What Actually Changes in a Modular Kitchen After 8 Months of Use

Renders and showroom samples don't tell you how a kitchen behaves eight months into daily cooking. So we called a handful of past clients and asked what still looked good, and what they'd change.

Soft-close hinges and channels were the single most-mentioned win — the difference in perceived quality between a soft-close and a standard hinge becomes obvious within the first month, not the first year.

Matte finishes near the hob showed fewer visible marks than gloss, which several clients hadn't anticipated when choosing based on the showroom sample under bright, even lighting.

The one recurring regret: under-specifying drawer storage in favour of shelved cabinets. Almost everyone we spoke to said they'd take more drawers if they were doing it again.