A kitchen renovation can be a challenging project, planned correctly, it can transform the way you live in your home. Clear planning is key both in terms of establishing what you want from your kitchen and knowing what to ask your designer.

Our Kitchen Planning guide helps to cover many aspects of your renovation.

What do I need to think about before I start?

Before you contact a professional, it’s important to establish how you’d like your kitchen to function

.Start by asking yourself questions such as, “Do I love to cook, will we want to eat in here and is this an entertaining space?”

By considering these questions before you start, you should be able to pinpoint exactly what you want from your ideal space. 

1. A mood board, will help you to answer a lot of questions of what you’re aiming to achieve.
2. Now to work on those non-negotiable items that are at the top of your wish list.
3. Finally, you’ll also need to ask yourself what your real budget is.

What do I need to include?
Every kitchen is different and a good design tailored to your individual needs and budget is something to consider including the following at the planning stage:

• Storage - An inventory of all your kitchen kit will dictate the amount of storage you need. A good tip is to consider opting for drawers rather than cupboards, as these allow much easier access.
• Worktops - To help decide which type of worktop to go for, consider exactly how you use your kitchen. Think about how much wear and tear particular areas in your space will get, as this will determine how durable your worktops need to be.
  
• Efficient appliances  - Choose quality appliances, be honest about how much use, if you entertain often, a good-quality oven and full-size dishwasher might be a priority, but if your room is small, compact appliances might be a better choice.
  
• Layered lighting - Careful consideration must be taken in regards to lighting. Strategically placed lights and mood lighting to create different ambiances.
  
• Fittings - A standard cabinet can be lifted by a beautiful handle, while a basic sink can look high-end with the addition of a well-chosen tap.
  
• A practical splash back - Splash back material is a great way to add a feature into your kitchen. Choose a durable material, but have fun with colour, texture and pattern.
  

How do I decide on a style?

It's useful to gather inspirational images to develop your style.  A design you fall in love with can be re-created by your kitchen designer and adapted to work in your own space,keep a list of elements from designs which appeal to you the most.

Our kitchen designers can help you narrow down your design n regards to layout, style, colour and material.

One useful - be careful to not introduce too many on-trend looks as you could quickly tire of them.  Choose timeless designs and accessorise with lighting.