Modular vs Carpenter-Made Kitchens: Make the Right Choice

The modular kitchen fad has been taking over the market by the storm. Whenever we come across a nicely finished modular kitchen, the urge to have our kitchen upgraded or redone grows. The question then arises, should one go for a factory-made, branded modular kitchen or have it done by the carpenter? This is the heart of the modular kitchen vs carpenter kitchen debate that many homeowners face during renovations.

While both types are sustaining in the market, the key question arises as to how to pick one. To settle the confusion, the following article discusses both types in detail based on factors such as design, finishes, durability, installation, efficiency, costing and maintenance– 

Modular Kitchen 

Modular kitchens or factory-made kitchens are practically manufactured part by part in the factories and are later assembled on site. These have gained popularity in the last decade, so much so that most of us want to have a modular kitchen unit in our homes. For homeowners wondering about the best kitchen type for home, modular kitchens are often a leading choice.

To make the choice clear, let’s get to know the features of a modular kitchen – 

1. Design 

The possibilities of design for a modular kitchen are vast depending on the space, layout, brand innovations, personal choices and inspirations. The modular kitchen is designed in a way to effectively use every millimeter of the available space efficiently. Many modular kitchen design ideas focus on space optimization, perfect for urban apartments.

2. Finishes

Modular kitchens tend to have a neat and crisp finish to them. The use of materials for the surface finish can be accommodated based on the user’s requirements and choices. Modular kitchens have an overall sleek finish, thus imparting a sophisticated look to the kitchen. This finish is one key factor when comparing modular vs traditional kitchen aesthetics and outcomes. The finish is of the order that, apart from getting neat edges, one can achieve the elements with perfect dimensional synchronisation, owing to the machine-made factor of the modular kitchens. 

3. Durability

These are usually quite durable and last for many years with the right kind of care. There might be times though, if you compromise with the brand or money, it might affect the quality of the material, thus affecting the durability. Considering carpenter made kitchen pros and cons, modular kitchens generally fare better in consistency of build quality. Be cautious of what you choose and don’t ignore the fine print. 

4. Efficiency

The modular kitchens are known for their efficiency in a lot of spheres. They are very efficient when it comes to the usage of space, in addition to storage. The accessories and units of the modular kitchens are such that they help in increasing the storage space on the whole. Modular kitchen units offer some of the best home kitchen remodelling tips by improving storage and functionality. The other factor that makes them efficient is organisation. The kitchen accessories help in compartmentalisin,g thereby resulting in better organisation of the kitchen goods. 

5. Maintenance 

The ease of maintenance is directly proportional to the quality of the materials and hardware used. If the materials and finishes are of good quality, the modular kitchens are certainly a little easier to maintain. Among top kitchen renovation ideas, modular kitchens offer convenience with easy-to-clean modular elements. On the other hand, if the materials have been compromised, the maintenance of the kitchen can take a toll on the user. With the modularity on the path of advancement, it would even become difficult to find a spare part if your hardware goes bad. 
Invest wisely! Choose all the more wisely!

6. Assembling and reassembling

Modular kitchens are easy to assemble. All the manufactured parts are delivered and installed on-site by the experts. These can even be dismantled and reassembled easily, thus prove to be advantageous in scenarios where the users move around a lot. This gives modular kitchens an edge in the custom-made kitchen vs modular kitchen discussion, especially for renters or frequent movers. The entire kitchen can be dismantled and packed to the T. What’s more, the process is fast and saves on a lot of time when compared with the carpenter-made kitchen. 

7. Cost 

The modular kitchens, without a second thought, fall a little expensive when compared to the conventional carpenter-made kitchens. The quality, build and finishes add to the cost of the kitchen. When asking which kitchen is better modular or carpenter, cost is a major factor influencing homeowner decisions. Be prepared to shell out more money than a carpenter-made kitchen but for a reduced hassle, better organization and efficiency. 

1. Design 

The possibilities of design when it comes to a carpenter-made kitchen are slightly more than with modular kitchens. Owing to the flexibility with the hands-on approach one can experiment with an array of designs and themes. This makes carpenter-made kitchens highly customizable in the modern kitchen comparison matrix. The manipulations and adjustments can also be factored in the design if required. The design is your baby in this case and you can oversee the process personally therefore any sort of alteration and customization can be done at any step.

2 .Finishes

The finishes are dependent on the skill of the carpenter and the choice of materials. They might not be as perfect and neat when compared to modular kitchens. One of the carpenter made kitchen pros and cons is that finishes depend entirely on the individual’s craftsmanship. Nonetheless, if you can appreciate the skill of the carpenter and a hands-on approach to your kitchen, you might want to go for a carpenter-made kitchen. These give you a better range of materials and finishes to choose from. In a nutshell, the finish can be amazing or questionable, depending on the skill of your carpenter.
Tip – Choose a carpenter with a proven skillset. 

3. Durability

The durability would depend on the quality of materials and hardware you choose for your kitchen. One can be in total control of this domain when considering a carpenter-made kitchen. Always use good quality materials for a long-lasting and efficient kitchen. Durability becomes a key variable in the modular vs traditional kitchen argument, especially for long-term investments.

4 .Efficiency

When compared with modular kitchens, carpenter-made kitchens are considered less efficient when it comes to space utilisation and storage organisation. Still, with thoughtful planning, you can apply top home kitchen remodelling tips even to traditional kitchen styles. But when you are in charge of managing the space of your kitchen, it is totally at your discretion to select the right accessories to make your kitchen more efficient. The accessories and hardware are all available to equip a kitchen better. However, a slight difference would always be there because of the basic factor of machine-made vs hand-made.

5. Maintenance

Overall, maintenance and cleaning are a little harder as everything is fixed and built-in. Thus, dismantling and cleaning it is not a possibility, leading to unwanted grime in unreachable locations of your kitchen. One of the practical carpenter-made kitchen pros and cons is the difficulty in upkeep versus modular ease. To a large extent, the ease of maintenance depends on the type of fixtures, materials and details that are being used in your kitchen. 

6. Assembling and reassembling

It takes a lot of time to assemble, as everything is created on the site part by part. In this case, the assembly can be messy and time-consuming. This type of kitchen is hard to dismantle and reassemble. This makes modular options more appealing in modern kitchen comparisons for frequent movers.

7. Cost 

The beauty of carpenter-made kitchens is that you can work and make your budget for the kitchen. Carpenter-made kitchens when compared to modular kitchens would fall cheaper, but the costs can go haywire depending on the whims of the carpenter. In the custom made kitchen vs modular kitchen debate, cost flexibility is a carpenter kitchen advantage.
To avoid any surprises relating to cost, be sure to factor in the margins and contingencies when creating a budget for your kitchen.