When the time is right to replace your kitchen, it’s tempting to focus on the style, paying less attention to the overall layout and usability. People often work on the basis of replacing the existing cabinets rather than seeing an opportunity to transform the space. If you’re looking to enhance the value of your home, either for resale or to make it a great place to be, take your time and consider your options carefully.

 

1. Start by making a detailed architect style plan of the existing kitchen and the surrounding rooms. Then consider whether you can change the space by removing walls and doorways. It’s a mistake to confine yourself to the existing room layout without first considering the alternatives. Most people still like an open plan layout with space for dining and seating so it’s always worth questioning whether you can sacrifice space elsewhere.

 

2. Can you find space for a pantry or utility? Whether small or large, this is appealing to a lot of people and helps you to keep your home organised and tidy.

 

3. Make a list of the non negotiables in your new kitchen. Do you want a range or eye-level ovens? How much fridge and freezer space is needed? How big does your dining table need to be? Is a dishwasher (or 2) essential? What size sink will work best? Etc.

 

4. Is there space for an island unit? You need to allow at least 900mm (ideally 1,000-1,200mm) between an island and the surrounding cabinets – don’t be tempted to squeeze one in with less than this. If you don’t have space and need to maximise worktop space instead, consider having deeper worktops on at least one run of cabinets (the standard depth is 620mm).

 

5. Are you restricted by the services you can get to any particular point? For example, there’s no point considering a sink in the island unit if you can’t dig up the floor to get the plumbing in. Or if you want a good extractor, how is the exhaust going to get to an outside wall?

 

6. Consider the natural light and your best view to the outside – you want to be facing this wherever possible. Is your room North, South, East or West facing? Is there a lot of artificial light? This will dictate how colours appear in your space. Farrow & Ball’s website has some great tips on how light affects colour here.

 

7. Start to layout your kitchen on the plan – putting the essential items in first. Aim to achieve a triangle between the oven/hob, sink and fridge if possible.

 

8. Include plenty of drawers instead of just cupboards. They are much easier to access and optimise storage space.

 

9. Find space for a breakfast pantry cupboard if you can (see the banner image on this post). This can house a microwave, coffee machine, toaster etc. which helps to reduce clutter in your kitchen and makes it easier to keep clean. You can also make it a beautiful hidden feature if you choose a contrast in colour/material for the inside.

 

10. Be aware that wall cupboards will make the room feel much smaller. If you need the storage then you might not have an option, but only put in as many as you actually need, particularly in areas where they will stop natural light coming into the room. You may want to keep these light in colour to help the room feel more spacious. Alternatively, you could opt for open shelving to display plates and pans etc.

 

11. Think about having a focal point. A false (or real) chimney breast and mantel is the obvious choice but there are other options which achieve the same result.

 

12. Lighting is important from a practical and aesthetic point of view. Consider pendants over an island unit, under-cabinet lights and lights within cabinets. Make sure your main areas of use have proper illumination, often achieved with the correct positioning of recessed lights.

 

13. A good kitchen should last a very long time. Be careful when selecting trendy colours which will look dated in 5 years time. Staying neutral and adding fashionable colours to the walls or with accessories is a sensible approach.

 

14. Similarly, picking a kitchen design which is too fashionable is likely to be something you’ll regret down the line. Most will have been superseded within a few years. Classic designs e.g. shaker styles will stand the test of time. You can add on-trend details through your accessories, wall art and dining furniture etc.

 

15. Finally, invest in your cabinets. Vinyl wrapped doors or cheap drawer boxes will not stand the test of time. Quality will always win over the long term.

 

If you need help with your design, speak to an expert, but make sure they fully understand what you want and how you live before they start designing. Take time to reflect on their recommendations and your choices, resisting the temptation to jump straight in. It’s an important room and you want it to be perfect for you and your unique needs.

 

Ready to make a start? Get in touch with Collyer & Co. experts here.

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