10 Things Worth Doing.
1 ... Before thinking about your new kitchen layout decide upon your new appliances - whether your appliances are "built up" or "built under" will have a dramatic impact on how your new kitchen is designed.
2 ... Invest in a good quality kitchen carcase - It's the bedrock of your kitchen, and will ensure it's longevity. See our [ cabinet guide ] for details of the minimum requirements you should look for.
3 ... Optimise the use of any corner (base or wall) by using "L" shaped bi-folding corner cabinets with shelves - they are the most cost effective and practical of all kitchen corner cabinets.
4 ... Choose hi-line base cabinets with a nest of drawers - you can then position "good size" drawers where they are useful ... and they will all work.
5 ... Plan your layout "cost effectively" - a 500mm cabinet is half the size of a 1000mm cabinet, but it is 3/4 of the cost - it's easier to plan your kitchen using small cabinets, but is a much more expensive to do so.
6 ... As a rule of thumb, a similar colour worktop and floor will increase the impression of width in your room - the horizontal flat surfaces blend into one.
7... Try to achieve a contrast with the colour of the cabinet door to the worktop/floor - too many "similar" colours will look very bland
8 ... Position your kitchen cabinet handles vertically on the doors and horizontally on drawers - ask your kitchen designer why this works best.
9... Measure to actual shelf space you have now, and then compare it to the actual shelf space in your new kitchen design - few people want their new kitchen design to provide less storage.
10 ... Put your thoughts/idea's down on paper as you have them - leave a wishlist to hand in the kitchen and add to it over a period of a couple of weeks - you can print off a wishlist [ here ].