A new kitchen is a big but worthwhile investment, it will always add value to your property, as well as adding a functional space for you and your family to enjoy and work in.
Most people when undertaking designing a kitchen forget about the finer details. Such as storage, lighting and whether the fridge is accessible.
When it comes to designing a kitchen, you have to think about the primary function of the room, and that is to cook and prepare food, so it has to be highly functional. The best place to start is looking at how you are actually using the space when preparing and cooking meals.
It's one thing to have a stunning kitchen, it's even better to have a stunning and highly functional kitchen.
Below you'll find some tips we have put together to help you avoid costly mistakes when designing your new kitchen.
What not to do when designing a kitchen:
Photo: Hepworth and Wood - Classic English
1. Not having enough work tops One of the most common mistakes is not having a big enough working area. You need to have enough worktop space to prepare meals, display appliances and put washing up. If you want a social space where you can also eat or spend time doing other stuff you'll need to factor this in as well.
Photo: Laura Ashley - Whitby
2. To little storage This takes some planning, you need a space for every single thing, from spice jars to cutlery drawers. But it's a balancing act as you don't want to overcrowd your new kitchen. Have a good clear out and give the things you've never used to a charity shop or sell at a car boot sale.
The next stage is looking at all the great storage solutions available and picking the best one to suit your space and the amount of items you have. Corner cupboards can be difficult to get into, but there are many options like a pull out corner storage rack, or carousel making it easy to keep lots of items in the corners and having easy access to them.
3. Wrong type of ventilation Meals may smell delicious when they are being prepared, but being kept awake at night because your dinner is still lingering around the house isn't much fun. And who wants to open their front door to a visitor and have that boiled cabbage smell wafting out of the house...
In warmer weather you have the option to open windows and doors which can let out the cooking smells. But in colder weather it's not practical. If you don't want cooking smells lingering then invest in a good ventilation system. Avoid the cheaper options that just re-circulate the air flow and uses up lots of energy. There are better options that are quieter, use less energy while capturing impurities, as well as circulating the air, and in some cases sends it all through a flu to the outside world.
4. Where to put the rubbish bins Bins are often over looked, and it's not until the kitchen has been fitted that people realise they haven't made any space for them. Rubbish should be a priority.
Often the best solution is integrated bins, or cupboards to conceal freestanding bins. Which helps hide the waste as well as contain odours.
If you have a very small kitchen and you don't have the option of putting them in a cupboard there are some rather attractive bins out there, but remember to leave space for them.
5. Not enough Lighting Like most rooms, it's important to get the lighting right. From making the most of natural light and adding artificial lights at the correct wattage above working and dinning areas.
Placing wall cupboards either side of a window will cut down the amount of natural light entering the room, so it's best to leave some space around your windows empty of cupboards or shelves. Wall cupboards also block ceiling lights reaching the back of worktops where it's needed for prepping food. Spotlights concealed under wall cabinets and in the ceiling are a practical solution. They can be grouped or spaced apart and be used with a dimmer switch so you can have the brightest light when working, then a dimmer light when eating.
Plinth lighting can add a subtle glow and will illuminate your kitchen just enough if you need to pop in there for something later in the evening.
If you are going to have an island where you'll sit and socialise or have meals, then pendant lights will add a focal light source and create the right ambience, as well as adding table lamps to sideboards.
Turn off spot lights or dim them when you want your statement lights to take centre stage.
6. Not using experts when they are really needed We all love to have a go at DIY and prove we've got what it takes to fit a kitchen...
But for that stunning kitchen there is a level of expertise needed at the planning stage. If your kitchen has complicated wiring, plumbing or ventilation requirements then it's best to get the experts in, instead of messing it up and having to pay again to get it sorted out.
Seeking the help of registered trades people will help you to plan and project manage your new kitchen fit. They will tell you in which order they need to come in to do their bit, for example you wouldn't tile a kitchen before an electrician has fitted the cables into the right locations.
Sometimes seeking out the experts can save you money in the long term. The advice they give will be invaluable, as well as heading off costly mistakes.
7. Plugs and Power You would think this was obvious, but too many people forget about plugs and how many they will need. You should have enough so you don't have to unplug one thing for another. The power supply also needs to be in the right place. This is where you will really need to think hard about how you use the space. Where will the kettle go, the coffee machine, toaster etc, then large appliances such as fridges, freezers and washing machines.
8. Going over budget Even if you have lots of money to spend on a kitchen, never start a kitchen renovation without a set budget. Otherwise costs can spiral out of control.
It is easy to go over budget when you don't have a clear plan set out from the beginning with an itemised list of each cost.
There is no need to spend money on unnecessary or impractical items that will wear out quickly or will need replacing in the near future. Solid wood worktops may look great, but they are not practical if you have young children who can damage them with stains, you also may not have the time to sand and re-oil them as and when needed.
Have a set budget, then add a further 10% to be set aside. There are always unforeseen problems that won't be uncovered until your existing kitchen is taken out.
Photo: Gallery by Symphony - hacienda
9. Picking the current trendy kitchen A lot of us love the latest trends and just have to have them. But when it comes to your kitchen you need to consider how much it's going to cost you to replace it when the next best thing arrives in store. Especially if you are planning on moving within the next 10 years, what you love now maybe out of fashion in the next few years and a dated kitchen will reduce the value of your property.
It's best to stick to a timeless classic kitchen. It won't date or put off a potential buyer. You can go to town with paint, wallpaper and accessories as these are affordable to change as and when you feel like it.
A good kitchen should last at least 10 years, so it's important to get it right, especially if you are looking to sell your home within 10 years.
