Why modular kitchens are taking over Bangladeshi urban homes fast

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a person in possession of a good home must be in want of a well-fitted kitchen. Or so the quote would run, had Austen shown any interest in the culinary arts! Anyway, as it stands, this “quote” does aptly capture the concerns of many homeowners, especially young couples who are moving into their new homes. 

After all, the kitchen is the single most important space in a house after the bedroom. While the latter is a space of rest and rejuvenation, the kitchen is a hub of activity where pots and pans clang, fires sizzle and flavours come alive as we cook. Both lazy dinners of sustenance and culinary feasts come together in this same space under various circumstances and moods. No wonder then that a thoughtfully designed kitchen can make all the difference in the world in terms of the enjoyment derived from and within this space.

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In recent years, more and more urban homeowners in Bangladesh have started giving the kitchen the importance it deserves in their house plans. 

In conversation with Reza Amin, a consultant at SEAFORM Kitchens, he said, “In the past, when modern kitchen solutions were few and far between in Bangladesh, the kitchen was neglected and seen as something to be hidden in corners. However, now, there is a slow but sure shift. More people are embracing modular kitchens, a pre-manufactured design that is custom-made to fit the exact size and dimensions of their kitchen.”

The popularity of modular kitchens is directly linked to the rising preference among homeowners for space-efficient designs and functionality. In urban cities like Dhaka, where the housing market is costlier than ever before, one simply cannot afford to let any space go wasted after paying a pretty penny for the house itself. 

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Modular kitchens fit the bill for these concerns perfectly. Built with consideration for every millimetre, they are precise and installed seamlessly into a home. A standard design consists of countertops, kitchen hoods to remove cooking fumes, electric cooktops with integrated ovens, integrated cabinet lights and wet and dry kitchen cabinets for all your storage needs. 

As for aesthetic sensibilities, most homeowners tend to go for Scandinavian minimalistic styles. Clean lines and cohesive colour schemes of blacks, greys, and whites dominate, with earthen tones making an occasional appearance. The choice of material and finishing touches are also important considerations for this look. Plywood, PVC, acrylic are popular for their waterproof qualities. For the finishing, there seems to be two go-to options: HPL (high-pressure lamination) and lacquer.

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Consisting of pressed layers of paper and plastic resin, HPL offers a glossy finish and long-term durability. According to Reza Amin, HPL is the number one choice for most homeowners since they are perceived to be more resistant to wear and tear than other options. However, it does have some downsides. Reza says, “Oftentimes, they come in limited colour schemes and the shade of the paper and plastic resin layers usually do not match up, making the final look less cohesive.”

On the other hand, lacquer has no such issues, coming in every imaginable shade and texture. It can be glossy, matte, vibrant, muted; basically, anything one wants it to be. Globally, lacquer finishing takes the top spot for homeowners. Here, in Bangladesh, it is still competing with HPL due to its perception as a less long-lasting option. However, it is just as durable in reality.

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Whichever option one goes for, the end product is a sleek, often monochromatic space with little to no visual clutter. With the efficient modular design that also features charming add-ins like the integrated cabinet lights and a kitchen island, the kitchen goes from a place one enters reluctantly into an inviting space that uplifts the mood and nourishes new memories. 

An open-concept kitchen, for instance, gives one the perfect opportunity to give their friends and family a live cooking show when hosting. In this way, a thoughtfully designed kitchen can strengthen our relationship with the space and others. 

Photo: Courtesy