Starting a new kitchen renovation can be a major task, which means there’s a lot to think about. If you don’t plan in advance, there’s always the risk that the renovation will drag out for weeks and months, and you run the risk of falling out of love with whatever you’ve designed. With this in mind, we’re going to go through some of the main points that you need to think about before you get started. Plan ahead and your new kitchen will be everything you want it to be.
Let’s start with the most basic of requirements, a new lick of paint. It’s up to you whether you choose to simply give the existing paintwork a refresh, or decide to go with a new colour entirely. If it’s the latter, then have a think about whether you’re going to be making any other major changes to the kitchen while you renovate it. If you paint first and decide later, you might have to rethink things, so try to make all your decisions before you get started. Don’t forget practicality too; stain and splash resistant kitchen paints are a great idea for a kitchen.
The kitchen is the functional heart of the home, which means that any appliances in it should be taken into consideration if you’re choosing to renovate. A full refresh of the space gives you the opportunity to really change things up if you want to. Consider removing your old cooker or oven and replacing with an attractive and versatile range cooker. Think about whether the hood will match the new decor, and decide whether or not smaller appliances like the microwave and kettle need to be updated to fit in with your new theme.
There’s a wealth of choice when it comes to worktops these days, with man-made options such as Corian being a highly attractive choice for its ability to be moulded perfectly and near-seamlessly to the full shape of the counter top. Of course, there are also more traditional stone and wood choices that lend a stylish look to a kitchen. If you’re swapping between built-in and freestanding appliances like the cooker, then you’ll need to decide on the worktop after you’ve chosen your new appliances.
Cupboards and cupboard doors are one of the major design elements of the kitchen, so it makes sense to give them plenty of thought. Most people will look to match them with their worktops, whether this means creating a striking contrast or choosing a similar tone. There’s a lot of choice out there, and remember to think about fittings such as handles too. These can make a big difference to the look and feel of the space.
Our penultimate point is to consider flooring. It can often be forgotten as a part of the kitchen design, but you’d be surprised just how much difference it can make to have a full new floor put in. Consider all of the options, from quality real stone and wood flooring, to budget-friendly vinyl solutions and everything in between.
There are a few final accessories that you should give some thought to. As part of the worktops, you need to give some consideration to the sink and taps. Your sink could be a sleek piece of chrome modernism, or perhaps you’d prefer a traditional and stylish Belfast sink built into your worktop. Taps often look good when matched to cupboard handles, or when stylistically similar. There’s also the lighting too; downlights are hugely popular, and underlit cupboards add a stylish and practical feature to any kitchen.
