Choosing the layout
Layout is decided by the room, not by preference. The test is the work triangle — the path between sink, hob and refrigerator — which should total roughly 4 to 8 metres with no leg under 1.2 m.
| Layout | Minimum room size | Work triangle | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight / single wall | 7 ft run | Compromised — linear | Studios, 1BHK, narrow kitchens |
| Parallel (galley) | 7 × 8 ft | Excellent | Long narrow rooms; very efficient |
| L-shaped | 8 × 8 ft | Very good | The default for most Indian flats |
| U-shaped | 9 × 9 ft | Excellent | Larger kitchens; maximum storage |
| Island | 12 × 12 ft+ | Good with planning | Open-plan homes only |
Maintain at least 1.06 m (42 in) clearance between parallel runs. Try the kitchen cost calculator.
Design and build under one accountable roof
Materials: where to spend and where not to
A kitchen is a wet, hot, heavy-use environment. Two components decide whether it survives a decade: the carcass board and the hardware.
| Component | Options | Indicative rate | Our recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carcass | MR ply / BWP ply / WPC / HDHMR | BWP ₹120–175 per sq ft; WPC ₹150–200; HDHMR ₹90–120 | BWP ply — non-negotiable in humid cities |
| Shutters | Laminate / acrylic / PU / membrane | Laminate ₹1,800–2,500 per sheet; acrylic ₹6,000–9,000 | Laminate for value, acrylic for gloss |
| Hardware | Local / Ebco / Hettich / Hafele / Blum | 10–15% of kitchen cost | Branded soft-close throughout |
| Countertop | Granite / quartz / Corian | Granite is the value pick; quartz for stain resistance | Quartz if budget allows |
Rates are indicative Indian market figures excluding GST and labour.
Spend on the box and the hinges. Everything you can see can be replaced later; the carcass cannot.
Greenbox principal designer
Selected work by Greenbox Design Studio. Tap any image to enlarge.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a modular kitchen cost in India?+
A typical 8×10 ft modular kitchen (60–80 sq ft) costs ₹3.5–5 lakh excluding GST, including base units, wall units, tall units and a granite countertop. Smaller straight-line kitchens start around ₹1.5–2 lakh; large island kitchens with premium finishes exceed ₹8 lakh.
Which material is best for a kitchen carcass?+
BWP (boiling-water-proof) plywood at roughly ₹120–175 per sq ft, or WPC at ₹150–200. Avoid MR-grade ply and particle board in kitchens — in humid or coastal conditions they swell and fail within a few years, and the carcass is the one part you cannot replace without rebuilding.
Is acrylic better than laminate for kitchen shutters?+
Acrylic gives a high-gloss, seamless look and is more scratch-resistant on the surface, but costs roughly three to four times more — ₹6,000–9,000 per sheet against ₹1,800–2,500 for laminate. Laminate in a matte or textured finish is the better value choice for most kitchens.
What is the kitchen work triangle?+
The path between sink, hob and refrigerator. The three legs should total roughly 4–8 metres with no single leg under 1.2 m, and the triangle should not be crossed by major traffic. It is the simplest reliable test of whether a kitchen will be comfortable to cook in.
How long does a modular kitchen take to install?+
Three to five weeks: one to two weeks for design and approvals, two to three weeks for factory fabrication, and three to five days for on-site installation. Countertop templating adds a few days because it can only be done after the base units are fixed.