use materials that are waterproof for kitchen cabinets, especially for the base units. This includes materials like MR (Moisture Resistant) plywood, BWP (Boiling WaterProof) plywood and marine plywood.
Benefits of a Modular Kitchen Design
- Customisation: Every component of even a small modular kitchen can be customised to suit the required size, type, finish and kitchen layout. The base materials (plywood, stainless steel, etc.) as well as their outer layers (laminates, veneers, paints, etc.) are available in various colours and textures (matte, glossy, satin finish, etc.)
- Construction Speed: Since most of the components of these kitchens are typically pre-manufactured to the exact shape, size and form, they only require manual assembly and installation on-site. This substantially reduces the time required for completing kitchens.
- Space Optimisation: Even with an oddly shaped or a small modular kitchen design, no amount of space gets wasted. Smart storage solutions enable the usability and functionality of even tight nooks and corners, making optimal use of the space available.
- Repair and Maintenance: Although many modular kitchen interior elements can experience hardware damage, such as rusting and misalignment, over time, they are typically standardised components. Thus, they can be easily replaced or repaired, making maintenance easy and cost-effective.
- Minimal Errors: Exact measurements are taken on site upon completion of all the civil work, including flooring, painting and plastering. Only after this, the modular kitchen components are manufactured. This ensures that minimal errors occur due to misalignment or inaccurate dimensioning.
Limitations of a Modular Kitchen Design
- Quality and Durability: Since all the components of a modular kitchenette are manufactured off-site, it can be difficult to judge the quality of materials used. When finishes like laminates and veneers are applied in factories, the core materials used may be of inferior qualities, which can considerably affect the durability of the kitchen.
- Labour Requirement: Highly skilled carpenters and labourers are required to ensure the accurate assembly and fitting of all modular kitchen components. Any inadequacy here can lead to misaligned elements and dysfunctionality.
- Installation Cost: A modular kitchenette can be substantially more expensive to make than a traditional kitchen due to the high precision hardware fittings involved. Although cost-effective hardware fittings are available, these may not be as efficient and/or durable.
Getting the Best Modular Kitchen Design
To design new kitchen spaces, expertise and knowledge of the market trends play a major role. Brick & Bolt is a top construction company in India which offers design-build services. With 10000+ completed projects, the company’s team of architects and designers are experts in modular kitchen design for residential and commercial buildings. Assured quality (with 470+ quality checks) and the lowest construction prices in the country have made the company a trusted service provider. To ensure that your dream kitchen is both functional and beautiful, get in touch with Brick & Bolt today!
Apoorva H P Achar