Top Considerations When Planning Your Fitted Kitchen

Before seeking out and comparing kitchen quotes, you need to understand your requirements and preferences inside out. This way, when you obtain quotes, you are comparing ‘like for like’ and can make a clear comparison of which kitchen fitters are worth your money. Understanding your needs and tastes also means you’ll end up with a kitchen remodel which works for you.

Lifestyle

A kitchen can be used for cooking, catching up with family and greeting visitors into your home, and can double up as a dining room, a utility room or an entertainment space. Think about your lifestyle. Which kitchen styles and features best suit how you are going to use the space?A beautiful and stylish kitchen is worthless if it doesn’t suit your lifestyle. An avid cook may dream of a top-of-the-range double oven, lots of clever storage space and plenty of work surfaces. Families may want to create a large welcoming family dining area, with lots of space around a large table or breakfast bar for children to sit. Or perhaps eating out is more your thing and you want to update your small kitchen to a sleek compact unit? Those who are keen on partying or entertaining guests could look into a kitchen with a bar and wine chiller or an elegant dining space.

Size and Shape

The size and shape of your room will greatly influence which kitchen shapes fit. Galley or twin galley kitchens have units along one wall or two parallel walls, making them ideal for long, narrow spaces. L kitchens and U kitchens are ideal for those who want to maximise surface space, and you have the option to include an island unit or breakfast bar. Online kitchen planning tools can help you see which shape best suits your available space, and brochures can give a better idea of how the finished room will look.

Materials and Budget

Fitted kitchens come in a wealth of different styles, colours and materials. Of course, material choice depends largely on how much you want to spend, but achieving a particular look is available on any budget. Urban, country, vintage or contemporary style kitchens can be made with different materials - high quality solid wood or more affordable MDF, chipboard covered with foil or veneers, or gloss finishes. Complementary countertops come in a similarly wide range of materials. You may find brochures and pictures useful, and tips, advice and free kitchen quotes are available online.