07/08/2020
What are the pros and cons of a modular kitchen?
During the process of renovating one’s home, one of the decisions one should make is regarding the kitchen. Is a sleek modular kitchen better than the trusted carpenter-built one? Doubtless, the modern ready made kitchens look smart and are efficient, but they cost a lot. While they have their advantages, they also come with their fair share of disadvantages. Knowing their pros and cons can help you to decide whether to opt for a small modular kitchen in a tiny home or a large one in a spacious bungalow.
In this article, Woodmasters outline the pros and cons along with modular kitchen photos that provide inspiration for designing a beautiful and functional space.
What are the pros of modular kitchens?
1. They are sleek and modern. When one is looking to bring a more contemporary look to one’s home, modular kitchens present a smarter and more modern choice compared to carpenter-built kitchens. With their straight-line design and sophisticated finishes, they look more luxurious than regular kitchens.
2. Modular kitchens come in a range of sizes, colors and finishes. One of the doubts many home owners have is whether they can get modular units that suit the layout and size of their kitchen, especially when they are considering modular kitchen designs for small kitchens. The primary advantage of built-in kitchens is that they are extremely versatile with a combination of tall units, wall storage, cabinets, drawers, floor-standing cabinets and dedicated shelves or space for appliances.
Moreover, they are available in an array of colors and finishes, including matte and glossy surfaces. They even come in wood finishes that resemble the older handcrafted kitchen cabinets.
3. Modular kitchens help to save space. With efficient planning by WOODMASTERS planners, these kitchens provide more storage and better work flow. As it is well organized, with space for everything, a built-in kitchen doesn’t run the risk of looking cluttered. For instance, modular kitchen cabinets come with special systems such as built-in bottle racks, plate holders, cutlery compartments, garbage holders and wire trays for vegetables. They even have specific systems such as carousels or lazy Susan attachments that make corner cabinets more accessible.
4. Modular kitchens are durable. Most conventional kitchen cabinets are wooden, which makes them prone to attack from termites and other borers. The advantage of modular units is that it is hassle-free. Most of them use high-quality plywood that is resistant to boiling water and undergo treatment to allow them to handle moisture better. While some cabinets use cheap MDF and particle board instead of plywood, WOODMASTERS take additional care to ensure that the kitchen is easy to maintain and durable.
5. Modular kitchens are extremely easy to install. Unlike carpenter-built kitchens, which are made on site, thereby involving months of noise and dust, the manufacturing of modular kitchens takes place in our factory, and they come ready-to-install. Another benefit is that they are also easy to dismantle so that one can reinstall the kitchen in a new home if one shifts residences.
6. They save time. A significant factor to consider, especially for home owners who don’t want to wait forever while the carpenters complete creating the kitchen, is that modular kitchen cabinet systems take less time from design to installation compared to carpenter-crafted kitchens. On an average, they are ready in around four to six weeks after our team comes in to take measurements and finalize the design.
7. Modular kitchens are easy to maintain. With their smooth and water-resistant surfaces, these kitchens are simple to clean. All one needs to do is periodically wipe down the cabinets and counters with a mild detergent solution to get rid of grime and dirt.
What are the cons of modular kitchens?
1. These kitchens cost more than conventional ones. While modular kitchens save time, they come at an increased cost compared to traditionally crafted kitchens. While this can be justified by the space saving systems that come with these modern kitchens, not every home owner might prefer to spend almost double for it. Additionally, while the units are easy to replace compared to hand-built cabinets, it’s more expensive to do so.
2. Modular kitchen cabinet systems are delicate. These kitchens are not suitable for rough use.
3. Modular kitchens requires high maintenance. Granted that the surfaces are easy to clean, but one needs to clean regularly to keep the cabinets and counters free from stains caused by spices and oil residue. It’s advisable to clean the kitchen after every use to keep it looking as good as new.
