05 Jul Buying your first kitchen? Here’s what to know before you start
For most of us, buying a new kitchen is not something we do very often in our lives.
A kitchen renovation is a much bigger decision. It is one of the hardest-working rooms in the home, one of the most significant investments you are likely to make in your property, and often part of a wider building or renovation project.
A lot of our clients are planning their first ‘proper’ kitchen. They may have lived with a kitchen they inherited when they bought the house. They may be extending for the first time. They may have received an inheritance and want to invest it in their home by renovating it. They may have spent years saving ideas on Pinterest or Instagram, but still feel unsure how those ideas translate into a practical, costed and buildable design.
So, if it’s your first time doing it and you’re not sure where to start, you’re not alone, and you’ve come to the right place!
You do not need to have all the answers
One of the most common misconceptions about starting a kitchen project is that you need to arrive at your design consultation with everything decided and figured out so you can give a tight brief.
You do not need to know the exact layout, the final colour, the worktop material, the appliances, or whether you want drawers, cupboards, pantry storage, a boiling water tap, an island, or a peninsula. This is all part of the design process where you get to explore all these things with a designer guiding you on quality, durability, style, practicality and cost.
It is useful to have some thoughts about what you like and dislike, but the design process is there to help you work through the options. At the end of the initial design consultation, you should feel clearer about what you want to achieve in your home, not more overwhelmed.
At Kitchens Bespoke, we usually begin by understanding your home, your lifestyle and what is prompting the change. Are you replacing a tired kitchen in the same space? Are you opening up the back of the house? Are you working with an architect or builder? Are you trying to create a better family space, a more sociable entertaining space, or a calmer, more practical kitchen for everyday life?
We want to make sure that every recommendation we make and idea we explore with you answers your needs.
What frustrates you with your current kitchen?
Before you get sucked into the rabbit hole of Pinterest ideas and inspiration (this is all of us!), it is worth spending some time thinking about the current one. What frustrates you every day? What’s not working for you?
Perhaps there is not enough worktop space. Perhaps the dishwasher is in the wrong place. Perhaps everyone gathers in one awkward corner. Perhaps everyone ends up in each other’s way when you’re in the kitchen, perhaps your storage looks generous, but somehow is impractical and not utilised. Perhaps it just feels cold, dark, noisy or disconnected from the garden or family areas.
These are the details we want you to bring to your design consultation. Show us your favourite Pinterest pins as well, and we’ll have everything we need to start understanding how we can redesign your space. We’re going to solve the practical issues of your current kitchen, while creating something that feels tailored to you and your lifestyle.
Think about how you want to live in the space
The best kitchens are designed around real life. That means thinking beyond cooking, and that we don’t all live inside an interiors magazine. Our kitchens often need to support a whole range of daily activities: morning coffee, children’s breakfast, homework, weekend entertaining, working from home, feeding the dog, unloading the shopping, hosting family, batch cooking, baking, different zones for soft seating and dining.
Some households are keen cooks and want all the latest tech. Others are in desperate need of clever storage solutions. Some clients want a large island where everyone can gather for cooking and seating. Others want to keep things zoned with a defined area. Many clients would love a snug incorporated with a separate utility, so they can close the door on noisy machines and laundry. We are not just looking at what will fit in your space, we’re looking at how it will function in the space and guide you on what is and isn’t possible in a room. Sometimes, not everything on a wishlist will fit, but we have plenty of clever ideas up our sleeve to explore with you.
Be honest about budget early on
Budget can feel like an uncomfortable subject, especially at the start of a project, but it is one of the most important things to discuss honestly. A realistic budget helps your designer guide you towards the right furniture, appliances, worktops and specification from the beginning. It also helps avoid disappointment later in the process. Talking budget early on doesn’t give a designer carte blanche to max out your budget; it ensures they recommend the right products and materials.
There are many ways to shape a kitchen specification. You might choose to invest in premium appliances, but keep the cabinetry simpler. You might prioritise a statement worktop, a beautiful pantry, or a more tailored furniture layout. You might decide that the best use of your budget is to solve layout and storage problems properly, rather than adding every possible extra.
The aim is not to spend more than you need to. The aim is to spend well, in the areas that will make the biggest difference to how your kitchen looks, feels and functions.
Understand the stages
Every project is different, but most kitchen journeys follow a similar rhythm. First, there is the design consultation, where we get to know your home, your brief, your style and your practical needs. From there, we begin developing a design, exploring layout options, finishes, appliances and materials.
Once the design starts to take shape, the quotation becomes an important part of the conversation. A beautiful design only works if it is aligned with your budget and the wider project.
After that, there will be revisions, a technical site survey, ordering, scheduling and installation planning. If your kitchen is part of an extension or refurbishment, we will also consider how the kitchen fits with the building work around it, so the design is not only beautiful in concept but also practical and buildable in your home.
Do not underestimate installation and project management
Installation is a major part of any kitchen project, and it is often the stage clients feel most nervous about. A well-designed kitchen still needs to be fitted properly, and there are a lot of moving parts to coordinate. Walls may not be perfectly straight. Floors may not be level. Services may need adjusting. Deliveries, trades, worktops and appliances all need scheduling in the right order.
This is where working with Kitchens Bespoke can make a huge difference. You do not have to manage every element yourself or feel responsible for coordinating builders, fitters, electricians, plumbers, decorators, worktop suppliers and appliance deliveries.
As part of our service, clients can choose to hand the project management over to us. We can liaise directly with your builder and trades, coordinate the installation stages, and ensure everyone has the information they need at the right time. If you do not already have trusted trades in place, we can also recommend local builders, tradespeople and specialists we know and work with.
For many clients, this takes one of the most stressful parts of a kitchen renovation off their shoulders completely. Instead of trying to manage the technical details, timings and trades yourself, you have an experienced team guiding the process from start to finish.
Give yourself time
A new kitchen is not usually a quick purchase, and nor should it be. You are making decisions that will affect the way you live every day for many years. It is worth taking the time to explore the design properly, understand the quotation, consider the details and ask questions.
The earlier you involve a kitchen designer, the more helpful we can be. This is especially true if you are planning building work, as decisions about walls, windows, doors, lighting, plumbing and electrics can all affect the final kitchen.
Even if you are not ready to commit, an early conversation can help you understand what is realistic, what to prioritise and what you may need to think about next.
A good kitchen designer should make the process feel clearer
If this is your first time buying a kitchen, it is completely normal to feel unsure. You may not know what things cost. You may not know what order decisions need to happen in. You may not know which ideas are practical, which are worth investing in, or which might create problems later.
That is why the right designer matters. At Kitchens Bespoke, our role is to guide you through the process, explain the options clearly and help you make confident decisions. We want your kitchen to look beautiful, but we also want it to feel considered, practical and right for your home.
So, if you are starting to think about a new kitchen and you are not quite sure where to begin, come and talk to us. Bring your ideas, your questions, your plans, your frustrations, or simply a sense that the kitchen you have now is no longer working for you. Book your free design consultation at info@kitchensbespoke.co.uk or call us on 01342 313 133
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