How to Plan a Modular Kitchen: Appliance Order, Cutout Sizes, and Power Points Required

You have finalised the cabinet colour, chosen the countertop, and maybe even picked out the handles. And then your modular kitchen vendor asks, "Where does the hob go? What size cutout do I make? How many electrical points do you need?" Most people go blank at this stage.

In a modular kitchen, appliances come first, and cabinets come second. Cutouts, sockets, plumbing, and cabinet sizes all depend on which appliances you pick and where they go. Since modular kitchens are factory-manufactured, no changes can be made once production starts.

What Is the Right Order to Plan Kitchen Appliances in a Modular Kitchen?

Before picking individual appliances, settle on your layout. Follow the golden triangle rule: the hob, refrigerator, and sink should form a triangle with each side measuring 4 to 9 feet. Once your layout is set, appliances slot in this order:

• Built-in hob first. Your hob decides the countertop cutout, gas line route, and chimney location. A 3-burner hob takes a 60cm cutout, a 4 or 5-burner takes 75cm to 90cm.
• Kitchen Chimney next. Goes directly above the hob. You need wall space, a socket at 7 feet height, and a duct route to an external wall.
• Built-in oven and microwave. Go into tall units or wall cabinets. Confirm the exact depth and height from the spec sheet before the cabinet is built.
• Sink and dishwasher. Plumbing lines for the sink decide where the dishwasher sits, usually right next to or below the sink counter.
• Refrigerator. Needs at least 5cm on each side and 8 to 10cm behind for ventilation.
• Countertop appliances last. Mixer Grinder, Oven Toaster Griller (OTG), Induction Cooker, air fryer, and water purifier all need counter space and dedicated sockets.

Deciding whether to start with a hob or a chimney early on saves you from cutout mistakes later.

What Cutout Sizes Are Needed for a Built-in Hob and Chimney?

Always check the spec sheet before anyone cuts your countertop. A 2mm error can mean a hob that wobbles or does not fit. Here are common ranges:

Built-in hobs:

• 60cm hob (3 to 4 burners): cutout roughly 560mm x 480mm
• 75cm hob (4 burners): cutout roughly 690mm x 490mm
• 90cm hob (4 to 5 burners): cutout roughly 850mm x 490mm

The glass panel overhangs the cutout by 10 to 15mm on each side. Use granite or quartz around the hob area, as both handle heat and heavy pots well. Avoid marble here because it is porous and stains from oil splashes. Your countertop should be at least 20mm thick to hold the hob securely.

Kitchen Chimneys:

Chimneys mount on the wall and do not need a countertop cutout. You do need a 150mm round hole in the external wall for the duct pipe. Plan this before tiling. Chimney width should match or exceed the hob width.

For help matching chimney size to your layout, measure your hob, including the frame.

If you are extending overhead cabinets to the ceiling, measure the gap between them so the chimney fits. Leaving a gap above cabinets collects dust and grease fast, especially near the cooking zone.

Built-in ovens and microwaves:

Cabinet opening is roughly 560mm wide, 590mm tall, and 550mm deep. Leave 20 to 30mm clearance on each side for heat to escape. Use BWR (Boiling Water Resistant) grade plywood for cabinets housing ovens. Regular MDF or particle board warps from oven heat during long baking sessions.

How Many Power Points Should a Modular Kitchen Have?

Under-planning sockets is the most common modular kitchen regret. Once tiles go up, adding one means breaking the wall.

Here is a practical count:

• Kitchen Chimney: 5-amp socket at 7 feet height, behind or beside the chimney
• Gas hob (auto-ignition): 5-amp socket just above counter height
• Induction hob: 15-amp socket (induction draws much more power)
• Built-in oven: 15-amp socket inside the tall unit
• Built-in microwave: 15-amp socket inside the cabinet
• Refrigerator: 5-amp socket near the floor
• Dishwasher: 15-amp socket under the counter, near the sink
• Water purifier: 5-amp socket above counter level, near the sink
• Countertop appliances (Mixer Grinder, OTG, Induction Cooker, air fryer): 3 to 4 separate 15-amp sockets along the prep counter, 15 to 20cm above the countertop
• Under-cabinet lighting: Ceiling lights alone cast shadows on the countertop. Wire for LED strips along the bottom of overhead cabinets during the electrical phase, not after cabinets are mounted.

That adds up to 12 to 18 points at a minimum. Add 2 to 3 spares for future appliances. A family cooking three meals a day during Diwali will use every one of them.

Where Should the Chimney Electrical Point Be Placed?

At 200 to 210cm from the floor (roughly 7 feet), directly behind the chimney body, slightly to one side so the plug clears the mounting bracket.

• Keep the socket within 1 metre of the chimney. A wire across the backsplash collects grease.
• Use a 5-amp socket with a switch. Most chimneys draw under 250 watts.
• For ducted chimneys, place the socket and duct hole on the same wall. The duct hole typically goes at 220 to 240cm from the floor.
• Maintain 24 to 26 inches (60 to 65cm) between the cooktop and chimney bottom. A detailed guide on chimney height and positioning covers this further.

What Appliance Dimensions Should You Share with Your Modular Kitchen Vendor?

One missing measurement can delay the kitchen by weeks. For every built-in appliance, hand over:

• Overall product size (width x depth x height in mm)
• Cutout or cavity size (width x depth x height in mm)
• Ventilation clearance on each side, top, and back
• Socket type (5-amp or 15-amp) and position
• Gas connection side (left or right) for hobs
• Water inlet and drain positions for sinks and dishwashers

Your vendor, electrician, and plumber all need the same sheet before work begins. Also consider a matte finish for cabinets near the cooking zone, as glossy surfaces show grease smudges instantly in Indian kitchens.

Lock In Your Appliances Before Installation Begins

Measure twice, confirm specs from the product page, and hand your vendor a complete list before any cutting or wiring begins. 

Visit Glen to see the full range of built-in hobs, kitchen chimneys, ovens, and microwaves with detailed spec sheets on every product page. Choose the right products for your kitchen before your vendor starts designing.

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