Renovating a kitchen is an important investment as it will create a more pleasant space for you to cook in and socialize. At the same time, you will be increasing the value of your home. Of course, there is a lot to think about, from which style to choose to all the essential practical details. Just as the kitchen should look and feel homely, it should also be functional and easy to clean. 

In this article, we give you our best tips on things you need to know before planning and estimating new kitchen fitting.

Plan, plan, plan

It is not entirely wrong to say that preparation is half the work. If you are planning to renovate your kitchen or get a brand new one, the more you have thought through your wishes and needs, the better the result. Regardless of the size of your budget, it is important to consider and plan everything properly before you begin your kitchen fitting. Given the number of options there are for renovation and new kitchen fitting prices, it is important to plan this out beforehand. 

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Identify your needs

To start off – take it easy. Do not try to plan the kitchen in the blink of an eye. A kitchen renovation takes time and it is probably one of the more significant changes you will make in your home. Therefore, you want to be completely sure that you have thought through all decisions, not once but twice.

Before doing anything else, you should identify and prioritize your needs. What is worth keeping and what needs to be replaced? The most important thing is how you intend to use the kitchen. 

Perhaps there are many members of your household with a knack for cooking, so you might need a larger refrigerator or more space for cooking accessories.

No matter the trend at the moment, be sure to figure out what is most important to you in your everyday life and let it pave the way in your kitchen planning.

Sketch the space

To get an idea of what you have to work with, you can make a simple drawing of the room. What existing factors are there to take into account, like water, electricity, and ventilation? How high are the windows and in which direction does the kitchen door open? Also find out which walls, if any, are load-bearing.

At this stage, it is good to plan for the location of the light sources, so that it can be made as invisible as possible. If you start with this too late, the lighting must adapt to the existing interior, which can be trickier to get it to look nice. The same goes for plumbing, especially if you plan to change the layout of the pipes in any way.

Study materials

The materials you choose play a big role in how the kitchen is experienced – both practically and aesthetically. The material in everything from the worktop and kitchen doors to the floor and backsplash will affect the durability, appearance, and functionality of your new kitchen. 

Do you like to take care of your things? Some materials require almost no maintenance while others need to be cared for so they can last. Are you careful by nature or you simply don’t pay much attention? Some materials withstand scratches and shocks much better than others.

Choose the right floor plan

The floor plan lays the foundation for how smooth your kitchen will be to maneuver around. Therefore, spend some extra time on this step. How you place the different parts and work surfaces of the room determines whether it will be easy to move, cook, and clean the kitchen. 

A workflow is crucial, and in kitchen terms, this is usually called “the golden triangle”. The goal is to create a work zone where the stove, refrigerator, and sink are not too far apart as these are the most used areas.

If you have a pull-out pantry, it should be placed so that it can be reached from both sides. The kitchen fan may not be something most of us think about so much, but it also needs to be placed correctly so that the workflow is not hindered. If it is mounted too high, for example, the effect can decrease, while a fan placed too low can obscure the view during cooking. 

The sink is also very important for successful kitchen planning. Based on your needs to identify the type of sink you need – a double sink can be good if you often wash dishes, while a single large sink may suffice if you want to be able to rinse large wok pans and pots. Just keep in mind that the larger the sink, the larger the base cabinet.

Fix efficient storage

Sensible storage is an important part of any successful kitchen planning. Here, too, you earn a lot from starting from your own needs and planning accordingly. Tools and machines that you use often should be stored where you can easily reach them, while the more obscure gadgets can be stowed away. 

In other words, the frying pan you use every day for your breakfast eggs can have a place of honor in one of the easily accessible cupboards, while the ice cream machine you received as a gift ten years ago, which you have not used since should not have to take up space on the counter.

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A common mistake in kitchen planning is not using the walls enough. This is especially important in small kitchens where you need to free up as much workspace as possible. By investing in efficient wall storage, such as corner cabinets or hooks for pots and pans, the worktop avoids being cluttered with things and you benefit from the kitchen’s full capacity.

Electricity and lighting

You can never get too many outlets in a kitchen. Plan many electrical outlets and make sure that they are placed so that each work surface can be reached. Invest in even lighting that leaves no dark, unlit corners. 

A dimmer is a good way to be able to adjust the brightness depending on whether you want a light for working or a light for a cozy atmosphere. Spotlights in the ceiling are a good way to get even and nice general lighting.

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Final Words

All of the abovementioned tips are key before embarking on the journey of planning a new kitchen fitting. Such a project can get out of hand if the ground rules are not set firmly in place. The more time you spend on planning, the smoother the process will go and it will help you avoid stressful surprises. With simple forethought, it can roll smoothly and your kitchen can be turned into a more beautiful, efficient, and pleasant place where you will be able to share delicious meals and create memories with your family and loved ones.