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Buying a new kitchen is probably one of the biggest purchases you will make for your home. It is exciting but can be daunting. You’ve made the decision to spend a lot of money, you have a vision but not sure how to implement it.
This is where kitchen designers come in. Your chosen kitchen designer will be able to guide you through every step. Our blog gives you some advice about buying a new kitchen – here are a few tips to get you started.
Things to Consider
Make a note of what you like and dislike in your existing kitchen. Do you feel your space works? You may want to open it up by removing walls, extending into a garage, and so forth.
Think about who uses your kitchen. Is it a family with small children where you need safe spaces for them to be creative and grow? A social space where friends and family will gather or perhaps there needs to be special features added, like appliances that can be accessed at different heights depending on the needs of the user. Perhaps you are doing up a rental property where durability and value for money is key.
Whatever your space and requirements may be, these 5 tips will help eliminate the stress and ensure that you are getting exactly what you want from your new kitchen.
1. Budget
Knowing your budget is the first and most important start to attaining your new kitchen. Knowing how much you can afford will help you make rational choices. If you see something you really can’t go without, you can cut costs in other areas.
Understanding your budget is really important for your kitchen designer. Whether you have a budget of £40k or £10k, your initial design will not disappoint as it will be tailored to your needs.
2. Storage
The kitchen is one of the hardest rooms to get organised. There is so much to accommodate from dry ingredients, fresh herbs, crockery, large pans to cleaning materials. While making a practical and user-friendly space, you can never have too much storage.
Open shelves to store glass jars full of dried ingredients can look stylish and also makes the shopping list easier as you can see straight away what is running low.
Adding a corner pull-out unit creates easy access to unreachable spaces.
3. Surface Space
Taking a little bit of time planning your surface space will create an efficient kitchen layout that is both aesthetic and functional. Think about the placement of the most used appliances. Generally, the hob, sink and refrigerator ought to be easily accessible, making access between them as simple as possible, often called the ‘kitchen work triangle’.
Space to prepare food is another element to consider, perhaps hiding away small, free-standing appliances, such as the kettle and toaster, in a cupboard on a pull-out base would be in keeping with the popular minimalist look. Equally, tambours are a functional and elegant solution to storing away electrical equipment and more.
Adding a worktop overhang to create a breakfast bar seating area is another suggestion, or a stepped down surface for an informal dining table. This can be a practical addition for an entertaining or family space.
You could add a flip top power socket that fits flush into the worktop, so that it is accessible and smartly embedded.
Also, think about the material, if you are on a budget there are some good quality laminates available or perhaps durability is important, therefore a solid surface like Quartz could be your choice. Corian is lovely if you like the seamless look. Talk to your kitchen designer at RELISH KITCHENS about the different options available.
4. Appliances
Do you want your appliances to blend in with the overall decor of your kitchen or would you like them to be more of a feature?
Induction hobs have come a long way since they first appeared on the market. They are an efficient and safe way of countertop cooking. Although some still prefer the timeless gas hobs, this really is down to personal preference.
A kitchen needs an oven but how many and how high spec is determined by personal preference, budget and space. If you dread the thought of cleaning your oven, a pyrolytic oven is a great piece of technology, a self-cleaning oven!
It’s a popular choice to have a stack of ovens or an oven and combination micro/oven in a tall unit for ease of access. Another great back saver is a high-level dishwasher, saving you having to bend down to load and unload the dishwasher.
There are also cooker hoods and fridge freezers to incorporate. Do you need a washing machine and tumble dryer incorporating into your kitchen or do you have a separate utility room?
On top of the basics, there are so many luxury additions you can add from a warming drawer to a stylish wine cooler.
5. Lighting
Lighting can really put the finishing touches to your new kitchen. Whether it is to highlight a statement piece, practical lighting in cupboards/under wall units or adding a relaxed ambience, RELISH KITCHENS can help. You could go with colour changing lights or a soft warm glow all remotely controlled and your kitchen designer will be able to assist you in making the right decision and accentuating your space.
