- Budget the cost of remodelling your kitchen
- Design walkways to prevent obstruction
- Make a list of desirable kitchen appliances
- Map out the placement of plumbing, gas, electricity and extraction
- Harness natural lighting
The kitchen functions as an area for cooking, dining and entertaining, meaning it needs to work hard, look good and be a space that you enjoy.
According to recent data, the kitchen is the most popular room of the house to renovate. Many homeowners have succeeded in transforming their kitchen from a bleak, uninviting space into their dream heart of the home.
However, people often don’t tell you about the factors you need to consider when updating your kitchen space.
House Beautiful’s resident interior designer, Andrew Griffiths, said when renovating the kitchen, you should “always spend on things you touch the most.”
While polished marble may exude luxury on kitchen walls, some of the more important aspects are the appliances, such as your tap, which is used multiple times every day.
Our team at Fahren UK knows just how important it is to have appliances that are not just beautiful but remarkably resilient, which is why we manufacture all our boiling water taps to ensure quality.
And while instant hot water taps are more expensive than the average tap, it has revolutionised the kitchen, drawing together the room’s aesthetic and making life more convenient for homeowners.
Whether starting with a blank canvas or working with what you already have, designing and remodelling a kitchen involves careful consideration of practicality, functionality and aesthetics.
And while the current trends may look appealing, remember that these will likely change as new kitchen gadgets and gizmos enter the market in the next few years.
Andrew Griffiths highlights that “kitchens outlive trends, so create a space that makes you happy rather than the current Instagram must-haves.”
That’s not to say you shouldn’t include any must-have features in your kitchen but remember that it’s more important to create a space that can cater to all your needs. If you want to create a space that you love, our tips on kitchen renovations and design will help you make thoughtful decisions when updating the heart of your home. Interior Designer, Carole King, loved her hot water tap from Fahren.
Map Out The Kitchen Space
Before leaping into the design stage, consider how you want your kitchen to be used.
Focus on how you could make the most of the space and increase its functionality, whether by integrating the space with other areas of the home or making the most of corner cabinets and building custom storage.
Determine what you want to achieve, which will help facilitate the renovation process and ensure that all those involved are aware of your goals and desires. For example, do you want your kitchen to function purely as a cooking and dining area or double as a place to entertain?
Budget The Cost of Remodelling
Before remodelling your kitchen, consider your budget against your property’s value to see if it will add to the value of your home.
According to estimates, a new kitchen should improve the value of your property by 6%. Estimate how much it will cost you to update your kitchen before purchasing appliances and fittings to find out how much you need to invest and your return on investment (ROI). You can read our blog on why all homeowners and property developers should install a boiling water tap here.
Andrew Griffiths advises homeowners to follow this one rule: “Spend on the things you touch most, such as worktops, handles and taps, and save on items that tend not to be so noticeable such as low-cost team units with good-quality doors.”
Make A List of New Kitchen Appliances and Plan Out Landing Space
It’s not uncommon for people to leave their kitchen appliances last when remodelling. However, you might find yourself running over your budget or facing unexpected costs with this strategy, and when faced with these issues, people tend to opt for lower quality products.
To avoid this scenario, make a list of kitchen appliances and their associated costs, as low-quality products could end up costing you more further down the line.
Once you’ve made a list of appliances, map out landing space for these items and their proximity to other appliances. As a rule of thumb, you should allow at least 15 inches of countertop space on either side of the cooker and refrigerator.
You might also want to space out microwaves and other small appliances such as a coffee maker, toaster and food processor.
When writing down the appliances, you plan to purchase, consider:
- Durability
- Longevity
- Energy efficiency
- Size
- Features
- Flexibility
There’s no hard rule on how much you should spend on new appliances, but higher quality items tend to have a longer life. Built-in appliances are an efficient solution and can complement the aesthetics of your kitchen by giving it a more streamlined, luxury finish.
The demand for built-in appliances has also added to the surge in popularity for boiling water taps, which perfectly fit within the dimensions of the kitchen and free up countertop space by replacing the kettle.
Choosing a colour palette for your kitchen is obviously a huge aspect of a remodelling project. Our instant hot water taps are sleek and functional and come in a range of silver, gold, rose gold, grey & matte black finishes.
Figure Out How You’re Going to Execute Your Plan
Are you brave enough to do the job yourself, which would be a more cost-effective approach or do you need to hire professionals to remodel your kitchen?
Think realistically about what you can and can’t do before you start your kitchen remodel and where you might need to employ the help of a designer or contractor. For example, if you want to change the entire layout or need plumbing and gas work done, it’s best not to attempt these independently.
Placement of Plumbing, Gas & Extraction
Figuring out the placement of plumbing, gas, and extraction is extremely important as this will heavily influence the layout and design of your kitchen.
Where do you want your oven to be situated? Will your sink and dishwasher be stationed next to each other? Are you going to have a washing machine and dryer in the kitchen?
Interior design expert Andrew Griffiths recommends seeking professional advice before embarking on any remodelling plans.
Design Walkways
Have you made sure that you can easily move through the space of your kitchen?
As a general rule of thumb, kitchen passageways should be at least 36 inches wide, desirably larger if you have the space to accommodate. However, in work areas such as the cooking zone, the space should be 42 inches wide for a one-cook configuration and 48 inches wide for a two-cook.
It would help if you also thought about whether you have enough units for storage and that doors don’t clash when opened or obstruct the path of people entering the room. Don’t forget about space needed by service voids, too!
Harness Natural Light
Natural light will not influence feelings of space and tranquillity in the kitchen but how you decorate the room.
If you want to maximise the impact of natural light, consider introducing skylights or southern-facing windows. Glass French doors can also brighten up kitchen diners, or you could position mirrors in key corners where light hits.
Check whether obstructions outside the window, such as trees or buildings, may reduce how much light enters the space.
Where to Place Electrical Outlets
Have you considered how many electrical outlets you’ll need to meet your kitchen requirements?
If you’ve made a list of appliances, you’ll know just how many plug sockets you’ll need for your kitchen to function. We suggest installing multiple outlets on the backsplash, on the island and lower to the floor for washing machines, dishwashers or hoovers so you’ll have electricity whenever you need it.
You could also install USB ports into kitchen walls or drawers to create hidden charging stations for devices.
Introduce Ambient Lighting and Focus Points
Ambient lighting will be your primary source of light, whether in addition to natural sunlight or to accommodate where it may be lacking.
Lighting is essential in all areas of the home but especially the kitchen, as it can set the tone and mood for the space when entertaining guests and ensure safety and cleanliness when preparing food.
Strategically placed lighting could also transform your kitchen, making it appear bigger than it is or draw attention to the room’s focal points.
When designing your kitchen, think about where you want to draw the eye or make a bold statement by focusing on one point within the space. You can grab attention in various ways in the kitchen through colourful cabinets, fancy countertops, sizeable hoods or low hanging lights.
Think about the different layers of your kitchen and how you can incorporate different types of light to complement the space and add warmth or softness. For example, dimmable lights are perfect for those who like to entertain due to their versatility, allowing you to alter the brightness for the mo
