How to plan your perfect kitchen

With a new year upon us, now is a good time to look ahead to the home improvements you want to make this year. For many of us, a kitchen update tops the list; but how do you go about planning your perfect kitchen and what should you consider? Read on for our top tips…

Work with what you have… Begin by evaluating your current kitchen. What do you like and what really frustrates you? If you’re happy with the layout as it is, don’t stray but consider which areas of your kitchen you use the most (usually the oven, fridge and sink) and make sure these are easily accessible in your new layout.

What do you need..? Thinking about what you want from your kitchen will help you in deciding everything from the layout to the appliances. For example, will you be using your kitchen solely for heating up ready meals or do you love to spend time cooking and experimenting with different dishes? If it’s the latter, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of work surfaces for this. Are you looking to make your kitchen the social hub of your home? Your might want to consider incorporating a breakfast bar or island with seating into your design.

Storage is king… Are you desperate for more space? Look for every opportunity to maximise storage when browsing kitchens. Be on the look-out for pull-out larders, sturdy pot & pan drawers, double-shelved cupboards etc.

Think long-term… Of course, you want to put your own stamp on your kitchen, but you also want to make sure it doesn’t date quickly. Should you want to put your house on the market in future, you don’t want the design choices you make now to have a negative impact on your property’s value. Cabinets in classic shades of neutrals, monochrome and grey will stand the test of time and allow you to get creative when it comes to paint, tiles and splashbacks; which are easier to update and most importantly, less costly!

Shop around… You may fall in love with the first kitchen you see but still go and look at some more so you can be confident in your decision. Also, factor in more than just the price: what finance deals are on offer? What’s the guarantee? And pay attention to detail when it comes to quality (read more on how to determine the quality of a kitchen). You can start browsing the different kitchens from the top UK retailers and comparing price, quality and finance deals today via our independent comparison tool.

 

2017 Kitchen Design Trends

With the start of a new year, there comes an abundance of new trends to get excited about. Here are our top kitchen design trends to look out for in 2017…

(Photo: Villa Mammerhills)

Terracotta

This 1980s favourite is making a comeback this year. Rather than a solid wall of floor of terracotta, this time around the trend is for feature walls with a matte finish. It’s a great way to bring a little warmth to your kitchen.

(Photo: Megan Winters Interiors)

Metallics

Replacing the pretty pastel shades that dominated the market in 2016, metallic are the new top trend for kitchen accessories. Think cool, crisp tones in particular such as silver and metals.

(Photo: Inman.com)

Tuxedo Cabinets

Who said all of your cabinets had to be the same colour? Mix it up with two complementary shades. Tuxedo cabinets are where your lower kitchen cabinets are darker, in contrast to lighter top cabinets and shelves. Opt for a classic monochrome combination or experiment with other subtle shades such as deep blues and grey hues for a modern twist.

(Photo: HGTV)

Multi-material Surfaces

As with tuxedo cabinets, 2017 is all about the unexpected when it comes to design. From work tops to appliances, search for surfaces with varying finishes and textures such as marble, stainless steel and gold, to add depth and dimension to your kitchen design scheme.

(Wickes Milton Grey Kitchen)

Grey

Grey kitchens rose in popularity in 2016 and this year, they’re ready to cement their status as the new white. From dark grey contemporary styles to super-soft grey-hued shakers, you’re sure to find a kitchen in a shade of grey to suit your taste. Find more inspiration on 2017’s kitchen trends on our Pinterest board.

Now you know the trends to watch out for, browse the latest kitchens from the top UK retailers (and most importantly, compare their prices!) over on our website.

(Images from header sourced from Pinterest.)

Kitchen Design: How to get a Luxury Kitchen on a Budget

The festive celebrations can make saving and budgeting seem near impossible, but if you’re dreaming of a new kitchen for the New Year, don’t despair! It is possible to get a luxury feel to your kitchen without breaking the bank. Check out our top tips and you’ll be on your way to bagging your perfect kitchen before you know it.

Diva Glass Splashback

It’s all in the detail… you can add a touch of luxury in an instant by selecting interesting and attractive shapes and textures. From curved work surfaces or textured wall tiles to colourful splashbacks or an eye-catching pendant light, there are so many ways to transform your kitchen without over-spending.

 

IKEA Metod Ringhult White High Gloss Kitchen

Think classic… Most of us live with our kitchens for at least a decade before considering a refresh, so it’s important to choose colours and styles you won’t grow tired of. Sophisticated monochrome is always a good choice: black and white cabinets are brilliantly versatile so you can incorporate quick updates to your kitchen with ease, such as a fresh lick of paint, to stop you getting bored.

B&Q Cooke & Lewis Carisbrooke Ivory Framed Kitchen

Add an island… If you’re blessed with a larger space for your kitchen, definitely consider fitting an island. High on the kitchen wish list for many of us, it will make your kitchen the envy of your friends. Not only will an island give you extra storage space, but it will also act as a sociable point where your guests can gather – perfect if you enjoy entertaining. You could even consider incorporating seating into your island design to cement your kitchen’s status as the hub of social activity.

Homebase Hygena Sanvito Latte Kitchen

Choose stainless steel… The association of stainless steel with professional kitchens can immediately increase the perceived value of a kitchen. From the sink and oven to the kettle and toaster, there are so many stainless steel appliances, fixtures and fittings on the market that won’t blow your budget.

Pick your kitchen wisely… Once you’ve found a kitchen that suits your style, don’t purchase it until you’ve searched the market fully and are confident that you’re getting the best deal. We’ve made the process super easy for you – simply head to kitchencompare.com and use our independent price checker to compare the costs of kitchens from the top UK retailers, including John Lewis, B&Q and IKEA.

What are your top tips for creating a feeling of luxury in your kitchen? Share them with us on Twitter: @kitchencompare.

Kitchen Design: How To Avoid Fads

A kitchen packed full of the latest gadgets, appliances and design trends may seem like a dream but when choosing a new kitchen, it’s important to focus on the long term. Will those brightly coloured cabinets still look great in ten years’ time? Do you have space for an island or will it ultimately get in the way?

Do your best to avoid kitchen fads with our top tips…

Avoid super trendy styles

The kitchen is often the most expensive room to make over so you want to make sure it stands the test of time. Cabinets in neutral shades will stop your kitchen dating quickly. If you want to add a splash of colour, experiment with bolder paint on the walls – this is easier and less expensive to update when the shade is no longer in fashion.

Choose quality

The cabinets form the basis of your kitchen so this is where we’d recommend spending a little more of your budget. Look for soft-close hinges and drawers that open smoothly. Think practically when it comes to your work surfaces too. Glass looks ultra-modern and slick but only if you maintain it. Stains, streaks and fingerprints show up more easily on glass, so if you have young children or a busy lifestyle, you’re probably better off choosing a less high maintenance material like granite or marble.

Honour the triangle 

The triangle is the foundation of all good kitchen design. The three points to consider are the fridge, the oven and the sink – you don’t want to obstruct the flow between them as they are the most-used spots. Also, be careful when adding in a kitchen island – aim to allow at least one metre of space around it or your floor space will become too restricted.

Maximise storage

Don’t miss out on the opportunity for extra storage. The space above the refrigerator is one of the most commonly wasted storage opportunities: fit shelves here to make the most of the space. (See more kitchen storage ideas here.)

Don’t do it all yourself

The home improvement trend has seen many homeowners taking on the role of project manager. This is great for keeping costs down but it’s also important to know when to call in the experts. When dealing with gas, electricity and plumbing, you don’t want to risk potentially dangerous mistakes occurring. Handing over the job to a professional will ensure the project runs smoothly and give you peace of mind.

Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to start searching for your perfect kitchen! Compare kitchens from the top retailers using our independent price checker.

Kitchen Storage Solutions

The kitchen is the hub of the home and it’s most likely the room that’s most in need of some extra storage space. From your groceries and cleaning supplies to dinnerware and cooking utensils, it’s easy for your kitchen to become overcrowded.

But fear not, there are plenty of storage solutions out there to add extra space to even the smallest of kitchens! So spacious or cosy, modern or traditional, we’ve picked out some of the most innovative kitchen storage ideas for you:

Photo Credit: IKEA

For small kitchens, wall and door storage is a dream. Proudly displaying your finest pots, pans and utensils is a popular trend in kitchen design so take advantage. There are lots of wall hanging racks on the market that are cost-effective too, so you can turn your cookware into a stylish feature!

Photo Credit: B&Q

We’re huge fans of pull out larders in the Kitchen Compare Ideal for sneaking in extra storage into narrower spaces, you can fit more into these larders than classic kitchen cupboards. Plus, the pull-out design allows for easy access, so no more rooting around for that missing utensil!

 Photo Credit: Cue & Co. London

Utilise your fridge freezer space. If you can, fill in the gaps above and around your fridge freezer for an innovative storage solution. For example, this creative wine rack is an ingenious idea!

IKEA Metod Veddinge White Kitchen

A tip for larger kitchens: make use of the generous floor space with a central freestanding kitchen island. Packing in additional drawers, cupboards, shelves and surface space, it’s one of the simplest ways to enhance your kitchen storage.

Photo Credit: John Lewis

Go mobile and invest in moveable storage! This is brilliant for a snug kitchen. There are plenty of styles to choose from, including contemporary metal framed trolleys to wheeled wooden cabinets. You can move your storage around depending on your needs and even temporarily move it to another room when you need that little extra space.

Photo Credit: B&Q

Double the space in your kitchen cabinets with shelving on the back of your cupboard doors. Perfect for storing smaller items like herbs and spices.

For more kitchen storage ideas, take a look at our Pinterest board or see the storage solutions available in the kitchens from the biggest UK retailers with our online comparison tool.

5 materials not to use in your kitchen

From cabinets to flooring, choosing which materials to use in your kitchen can be a difficult decision. There are pros & cons of all materials and selecting the right one for you is more about considering what your requirements are. Most of us are after a low-maintenance, durable kitchen so we’ve made that our basis when rounding up the top materials to avoid using in your kitchen.

Laminate Worktops

If you want low-cost, easy-to-clean work surfaces and aren’t put off at the thought of having to replace them more regularly, then laminate could be your perfect match. The reason it’s on our list is because it’s more vulnerable to chips and scratches that can be tricky to repair, so if you don’t want the hassle of fitting new surfaces, it’s best to opt for hard-wearing alternatives like composite or granite.

Glass

Now glass is a good heat-resistant and stylish material that will certainly add a touch of sophistication to your kitchen. However, if you have young children it might be an idea to avoid it. It definitely looks great, especially in smaller kitchens where it can make them feel more spacious, but it marks easily and you could quickly find yourself growing tired of continuously wiping away fingerprint smudges!

(Uncoated) Linoleum

Linoleum is still a popular choice for kitchen floors but it does fade more quickly and is more prone to wear than more resilient vinyl. If you’re going for lino, make sure it has a protective coating to help it last longer.

Matte Paint

Matte emulsion is perfect for living rooms and bedrooms but when it comes to moisture-rich environments like kitchens and bathrooms, it’s best to swap your matte finish for satin or semi-gloss. Matte paint is harder to clean and won’t withstand stains, cleaning products and scrubbing in the same way.

Carpet

A no brainer for some, but you’d be surprised how many people still consider carpeting their kitchen. Hard flooring is always preferable for a more heat and stain resistant, hygienic flooring solution.

For help finding your perfect kitchen at the best rate, use our online comparison tool to search kitchens from the top retailers (including B&Q, Homebase and Magnet).

 

Kitchen Quality: What You Need To Know

With so many styles of kitchen available in seemingly endless materials and finishes, distinguishing between several very similar kitchens can be a tough task. Cost is always a top factor to consider but quality is equally as important. At Kitchen-Compare we carry out a number of quality checks on the kitchens we feature, scoring each out of 10. There are a few key things to consider when determining the standard of a kitchen. (Hint: it’s all in the details)

Practicality – your kitchen can come either pre-constructed or flat pack. Which is preferable, depends on what is easier for you, there’s no difference when it comes to the quality. If you’re having a lot of cabinets fitted, a flat-pack option may be preferred – think of the practicalities of delivering and maneuvering 9 or 10 pre-constructed cabinets. If you don’t have confidence in your DIY abilities, then it may be best to opt for pre-constructed.

Cabinet construction – your cabinets form the foundation of your kitchen so pay close attention to how they’re constructed. Look for solid wood frames over less-resilient MDF.

Thickness – most cabinet walls, floors and tops measure from 15mm to 18mm in thickness. While it doesn’t seem like a big difference, an 18mm cabinet will be far more robust.

Guarantee – the guarantee attached to your kitchen cabinets can be anything from 1 – 25 years so it’s a good idea to pay close attention to this as it shows how confident the retailer is in the quality.

Drawer functionality – how far can you pull the drawers out? You should be able to extend them at least three quarters of the way out, with no signs of wobbling.

Shelves – how many pre-drilled holes are there to reposition your shelves? The more there are, the more you can customise your cabinets to accommodate your storage. Also check for anti-tilt fixings to stop shelves from tipping.

Check the FSC rating – the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) sets standards for, certifies and labels products to encourage responsible management of forests. If it’s important to you that your kitchen has come from a renewable source, then make sure you look out for the FSC rating.

At Kitchen-compare we independently review the kitchens available from all major retailers, making it easy for you to compare what’s on offer and find your perfect kitchen. Use our comparison tool now to start your search.

Kitchen Installation -Budgeting & Cost

A large chunk of your kitchen renovation will need to be set aside for installation fees. Here are some useful tips on how to budget for your kitchen fitting and reduce your costs:

 

Entire re-fit or partial replacement?

Before contacting a fitter for a consultation make a list of the tasks that need to be completed. For example, are you planning on simply changing the doors on your cabinets and retaining the carcasses to save on costs? Or do you need an entire re-fit that includes removal of old units, installation of appliances, tiling, plastering and decorating?

 

Quotes

Gather at least three quotes from a selection of tradesmen so you can compare prices on all of the tasks on your list. It may be worthwhile to split the jobs and hire one tradesman to fit the units and another to tile the floor and install splashbacks if it works out cheaper. You don’t have to stick to a single fitter but it can make life easier to have one person in charge of the entire project who can see it out from start to finish.

 

Choose a reputable professional

If you’d like to hand the entire project onto one company make sure they are qualified to complete all jobs including plumbing, electrical work and light installation. Choose professional fitters who are certified to carry out the work so you don’t end up having to re-do shoddy work carried out by a rogue tradesman and shell out more cash than you first intended.

 

Do some of the work yourself

If you’ve got some experience of home renovation, you can save money by doing some of the work yourself, like tiling or painting. Bear it in mind that you may need to fork out for tools and equipment where as a proper fitter will include all of that in their quote. Always get a registered fitter to install appliances like ovens and gas cookers to stay on the safe side.

 

Finally, always work within your budget but set aside a cash buffer for emergencies that you can call on if needed.

A Guide to Kitchen Worktops

Confused about kitchen worktops? Here’s our concise guide to the pros and cons of granite and laminate to wood and stainless steel:

 

Granite

Granite is a luxury countertop material that is super durable, comes in a variety of finishes and is heat resistant. It needs very little maintenance and so, despite its higher cost, it’s great value for money in the long term, especially if you only need a small piece for a galley kitchen. Plus, because you can put hot pans straight onto a granite worktop you’ll never need to worry about unsightly heat marks, unlike marble worktops that can scratch and stain easily. However, because each slab of granite is unique you might not be able to achieve a uniform finish throughout your kitchen. It can also be tricky to remove heavy granite if you’d like to refresh your space later down the line.

 

Wood

Wooden worktops add warmth and natural beauty to a kitchen. They tend to work with any style (including gloss cabinets and painted shakers) and lots of colour varieties are available, such as maple, cherry, oak and teak. You can also apply a wood stain to create a colour that complements your design palette. Wooden countertops need to be regularly treated so that they remain sealed, safeguarding them from water damage and general wear and tear. They can also become scratched and dented, unlike hard granite tops, because they have a softer texture.

 

Laminate

Laminate worktops are popular because they are affordable, easy to fit and require little maintenance.  Better yet, they come in a variety of designs and graphic patterns so you can achieve the look of granite or marble without spending a fortune. On the downside, laminate counters can often leave behind a tell-tale line across worktops where edges have been joined together and they don’t stand up to high heat. However, if they do become scratched or damaged they can be easily removed and cheaply replaced.

 

Stainless steel

For kitchens that get a lot of use, stainless steel counters are a useful option because they don’t stain, they’re heat resistant and affordable. The shiny surface reflects the light and makes smaller contemporary spaces look spacious but scratches, dents and smudge marks can appear on the surface. However, many would say that this adds to the charm of a heavily-used stainless steel worktop.

Designing your kitchen (3) Kitchen Cabinets

Style and functionality are the two key things you’ll need to consider when selecting your kitchen cabinets. The perfect marriage of these two elements will result in a kitchen that looks fantastic and improves your style of living.

Style

• Modern gloss cabinets look sleek and give off a contemporary feel that creates space and light in small spaces, especially if you choose pale colours or go for a bright white. Opt for handleless cupboards and the look will be streamlined even further by the uninterrupted lines and uncluttered finish.
• To make an immediate impact choose bright cabinets, such as this red gloss option, that makes a feature of your cupboard space and adds vibrancy and character to a larger kitchen.
• For a subtler touch of character consider painted shaker cabinets in subdued colours that combine a modern look with a traditional feel and warmer appearance. Or go for the ultimate classic look and invest in solid wood units that are luxurious and will stand the test of time. In each case, make sure that your choice of cabinet teams well with your chosen worktop.
• Handles are often the finishing touch in a kitchen and help to personalise your space. Choose from bow, bar and cup candles to knobs, glass door pulls and inset handles.

Functionality

Think about mixing up your cabinet sizes so they suit your needs and tailor the inside of your cupboards to match. For example, pull-out pantry cupboards that are tall and slim can fit in tight spaces but provide lots of room and are easy to access. You may also want carousel style corner cabinets that maximise space, shelving units that you can completely pull out of corner cupboards, soft close hinges, larder units, extra drawers and deeper pan drawers.

 

Take a look at our Pinterest page for some fantastic design ideas that feature different cabinet styles, colours, finishes and materials! There’s heaps of inspiration all in one place!