The kitchen is one of the rooms in the house that we tend to spend the most time in, however lots of people put off upgrading their kitchen due to the cost and inconvenience that can be involved.
Inevitably though, there comes a time when it's time to bite the bullet and give the room a much needed refresh, whether that be due to trying to sell the property, changing family needs, or perhaps upon moving into a new property where the kitchen is not fit for purpose.
When choosing a new kitchen, there are a number of things to bear in mind, so we've put together this quick guide to give you a helping hand and ensure you've thought of everything before you take the plunge!
Use of the room
The first thing to think about when you're choosing a new kitchen is how the room is going to be used, in both the short and long-term.
Perhaps you'd like the room to be strictly for cooking, or you want to incorporate dining or laundry facilities into the room too. These are all things to bear in mind when considering the functionality of the space.
We spoke to Aston Designs, who are Milton Keynes kitchen and bathroom specialists and they told us: "Often people fail to spend the time anticipating their future requirements when choosing a new kitchen, but it really is important, as it can save you a lot of time and money further down the line if you can be savvy and plan for any future lifestyle changes now".
Safety
Never focus only on aesthetics when you're designing your new kitchen, as it's important to bear in mind the safety and durability of the materials and units you choose, and also things like how easy they will be to clean and maintain.
If you are coveting stone floors for example, be aware that you may have to reseal them in time. Find out how often you would need to do this and the cost, and make sure you are happy to do so.
Similarly think about whether the materials you choose might be slippery, and think about things such as the height of stovetops, sharp corners and edges on units and counter tops, or anything else that could be a danger to children or pets.
Consider storage
Make sure you don't underestimate how much storage you'll need in your new kitchen design. Try to think about all the different things you will need storage for, what you want to be on show and what you'd like to hide, and things that aren't working for you storage-wise in your current kitchen.
Consider taking your new cabinets right up to the ceiling to make use of otherwise wasted space, and think about other awkward spaces such as the corners of cupboards, where pull out storage may be a good option.
Do you want your appliances on show, or hidden away? These are all things to consider before you choose your new kitchen.
For some great inspiration when it comes to clever storage, check out this post from Forbes. We love the island library idea! We hope this has given you some ideas of things to think about when choosing your new kitchen.