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Plain-English guides to planning and renovating a kitchen.
Planning your kitchen
Layout, budget, order of work and how long a refit takes.
- Kitchen renovation: the order of work
The right order for a kitchen refit: measuring, ordering, strip-out, first fix, plastering, units, worktops, second fix and finishing, and why order matters.
- How to plan a kitchen layout
How to plan a kitchen layout: galley, L-shape, U-shape and island kitchens, the work triangle, zones, storage and the clearances that make a kitchen easy to use.
- How to set a kitchen budget
How to set a realistic kitchen renovation budget: every cost to include, what drives the price up or down, where to save and a contingency for surprises.
- Small kitchen ideas that work
Small kitchen ideas: smart layouts, tall and deep storage, slimline appliances, lighter colours, lighting and how to get more worktop in a small room.
Choosing units, worktops and appliances
What each option is, where it suits and what to check before you buy.
- Flat-pack vs rigid vs bespoke kitchens
Flat-pack, rigid (pre-assembled) and bespoke kitchen units compared: how they are built, who fits them, where each suits and what to check before ordering.
- Kitchen worktops compared
Kitchen worktop materials compared: laminate, solid wood, quartz, granite, solid surface and compact laminate, with care, heat and scratch notes and what to ask suppliers.
- Kitchen appliances: integrated vs freestanding
Integrated versus freestanding kitchen appliances: how they differ, sizes to check, energy labels, delivery and installation, and what the fitter needs to know.
- Kitchen lighting ideas
Kitchen lighting ideas: general, task and accent lighting, under-cabinet lights, colour temperature, dimmers and planning sockets and circuits before the plaster goes on.
- Kitchen splashbacks and tiles
Kitchen splashback options: tiles, glass, acrylic and stone, how to measure, how much extra to order, adhesive and grout choices, and what to do around the hob.
Hiring and regulations
Comparing fitter quotes, who must be qualified and what needs approval.
- How to compare kitchen fitter quotes
How to compare kitchen fitter quotes fairly: what to include in the brief, what a good itemised quote lists, payment terms, red flags and questions to ask.
- Kitchen regulations: gas, electrics and building control
What rules apply to a kitchen refit in England: Gas Safe for gas work, electrical safety and Part P, when building control and planning apply, and who to ask.