Everything you need to know about modular kitchens

Modular kitchen (defined): A kitchen made up of storage modules intelligently designed to facilitate everyday functionality. These components, including shelves, drawers, cabinets, shutters, et al, maximise the utilisation of space and can be dismantled and reassembled.

Modular kitchens are no longer seen as a luxury in a residential property. “A modular kitchen is an expected feature,” says Rajkumar Singh, Senior Director, Residential Sales (Mumbai), ANAROCK Group. “Projects that don’t offer a modular kitchen are becoming rarities; in fact, in larger cities, we are seeing these even in lower-budget housing projects. If a modular kitchen isn’t available, the homebuyer has to spend a lot oftime and money to get one put in. Developers, on the other hand, canget much cheaper deals on them because they buy at scale. Of the various grades of modular kitchens, the more luxurious designer options are seen in upper-end projects.”

So, however challenging it is to pinpoint how much a modular kitchen increases the price of a property, the fact is, “the absence of a modular kitchen and other expected modern accoutrements like parking spaces may cause buyers todrop the property from their shortlist,” points out Singh.

Indeed.

The kitchen is one of the key influences on a real-estate buyer’s decision, which is why developers focus on modular kitchens, opines Aiyappa Alemada, Executive Vice President & Business Head, Purva Streaks, Interiors Division, Puravankara.

While some developers today are offering modular kitchens as an amenity, many have started giving bare shell kitchens so homeowners can design the kitchen themselves, shares Sarthak Seth, VP & CMO, Tata Realty and Infrastructure. “Some developers are also offering personalised kitchens at an added cost. These are created in keeping with the homeowner’s choice.”

It’s expensive—or is it?