Inexpensive modular (prefabricated) kitchens: types of cabinets, the principle of layout

To equip a kitchen, it is not at all necessary to look for a ready-made set or order it according to an individual project. There is an opportunity to equip everything faster and cheaper: to assemble it yourself from ready-made modules. In fact, kitchen furniture consists of a set of cabinets. Their varieties are not so many – a couple dozen. They differ in materials and finishes, and the size and materials of the “base” are the same. Based on this, someone came up with the idea to make a set of cabinets in the same style and color, but different models and sizes. Due to the fact that the parts are standard, the cost of such a kitchen is a little less than ready-made and much lower than “on demand”. The idea became popular, and this furniture was called “modular kitchens”. The factory pre-produces a certain number of modules, and you pick up the ones you need. At least for a small-sized kitchen, or for a spacious one. There are modular kitchens of economy class, there are medium. The only thing you will not see – exclusive.

What materials are made of

Modular kitchens economy class – a great way to quickly and inexpensively furnish the kitchen. But “inexpensive” is a relative concept. The price tag can be different. Some collections really cost a little, others, like and similar, but have a significantly higher price. It’s all about the materials that are used yes in the fittings. It also significantly affects the cost.

What do the bodies are made of

Economy-class kitchen furniture is made of laminated chipboard (LDFP). It has one advantage: a low price. But this material reacts badly to high humidity. After a few years near the sink, stove, oven, microwave, it begins to swell and flake off. To slow down the process, all problem areas can be smeared with silicone neutral sealant (not acrylic). It is obligatory to treat the countertop with sealant in those places where you will cut holes for the sink and installation of the faucet, the output of the faucet filter for purified drinking water. Ideal your kitchen will not last long, but such treatment will prolong this period of time.

Modular kitchens of average cost are made with facades from MDF. Keep in mind that in this case, the body of the cabinets is also made of LDF and only the facades are made of MDF. So, too, should not be deceived about the durability of such furniture. There may be another problem: inexpensive MDF fronts are finished with a thin material, very similar to paper. At the joints in places of intensive use (frequently opened doors) this material begins to peel off. It’s not a rosy prospect either. But, if you can choose, it is better still MDF. It does not swell from moisture and it does not warp, due to the elasticity of the material facades can have more decorative shapes.

What facades can be

Cabinet fronts can be finished with different materials:

• Laminated with a film imitating the surface of wood of various species. This is just modular kitchens economy class. This method of finishing is the most inexpensive. This design is good for classic interiors.
• Glued with veneer. A more expensive type of finish, fully imitating wood products. Well combined with classic and ethnic interiors.

  

• Plastic facades. Plastic is glued on the SDP or MDF. This type of finish is the most convenient in care and durable. The only thing to consider is that the glossy plastic of dark or saturated colors will have to rub all the time: the shiny surface shows all the traces. Therefore, it is better matte or semi-matte, in the extreme case – semi-gloss. Such kitchens are combined with the modern style of art nouveau, minimalism, other trends, where a smooth monotonous surface is welcomed.
• Frame facades with shot m plastic inserts. Modular kitchens economy class with such facades do not make. Frames are made of aluminum alloy, glass is used tempered. All this is not cheap. But beautiful and durable. But you should also take into account a couple of subtleties. First – glass requires frequent cleaning. The second – in the cabinets should be order, as even through the frosted glass shine through the objects that are inside.

  

In general, these are all types of facades with which modular kitchens are equipped. Some are used in budget sets, some in medium-priced sets. The only material from which modules are not made is wood. This is almost always an individual production.

Types of cabinets in modular kitchens

Modular kitchens are distinguished by a large number of different cabinets of different sizes and types, but decorated in the same style and color. From them, as from a constructor, you can assemble different in appearance and size kitchens. This is convenient, because at minimal cost allows you to pick up such furniture that meets your needs, fits the dimensions of your kitchen whatever size they were not.

By type of installation

First of all, kitchen cabinets are divided by the type of installation. There are wall-mounted (suspended) and floor-mounted. These are traditional modules, to which everyone has long been accustomed. When compiling your garniture, it is better to immediately look for a pair – floor and the same width hinged, as only with the same width they look normal.

Note that some modular kitchens have a line of floor cabinets without countertops. This allows you to assemble the cabinets, fasten them one to another and only then cover the common countertop without seams. Agree, it is much more convenient and practical – there are no gaps in which dirt clogs.

Situations where there are only floor cabinets, are not common. Mostly – under the window or if the wall is fixed household appliances – microwave or something similar. Situations in which only hinged cabinets are needed are more common. Usually it is above the stove, if the kitchen hood above it does not require connection to the ventilation system. In this case, long overhanging cabinets are needed. They have a smaller than usual height and a larger width. The height is “reached” by the hood, and the width needs to be large, since the standard width of the stove and hood is about 80 cm.

There are also pencil cupboards and freestanding drawers. They belong to more modern types of furniture. The cabinet-penal are installed on the floor, but it is so high that it ends at the same level as the mounted hinged cabinets. Due to the large number of shelves and drawers is characterized by a large capacity, can stand next to the refrigerator or on the opposite corner, balancing the composition.

Freestanding cabinets are needed in modular kitchens for island-type sets. They clash with each other, covered with a common countertop. Can be a working or dining table. Often the island table serves as a separator of two zones when combining the kitchen and living room.

By type

Modular kitchens of economy class are made up of elements of different design. Linear sets are made up of ordinary cabinets. They come with drawers and doors. Drawers can be different in height: wide and narrow. In one cabinet, one above the other, there can be two, three or four drawers. The old combination – a drawer on top and doors at the bottom – is not very common today, but you can find it if you want.

For kitchens in the form of letters G, T and P, corner elements are required. They are of two types: trapezoidal and L-shaped. Trapezoidal have more depth in the corner, but to use this space, you need retractable structures, otherwise, to get to the corner, you will have to almost completely “dive” inside. but retractable structures are not cheap. If the budget is limited, this area can be used to store oversized things that are not used too often.

Corner L-shaped bollards are characterized by an unusual folding door. Access to the farthest corners here is easier, as the depth is less. There are two types of such cabinets:

Edge kitchen cabinets are called end cabinets. They can be open – with shelves, or closed – with doors. Modules with shelves do not look so “heavy”, but they do not put anything functional. They are rather decorative. If there is enough space in the kitchen, you can take the end open hinged cabinets and put on them elements of decor.

If the kitchen is small-sized and the space must be squeezed out, it is advisable to put cabinets with doors and use them for their intended purpose. Another plus of this solution – less to clean.All horizontal surfaces in the kitchen have to wipe often, and in the open version of them a lot.

Types of door opening

On hanging cabinets, the doors can be hinged or lifted – on elevators. Liftable are safer – head about the open door will not hit. But the mechanism costs a lot, so that cabinets with lifting doors are more expensive. So that modular kitchens economy class with such doors are not often found – the cost is higher than average.

In floor kitchen cabinets, the doors can be conventional – hinged, or sliding, which when opened pull away to the side. They are good if the distance between two parallel lines of cabinets is small. But for the guides on which the doors move, you need regular care – they get clogged with dust and debris. In addition, only half of the cupboard is accessible at any one time. To get to the second, you need to move both doors to the opposite side.

Dimensions of cabinets in modular kitchens

Modular kitchens of economy class are distinguished by the fact that the elements are made in different sizes. One and the same kind of cabinet can be in several sizes. This is what is convenient and this form of release: due to the large number of variations you can collect a set of exactly the length or depth that you need.

According to the width of the cabinets are:

• Narrow – 150-300 mm;
• Standard – 520-600 mm;
• Wide – 650-800 mm.

  

There is no single standard, so manufacturers make the width different. Some sizes are more common, some are less common, but you can dial the desired length of the kitchen wall. You will just have to arm yourself with a piece of paper and a pencil, put the required dimensions of kitchen furniture. Choosing a cabinet, subtract its length, choose the next one. And so on until the required set.

The depth of cabinets is not distinguished by a great variety. Basically there are such copies:

Another different is the height of the cabinets. As a rule, it is selected according to the growth of the hostess. It is convenient if the table top is 20-30 cm above the level where the brushes of downward-facing hands end. Floor cabinets in modular kitchens come in such heights: 700-750; 800-850; 900-950 mm. Intermediate variants can be found occasionally.

Modular kitchens economy class: the order of selection of cabinets

Kitchen furniture is changed in two cases: during a major renovation or when you need/want to replace the old. What would seem to be the difference? A big one. If you have to repair, you can first choose a kitchen, then under it to change the distribution of water pipes and sewerage, move to the right place outlets, move the stove, etc. In this case, you can from the elements of the modular kitchen to dial the functionality you need, especially to anything without being tied to anything.

Another approach to the selection of modules if the repair does not provide global work. Sink and gas stove no one will not move. And this must be taken into account. First of all, then draw a plan of the kitchen with dimensions, it determines the place of installation of the sink, draw the stove, refrigerator. All that you are not going to move. All elements draw in scale. For example, you can use a sheet in a cell and take two cells as 10 cm. It will not be difficult to draw, put the dimensions too. After the plan is plotted devices that no one will move, the algorithm for selecting modules is as follows:

• You pick up the table under the sink.
• If available, choose corner cabinets.
• Determine the dimensions of cabinets for built-in appliances.
• Decide whether you need end cabinets and what size they will be.
• The remaining free space is filled with linear cabinets, selecting their width and functionality.

This algorithm allows you to assemble a modular kitchen according to your dimensions in just a few hours. Only you will need to pre-measure at what length on each wall.