Buying a brand-new bespoke and fitted kitchen is an exciting
process. It can be daunting, too, with so many things to
take into consideration. The temptation to rush to the
showroom, choose your kitchen and set the ball rolling
as quickly as possible can be hard to resist. Neglect the
planning stage, though, and the kitchen of your dreams
could turn into your worst nightmare.
 Because the opportunity to fit out a bespoke kitchen from
scratch doesn’t come along very often it can be
hard to know where to start. May we suggest that this
site is a particularly good place.
It is a straightforward way of getting in touch with Kitchen
companies in your area that will help you design the perfect
kitchen. They will help you steer through the myriad decisions
you will be called upon to make – from initial layout
of the kitchen design through to the final fitting. They
will be able to outline the pros and cons of various materials
for cabinets, worktops and floors. Give you the information
you need to weigh up the benefits of bespoke kitchens.
You’ll find out about the choices to be made and
what to take into consideration before you make them. We
can point you to websites that will provide more details
on particular aspects of the project in which you are especially
interested. In short, we invite you to benefit from our
expertise and make the whole experience as straightforward
as possible.
Furthermore, get it right and you can look forward to
enjoying the benefits of your kitchen for many years to
come.
For more information on bespoke and fitted kitchens, then
you can visit the Kitchen
Buyers Guide which will provide
you with further hints and tips on kitchen products.
For
a Brochure on Kitchens, click here! Get
information from companies that operate in your local
area.
Designing and Planning the kitchen layout
Top tips
- Think about who you will use your kitchen – and
how
- Retain existing service points where possible
- Keep the ‘magic triangle’ of sink,
cooker and fridge
Designing a new bespoke kitchen is not as easy as it first
appears so, in an age when virtually all kitchen suppliers
provide free advice and 3-D computer-generated mock-ups,
most people simply hand over their kitchen measurements
and ask to see a plan.
 You can’t opt out entirely, though, because only
you can decide what kind of kitchen you want. Will it be
fitted or free-standing? Off the shelf or bespoke? What
type of units, flooring, lighting … so many decisions
to make. However, any kitchen retailer worth his salt will
know what questions to ask before starting a design.
The kitchen is the heart of the home so while food preparation
may be the main activity it is rarely the only one. Your
lifestyle will impact on how you plan to use your kitchen – it
may also be used for laundry, dining, entertaining, socialising – even
for homework or as an office.
Single people and childless couples will have different
requirements from families with small offspring. Similarly,
the needs of those who dine out frequently will differ
greatly from those of families who take all their meals
together at home.
Whatever your lifestyle, though, the physical dimensions
of your kitchen will, to some extent, determine the design
and what equipment you have and where you put it. Remember
not to overfill small kitchens – these should have
a simple, uncluttered look unless you want permanent claustrophobia.
Among your first decisions of your design is where to
site your sink, drainer and dishwasher – remembering
to retain the position of existing service points if possible,
since re-wiring and re-plumbing can cut a swathe through
your budget. Bear in mind, though, that track lighting
above the work surfaces is a real boon – alterations
to existing wiring to incorporate this and spot lighting
above cooking and preparation areas shouldn’t break
the bank. And work out where electrical appliances will
go to ensure you have plenty of power points where you
need them.
If your kitchen is large enough to dine in, work out where
to site the table or breakfast bar and stools/chairs. In
a big kitchen the dining area will take a substantial part
of the space. Decide which part of the room you want to
commit to seating and work your kitchen design around it.
Think too, about heating, this is also important to your
kitchen design. Radiators are fine but, with space at a
premium in most kitchens, under floor heating is a popular
option that can be used under tiled, slate and timber flooring.
As well as freeing up precious floor and wall space, the
advantages include easy installation, low running costs
and no maintenance required.
Once you have made all the important decisions, you can
then look forward to having the kitchen fitted by your
selected kitchen installation company!
For a Brochure on Kitchens,
click here! Get information
from companies that operate in your local area.
|
