Planning a new kitchen is exciting, but the smartest schemes begin with clear thinking. Treat the room as a working environment that is the heart of the home. Clarify budget, order of works, and responsibility to keep stress low and choices coherent.
Choosing Finishes Before Setting A Budget
The riskiest move is falling for samples before money is mapped. Set an itemised budget covering cabinetry, worktops, appliances, electrics, plumbing, flooring, tiling, lighting and a contingency. Cost every specification and keep a running total. If funds are tight, refresh units with replacement kitchen doors while bigger changes wait.
Designing for a Showroom
A beautiful plan can fight how the household lives. Map the work triangle and key zones for prep, cooking, cleaning, and storage, then reduce crossings. Ensure quiet extraction, task lighting, and sockets where tasks happen, so the space supports daily habits with ease.
Fragile Finishes Over Durability
Fashionable materials can punish busy households. Choose surfaces that resist heat, stains, and knocks, and understand care requirements before ordering. Check local planning and building control requirements early, confirming when permissions apply and which standards cover ventilation, fire clearances, electrical work, and structural alterations.
Note appliance specifications, flue routes, and load-bearing details so the layout meets regulations and manufacturers’ instructions without last-minute changes. Thoughtful choices now prevent expensive regret later.
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Treating Lighting as an Afterthought
Plan a layered scheme with bright task lighting under wall units, ambient illumination for general comfort, and subtle accent lighting to soften the mood. Match extraction capacity to hob width and room volume, and vent properly so steam and odours leave the building.
Assuming Trades Will Coordinate Themselves
Kitchens involve several specialists whose work must interlock cleanly. Confirm measurements, delivery windows, and access in writing, then sequence the schedule so plastering, electrics, plumbing, flooring, decorating, and fitting occur in a sensible order. Label services clearly and protect finished surfaces to avoid rework and preserve both time and budget.
