Questions and answers, tips and opinions for purchasing kitchen furniture

• Why is it worth investing in the kitchen?

First of all, to feel good in the kitchen, to prepare dishes with pleasure and love, to enjoy the time spent with friends and family in the comfort offered by the kitchen, and last but not least, the furniture set represents the most significant financial investment you make in furnishing your home.

Typically, the lifespan of kitchen furniture is 20 years, so it is advisable to invest in something that will be with you for the next 20 years.

• When should I decide on my kitchen project?

Whether we are talking about a house under construction or one under renovation, the sooner the better. This will give you time to evaluate different kitchen configuration options and we will be able to make small adjustments to the space, which can bring an important addition to functionality and design, but also a reduction in the budget! We will prepare your detailed project in advance, including installation plans (water and gas connections, the position of sockets and electrical circuits, technical and ambient lighting, ventilation design) and we will be able to check all stages of space preparation until the moment of kitchen installation.

• Are the kitchens made to order?

All Binova kitchens are produced exclusively on a made-to-order basis. Each module or modular element is produced specifically for your kitchen. Obviously, there are also some restrictions imposed by household appliances and certain technical conditions imposed by materials and hardware or simply by safety and ergonomics. We will take into account your requirements and offer you a solution tailored to your space.

• Classic or modern kitchen?

If you have a house with modern architecture or an apartment in the city, you will definitely have to adopt a modern style for your kitchen, a style in harmony with the architecture, the space and the location. The nostalgia for the classic exists in each of us, but a modern kitchen does not necessarily mean a sterile and soulless space. You can bring a classic spirit and that tone of nostalgia to your kitchen through small design interventions: a genuine retro lamp, an antique mirror placed “accidentally” or chairs with a vintage design.

If you have an old or newly restored house… again, we recommend a kitchen that is as modern as possible, offering you all the technical and functional advantages of a modern kitchen, but which, through a strong design contrast, highlights the history of the house and the original architectural details.

• What is the best material for the kitchen?

The criteria for choosing materials fall into two categories. On the one hand, we are interested in resistance and easy maintenance, which we find especially in technological materials (melamine, laminate, composite, ceramic, glass, etc.). On the other hand, we are interested in the ‘feeling’ and tactile sensation of the materials, and here we are talking especially about natural materials (solid wood, veneer or natural stone).

Choosing materials and finishes is perhaps the most difficult stage of the project as the choice directly influences the project budget. Therefore, each project is analyzed from the beginning and tested through the relationship between functionality and design.

• Is there a kitchen counter where I can chop directly with a knife?

Ceramic countertops (e.g. Laminam) or sintered stone (e.g. Lapitec) will surely withstand the biggest challenges you can think of. However, we do not think it is advisable to cut something directly on the countertop and not on a chopping board. For example, if you want to cut a tomato or even a slice of bread, it will be very difficult to clean the countertop and in addition you can damage the knife blade. But it all remains your choice!

• Are your countertops heat-resistant?

Binova kitchens are 100% made in Italy, and according to European regulations, it is forbidden to sell kitchen countertops that do not comply with all safety standards in the field. Therefore, all types of countertops you will find with us are heat-resistant, completely waterproof and offer a non-bacterial surface that allows direct contact with food.

• Why is the sink important?

When cooking, the sink is certainly the most used “station” in the kitchen and the most demanding in terms of maintenance. We always recommend under-mount sinks or even sinks integrated into the countertop. These will immediately demonstrate their functionality by the fact that you will have a continuous and always clean countertop. A sink does not necessarily have to be large. A single, more generous bowl can offer all the practical advantages if it benefits from the right accessories: sliding chopper, drainer, vegetable washing bowl or detergent and utensil holders.

The faucet is equally important because it must complement the design of the sink but at the same time offer you added functionality such as an active or extractable shower, water filtration and heating, or even motion sensor operation and regulation.

• Induction hob or gas hob?

If the electrical installation of the house allows it, we definitely recommend an induction hob. The reasons are extremely many and are reflected in efficiency, comfort in use and easy maintenance. For those who are really passionate about cooking, we also recommend a fast gas burner (WOK type) next to the induction hob, as there are dishes that require “sautéed” cooking or the traditional hob for grilling and vegetables.

I dedicated an entire article to this topic, you can read it here.

• Filtered or exhaust hood?

The hood is a key element in the kitchen design. Both its design and positioning must be established from the beginning. An exhaust hood will always be more efficient, but new filtration technologies, with plasma or carbon/zeolite filters, have started to offer very good performance. Don’t forget that the hood will also influence the air conditioning system of the house, so an exhaust hood will remove heated or cooled air (depending on the season), air that will need to be replaced.

In the case of passive houses, a hood with a filtration/recirculation system is mandatory.

• Can the oven be installed next to the refrigerator?

Yes. Modern electric ovens are ventilated, so they do not release excessive heat to the sides and do not affect the proper functioning of the refrigerator/freezer. The oven can even be positioned above a built-in freezer or refrigerator, a practical solution in case of limited spaces.

• Is it worth closing the kitchen with sliding doors?

We know that the question comes most often because of the smells. Our answer is YES, it’s worth it! We can also offer you the closing system with sliding doors / panels, but for this we need to discuss it as early as possible – as much as possible even from the “red” stage – because preparing the space involves a series of technical… “surgical” interventions!

• Do I need to buy appliances from you?

It is not mandatory, but it is preferable for you. The appliances we provide are of the highest quality, we can offer you an extended warranty period (for example: 5 years instead of 2), free installation and training upon commissioning. If the appliances are purchased separately by you, you must send us the complete technical data sheets for the installation, and we can do the installation for an additional fee.

• Do you only do kitchens?

Kitchens are the center of our activity, but Binova has a complete range of furniture for the entire home, so we can also create customized furniture for the living room, dining room, office, hallway, dressing room or bathroom, all produced from the same materials as the kitchen. Thus, in the case of open-space projects, we can create a complete and fluid design solution.

• Are you a manufacturer?

Mobilierul Binova este realizat integral în Italia, în facilități de producție industry 4.0, care îmbină tradiția artizanală cu cele mai avansate tehnologii din lume. Fiecare piesă este creată cu aceeași atenție la detalii, tratată individual și gândită să facă parte dintr-un proiect unitar. De la bucătărie la living, dining, birou, dressing sau baie, Binova oferă soluții complete de mobilare, pentru a contura un ambient coerent și sofisticat în întreaga locuință.