The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s inevitably where friends and family end up congregating, and although the pull of a cosy living room is always present, hours seem to disappear whilst spending time in the kitchen. However, creating a space that delivers on practicality and style is no mean feat.
So where do you start when planning a new kitchen? Of course, our talented designers are here to guide you throughout the process, from devising the ideal layout to recommending appliances. However, it always helps to have a rough idea of the kind of kitchen you would like to create. Below are five things worth considering when you’re in the planning stages of buying a new kitchen…
1 – Kitchen Style
From sleek, Scandinavian-style interiors to cosy English country kitchens, the world of interior trends is overflowing with beautiful designs to delight and inspire. So much so that it can be difficult to know where to start! Browsing online magazines and social media sites like Instagram and Pinterest is an excellent way to identify your favourite colour schemes, styles, and design features. You might even want to create a mood board to bring with you to your design appointment. You can also find fantastic inspiration by clicking here to view our case studies or here to explore our blog.
As you get to grips with the range of design options available, you’ll no doubt notice that there’s more to creating a breathtaking kitchen than simply selecting colour schemes and worktops. For example, your choice of door style will have a significant impact on the look and feel of your space. If you’re looking for something traditional, a shaker kitchen makes an excellent choice, or for something more modern, why not go for a handleless design? The best way to decide is by experiencing the various options in person at your nearest independent showroom. Alternatively, please click here to discuss your ideas with our friendly expert team.
2 – Practical Requirements
While, of course, you’ll want your new design to look incredible, renovating your kitchen is the ideal opportunity to get more from your space. As well as being practical and easy to use, your new kitchen should complement your individual needs. Thus, you’ll want to spend some time thinking about your specific requirements. For instance, could you benefit from including somewhere for the kids to do homework or for your family to prepare drinks? Do you like to cook together, or are you the main chef? It can also help to start by identifying pain points. For example, you might struggle for storage or find that family and friends tend to get under your feet. Your kitchen designer should take all these factors into consideration in order to help you achieve the best possible solution.
3 – Kitchen Appliances
What is a kitchen without appliances? In recent years, kitchen technology has seen some big advancements. From downdraft venting hobs to boiling water taps and self-cleaning ovens, there are plenty of innovative products available to streamline daily living and enhance your cooking. You can even connect the latest smart appliances to your Wi-Fi, enabling you to control them using your voice or an app on your phone or tablet. If you’re planning to update your kitchen, it’s worth having a think about how you cook and what appliances you need and want. Click here to explore some of our top new products.
4 – Finishing Touches
Putting the perfect finishing touches on your design is a surefire way to take your kitchen to the next level. Lighting, flooring, splashbacks, and worktops all offer the amazing potential to enhance your interior both practically and aesthetically while allowing you to personalise your space. Though your kitchen designer should dedicate plenty of time to helping you refine your interior, there’s no harm in getting ahead and doing your research.
5 – Your Budget
There’s no point fantasising over top-of-the-range appliances and exquisite marble worktops if you simply don’t have room in your budget. Being clear on how much you intend to spend will help you prioritise what’s really important from the get-go. At HKS, we always have our client’s best interests at heart and are dedicated to helping you get as much benefit from your project, whatever your budget. Letting us know your budget will help us recommend the best products and devise a truly tailormade solution that far exceeds your expectations.
Taking The Next Step
Once you’ve considered what you want from your new kitchen, it’s time to take a step closer to making your vision a reality. At HKS, we provide a free design and quotation service. This process starts at one of our 3 Sussex showrooms, where you’ll explore our collection and meet with one of our designers to discuss your ideas. If you would like to go ahead and begin your journey or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can call us on 01435 866166 or email sales@hks-uk.com.