Crafting the Heart of Your Home: How to tackle a kitchen redesign

The kitchen is more than just a place to cook; it's the heart of the home. So, when it comes to redesigning this space, it can be as daunting as it is exciting.  The truth is, as a space that needs to function on many levels, designing a kitchen is a mix of art and science. As an interior design company, we understand the importance of a well-designed kitchen and how to make the process as simple as possible. In this blog, we'll guide you through the steps to approach a kitchen redesign, ensuring that it becomes not only functional, but also a reflection of your style and personality.

Step 1: Define your priorities and needs

Before stepping into the redesign process, take some time to think about what you want from your kitchen. What have you loved about your current kitchen and what have you found annoying. Then write it all down. Now spend some time thinking about practical additions… Do you need more storage? More countertop space? Another dishwasher? Understanding your priorities will guide the entire redesign process, whether you are working with a kitchen company or going down the DIY route.

Step 2: Set a Budget

Setting out your budget is a very important step in any design project. It can be easy to get carried away with all the options in a kitchen design, so it is crucial that you determine how much you're willing to invest. Unless you have an unlimited budget, it is likely that you will need to make some compromises on what you would love and what is achievable. By making sure you have all your “must haves” listed, it can give you a solid base to see how far your budget can stretch.  

TIP - Be sure to account for expenses such as building materials, fixtures, hardware, lighting, and labour costs.  And always have a buffer!

Step 3: Assess the Layout

Next, evaluate the existing layout of your kitchen. Does it work? Are there any structural limitations or opportunities for expansion? Assessing the layout will help you identify areas for improvement and inform decisions about structural changes. Functionality should be at the forefront of your kitchen redesign, so really have a think about how you use the space.

TIP - The golden triangle - If you are going down the DIY route and struggling to decide on where to put appliances check out the "golden triangle" concept.  It is based on optimising the layout of the sink, oven, and fridge. By arranging them in a triangular formation, with each forming the points of the triangle, it minimises the distance and steps required to move between them, enhancing efficiency in the kitchen.

Step 4: Gather Inspiration

Now comes the fun part – gathering inspiration for your new kitchen! Browse design magazines, websites, Instagram and Pinterest for designs that resonate with your style. Create a mood board to visualise your dream kitchen in terms of colour schemes, materials, finishes, and layout. Drawing inspiration from various sources will help you refine your vision and communicate your ideas to suppliers more effectively.

Step 5: DIY vs a kitchen supplier

While DIY projects can be rewarding, a kitchen redesign is a significant undertaking that requires expertise and precision. Partnering with a professional can really streamline the process and ensure a successful outcome. However, that doesn’t mean you have to go with a one size fits all approach. You could manage some of the build or design the space and then work with expert trades people like carpenters, fabricators, and hardware specialists to plug the gaps in your ability and help you create your dream kitchen.

Mad about marble?

Sometimes it’s hard to get the exact marble top you are looking for even if you are working with a kitchen manufacture. So, I have popped below the simple steps on how to get the marble of your dreams:

1. Find a Stone supplier – They Import stone from all over the world and have hundreds of slabs of unique marble. Imperial Stone Group is a good place to start.

2. Stone hunting – Then once you have found your supplier, visit the showroom and pick your beauty. You can do this online, but half the beauty of marble is in the veining, and this doesn’t always come across online

3. Fabricator – Then find yourself a fabricator who will template, cut and fit your worktop. They will usually buy the stone you have picked and cost up for the whole job making it super simple.   

Step 6: Integration

Whether you are a fan of a minimalist kitchen or love a rustic farmhouse style, there are some appliances that are just not that ascetically pleasing. So here are a few ways to bring down that worktop clutter:

• Integration – One of the best and easiest ways to get away from appliances all over your beautiful worktops, is to get them built into your cabinets. Make sure to also get all your plugs and lighting planned for this too

• Boiling water tap – If you don’t like the look of having a kettle out all the time, then you can install a boiling water tap and have tea in seconds.

• Appliances that double up – hate your microwave? Get an oven with a built in microwave   

Step 7: Infuse Your Personality

Your kitchen should be a reflection of your personality and lifestyle. Inject character and charm into the space by incorporating elements that resonate with you, whether it's a bold colour palette, eclectic décor, or unique architectural features. Personal touches like family photos, family keepsakes, or artwork can add warmth and personality to the room, making it truly feel like home.

We hope this helped but if there were any areas that you would like us to go into in more depth let us know. We know that choosing a kitchen manufacture can be a minefield, so join us for our next blog where we will give you a short guide on the top kitchen manufacturers you can work with in the UK.