Planning anything can feel overwhelming but it’s valuable work especially when considering a new kitchen. We spend so much time in this room and for many of us it is a sizable investment. It is important therefore to plan carefully because you will be looking at this kitchen design for many years to come. What are the important aspects to consider in the planning stage? We’ve listed below some of the key elements of a bespoke shaker kitchen at the start of this process:
- Start with a wish list
- Look for inspiration
- How will you use the space?
- What is the perfect layout for you
- Set a design budget
- Measure the space available
- Think about your cabinetry choices
- Consider colour and light
- Ensure you factor in appliances
- How much worktop is sufficient for your needs
All of these aspects of planning a bespoke shaker kitchen are important but let’s explore those that are most critical in more detail.
Project budget
This is probably top of the list. You have to have a clear financial budget in mind for your kitchen. It sounds obvious but not only is it helpful for you, it’s helpful for your kitchen designer. This helps everybody to know what page they are on in terms of scale and finishing. The type of worktop you choose can vary greatly in cost so if you have a clear budget in mind, it can help with choices such as counter space. When people commission a bespoke kitchen, they know they are paying for the experience and expertise of a cabinet maker. This extends far beyond craftsmanship and materials. The client relies on the kitchen designer to flag up pitfalls and advise on how certain materials will work and look in the designated space
Layout and space
These two elements go hand-in-hand. A customer generally already has an existing kitchen that they are using. There will be aspects of that room and the functionality which don’t work well or they would like to improve. Those conversations take place at the design stage. Layout of course is heavily influenced by the space available. It’s important to work with the existing aspects of a kitchen such as access, doorways, windows and light. These all influence the positioning of cabinets and appliances. The client needs to carefully consider how they use that space in which aspects of the design will be most important to them.
Cabinetry choice
This is not just about the aesthetics though of course the colour and style of cabinets and handles is very important. The kitchen is after all a functional space and therefore the internal configuration of drawers and shelving is critical. Many clients choose to have a larder as part of the cabinetry choice. This is influenced by how they use the space, the size of the family and how often they will be entertaining on a large scale. Effective planning is therefore about looking ahead to how the room will be used.
