10 things to keep in mind before installing modular kitchen

Modular kitchens are practical, manageable, stylish and technical. But before you get carried away with
all the amazing designs on offer, you need to pay attention to these technical aspects to have a hassle-
free kitchen in your house.

Define the space available

The design for the modular kitchen depends a lot on the kind of space available in your kitchen area. For
example, if it is a smaller space, a parallel or straight kitchen would work as the best option, else space
will look cramped! Whereas, larger spaces can be planned with an L, U-shaped or ISLAND kitchen
designs.

Electrical fixtures

Slots for electrical and plumbing points need to be kept in mind before designing the space, especially
for apartments. In case of an independent house, these can be planned in accordance with modular
units. Ensure an easy outlet for water. The kitchen should be well lit and ventilated.

Analyze storage requirements

Storage requirements need to be analyzed in order to plan drawers, shelf cabinets or tall units. The
storage capacity depends a lot on the usage pattern – whether you stock groceries/supplies weekly,
monthly. If your family comprises of elder people too, pull-outs/ drawers should be convenient and easy
to operate.

The countertop

Since it determines the longevity of the kitchen, the counter-top is one of the most important things
that need your attention. The choice of material for the countertops (marble, granite or engineered
stone) depends on the type of cooking done in your house.

Choose good reflector colors

Avoid dark colors like black and brown as they are not good reflectors of light. Use quality lightings on
both ceilings and the walls and install advanced electric chimney over the cooking range for proper
ventilation.

Drawers versus cabinets

Prefer sectional drawers over cabinets for optimum utilization of the storage space and go for steel-
wood combo for longer life.

Plan a smooth working area

Space between work areas for cooking, washing, and stocking should be well planned otherwise it can
end messing up the area. Ideally, these spaces should be three feet apart on the countertop to ensure
smooth working in the kitchen.
For the walls, appliances can be integrated into the kitchen again to minimize clutter and provide larger
worktop area.

Proper ventilation is a must

Ventilation and safety concerns should be kept in mind while planning your kitchen space. Ideally, large
windows are recommended. If there are design or space challenges, then the usage of adequate
chimneys and exhausts can be an effective alternative.