It can be difficult to know where to start when designing a new kitchen. The chances are, you’re reading this because you’re planning to fit your kitchen yourself. It’s a tough job, especially if you’ve never done something like this before, but at least you’re saving a small fortune by cutting out the designers. Make sure you’re happy with your budget now.
Budget
It’s best to aim a bit over your initial budget, just in case things go wrong. DIY can be a great choice when things go right, but expenses can sky-rocket once you start accidentally breaking tiles for example. If you’re trying to really cut down those costs, consider buying appliances on sale that may have dents and scratches on them, especially if you can hide those imperfections with cupboards and other appliances.
Countertops And Cupboards
Speaking of cupboards, durability and longevity should be your focus when contemplating your cupboards and countertops. If you can, find good quality, sturdy materials for these parts. There’s nothing worse than fitting a kitchen only to accidentally take a chunk out of the worktop because you chose to use tiles for the surface. Using materials such as granite, quartz, or marble is a far better idea than skimping on the cost. You could also choose a composite stone material for your worktops which can be more affordable and surprisingly, more resilient than marble. Try buying from companies such as Coulon Stone, who aim to source the best natural stone, whilst also being conscious of reducing their own impact on the environment. Always remember, the cheaper the materials, the easier they are to degrade and need replacing. You may end up spending even more in the end.
Layout
Getting this step wrong can spell out disaster for the rest of the project. First, you need to make sure you’re happy with the layout. Deciding where everything is going aesthetically is important, but also that everything can go where you want it. There is not much point in putting the sink somewhere difficult to connect to the water pipes. A balance of the aesthetically pleasing and functionality is key here. The most important thing to consider with your appliances is whether they will fit or not! Therefore you must be absolutely certain your measurements are correct or face the dreaded steps it takes to resize and refit countertops and cupboards.
Colour
When deciding on a colour scheme, go with your cabinets first. These tend to eat up a majority of your budget and are usually the first thing that people will notice when entering the room. Build the rest of your choices on the back of this initial decision. Your appliance colour choices should come second. You need to make sure you’re picking items that complement your cabinets now. White goods go well with white or very bright cabinets, whilst stainless steel go well with darker or vibrant colours like browns or greens.
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