what to think about when going through a kitchen redesign: how to make the most of your space
There's no doubt, a great kitchen can sell a property, a badly designed kitchen can turn off a prospective buyer in an instant. Overly personalised kitchens such as a unique shapes or lots of bright colours can make a buyer think they have to spend a fortune to make it work for them. Don't get me wrong, your home should reflect you and your personality and that won't be for everyone. Is your property your forever home or just the next step in the property ladder?
Tip #1 - define your kitchen brief
Make a list of wants and needs for your ideal kitchen. What must you have, e.g. oven, sink, hob and what would you like? e.g wine cooler, pantry unit, island. Once you have your lists, then you can start to plan it out and think about how it will look and function.
Tip #2 - make a mood-board or scrapbook
What style of kitchen do you want? Do you like a clean and simple layout like the pic above or do you like something with a bit more character? Start googling or have a look at Pinterest and see what kitchen styles and images you are drawn to. Even if you think you like to too many styles, you may be surprised to notice you are drawn to similar styles of kitchen when you undertake this exercise.
Tip #3 - colours and finishes
Depending on the pictures in your mood-board, are there any colours you can take from them? For example, what tone of wood? In the example above, it's quite a rustic finish - so think about what will go with this? Something not too perfect. Light colours will make your space feel larger. Colours and finishes and fixtures can make a kitchen look expensive or cheap. Dark kitchens can make a big impact in a light and airy space.
Think carefully how long you'd like your kitchen to last as some colours may date a kitchen quickly. Wood will always be a classic. Go along to some kitchen showrooms or visit Howdens or IKEA if you have trouble visualising finishes and colours. Look carefully at their layouts but remember your space will look and feel very different. Don't be afraid to send for samples of paint and finishes.
all kitchen images from Howdens
"If classic interiors are more you, there is plenty of inspiration for the hues that stand the test of time, such as white and cream" – Howdens
Tip #4 - plan, plan, plan (or measure twice, cut once)
Measure up your space: take overall measurements of the width and depth of your kitchen. Sketch it up and then measure each wall or nook and make a note of where your doors are and where your windows are. Think about where you will need power sockets and what appliances you would like. This is the part where you see what will fit. Where is your water and where is your waste? Can you move them or can you work around them? Will you be using gas or electric or both?
Will you be spending a lot of your time in the kitchen besides cooking? If you're lucky enough to have the space for a kitchen/lounge/diner then this room will need to work hard for you and be planned well.
The easiest way to start is to use 600mm x 600mm cabinets as this size is standard in most kitchen suppliers and most standard kitchen appliances will also fit this size, If it helps, use graph paper and make your own scale, for example, each main square could be 1m x 1m (1000mm x 1000mm) so if there are 5 small squares per main square, each is going to be 200mm so you would need 3 small x 3 small for a 600mm x 600mm cupboard. You can download graph paper from the internet and print it out.
Think practically about your spacing: From your wall. cupboards to an island, you ideally need around 1m (1000mm) do you have enough room? Think about how you will open cupboard doors and drawers. If you are not comfortable planning your own kitchen, enlist the services of an interior designer, that way you can take the plans and go to any kitchen supplier to obtain a quote. Most kitchen companies will now only undertake plans for free if you purchase the kitchen so they will not give you the plans until you order and purchase. An experienced designer will save you lots of time and money and help you avoid making costly mistakes.
Tip #5 - Mix it up
Don't be afraid of using a different colour for your base units and another for wall units, this can add interest and stop your room looking too bland. If you are using wood, avoid using too many different colour woods as this can lead to a mish-mash of colours and tones. Wood is also an absorber of light, so if you have a lot of wood, make sure your lighting is good so you won't end up with a gloomy kitchen!
all kitchen images from Howdens
Think about using pattern in your tile choices too or use different materials for a splash-back. Look at lots of images and see which you prefer. When you add all your images to your mood-board you can then see how it all goes together. If it doesn't, keep looking until you find the right pattern or finish which ties in with your other choices.
claybrook
taurangaglass
Hertford Glass
Tip #6 - it's all about the detail
In designing a kitchen, there are lots of things to think about, planning is key to it all. Research the styles you like and a mood-board and plan will help you cost your ideal kitchen. Give yourself a deadline and stick to it, otherwise it's easy to keep changing your mind. Think about your 'must haves' and what you're prepared to compromise on.
If it feels daunting, get the professional help of a designer. A professional interior designer will take your brief and help you expand on what you really want, taking into account the space and the scale and proportion of all furniture going into the space. They will come up with creative ideas you may not even have thought about and add value to your home and spaces.
In conclusion
You new kitchen will be an investment in your home and a well designed one will have a positive effect on your day to day living. Invest wisely and it will help sell your home when it comes to your next move. Invest badly and your buyer may want to knock off thousands of pounds, seeing a lot of work if they buy your house.
Do your homework. A great kitchen doesn't have to mean another mortgage!
Studio Speck Ltd can help you with your next kitchen - design, supply and install. Get in touch hello@studiospeck and start your kitchen planning today.
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