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For most homeowners, a dream kitchen usually brings to mind sleek modular units that are stunning and functional. The secret of smart modern kitchens lies in the must-have modular kitchen accessories that one should include for making storage and workflow more efficient within the room. How does one pick the right accessories? Do these accessories cost a lot? What are the benefits of incorporating some of these sleek kitchen accessories? We present a list of functional accessories that help not only to replace old kitchen racks and shelves and give the kitchen a fresh look but also to simplify the work processes and organization in the room.

Tall Pantry unit – no.1 among must-have modular kitchen accessories

Every kitchen should have ample storage space for ingredients. While kitchen racks and shelves near the stove are essential for ingredients one uses for daily cooking, the kitchen needs a place to stock even those items that one uses once in a way. Earlier, in large houses, a separate pantry with shelves served this purpose. However, in modern kitchens, where space is limited, a tall unit with ample storage for ingredients is an essential accessory. Ideally, the unit should come with a pull-out system so that it’s easy to access bottles and items at the back.

Lift-up cabinet doors

Most kitchen cabinet doors open outward, which is all right. However, for over-counter units, an open door poses the risk of injury when heads accidentally bang against the sharp corners of the door. Among the must-have modular kitchen accessories that make the workspace safer are lift-up cabinet doors that swivel or fold up instead of opening out. They make it easier to move around the kitchen while working without having to worry about getting hurt.

Pull-out baskets or drawers

While conventional kitchen units help to stack utensils or ingredients, their limitation is that it’s not easy to access things at the back of the shelf. When looking at modular kitchen drawers designs, it’s worth investing in pull-out baskets or drawers as they slide out smoothly, providing better access to items stored at the back of a cabinet. Depending on the requirement, these could be open basket drawers for storing vegetables and fruits or slide-out modular kitchen basket drawers with steel racks built-in for storing utensils and crockery.

Cutlery organisers

A drawer earmarked for cutlery storage can quickly turn into a disorganized mess unless the cutlery is arranged neatly. Without compartments, keeping the drawer well-organised is next to impossible. That’s why we recommend a cutlery organizer as one of the must-have modular kitchen accessories in any modern kitchen. It will make life easier, whether it’s putting the cutlery back after washing or trying to find a piece when needed.

Modular kitchen corner units

Inaccessible corners are the bane of any kitchen, especially when one needs to bend and stretch into its deepest recesses to retrieve a rarely-used utensil. Besides the risk of bumping the head on the edge of the counter, there’s the possibility of straining one’s back when trying to reach into a far corner. Luckily, modular kitchen corner accessories help to tackle this problem. From swing-out systems that move towards the door when the cabinet opens to lazy-Susan or swivel style systems that make anything within the cupboard easily accessible, there’s a variety of modular kitchen corner baskets and trays that can adapt to the requirements of the home owner.

Pull-out bottle racks

While some people might not consider this among the must-have modular kitchen accessories, there’s no denying the convenience of pull-out bottle racks, especially near the stove. It puts sauces, oil, vinegar and any other ingredient within easy reach when cooking, without taking up counter space. One can  slide out the rack, use the desired ingredient and then push it back in place.

Under sink cabinet with door storage

An accessory that is often overlooked is an under-sink system with basket storage for cleaning essentials such as the dishwashing liquid, scourers and other tools for the sink. However, allotting a place for these items helps to keep the sink and its surroundings neat.

Tandem drawers

Small kitchens suffer from a lack of space for organizing things efficiently. While one can find several modular kitchen basket types that pull out, another efficient design is a tandem drawer that allows tiers within a drawer. For instance, the bottom tier of the drawer can have a place for stacking plates or glasses, whereas the upper tier can house a cutlery organizer. Making use of every inch of vertical space can help to optimize the space within drawers.

Rolling shutter

Electrical appliances and kitchen gadgets are an integral part of any modern kitchen as they help to simplify work processes. However, one needs to organise space to store them when they aren’t in use. For those who love to collect kitchen gadgets, installing shelves with a dedicated place for each appliance can provide a solution for this, but open shelves tend to gather dust, besides being exposed to the steam, spills and oil splashes in the kitchen. A better alternative is to install a rolling shutter that can be drawn to cover the appliances and protect them from exposure to dirt and grime.

Pull-out waste bin

Last but not the least among our must-have modular kitchen accessories is a pull-out unit that presents a neater way to segregate and store waste. Often, this unit is merged with the under-sink modular system so that the waste bin swings out when the door opens. More advanced versions of the waste bin in a modular kitchen have a pull-out chopping board under the counter with a slot through which the waste can be directly deposited into the garbage bin in the drawers below it.