A modular kitchen is one of the most significant markers of a more modern home. As its name suggests, a modular kitchen has modular units and cabinets made out of a wide array of materials. These storage spaces can hold various accessories according to the needs and lifestyle of the homeowner. Modular kitchens are compact and can hold more equipment than their regular counterparts.
Types of Modular Kitchens
There are different kinds: Wall units, floor units, and even wall-to-ceiling units—the type will depend largely on where the homeowner wants the cabinets to be installed.
The cabinets and units are generally made of wood, and even the countertops are made of the same material. High-grade metal is also a material often used in the final kitchen cabinets.
Special mechanisms are installed to maximize every space or square foot in the kitchen. For example, if there are awkwardly placed corners or cabinets, instruments will be installed inside the cabinets to make them ergonomic for the homeowner or whoever uses the kitchen.
Homeowners who want their houses to appear and feel modern will benefit significantly from opting for a modular kitchen. Here are some essential tips and tricks every homeowner needs to know for designing an elegant and trendy modular kitchen.
Start with the building blocks
If you start with a tighter budget, you can do your updates in phases. The first step to achieving your dream modular kitchen is to have the necessary building blocks. Here are the essentials you need to begin your journey with the following:
Cabinets
The main component of the modular kitchen is cabinets—plenty of cabinets. The way your cabinets are laid out will determine if your space is properly utilized and maximized, and you must have kitchen zones to ensure that everything is organized. Here are the basic types of cabinets you need to incorporate:
- The consumables are the base unit, refrigerator, tall unit, wall unit, vegetable compartment or pullout, and pantry pullout.
- The non-consumable units, on the other hand, include the microwave or oven unit, blind units, and the wall unit.
Countertop or kitchen island
If space is an issue, then you might need to forego the kitchen island, at least until you can expand in the future. It doesn’t mean your countertop is not sufficient space for you to layout your mise en place—with the right style and planning, a kitchen counterpart can be a game-changer for the look and feel of your entire kitchen, and it will make it easier for you and your family members to plan meals. Here are some tips to remember when you’re deciding on your countertop or kitchen island:
- Consider opting for concrete for the countertop of your kitchen island. Sealing it with concrete will help ensure that it will bolster its resistance to scratches and abrasions, making it so much easier to clean.
- Make sure there is also enough storage space underneath your countertop or island. Not utilizing the space below is a tremendous waste, and it can be the place where you store your more awkwardly-shaped equipment, like big pans.
Be strategic with your use of materials
The materials you choose can make or break the longevity and aesthetic of your modular kitchen. Here are some general pointers you need to remember:
- Let your budget influence your choices of materials, but do not be quick to give up on the highest quality if your budget is on the tighter side. When you opt for the cheapest materials, you run the risk of impeding the functionality of your kitchen, which defeats the purpose of making it modular.
- Another thing you need to remember about modular kitchens is that they need to create an illusion that your kitchen is more significant than it is. To achieve this, you need to incorporate shiny and reflective materials, adding some glass and mirrors. You can opt for some shiny tiles for the floors and a big glass door to make it seem like your kitchen does not end and extends to the outside areas.
Choosing the suitable materials is key to achieving a gorgeous and functional modular kitchen that makes it easier for you to move and finish tasks as a homeowner and home cook.
A modular kitchen is one of the best ways to motivate yourself to start cooking because you’ll have to keep everything in its proper place and maximize your space. Consider converting your kitchen in this style and become the chef you have always dreamed of being.
