Top 10 Tips for Designing a New Kitchen
Neil Norton Design
11 years ago
Top 10 Tips for Designing a New Kitchen
The kitchen is the hub of the home, so it’s vital to get it right. We asked expert Neil Norton for his advice on doing it properly.
The kitchen’s function has changed in recent years. Once a space designed primarily with food preparation in mind, the modern kitchen has become the centrepiece of the family home. The evolution of this room means that it’s commonly the area of the home we spend most money on. So getting it right is crucial. Expert Neil Norton, owner of Open Plan Designs, gives us his top 10 tips for designing a new kitchen.
1. Talk to a designer early on – as early as the architect stage. Have the designer sketch out the units and layout. Make sure they note the kitchen worktop height and depth of your cabinets, or the architect will work to a standard modular size. It’s important to iron out these details early on, as it will influence the architect’s decisions re. windows, doors, steels, etc.
2. Decide on the style of kitchen you want – whether that’s traditional, contemporary, or something else entirely. Starting this process early will help you avoid having to make rushed decisions.
3. When designing the layout, make sure you’ve allowed enough space for people to pass comfortably. A space of around 1 to 1.2 metres should be sufficient.
4. Make a list of the cabinets you’ve had in the past, setting out what you liked and – more importantly – disliked about them. If there’s something that particularly bugged you about your old kitchen, tell your designer. And let them know how many gadgets you have, so that they can incorporate enough storage space. The best kitchen design will allow for a clutter-free workspace.
5. Work from the ground up. Make a decision about floor colour, texture and finish, and from there it’ll be easier to pick your cabinets and worktops.
6. Shop around for appliances. Look at different manufacturers and, most importantly, consider their aftercare service. Some of the cheaper manufacturers don’t offer great follow-up care in the UK.
7. When it comes to cabinet finishes, think about the future. Painted finishes are easily changed, making them simple to update. High-gloss polyester is more durable, but hard to refresh without tearing the kitchen apart. Wood finished kitchen cabinets will discolour in direct sunlight and this should be considered at the design stage.
8. For worktops, experts are increasingly suggesting composite stone. This refined material has the elegance of natural stone and is available in a big choice of colours. It’s impervious to water and staining, and is scratch and heat resistant up to a whopping 295 degrees Fahrenheit.
9. Leave lighting to the professionals. There are many ways to illuminate your space and even more ways to do it badly.
10. Keep it simple. If you want to experiment with colour or texture, then be adventurous with your kitchen splashback ideas. Coloured splashbacks still win fashion points.
The kitchen is the hub of the home, so it’s vital to get it right. We asked expert Neil Norton for his advice on doing it properly.
The kitchen’s function has changed in recent years. Once a space designed primarily with food preparation in mind, the modern kitchen has become the centrepiece of the family home. The evolution of this room means that it’s commonly the area of the home we spend most money on. So getting it right is crucial. Expert Neil Norton, owner of Open Plan Designs, gives us his top 10 tips for designing a new kitchen.
1. Talk to a designer early on – as early as the architect stage. Have the designer sketch out the units and layout. Make sure they note the kitchen worktop height and depth of your cabinets, or the architect will work to a standard modular size. It’s important to iron out these details early on, as it will influence the architect’s decisions re. windows, doors, steels, etc.
2. Decide on the style of kitchen you want – whether that’s traditional, contemporary, or something else entirely. Starting this process early will help you avoid having to make rushed decisions.
3. When designing the layout, make sure you’ve allowed enough space for people to pass comfortably. A space of around 1 to 1.2 metres should be sufficient.
4. Make a list of the cabinets you’ve had in the past, setting out what you liked and – more importantly – disliked about them. If there’s something that particularly bugged you about your old kitchen, tell your designer. And let them know how many gadgets you have, so that they can incorporate enough storage space. The best kitchen design will allow for a clutter-free workspace.
5. Work from the ground up. Make a decision about floor colour, texture and finish, and from there it’ll be easier to pick your cabinets and worktops.
6. Shop around for appliances. Look at different manufacturers and, most importantly, consider their aftercare service. Some of the cheaper manufacturers don’t offer great follow-up care in the UK.
7. When it comes to cabinet finishes, think about the future. Painted finishes are easily changed, making them simple to update. High-gloss polyester is more durable, but hard to refresh without tearing the kitchen apart. Wood finished kitchen cabinets will discolour in direct sunlight and this should be considered at the design stage.
8. For worktops, experts are increasingly suggesting composite stone. This refined material has the elegance of natural stone and is available in a big choice of colours. It’s impervious to water and staining, and is scratch and heat resistant up to a whopping 295 degrees Fahrenheit.
9. Leave lighting to the professionals. There are many ways to illuminate your space and even more ways to do it badly.
10. Keep it simple. If you want to experiment with colour or texture, then be adventurous with your kitchen splashback ideas. Coloured splashbacks still win fashion points.
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (7)
PROReico Kitchen & Bath
11 years agoRelated Discussions
Top tips when selling your property?
Comments (41)Hello @The Picture House. Thank you! Just to touch on your point, I don't agree at all really. I think most people want to envision the property with themselves living in it, how they want to see the home. When I talked about what I look for, it was from a personal viewpoint. I don't need to see anything added to see if the place is worth something. (Not financial) I'm talking structural and aesthetics. The "bones" of the place, if you like. Also potential has nothing to do with clean, tidy, or adding a few objects, just reading your pointers. Potential isn't styling, it has to do with architectural details and the capacity for renovation or restructuring. If that is what is sought. For that you need an eye for these details and there are a lot of people who are very clued up and interested in this area. Talking from experience that is. I think the problem with selling, is knowing your market and who you're selling to. Knowing your property and how to market it (at the time) to its fullest potential. Marketing your property for who you want to sell it to. So whoever it is can see what they can add- if at all! However, what a client is looking for from their purchase will largely dictate the type of property they seek. Interestingly some "interior designed" property renovated for sale are some of the worst examples of boring,bland and unimaginative. I would argue the use of the term "Interior designed" It comes down to style and taste which is diverse and individual. Displaying the architectural elements to their fullest. In short, it takes.. Charisma! AJ...See More10 questions you should ask when starting a kitchen design project
Comments (0)Hi all, As a bespoke kitchen maker, we always get asked similar questions in regards to design, style and functionality. As such, we've compiled a list of the top 10 questions that can help clients when starting a new kitchen design project. Let us know if you'd add anything and please feel free to share if this helps. Find the article here: 10 Questions to Ask...See MoreTop 10 Kitchen design tips.
Comments (1)Top 10 kitchen design tips: The kitchen’s function has changed in recent years. Once a space designed primarily with food preparation in mind, the modern kitchen has become the centrepiece of the family home. The evolution of this room means that it’s commonly the area of the home we spend most money on. So getting it right is crucial. 1) Talk to a designer or sketch out the units and layout including; depth of cabinets as well as worktop height. This is an important stage as it will influence location of supporting steel, windows and doors. 2) Visit showrooms, read reviews and think about what kitchen style you want- contemporary? Traditional?... Thinking about this in early stages will avoid taking rushed decisions and overpaying. 3) While designing the layout of the kitchen make sure that there will be enough space for people to pass comfortably (usually space of around 1-1.5m). 4) Do your homework! Search about different materials that your kitchen can be made from (e.g. Chipboard? MDF? Wood?). This will help to get the best value of money as you will know what to expect. 5) Think what cabinets you had in the past, what did you like and more importantly- dislike about them. Make sure that you tell this to your architect/designer. This is an important step as you will have to live years with the new kitchen. 6) Start thinking about your wall colours, ceiling colours and flooring. This will help to pick cabinet colours as well as worktop. 7) When it comes to cabinet finishes, think about the future. Spray paint finishes are more durable and easy to re-spray. Wood finished kitchen cabinets will discolour in direct sunlight and this should be considered at the design stage. 8). Leave lighting to the professionals. There are many ways to illuminate your space and even more ways to do it badly. 9) Start thinking about a splashback; glass? Tiles? Colour? Texture? 10) Relax and enjoy your kitchen. At A&S Kitchen Wardrobe we believe in putting quality first. Our range of Kitchens and Wardrobes are designed specifically with you, the customer in mind. We will call out and measure your available space, then discuss with you the best way to maximise it. Creating beautiful Kitchens and Wardrobes that will last and last. We never cut corners on quality. Our kitchen offer: -Professional measurements. -Designing the kitchen (any style, any finish- over 3500 colours). -Manufacturing the kitchen. -Fitting kitchen (including first and second fix). -Supplying and fitting worktops (over 120 stone worktops to choose from). -Supplying and fitting splashback. Are you thinking of having a kitchen or bedroom makeover? Why not contact us today! (last chance to have your project finished before Christmas). Award: Best of Houzz Service 2017 - Client Satisfaction Website: www.kitchenwardrobe.com Houzz: www.houzz.co.uk/pro/kitchen-wardrobe Facebook: www.facebook.com/askitchenwardrobe/ Please tell us what you think about those 10 tips! Your faithfully, Patryk, A&S Kitchen Wardrobe...See MoreWhat design for my new kitchen?
Comments (14)Hi Sal, I have a ceramic sink that sits on top of my wooden worktop, so that may be a better option with laminate? It has got quite scratched, but it’s 10 years old so not bad really. kitchen colours are a personal thing, so there isn’t one that’s the best as such. Looking at what people I know have had, they are dark grey, dark navy, pale grey and pale taupe (often called cashmere). For me, if I had to choose a new kitchen it would be pale green, but I love green. I would hate a dark kitchen, but that’s just me. Also have a think about style. Do you want shiny, modern, handless or a matt finish shaker kitchen which has a nod to traditional but still modern. When we can get out again, have a look round some showrooms to get a feel of what you do and don’t like. Don’t rush into anything, get some kitchen companies to do some designs for you, take your time. This is similar to my “sits on the worktop” sink and they are available everywhere. In fact I think it is my sink! 😊...See More- PRO
Reico Kitchen & Bath
11 years ago 
PROFuturo Futuro Kitchen Range Hoods
11 years ago- PRO
Futuro Futuro Kitchen Range Hoods
11 years ago 
dramaqueenuk
3 years ago
PROOnePlan
3 years ago
Neil Norton DesignOriginal Author