How to Remodel Your Kitchen - Part Three

ABOVE: For your kitchen to be a pleasant environment to cook, eat and socialise, an effective extractor hood must be installed to suck away both cooking smells and steam

Read part one for advice on designing a new layout...

Read part two for advice on heating and ventilation, electrics, plumbing and pipework...

Inheriting an unloved and old-fashioned kitchen may seem a little daunting, but with plenty of forward planning and a little practical knowledge, you can end up with your dream kitchen. Natasha Brinsmead explains how...

Small kitchens

If you only have a small space, try to think about whether certain functions, such as the laundry, could be carried out elsewhere, and consider whether it may be worth knocking through into another room to create an open plan kitchen diner or living area to create a greater sense of space.

There are several layouts that work well in compact kitchens. If you live alone, a Ushape layout is ideal. However, if there is more than just one person who will be using the kitchen, then consider a galley kitchen. Not only does this layout work well on a practical note, keeping everything close to hand, but it also makes the most of tight spaces, allowing for wall space to be used effectively without intruding on work space. Include lots of wall units, shelves and hanging racks and you should have no problems in fitting everything in. Another layout that works well in small spaces is the L-shape — particularly practical in open plan situations.

Finally, use units and appliances that can be stacked to save on floor and worktop space.Whilst many people do this with washing machines and tumble dryers, installing built-in ovens, with storage above and below, should also be considered.

ABOVE: Galley-style layouts are the perfect solution for small kitchens

Getting a design

There are several different routes you can go down to get a kitchen design. Perhaps the most obvious is to head for a kitchen company, tell them your requirements and budget and see what they come up with. However, you could ask an architect or interior designer to come up with something, or, if you are the creative type, formulate your own design and take it to a joinery or bespoke kitchen company.

Decide early on whether you want a fitted or unfitted kitchen. It used to be considered that unfitted kitchens were more suitable for traditional designs, whilst fitted kitchens were best for contemporary schemes, but this is no longer always the case. Whilst it is true that many traditional kitchens consisted of a pick and mix of unfitted pieces of furniture, many companies are now catching on to the fact that unfitted units are really practical, allowing for flexibility and a nice relaxed feel. Modernist kitchens do, however, suit fitted furniture, which is more apt at creating a sleek, no-fuss image.

In terms of style, the decision is yours, but bear in mind that to obtain a really cutting-edge kitchen, flush, sleek doors in bold colours such as cherry red, bright white and even jet black with high-gloss finishes are very popular. Handles should either be sleek and stainless steel or invisible, with doors operating on a push-click system.

Composites are a great choice for contemporary kitchen worktops — hard-wearing, minimal and available in a range of colours. The only downside is their price tag. Other good options are stainless steel, or stones such as limestone and sandstone — both of which must be properly sealed and treated if they are to maintain their good looks.

Traditionalists should opt for a clean and classic design, such as the ever popular Shaker style, but update it with exotic woods such as wenge, or paint units in powdery blues, greys or greens. Complement traditional units with either timber, granite or marble work surfaces.

ABOVE: For a supercontemporary kitchen, opt for high-gloss units in bold colours such as jet black, cherry red or ice white. Soften the look with elements of wood

Fitting a kitchen

Fitting a kitchen on a DIY basis is no mean feat, but it can be done. Once you have a design, get quotations from builders, kitchen fitters, plumbers and electricians.

Custom-made units are usually supplied ready assembled, whereas many standard units are flat pack, for you to put together yourself. They generally come with instructions and this should not be a complicated job.

Preparation is key. Measure up the wall to the height of your units (a standard unit is 890mm high) and use a spirit or laser level to get a straight line around the room to work off. If you are using adjustable brackets, drill the bracket to the wall. Make sure your base unit is level and plumb — adjust the legs. Move on to the next one, clamping the units before screwing them together. Use a hole saw to drill through the cupboard where any pipes come through. Only when you have a run of cupboards should you fix them to the wall.

Choose units with adjustable legs, which allow you to tweak until everything is evened out and level — this is especially important in old properties where floors can be uneven, or if you are using riven floor tiles. Some units can be screwed directly to the wall into plugs, but most use adjustable brackets that allow you to adjust alignment. Finally, worktops, which are often too fiddly to fit neatly on a DIY basis, are best left to a professional.

Further reading:

• A Guide to Kitchens
• Range Cookers in the Sustainable Home
• A Buyer's Guide to Cooker Hoods