Your biggest kitchen design questions answered by an interior designer
From colour schemes to storage solutions, there are a plethora of design elements to consider when it comes to transforming your kitchen, so we asked you, our readers, to share your burning questions with us. Whether you're planning to install a new kitchen (browse the House Beautiful range at Homebase, including the gorgeous Finsbury kitchen in damson, pictured above) or you're looking for the most cost-effective way to refresh your space, interior designer Andrew Griffiths, founder of boutique design studio A New Day, shares his expert advice...
1. Where do I start when planning a new kitchen?
AG: Appliances can be a pretty good place to start. Usually there are some restrictions in terms of where you can put things because of plumbing, waste pipes, ventilation etc. So if you get the help of a builder or plumber and work that out, you can then start to plot where your key appliances – your oven, fridge freezer and dishwasher – can go, and that can usually start to help the rest of the kitchen fall into place, or at least give you some direction. And with budget, be really clear on how much you've got to spend so you know what to prioritise, and if it comes to compromising, you've got a good sense of actually where that might have to take place.
2. I'm working to a tight budget, where should I spend and save?
AG: Spend on the things you touch most, such as worktops, handles and taps, and save on items that tend not to be so noticeable. For example, team low-cost units with good-quality doors.
3. How can I update a kitchen without ripping it out?
AG: The best way to change the look of your kitchen is to change the doors. There are companies that can do doors bespoke to the size of your existing units for you to replace, or if you’ve got fairly standard units, you can probably get them readymade in a range of colours, textures and styles. The other option is to paint your cupboards. With the right primer you can paint pretty much anything and it's a really low cost way of making a big difference to your kitchen. And don't forget handles – even just simply changing the handles and spending money on some really nice ones will be transformative.
4. Is open shelving a good idea?
AG: Open shelving can look great and make a kitchen feel brighter and more open but they do need to be styled – you don’t want your old cereal boxes and all sorts just bunged on the shelves. But if you hate clutter and you know that deep down you’re probably not going to keep your shelves tidy, just go for cupboards. You can close the doors and keep things out of sight.
5. Is pink a good colour for a kitchen?
AG: This is quite a simple one really. If you love pink and the idea of a pink kitchen makes you smile and brings you joy, then it's an excellent idea. Don't get hung up on whether you think it's neutral or whether everyone's going to love it, it doesn’t matter. You’re going to be spending a lot of money and quite a bit of time in your kitchen, so choose a colour that makes you happy and makes you smile.
6. What are the best storage hacks for a small kitchen?
AG: With a small kitchen, you want to keep as much stuff as possible off work surfaces. Use your cupboards wisely. There are some really clever storage hacks and systems which can help you make the most of the width, depth and height of your cupboards. Also think about whether you have some pretty things that would look quite nice on display, so good glassware or coloured mugs. You can do open shelving or hooks on the walls, taking them out of the cupboards and keeping the ugly stuff inside.
7. What are the best kitchen trends to consider?
AG: It's best not to get too hung up on trends when it comes to kitchen design. Trends, by their nature, are ever-changing, they come and go, and your kitchen is going to be with you for a long while. It's not something you change every one to two years. That said, if we look at some of the latest kitchen trends, like blue kitchens and green kitchens, actually the colour is often the trend there. And when we look at the actual inspiration, it's usually a Shaker-style kitchen which is a very classical design, and that’s not a bad way to go. Going for a Shaker-style kitchen means you can make it very modern or quite traditional, and actually, with a good quality kitchen you can change the colour over time, so you can get the best of both worlds.
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