Every year, plenty of us dream about ripping out our old kitchens and starting again. We want cooking spaces that actually work for the way we live, with enough room to move around and spend time with family while the dinner’s on. But turning that dream into reality isn’t always straightforward, we had our kitchen completely remodelled last year and as exciting as it was it was also undeniably stressful. Knowing where to start, what to prioritise and how to make all the pieces come together can feel like the hardest part as it really is such a big job and so expensive so you have to make sure it's right first time. If you're looking at kitchen makeovers and wondering how to go about it yourself, here are some ideas.
Start with a clear plan
Before you order a single cabinet, work out exactly what you want from your kitchen. Think about how you use the space now, what frustrates you, and what would make it better. Measure everything, including awkward corners and ceiling heights. If you’re knocking through walls or extending, factor in how that changes the layout. A good layout isn’t just about fitting everything in, it’s about making sure you can cook, eat and move around without feeling cramped. If you’re unsure what works, a quick consultation with a kitchen designer can save you from expensive mistakes later.
Decide on your style
Pick a style you actually like living with, not just something that looks good on Instagram this week. Create a mood board with colours, textures and ideas you’re drawn to, then see what works together. Timeless choices like shaker-style cabinets, neutral tones and natural materials tend to age better than high gloss trends. It’s your space, so make it personal, but remember you’ll be looking at it every day for years.
Sort the infrastructure
A new kitchen is the perfect time to deal with hidden jobs like dodgy wiring, old plumbing or poor lighting. If you’re adding more appliances, make sure the electrics can handle it. Think about lighting in layers: bright task lighting for worktops, softer lighting for eating, and accent lights to make the space feel warm. And don’t forget sockets. It’s much easier to add them now than to wrestle with extension leads later.
Choose materials and finishes wisely
Go for materials that suit your lifestyle. If you want low-maintenance, durable worktops, quartz or laminate are great. Granite or marble look fantastic but need more care. Semi custom cabinets give you flexibility without the cost of full bespoke, but if your budget allows it, custom will fit your space perfectly. For flooring, options like porcelain tiles are practical, easy to clean and can handle years of foot traffic. We chose LVT for our own kitchen- LVT stands for Luxury Vinyl Tile. It’s a type of hard flooring that looks like wood, stone or ceramic, but it’s made from vinyl so it’s warmer underfoot, more forgiving if you drop things, and easier to clean. It’s also waterproof, which makes it great for kitchens. We're so happy with ours, it's so hardwearing, practical and easy to clean while looking exactly like a wooden floor.
Pick appliances early
Don’t leave appliances as an afterthought. Plan them into your design from the start so they fit properly and you can run the right plumbing and electrics. Spend a bit more on the items you use every day, like a reliable oven, a fridge that suits your household size and a dishwasher you don’t have to keep fixing. Cutting corners here will frustrate you long after the paint is dry!
