Are you unsure how to design a kitchen ( Kitchen design ideas)? One of the most exciting home improvement jobs is choosing a new kitchen. It can also be the most costly, time-consuming, and unpleasant.

 

From choosing the proper style to selecting a designer and deciding on the kitchen plan, designing a kitchen requires a lot of thinking. Regardless of how tempted you are to hurry into a showroom and pick your design, it’s critical that you take your time and think about what you actually want.

 

Step-by-step instructions on how to design a kitchen

 

First, do a thorough cleaning. This implies you won’t include goods you haven’t used in a long time. Then take a look around your current kitchen and write down everything you like and dislike.

 

This might include everything from the amount of storage – and where it is – to the sorts of appliances and cabinetry color. This will allow you to concentrate on keeping or enhancing certain features. And stay away from anything you shouldn’t do while creating a kitchen.

 

Examine all of your requirements

 

 

After that, consider how the kitchen will be used. It may seem self-evident, but consider who will be utilising the place the most. What kind of dishes will they prepare? How frequently do you intend to entertain? Do you require separate laundry and eating areas?

 

You’re on your way if you have a decent sense of what you need and what you desire.

 

Consider if the current space and layout are adequate or whether a kitchen addition would be beneficial. The most popular construction project is tearing down a wall that separates the kitchen and dining area. If you have the opportunity, this produces a more open-plan kitchen design idea.

 

Make a financial plan

 

 

It’s crucial to know how much a new kitchen costs and give yourself a budget with an upper limit before you start picking the best granite countertops and the latest electrical devices. This way, you’ll have a set quantity in mind that you won’t go over.

 

Always be prepared for the unexpected! You never know what’s beneath the old kitchen till it’s been torn out. Before you move any farther, you may need to repair some pricey issues.

 

Make a list of everything you’ll need to account for, including cabinets, worktops, and kitchen backsplash ideas, as well as the sink, tap, and appliances.

 

Consider the plumbing and heating systems

 

 

 

Will you be able to use existing plumbing for sinks and appliances, or will you need to install new pipes?

 

If you want to add a sink or other appliances in your kitchen island design, be sure the piping and electrical are ready before you start laying the flooring. Plan where big and small appliances will go, and make sure you have plug points where you’ll need them.

 

Look for illumination alternatives

 

 

 

When thinking about kitchen lighting ideas, keep in mind that the system should be adaptable. This will allow you to individually control different portions of the room. Secondary illumination, such as spotlights above the cooking and prep areas, is also beneficial.

 

Prepare a mood board

 

 

Of course, how you want your kitchen to appear is a highly personal decision. Collect photographs and magazine rip sheets to make a mood board or kitchen file with anything you want to incorporate into your design.

 

This is your wish list, so put anything on it at this stage. However, organise it because your budget will almost certainly force you to select between particular goods at some time.

 

Speak with a kitchen designer

 

 

 

A professional kitchen designer’s advice is essential for getting the most out of your area. Their knowledge and experience will provide you with a plethora of easy and inventive solutions that you may not have considered.

 

Kitchen designers will also have up-to-date product, fixture, and fitting expertise and can source everything for you. Finally, they’ll guarantee that your new kitchen runs as smoothly as possible.

 

Where can I get a kitchen?

 

 

 

When it comes to selecting a kitchen provider, you have three alternatives.

 

B&Q, Wickes (who provided this striking U-shaped kitchen), Homebase, and IKEA are among the DIY merchants. You’ll still get planning guidance and high-quality fixtures and fittings, even if they’re on the cheaper side of the market. Expect to pay around £5,000 (for a whole kitchen with equipment and fittings?) – less if you do it yourself.

Harvey Jones, John Lewis, John Lewis of Hungerford, and Magnet are high-street showrooms with locations all around the UK. For £10,000 to £15,000, you’ll get a more personalized service, high-quality cabinets and fixtures, and a wider range of design options.

 

Independent merchants. These are frequently family-owned enterprises with decades of knowledge and skill that are simply waiting to be utilized. Second Nature, Metris, SieMatic, Stoneham, Nolte, Alno, and In-Toto are some of the brands they sell. Don’t be hesitant to drop by; their designers are happy to assist, and most decent showrooms will provide a complimentary consultation to get things started.

Mark Wilkinson, Underwood, Roundhouse, Smallbone of Devizes, Prentice Furniture, Figura, Simon Bray, and Holloways of Ludlow are among the bespoke kitchen firms that will build a kitchen to your exact specifications, even down to the thickness of the carcass and the custom-made storage within. However, this comes at a price, and you should expect to pay upwards of £25,000 for it.

 

Call in the professionals

 

 

So, you’ve found your kitchen designer, chosen your layout and style and you’ve paid your deposit. What happens next? You need to find a team to install it.

 

It’s important to remember that the way your kitchen is installed can make all the difference. A bad fitter can make any kitchen look terrible, but a good one will ensure even inexpensive units look amazing. Ask friends and family for recommendations, or source a skilled person through a registered trade association, such as the FMB (Federation of Master Builders).

 

It may be a simple refresh so you’ll only have the kitchen supplier and fitter to co-ordinator. However, if it’s a big project, then there might be builders, electricians and plumbers to consider, too. It’s important at this stage to get some form of project manager in hand, whether that’s yourself, your kitchen company or an architect.

 

Everyone needs to be clear about what needs to be done when, as delays and mistakes in kitchen planning can be costly.

 

Prepare for the installation of cabinets and worktops

 

 

Depending on the type of kitchen you purchase, your modules may arrive flat-packed for you to assemble. Alternatively, they may arrive with stiff carcasses that the kitchen fitter simply assembles and finishes with doors.

 

Most kitchen fitters will next install your preferred appliances and link them to the plumbing and electrical lines. On-site finishing coatings are applied to many painted kitchens. As a result, expect to be unable to use the kitchen until the paint has dried.

 

Work surfaces are frequently the last feature in a kitchen. If you’ve chosen basic lengths of wood or laminate, a knowledgeable DIYer can quickly install it.

 

Make your final decisions

 

 

Subtly connecting finishes will help your kitchen feel more cohesive. For example, pair a wooden breakfast bar with wooden chairs. Alternatively, upholster the chairs in a fabric that matches your backsplash. Cabinetry handles, for example, may make a tremendous impact and alter a plain white kitchen.

 

‘It’s critical to consider the long term while selecting a style. Adrian Stoneham, MD, Stoneham Kitchens, recommends, “Decide what’s in and what will swiftly go out of fashion.”

 

If your money is limited, here is also the place to try out some DIY budget kitchen ideas. For example, tiling a backsplash, our guide to how to grout tiles provides all the information you need.