Sneha Koirala

The kitchen is no more a neglected corner of the house -it is, instead, often the centre of the household. Today's homeowners realise the fact, and come up with numerous ideas to make the kitchen as inviting and work-friendly as possible.

The best way to achieve this is by opting for a modular kitchen, which has trendy designs to suit all kinds of preferences, budgets and spaces. Scientific utilisation of space, a hygienic kitchen environment with organised surrounding and easy maintenance is making these readymade kitchens popular.

Bipul Thapa, proprietor of Eureka Homes Pvt Ltd at Balkhu, says, “It has been less than a decade since modular kitchens entered Nepali market, and now they are a rage. This is be cause the prices are reason able, with a normal sized kitchen costing around Rs 150,000 to Rs 250,000 in general. Once fitted, the kitchen is user friendly and clients prefer it because of the picture perfect finishing, which local builders cannot provide.“ In addition, such kitchens are scratch proof, water proof and rot-rust proof.

According to Thapa, customers are usually agreeable to the idea of modular kitchens if the price does not exceed Rs 250,000, as this is approximately the budget equivalent to a kitchen custom built by local builders.
In addition, it is much more attractive.“However, we also have rubber wood and aluminium models which cost slightly more than the widely popular formica laminated ones,“ adds Thapa.

A regular modular kitchen consists of standardised units for the floor and wall that are made to accommodate utensils and kitchen appliances. If the room reserved for a kitchen is empty, then the modular kitchen is built from scratch, including counters and cabinets. However, if built-in kitchen counters already exist, a modular kitchen is worked into it. In such models only cabinet shutters, shelves and pullouts are modular and the cost of overall modular frame work is saved.

It is not just service providers that claim about the efficiency of such kitchens -the clients seem to be equally aware of the advantages and are satisfied with the finished product too.Neelam Shah Dhakal, a resident of Bhaisepati, says, “When we build a house with so much enthusiasm, the kitchen holds a special place too. These days, open modular kitchens are really popular, because it makes guests feel welcome. We can simultaneously interact with them, cook and serve. Besides, it is easy to work in such kitchens, they are of a better quality than traditional kitchens and look quite appealing too -this was what made me choose a modular kitchen.“

Dhakal shares that the service and warranty period of the product further aided her decision. She adds, “All we want is clutter free and hygienic kitchen with positive aura that makes us happy while we work.What matters to a customer is quality and durability along with smart and sleek looks so the mere addition of Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 to a normal kitchen should not stand as a barrier to this comfort.“

The service providers not only provide variety of options to suit each client but also take full responsibility of the quality of the kitchen and its supplements such as taps and sinks, plumbing and finishing.Such initiation from the service providers makes the completion of dream kitchen hasslefree for clients. Besides, it is also healthier as it takes into account exhaust hood and chimneys that are ignored in traditional kitchens.

Nima Lama, chairman of The Modular Kitchen at Tusal says, “Service providers of modular kitchens provide warranty for two to four years besides regular servicing.The kitchens not only add a stylish home environment but also create an insect and pest-free environment.

Moreover, providers look into everything from plumbing to fixing appliances, so clients have nothing to worry about.“With independent and individualistic lifestyles on rise, modular kitchens are here to stay and add value to the urban life.

source: Koirala, Sneha(2011),"SOOTHING SIGHT AND WHETTING UP APPETITE", The Himalayan Times, 3 September 2011