How to plan for a new kitchen or kitchen extension…

At Ray Munn Kitchens, designing new kitchens is our specialty… 

A new kitchen should be designed to fit your lifestyle, and as such, our designers take the time to get to know you and your likes and dislikes, to work with you to create a space that is both functional and beautiful.

A Ray Munn kitchen is built to last.

When designing any new kitchen layout, it’s important that the overall design not only suits your current needs, but will accommodate your family in the future too, especially if you’re planning to stay in your home for many years to come.

However, if you’re not planning to stay in your home long term, or you’re working with a more limited budget, we can suggest ways to save money in your new kitchen, without compromising on the design or style.

So where should you start?

Planning a new kitchen is a skilled service, and one which takes years to successfully accomplish… All too often people think they can design their new kitchen, only to realise when they have lost both money and time that it isn’t as simple as it looks! 

Firstly, it’s important to consider the space available, even if the new kitchen isn’t part of an extension. As well as measuring the overall dimensions of the room, we will determine how much space you’ll need for food preparation, storage and dining. The most important factor when designing a kitchen layout is to ensure that your new kitchen works well for the way you like to cook and entertain.

Rather than booking a home site visit from the onset, some of our clients prefer to start with a more informal chat, and in this instance we would ask that you draw a rough sketch of your room with approximate measurements, remembering to include the height of the room, the door positions (and indeed which way they open) and where all windows are located. Be sure to mark on the same plan the current locations of all equipment that has plumbing, such as the sink and dishwasher. Whilst these items can be easily moved, it certainly helps when discussing your new kitchen to understand their current location.

It's now time to start thinking about what kind of style you want for your new kitchen.

Do you prefer a modern look, or something more traditional? Do you want a kitchen style which is sensitive to the era of your property? Perhaps you're looking for a kitchen that’s a little more unusual or unique? Maybe you’ve been inspired by Pinterest and have to have the same thing in your new kitchen.

Once you've decided on the general style of your kitchen, it will be much easier to start thinking about the specific design elements.

How will you use the space?

If you're a busy cook who needs plenty of storage and workspace, you'll need a different layout to someone who mainly uses the kitchen for preparing snacks or drinks. Think about how you use your kitchen now, and how you'd like to use it in the future, as this will help to determine the best layout for your needs.

Consider the flow of traffic in your kitchen…

You'll need to think about where people will be moving around, so that we can make sure there's enough space for them to do so. If you have a more compact kitchen, it's important to maximise on all available space, and there are many ways to do this! Using taller cabinets instead of wider ones, and maybe installing a breakfast bar or peninsula to provide extra worksurfaces are two simple ways to gain more storage.

Installing a breakfast bar provides extra worksurface…

Now it’s time to start thinking about the details.

Do you want a granite or marble countertop, or something a little more unusual? Do you want stainless steel appliances, or would you prefer to stick with a more traditional look? Perhaps you’ve a limited budget, so rather than splurging out on higher-end materials and appliances, laminate worktops which are designed to emulate the appearance of granite or marble worksurfaces and mid-range appliances instead of top price point models are just a couple of ways in which you can make savings.

We take time when designing your kitchen…

Your new kitchen design is as important to us as it is to you, and we want to make sure we get it just right. With our careful planning, considered forethought and design expertise, we will create you a kitchen that’s both stylish and functional, and that will be the heart of your home for years to come.

Other considerations…

If you are looking for ideas on how to make your kitchen more sustainable, recycling is a great place to start. We can help you plan for separate recycling waste containers, neatly disguised in your new kitchen units. This way, you can recycle without taking up any extra space in your kitchen.

In addition to recycling, think about how you will use your new kitchen. Will meals be eaten in your new kitchen? If so, a dedicated area for dining at, or even a specific dining table and chairs may take up less space in your new kitchen than you think.

a dedicated area for dining may take up less space in your new kitchen than you think.

Would you like an area to relax in your new kitchen? Many kitchens, when effectively planned can accommodate a sofa or area to relax in. This can be a great place to unwind after a long day, or entertain guests whilst dinner is being prepared.

Working together…

Once we have got to know you a little better over a coffee or two, we will discuss your requirements, aspirations and lifestyle and start planning your new kitchen. Our comprehensive service provides you with the peace of mind that your new kitchen will be designed and installed by a company that shares your passion for quality, style and functionality.

Give us a call and let South West London’s specialist kitchen showroom start planning your new dream kitchen today!