Guide to planning your kitchen

Kitchens are one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your home and you could spend anywhere between £1,000 and £8,000+ for a new kitchen. Obviously you’ll want a kitchen that will last well for decades to come, so it pays to know your stuff when it comes to buying.

Your first job should be to take note of everything you like about your existing kitchen. Just because you’re planning a refit doesn’t mean there aren’t elements you can implement in the new look.

Now think about the bits and bobs you’d like to have, separating them into two lists of “would like to have” and “need to have”. Once you have this don’t forget about the essentials. The basic look of your kitchen includes work surfaces, flooring and splashbacks, so think about the style you wish to have.

Once you have all this in place you’re in a position to start visiting kitchen showrooms. Don’t just go for the well-known brands because there are plenty of independent kitchen companies who will offer great prices and products.

Now, whilst impulse buys can be great on a normal day shopping, it certainly shouldn’t be taken up when hunting for your next kitchen. Take the time to shop around and get an idea of different styles and designs. You also never know if a better offer is just around the corner. With the kitchen you will need to spend money to get quality, however there are ways to save.

For starters, you could easily get away with paying less for appliances. If you’re 100% sure you need a new fridge, washing machine or dishwasher etc (and many times you probably won’t), it doesn’t hurt to go for a lower spec product from a quality brand.

Another way to make some big savings is with the work surface. Granite is very popular because of its incredible appeal but comes with a huge price tag. Save some money and choose a faux stone laminate that looks the same and works out a lot cheaper.

The tiling is another area where savings are achievable, dependent on how much you really want to save. Rather than paying out for an expensive tile display you could simply have a statement panel behind the hob or sink.

As a word of caution, there are some areas of the kitchen you shouldn’t really skimp on and this tends to be the parts of the kitchen you don’t see. Because of the daily wear and tear on hinges, drawer runners and cupboard carcases, it pays to invest in good quality materials.

Unless you’re a handy DIY expert then it also pays to bring in a professional kitchen fitter. Fitting a kitchen is hard work and not for the everyday man. Not only is there plumbing and gas works to contend with, but cupboards need to be fit and worktops cut. Specialist tools are therefore needed and you’ll need the knowhow.

Tom Crosswell

I have been managing online projects since 1999 and I'm a experienced marketeer, who is well versed in international brand management, online business strategy and developing long term relationships. Through my academic and professional background I am a specialist in generating online loyalty towards brands. My experience has taught me that ultimately business is about relationships and people. For more information see my Google+ page.