Decoding the Modular Kitchen

The kitchen has always been central to the household. Though arguments can be made for and against the centrality of the kitchen, the modular kitchen- a home concept popularized in the 21^st century, is undeniably the new age take on the centrality of the kitchen – both as home décor and as a utilitarian space. With the advent of the modular kitchen, the kitchen has become a multi-functional area of the house- the cooking space, a centerpiece of the house, a dining space and the special corner for your social gatherings.

What is Modular kitchen?

The name modular kitchen originates from the idea of the module. Essentially, the modular kitchen consists of small sections or modules which are accumulated together to form a complete kitchen. Modular kitchen is a contemporary concept of kitchen which comprises of drawers, cabinets and shelves organized in a manner that saves up on a lot of space. These kitchens are modern and convenient in terms of organizing limited spaces, especially in the apartment-style living spaces of crowded cities.

The Current Trends

The modular kitchen has changed the age old concepts of kitchens. Gone are the days when the kitchen was a closed room, today's kitchen is fast becoming an open space dedicated to culinary explorations!

To those who have limited living spaces (think of a typical 1BHK apartment), a Modular kitchen is a much needed asset as it offers a clutter-free and well organized kitchen area. These kitchens are available in a ready to install pre-fabricated format which is very convenient.

The trend of open modular kitchens without any separation between the living and kitchen spaces are gaining more popularity among the younger urban population today. Kitchens are no longer synonymous with cooking alone; they are seen as places of conversation where food becomes a part of conversation as much as the people who talk.

Best material for Indian Modular Kitchens

Modular kitchen designs give tough competition to traditional kitchen designs (Photo credit: Artgoodieshome Flickr)

The Indian market is flooded with varieties of modular kitchens which are available in different shapes, sizes and colors. Considering the Indian style of cooking, granite is regarded as the best material for countertops whereas  aluminium, marble, lacquered wood or even steel is preferred for cabinets and drawers.

Pros and Cons of Modular Kitchen

Pros:

• Flaunt it: Modular kitchen adds beauty to your home. The cabinets and other accessories are available in different styles, colours and patterns that you can choose from.
• Easy to clean and maintain: Many people have notions that modular kitchens require heavy maintenance. But in comparison to traditional kitchens, the cleaning and maintenance of modular kitchens are very simple and easy.
• Convenience: Modular kitchens offer a clutter-free and highly organized space to work freely.
• Flexibility: Most modular kitchens are easy to assemble, so it is easy to carry it along with you when moving to a new place.

Cons:

• The repair and replacement of modular kitchens is very expensive.
• The installation of Modular kitchen becomes costlier if you customise it according to your specific needs and desires.
• Modular kitchen requires regular cleaning. Considering Indian cooking, which uses fairly large amounts of oil and spices regularly, the chimney will have to be cleaned quite often. The steel fittings will also need more attention to avoid rusting.

So what are you waiting for? Cook in style by updating to the modular kitchen. Or customize your traditional one to look like the modern modular kitchen!