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Cooking up your dream kitchen


To support self-builders who are looking to create their dream kitchen, Debra Hutt of Wren Kitchens shares her insights into how to get the most out of the process.


ith homeowners generally upgrading or replacing their kitchen space every 15-20 years, a new kitchen is a substantial commitment, both in terms of time and financially so it’s important to make sure you get the design process right. Many people are keen to be involved in their own kitchen design from the very beginning, to bring their own thoughts to life with the help of retailers.


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WHERE SHOULD YOU START WHEN DESIGNING A KITCHEN?


Making the most of your kitchen space is one of the most important aspects of any design. No matter how big or small the room you’re striving to make efficient use of every square metre. Therefore, settling on a layout that you’re confident will open up the space you have available is a non-negotiable starting point for any


firsttime kitchen planners. hether it’s the positioning of the worktops to maximise room for food prep and home working, or the strategic placement of larger appliances such as your fridge, wine cooler and oven, you should be tactful to ensure the kitchen space works for you and other family members. n recent years we’ve seen an increase in demand for kitchen islands – if that is a feature at the core of your design, be mindful of how you utilise the space around it to make sure it doesn’t overwhelm the room.


Self-builders should consider whether they want in-built or free-standing appliances, as these will also impact the space utilised in the overall kitchen. Bigger, heavier appliances are often installed last with any kitchen fitting so the best practice is to have your entire design mapped out, so that features like cupboards, shelving and worktops are in place for the appliances to slot in to complete the room.


HOW CAN YOU INCORPORATE THE BEST STORAGE SOLUTIONS INTO YOUR KITCHEN? reating smart and efficient space for storage is key to any kitchen design. Maximising available space helps homeowners ensure their kitchens will be safe, practical and tidy.


Consider the positioning and size of your kitchen cabinets, feature units, cupboards and shelves to see what works best. When mapping out the kitchen itself, you may be surprised at the amount of storage space you can find in what appears to be a limited room. hether that’s installing inbuilt


corner units, introducing draw inserts or including open shelving for a more spacious look and feel, there are so many things you can do to increase the storage potential of your kitchen, without compromising on the style element. Kitchen designers can help any household fine tune their vision to suit their taste and needs.


HOW IMPORTANT IS GETTING THE RIGHT COLOUR FOR YOUR KITCHEN DESIGN? As much as the practical side of a kitchen is fundamental to any design it’s also important to get the colour scheme and aesthetic right to effectively personalise your space.


epending on what you’re looking to achieve with your kitchen, the colour palette choices can have a huge impact on the overall feel of the room, with more


12 www.sbhonline.co.uk nov/dec 2024


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