How to Plan a New Kitchen
Planning a new kitchen is about much more than choosing doors and worktops. The best kitchens are designed around how you use the room, with careful consideration given to layout, storage, appliances, lighting and budget before anything is ordered.
Start by thinking about how you use your kitchen
Consider your current kitchen and identify what works well and what you’d like to change. Think about how many people use the room, whether you enjoy cooking, how often you entertain and whether you need space for dining, working or relaxing.
Make a list of the things you would like your new kitchen to achieve. This might include more storage, additional worktop space, better appliances or a more open and social layout.
The shape and size of your room will influence the layout available to you. Popular options include L-shaped, U-shaped, galley and island kitchens.
The most attractive layout isn’t necessarily the most practical. Good kitchen design should provide sensible distances between preparation, cooking, storage and washing areas while allowing people to move comfortably around the room.
Plan your storage
Think about everything you currently store in your kitchen and where you would ideally like it to go.
Deep drawers, pull-out larders, corner storage, integrated bins and tall units can all help make better use of available space.
Choose appliances early
Your appliances can influence the cabinet layout, electrical requirements and available storage. Decide which appliances you need and whether existing appliances will be reused before finalising your design.
Set your budget
Establish an overall budget that includes cabinets, worktops and appliances as well as installation, plumbing, electrical work, flooring and decorating where required.
Get professional advice
An experienced kitchen designer can help identify opportunities you may have overlooked and ensure the finished design is practical as well as attractive.
At Broadoak Kitchens, we combine over 26 years of experience with detailed design and professional installation to help homeowners create kitchens that work for their homes and lifestyles.
Measuring Your Kitchen
Accurate measurements are an essential part of planning a new kitchen. Even small inaccuracies can affect cabinet positions, worktops, appliances and the overall design, so it’s important to record as much information as possible before your kitchen is designed.
Measure the length of every wall, including any sections between windows, doors and corners.
Record the ceiling height as well as the height of any areas where the ceiling changes.
It’s useful to measure each wall separately rather than assuming the room is perfectly square.
Record doors and windows
Measure the width and height of every window and door and record their position from the nearest wall or corner.
For windows, note the height of the sill from the floor. This is particularly important when planning worktops and cabinets underneath windows.
For doors, consider the direction they open and how much space is required when fully open.
Identify fixed features
Make a note of anything that cannot easily be moved, including:
- Radiators
- Boilers
- Structural columns
- Soil pipes
- Extractor vents
- Gas meters
- Electrical consumer units
- Existing plumbing
- Heating controls
Locate plumbing and electrical points
Record the position of existing sockets, switches, water supplies and waste pipes. These don’t necessarily need to remain in their current positions, but knowing where they are helps your designer understand the existing infrastructure.
Take photographs
Photographs of the entire room can be extremely useful when discussing your requirements with a kitchen designer.
Take pictures from each corner and include close-ups of windows, doors, plumbing, electrics and any unusual features.
Don’t worry if you’re unsure
Professional kitchen designers can carry out detailed measurements before the final design and installation. Your initial measurements are mainly useful for establishing the possibilities and preparing an initial plan.
Tip: Don’t order kitchen cabinets based solely on your own measurements. A final site survey should be completed before the kitchen is manufactured or ordered.
Kitchen Renovation Timeline
Understanding how long a kitchen renovation will take can make planning your project much easier. The timescale will depend on the size and complexity of the renovation, but having a clear sequence of work helps prevent delays and unnecessary disruption.
The process begins with understanding your requirements and designing the kitchen.
This is when you decide on:
- Layout
- Cabinet style
- Colours and finishes
- Worktops
- Appliances
- Storage
- Lighting
- Flooring
Allow plenty of time for this stage. Changing the design before ordering is much easier than making alterations once installation has started.
Stage 2 – Ordering the kitchen
Once the design has been finalised, cabinets, worktops and appliances can be ordered.
Some products may have longer lead times than others, particularly bespoke items, specialist worktops and certain appliances.
Stage 3 – Preparing the room
Before the new kitchen is installed, the existing kitchen may need to be removed and the room prepared.
This can include:
- Removing old cabinets
- Plumbing alterations
- Electrical work
- Plastering
- Flooring
- Decorating
- Structural work where required
Stage 4 – Installation
The cabinets are installed once the room is ready.
Worktops are then fitted, followed by appliances, sinks, taps and other components. Depending on the material, worktops such as quartz may require templating before final manufacture and installation.
Stage 5 – Finishing touches
The final stage includes adjustments, handles, trims, appliances and any remaining finishing work.
Your kitchen should then be checked to ensure everything operates correctly and the finished installation meets the agreed design.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
A straightforward kitchen installation may take around one to three weeks, but a larger renovation involving building work and several trades can take considerably longer.
The key is not simply to work as quickly as possible, but to ensure each stage is completed correctly before the next begins.
At Broadoak Kitchens, we coordinate the different aspects of your project to help keep the installation organised and running smoothly.
Setting a Kitchen Budget
Setting a realistic budget before designing your kitchen can help you make better decisions and avoid unexpected costs later in the project.
The price of a new kitchen can vary considerably depending on the size of the room, cabinet style, worktops, appliances and amount of preparation or building work required.
Decide how much you are comfortable investing in the project before choosing individual products.
It’s sensible to keep some money aside for unexpected work, particularly when renovating an older property.
Consider all the costs
Don’t concentrate solely on the price of the kitchen cabinets. Your overall budget may need to include:
- Kitchen cabinets
- Worktops
- Handles
- Appliances
- Sink and taps
- Installation
- Plumbing
- Electrical work
- Lighting
- Flooring
- Plastering
- Decorating
- Waste removal
- Building work
Decide where to spend
Think about the parts of the kitchen that matter most to you.
For example, someone who loves cooking may prioritise premium appliances and durable worktops, while another homeowner may prefer to invest in storage, cabinetry or a particular door finish.
Don’t automatically choose the cheapest option
A lower initial price doesn’t always mean lower overall cost.
Consider the quality of the cabinets, hinges, drawer systems, worktops, appliances and installation, as well as the expected lifespan of the products.
Supply only or fully fitted?
A supply-only kitchen can be an attractive option if you already have a trusted fitter or are comfortable managing the installation yourself.
A fully fitted kitchen provides a more comprehensive service, with the design, installation and coordination of trades managed for you.
The right option depends on your experience, available time and the complexity of your project.
Allow for changes
Older properties can sometimes reveal unexpected issues once the existing kitchen has been removed. Damaged walls, outdated plumbing, electrical work or uneven floors can all affect the final cost.
Having a contingency available gives you greater flexibility if something unexpected needs attention.
Choosing the Right Kitchen Company
Choosing the right kitchen company is an important decision because you’re not simply buying cabinets. You’re choosing the people who will help design, supply and potentially install one of the most important rooms in your home.
Find out how long the company has been designing and installing kitchens and whether they have experience with projects similar to yours.
A company with extensive experience should be able to offer practical advice rather than simply selling you a particular range of cabinets.
Look at previous work
Ask to see examples of completed kitchens.
Photographs can give you an idea of the company’s design style, attention to detail and quality of installation.
If possible, look for reviews from genuine customers and consider how the company deals with feedback.
Understand what’s included
Make sure you know exactly what your quotation covers.
Ask whether it includes:
- Design
- Cabinets
- Worktops
- Appliances
- Delivery
- Installation
- Plumbing
- Electrical work
- Flooring
- Decorating
- Waste removal
A low initial quotation may not be directly comparable with another if one company includes significantly more services.
Ask about installation
Good installation is just as important as good kitchen furniture.
Find out who will carry out the work, whether trades are employed or coordinated by the company and who will be responsible if something needs correcting.
Consider communication
Kitchen renovations can involve numerous decisions and several different trades. Choose a company that communicates clearly, explains the process and keeps you informed.
You should feel comfortable asking questions before and during the project.
Look beyond the price
Price is important, but it shouldn’t be the only deciding factor.
Consider the quality of the products, level of service, installation standards, guarantees, experience and reputation alongside the overall cost.
Choose a company you can trust
At Broadoak Kitchens, we’ve been designing and installing kitchens for over 26 years. As an independent, family-run business, we provide a complete service from initial design through to installation, coordinating the different elements of your project to make the process as straightforward as possible.
The right kitchen company should not simply sell you a kitchen. They should help you create a space that works for your home, your lifestyle and your budget
