Kitchens Guide – Complete Walk Through To Planning A Stunning Kitchen

I absolutely love kitchens. I have so many memories of me with my aunts, my mom and my grandma’s spending the majority of our time in kitchens. It was always the safest place for me when I was a kid. Even now, to this day, if its been a rough one I always go to my kitchen and start cooking. Making the house smell like Heaven, creating something both nourishing in mind body and soul, is simply one of my favorite ways to cope when things get hard. My own kitchen is absolutely DIY right down to building my own cabinets and counter tops. My sink I pulled out of a shed lol and I love every bit of it!

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)

Kitchens come in various shapes and sizes.

Everyone has an idea in their mind about what their new kitchen should look like and making this a reality can be an enjoyable process. However, buying a new kitchen can also be confusing and stressful. What should you be considering in terms of layouts and design? What do you use your kitchen for and what space do you have?

There are so many aspects when you’re thinking of buying one of the many kitchens for sale across the country that it can be overwhelming to start with. 

It’s only natural that you want the best new kitchen for your home.

Many people opt for luxury kitchens since they spend a lot of time in this room, either cooking or socializing with family members.

The kitchen really is the social hub of the modern home and up to the minute, luxury kitchens can create a wonderful environment for any family to prepare food and relax in. However, you may be concerned about the costs of these exclusive-looking kitchens. 

It’s true that there are numerous companies offering luxury and designer kitchens to eager homeowners and landlords. However, the costs of these can quickly spiral and you may despair of finding luxury kitchens for sale that match both your aspirations and your budget. Thinking outside the box could help.

Larger companies who have wide brand recognition generally have prices to match their standing in the industry.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that their luxury and designer kitchens are better than their smaller rivals, although it can seem that way. There are certainly ways of developing your ideal luxury kitchen on a budget. It may mean more effort on your part; but if you research your options carefully, then you needn’t compromise on the quality of your new kitchen.  

The Beauty Of Contemporary Kitchens

Modern design methods have revolutionized the way kitchens are developed and utilized by families. Contemporary kitchens are the focal point of a home and, generally, they place an emphasis on the benefits of modern technology.

This can make even the smallest of kitchens in contemporary styles stunning to the eye and hugely versatile. When you first start browsing the kitchen designs and units on offer, you might be disheartened by the belief that you will require a large space to benefit from modern designs.

The truth is, any size of kitchen can be modern in design and the best kitchens are the ones that make the best use of whatever space you have. 

One very popular form of modern kitchen design is the trend towards gloss kitchens. Gloss furniture looks beautiful in any room and utilizing it in the kitchen ensures a clean feeling and brightness in your kitchen that makes the room feel more spacious.

However, beware one issue that has occurred with gloss kitchen manufacturers in recent years: some of the wood and processes on offer are not as sturdy as they could be. This is where ensuring that you buy kitchens for sale from a reputable company that really cares about its customers is vital. 

Do You Want A Fitted Kitchen?

When you’re looking at modernizing a tired old home, you might well be inclined to install a fitted kitchen into your property.

The beauty of fitted kitchens compared to traditional kitchens is most importantly geared around their space-saving qualities. Cluttered kitchens are neither useful nor very attractive, and they can easily look tired and worn.

Kitchen units that are fitted can ensure that your kitchen is both functional and stylish. If you choose the right kitchen from reputable suppliers in the UK, you will be able to enjoy your quality kitchen for years to come.

There are plenty of modern fitted kitchen designs on the market that will suit any taste. For instance, you may be interested in shaker kitchens. These classic and simple kitchen designs provide durability in wooden styles.

One of the most popular aspects of shaker kitchens is that they strike the middle ground between traditional and modern kitchens, offering a brilliant compromise for many households. The versatility of fitted kitchens, and of shaker kitchens especially, ensure that you can put your own stamp on the kitchen units in some way or another. You might be buying a kitchen from a supplier, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be especially yours.

Can Cheap Kitchens Be Good Kitchens?

If you’re hoping to renovate your kitchen on a budget, you’ll probably be attracted by the many cheap kitchens offered by suppliers across the country. Complete kitchens at a cheap price can be a bargain, as long as you buy from a reputable supplier. 

There are many pitfalls to beware of when purchasing kitchens that are cheap from small companies with no proven track record or recommendations.

For example, you may end up with low-quality timber or other materials and this can affect the durability and functionality of your kitchen. Similarly, beware of cast-offs from other designs and suppliers eager to get certain defunct products off their hands. 

All that said, a value kitchen doesn’t have to be a bad kitchen.

There are also plenty of DIY kitchen options available. Again, there are pitfalls to keep in mind, especially if you have no fitting experience. It might be better to select a value kitchen and an installation service rather than attempting DIY on a more luxurious set of kitchen units.

Also remember that one of the most vital aspects of your new kitchen is the kitchen worktop, and these need to look absolutely perfect. 

Air quality is critical too, especially in a kitchen whereby you’re going to be cooking a lot. This is something a lot of people overlook when it comes to kitchen planning, and they live to regret it. People tend to use different sources while cooking in the kitchen, including gas, electricity, and wood, all of which create a different source of air pollution. There are air purifiers on the market, but you must choose with care.

We recommend watching this piece on Molekule Review – What Wirecutter’s review isn’t telling you for more information.

DIY Kitchens – Options And Pitfalls

DIY kitchen options have been available for many years. However, they have gained in popularity with the advent of better materials available at lower cost. Now, when you’re browsing the ranges of kitchens for sale, you might be put off by some of the price tags.

However, if you look at DIY kitchen options, you may still be able to afford the kitchen of your dreams with a little self-assembly required. If this sounds like something you’re able to do, there are many benefits. As with all DIY projects, though, there are things to be aware of. 

Benefits Of DIY Kitchens 

The most notable benefit of DIY kitchens is that you’re the one in control.

You get to choose everything, from the style to the sort of materials you want to use for the cabinets and the worktops. Plus, because you’ve chosen the DIY options, they’ll be much cheaper than the professionally installed alternatives.

If you’re searching for a DIY cheap kitchen and you have the skills to install it, you can choose as little or as many units as you need for your particular space.

There’s no need to go along with what a supplier wants to offer you and, in addition, the pricing policies of companies selling DIY kitchen options are generally more transparent. You’ll know exactly what you’re getting in terms of fixtures and you’ll be able to factor those into your budget without any hidden costs popping up along the way. 

Choosing DIY fitted kitchens doesn’t mean you’re skimping on the quality of materials.

If you shop with a reputable supplier, you’ll receive the same quality materials as you would if you were purchasing a fully assembled kitchen. Along with the benefits of cost and choice, there are also benefits in relation to time to consider when you contemplate DIY kitchens.

For example, it’s much easier to control when you want to install your kitchen if you’re simply accommodating your own schedule and not a professional’s.

Finally, installing your new DIY can leave you with a tremendous sense of pride every time you open a cupboard door. 

Things To Beware Of With DIY Fitted Kitchen Options

As well as the benefits to DIY kitchens, it’s also worth remembering there are drawbacks too. Your DIY fitted kitchen may not turn out quite the way you intended and it’s wise to consider the risks prior to purchase. One of the major issues is that you don’t have the necessary skills to install your new kitchen correctly.

A kitchen comes under a lot of pressure in its lifetime. It deals with a lot of heat and changes in temperature, and it’s susceptible to problems such as damp. When you install your new kitchen, it isn’t simply about putting the right pieces in the right places, but about showcasing them properly and assembling the DIY kitchen worktops, cabinets and base units to the best of their potential. It’s also about putting a professional finish on the kitchen. 

If you’re going to install a DIY kitchen, you’ll need to have carpentry skills, along with knowledge of plumbing, electrical installations and tiling. As you can tell, kitchen fitting is not for the amateur.

There are many things that can go wrong, from the simple drilling of a hole in the wrong place to the complete destabilization of the units by incorrect assembly. It’s a shame to save money on the cost of installing a new kitchen professionally only to require a professional to come in and help you salvage it.

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)