How to Plan a Kitchen
For the more ambitious amongst us, this could be a project requiring architects and expert building skills, including plastering to get new wall surfaces perfect. But there are kitchen designs which a keen DIY aficionado could carry out (although plumbing, gas appliance installation and wiring will generally always require qualified, expert intervention).
Begin with a list of all the things your lifestyle requires. Is the kitchen a dining area, too? Or is it just a place to do the cooking? Do you need space for washing machines, tumble driers, and dishwashers, or do you have a utility room for these?
Start with a blank canvass; keep in mind all the present inconveniences and plan where appliances could be relocated to make life easier. For example, making a triangle between the cooker, the fridge and the sink immediately creates a more efficient working environment. Shifting doors and windows or adding extensions will require more expense and expert input. An upgrade of this magnitude is getting into the realm of property development – you’ll need more than a few painting and decorating skills for this.
But replacing old floor coverings with water-resistant laminate or ceramic tiles is no big deal, and water pipes, gas pipes and electrical cables can be relatively easily repositioned with a little professional help. Plan for plenty of sockets and upgrade the lighting. Directing light over work surfaces is especially important, and mood lighting can easily be installed under wall cupboards. With a little planning and grafting, you’ll have a dream kitchen in no time.