A new kitchen is one of the biggest projects most homes ever take on, and nearly every problem we see could have been avoided at the planning stage. Work through these steps in order and you will have everything a designer needs to turn your ideas into a kitchen that works.
1. Measure the room and draw a plan
Start with a simple sketch of the room, then measure every wall at worktop height and near the floor, as walls are rarely perfectly straight. Measure in millimetres: that is what kitchen manufacturers work in, and it avoids rounding errors.
- The length of every wall, corner to corner, and the ceiling height.
- Doors and windows: their width, height, the distance from each corner, and the height of window sills from the floor.
- Which way each door opens, and which walls are external and which are internal.
- Anything that can’t easily move: radiators, boiler, soil pipe, gas meter, chimney breast, boxing-in and beams.
Windows, doors and boxing-in decide where tall units, wall units and the sink can go, so it is worth getting these right before you think about styles or colours. If you have a boiler in the kitchen, note its make and model: it may need to be housed in a cabinet with the right clearances.
2. Mark the services
Add the position of existing sockets, switches, the cold water supply, the waste pipe and any gas supply. Moving the sink or hob is usually possible, but it adds plumbing, gas or electrical work to the budget, so it helps to know from the start what is already where.
3. Plan your sockets and lighting
A kitchen refit is the ideal time to add sockets, because the walls will already be disrupted. Most households have a kettle, toaster and microwave on the worktop, but think about everything else you use regularly: coffee machine, food mixer, air fryer, phone chargers. Plan where each one will live and put sockets there.
Integrated appliances also need their own supply, usually behind an adjacent unit with a switched spur above the worktop so they can be isolated. Think about lighting at the same time (our kitchen lighting guide covers the options), as the first-fix wiring is done before any cabinets go in.
4. Work out your storage
Go through your current cupboards and be honest about what you own and how often you use it. Everyday items should be within easy reach of where they are used; occasional items can go higher up or further away.
- Pan drawers are easier to use than cupboards for heavy pots and plates.
- Corner units with pull-out or carousel fittings stop blind corners going to waste.
- Tall larder units put a lot of storage into a small footprint.
- Open shelving or a dresser can display things you use every day.
5. Choose your appliances
Appliances can take a big share of the budget, and their sizes shape the whole layout, so choose them early. Start with a wish list, split it into must-haves and nice-to-haves, and balance it against the budget. Decide early whether you want built-in (integrated) or freestanding appliances, and whether the oven goes under the hob or in a tall housing at eye level.
6. Pick your worktops
Worktop materials differ in cost, durability and upkeep, so pick one that suits how you use the kitchen.
- Laminate is the most affordable option and comes in a huge range of colours and effects.
- Solid timber looks warm and can be sanded back, but it needs oiling regularly and care around the sink.
- Quartz and granite are hard-wearing and resist heat and staining, but they are templated after the cabinets are fitted, so allow for the extra lead time.
- Glass and very dark gloss finishes show scratches and marks more easily, which matters in a busy family kitchen.
7. Set your budget
Decide on a total figure, then allow for everything that isn’t cabinets and doors: worktops, appliances, sink and tap, handles, lighting, flooring, tiling or splashbacks, fitting, electrics, plumbing, plastering and decorating. Keeping around 10% back as a contingency means a surprise behind the old units won’t derail the project.
Points to remember
- The work triangle links the sink, hob and fridge. Keep the total distance between the three to about 7 metres or less, with nothing blocking the route.
- Leave at least 1,200mm between facing runs of units so two people can work and pass comfortably.
- Leave at least 400mm between an open door and the nearest unit opposite.
- In a narrow room, reduced-depth base units can gain valuable floor space. Ask us what is available in your chosen range.
- Wall units usually sit 450–500mm above the worktop. Check the extractor manufacturer’s minimum height above the hob.
- Put a stretch of worktop beside the hob, sink and fridge, so there is always somewhere to put things down.
Once you have your measurements and a rough idea of what you want, send them to us. We will draw your kitchen with a floor plan, 3D images and an itemised quote, free of charge.
