Blog – Page 4 – Fitted Doors

June 8, 2017March 13, 2020

8 Ways to Maximise Space in a Small Kitchen

How To Make Your Small Kitchen Feel Bigger

The majority of homeowners in the UK know that space is at a premium in the kitchen. Whether an older Victorian terrace or a modern city apartment, square footage is squeezed to the max and invariably, the kitchen is the one area to suffer from a lack of space. However, with some clever use of hacks and space saving ideas, storage and worktop areas can be made to feel a great deal bigger.

Try just of few of these ingenious ideas and you’ll make your small kitchen feel instantly bigger and more practical:

Use Every Inch of Your Cabinets

Inside the backs of your cabinets doors is potential to hang many small items such as measuring cups, utensils or even pan lids. With some simple hooks and rails, items that usually cause clutter can suddenly become organised and easy to reach.

You could even convert decorative fixed drawer fronts into pulldown storage spaces, simply by adding hinges and pop latches.

Drawer Front Pull-Downs Offer Ingenious Storage for Sponges & Washing Up Brushes on Sink Units. Image credit: Nichole Heady

Use Every Inch of Wall Space

Every kitchen will have a section of wall that is either unused or seemingly dead space yet offers a quick and easy way to declutter other parts of the kitchen.

Racks and wall shelves are a simple, cost-effective way of adding more storage for awkward items that demand a lot of room. By placing pots, pans, cups, saucers and other items on the wall, they become easy to access and free up cupboards for food storage and other items that you wouldn’t normally have out on display.

Kitchen Wall Racks Makes Dead Space Useable. Image credit: Small House Interiors

Even simple hooks to hang your best stainless steel pots and frying pans is a great way to showcase your prized cooking items. Or shelves around windows spaces and ledges can make for a decorative look and free up room for other things in the cupboards.

Kitchen Window Shelves Look Beautiful When Tastefully Done. Image credit: Lushome

Magnets Work Wonders

Magnetic strips on walls, the sides of cabinets and even the fridge open up a load of space saving options. Instead of having a bulky knife rack taking up vital room on the counter, your knives could easily be stuck to a neat set of magnets, making for a cool looking display as well as being easy to reach for the chef in the house.

A Simple Stylish Magnetic Knife Rack. Image credit: IKEA

You could even create your own magnetic racks or spice jars by placing adhesive magnetic strips to the bottom of the plastic containers and then stick them to the side of the fridge for each access.

Just remember, if it’s metal, it can be stuck practically anywhere you like in the kitchen!

Hang Items from the Ceiling

Don’t forget to look up once in a while. A ceiling mounted rack or above head height shelf is very inexpensive and is a great way to store pots, pans and jars out of the way and be right there, easy to reach when you need them.

Hanging Pots & Pans Looks Great & Saves Space. Image credit: Home Depot

Use Every Inch of Every Corner

Corner units offer by far the biggest and most spacious storage areas in the kitchen, so make the most of them. For items than you want hidden away, there’s a number of great ways to make your corners functional. Lazy Susan carousel corners as well as pull-out shelves offer practical, space saving solutions.

Corner Unit Pull-Outs Look Great & Offer Practical Space Saving Solutions. Image credit: Creative Engine Room

Fold Away Your Dining Furniture

If you need a place to eat in the kitchen yet have little floorspace to do so, try installing a simple folding table and chairs. That way, they are only using the floorspace when you are seated for your meal and can be easily folded away when not in use.

A Fold Down Kitchen Table Can Save a Ton of Room. Image credit: (https://kitchen.ludovictory.com/fold-down-kitchen-table/fold-down-kitchen-table-queen/) The Kitchen Remodel

Opt for Smaller Appliances

Every kitchen needs appliances but all come in different shapes and sizes. Decide which appliances could be downsized to a slightly smaller model such as the refrigerator or oven and you could help create a few extra essential inches where they’re needed most.

Create a Moving Cart Island

A kitchen island on wheels is the best of both worlds as it serves as a extra storage and preparation area, yet can be rolled out of the way when not required. With a little extra overhanging worktop, it could even serve as a small dining or coffee table in the kitchen and be an invaluable multifunctional piece of furniture.

Portable Kitchens Island Offer Additional Storage That’s Moveable. Image credit: Blue Roof Cabin

May 12, 2017June 19, 2017

New Kitchen vs Kitchen Transformation – Which is Best?

Weigh Up the Pro & Cons of Both Kitchen Options

Everyone reaches a point when they realise their kitchen no longer works for them. In most cases, it’s outdated, tired looking or has simply become damaged through wear and tear over the years. The end conclusion tends to be – a new kitchen is needed.

The key consideration however is which route to take – a brand new fully fitted kitchen or a kitchen makeover? Here’s a few key points to consider before making that all important decision:

Existing Space

Unless you are building an extension or plan to take down some walls, the available square footage of your kitchen won’t change.

With a brand new kitchen you have the opportunity to strip out all of the old cabinets and look at the space with a fresh pair of eyes whilst with a kitchen makeover, the cabinets will most likely stay as is and be upgraded with better, newer doors, drawers, worktops, hardware and mechanisms.

At the end of the day, you need to decide if the existing kitchen layout still works and just needs some simple tweaks and improvements to make it look and work better. If not, you may have to consider a completely new design that adds space and improved usability to the kitchen as well as a brand new look.

Upgrades

Most modern kitchens now come with a whole range of cool features and space saving ideas. Whether its pull out larders, pull down wall cabinets, easy access corner units or built in appliances.

A completely new kitchen gives you endless options if making wholesale changes is your preferred route however, if you just need a few improvements to certain parts of the kitchen, you can always insert one or two new cabinets into the existing layout and leave the rest of the units in place.

Some features such as soft closing drawers and doors are readily available in kitchen makeovers so small improvements like this do not require a completely new kitchen fitted.

Cost

One of the most obvious comparisons between a brand new fully fitted kitchen and a kitchen makeover is the cost. Modern brand new kitchens are not cheap and you can easily expect to pay several thousand pounds alone just for the cabinets – that’s before you add worktops, hardware and fitting!

A kitchen makeover will cost the fraction of a new kitchen and give a look that is just as eye-catching and transform the entire space. New doors, drawers, hardware and worktop overlays will make any tired old kitchen look a million dollars without the high price tag.

Stress & Hassle

Ask anyone who’s had a brand new fully fitted kitchen installed and they’ll tell you it’s very stressful. Having a team of contractors dismantle the old kitchen involves noise, mess and disruption, not to mention having nowhere to cook or prepare food. You could easily go several days without a kitchen, possibly longer if there’s specialist electrical or plumbing work involved, plus the time it will take a company to template and supply a new worktop. Days can easily turn into weeks.

A kitchen transformation on the other hand can take a matter of days and in most cases, you won’t even need to empty to cupboards, meaning you can still have a fairly useable kitchen whilst the work is going on. There’s less mess, less stress and far less hassle that way.

Time & Speed

If you want your new kitchen quickly, a kitchen makeover has to be the route to take.

A brand new fully fitted kitchen involves going to showrooms to choose a new style, having a designer take measurements and then sit with you for several hours to decide the new layout and specification. Just this process alone can take days to complete. Then once you’ve finally settled on your new kitchen, you may have to wait several weeks for it to be made and delivered and hope that there’s a suitable date available to have it installed.

A kitchen makeover tends to happen far quicker. Only the doors order may take a little while as they are made-to-measure but once the materials are manufactured and ready, the process will be much quicker.

Mess

Having a new kitchen installed is messy. No matter how hard you try to prevent the build up of dirt and dust, contractors always find a way to make and leave a mess behind. And eventually that dirt and dust finds its way through the rest of the house!

A kitchen makeover is a far less destructive process so the likelihood of creating a mess is reduced for obvious reasons.

Conclusions

So ultimately the choice is yours. There’s obvious pros and cons for both routes and you need to decide what your priorities are before pressing ahead.

If budgets are tight, time is short and your needs are more cosmetic, a kitchen transformation is undoubtedly the best route to take.

If money is no object, you have the time, patience and willingness to create your dream kitchen then of course, go shopping and get the best possible brand new kitchen you can find.

May 3, 2017June 19, 2017

How to choose the right style doors for your kitchen

Whether you’re getting a brand new fully fitted kitchen or a stylish makeover with made-to-measure replacement doors, your new kitchen will be a sizeable investment, one that means you’ll need to take time to make the right decision.

One of the hardest choices is deciding on the style of kitchen doors you want to install. With so many on the marketplace nowadays, it seems like the choices are endless. With recent manufacturing processes coming a long way, it’s possible to get practically any look, style or colour you like without blowing the budget. With so much choice on offer, where do you start?

By following this guide, you should be able to make an easier decision through a simple process of elimination and of course, personal preference!

Replacement Traditional Kitchen Doors with Existing Worktop

Existing Worktops & Hardware

If you do not plan to change the worktops, this will hugely influence the type of doors that will either compliment or clash with the existing counter. Older melamine worktops tend to cheapen the final finish, so if you can stretch the budget to replace them, got for it as this will give you far more options. Quartz overlays are a great way to improve existing worktops dramatically and do not cost the earth.

If however you only want change the doors, make sure the style and doors colours you pick work in harmony with the countertop pattern and colour. An older traditional style kitchen cannot be transformed into a sleek modern glossy design if the countertop simply doesn’t fit the style.

Likewise, if the worktops are a plain white, cream or beige tone, going bold won’t look good at all. Find a door that is essentially a more contemporary version of the style that you previously had – one that is timeless, simple and elegant.

White Kitchen Doors with Terracotta Tiles Still Looks Fabulous. Image credit: Decoist

Existing Floors & Tiling

Many homeowners forget just how much impact flooring has on the final finish in a kitchen. Some of the older lino’s date very quickly and rarely look good in any type of kitchen, especially if they’re in poor condition.

Ceramic or porcelain tiles are more timeless and with careful colour and style choices, can help to compliment the finished look. If you have classic terracotta tiles then you’ll be surprised how many colour choices work. A classic white shaker kitchen looks great contrasting against the tiled floor, as does natural wood grain or even greys or sage greens. Country style or traditional doors tend to work best here. Flat glossy doors simply do not belong with terracotta tiles.

If your flooring is more neutral in colour then consider yourself lucky as your door style options are far more broad.

Going Brightly Coloured in the Kitchen May be a Mistake. Image credit: Lavie Senior

Existing Colour Scheme

If you are going to change your kitchen doors, surely a fresh coat of paint is in order right? If not, choose your doors carefully.

Neutral coloured walls such as whites, greys or pale pastel shades should work with most styles as they are less likely to clash but if your walls are bright or have rich tones, you want to find a door style and colour to compliment the existing decorating. But really, if you are going to invest in new kitchen doors, surely a little extra expense on paint and a few hours of your time is well worth the investment in giving your kitchen the fresh lease of life is deserves?

A Beautiful Character Kitchen for a Cottage. Image credit: Character Cottages

Age of Property

It should go without saying that any kitchen you install should compliment the era and style of property you own. A quaint country cottage deserves a country style kitchen whilst a modern city apartment must have a contemporary kitchen for entertaining and impressing guests.

When it comes to your home and its age, there’s no special secret formula when it comes to kitchen style choice. Square pegs don’t fit in round holes, so go for a door style that befits your home. Trying to force a style into a space that doesn’t belong simply won’t work.

A Dark Kitchen in a Badly Lit Room Doesn’t Work. Image credit: Daily Mail

Interior Lighting

One common mistake homeowners make is a lack of consideration for the lighting in the kitchen area, whether natural or artificial. The style of doors you choose can impact how light reflects around the room so make sure you choose a door style and colour that reacts to the light in the room correctly.

A brightly lit kitchen might feel too bright if everything is white or fitted out with garish colours, on glossy flat doors. Oppositely, a dark and dingy kitchen will desperately need as much light it can get so avoid dark colours and flat painted doors that will only absorb light and make the whole room feel dark and small.

What You Like

At the end of the day, it’s your kitchen so have what you like!

One way of seeing how your kitchen may look is to have a specialist designer produce a 3D render of your kitchen, just to give you a better idea of how the space will look when finished. By doing so, you’ll instantly be abel to visualise the space and make an informed decision as to whether the doors styles you’ve chosen will work wonders or be a potential disaster.

April 24, 2017March 13, 2020

How to give your kitchen a makeover on a budget

7 Simple Ways to Transform any Tired Kitchen

No matter the size of your budget, the cost of replacing an entirely brand new kitchen is a sizeable investment. When you take into consideration to cost of the units, not to mention worktops, professional fitting plus necessary electrical and plumbing work, the final bill can reach well in excess of five figures. Money most people do not have to spend.

In most cases, the existing kitchen is reasonably functional but feels outdated, tired and most likely damaged and deteriorated from excessive use over many years. Do not despair however, as there are numerous ways to give your kitchen a new lease of life without breaking the bank.

A Simple Change of Hardware Can Transform Any Kitchen. Image credit: (http://ukskydivers.com/kitchen-cabinets-handles.html/kitchen-cabinets-handles-superb-home-decoration-ideas-with-kitchen-cabinets-handles-kitchen-zinc-alloy-cabinet) UK Skydivers

Update Your Hardware

Sometimes, it’s the smallest things that can make a difference. You may find that the actual doors in your kitchen still look reasonably good yet the hardware is dated, old fashioned and showing signs of age.

By changing the hardware to compliment the existing doors, you will be surprised just how much this will give the kitchen a different look. By tossing away old fashioned brass, wooden knobs or handles and replacing them with more modern chrome or brushed nickel hardware, any kitchen will look a million dollars.

To complete the simple makeover, try replacing the hinges to brand new soft closing mechanisms and suddenly, you have a kitchen you can love again – all on a shoestring budget.

Repainting Kitchen Cupboards Will Bring Them Back to Life. Image credit: Pinterest

Repaint the Doors & Drawers

Most DIY stores now stock specialist paints to recolour kitchen cabinet doors. It’s a little bit of a messy job but if you have the means and patience, repainted kitchen doors and drawers will look practically brand new with a lick of paint.

By choosing a simple colour palette such as whites, greys or pale creams, you can virtually make any style of doors look as though it was purchased last week. And the great thing is, its very quick and cheap to achieve.

Replacing the Doors Looks Like a Newly Fitted Kitchen. Image credit: BA Kitchens

Replace the Doors & Drawers

If your doors are badly damaged and are ready for the scrap heap, your next best option is to replace just the doors and drawer fronts, rather than the entire units. Again, this route costs a lot less than you may think and by replacing the doors, you can literally make your kitchen look as though it was professionally refitted.

What this option does is gives you infinite options without interfering with the existing kitchen, so there’s no mess and no hassle. You don’t even need to empty the cupboards!

You can go from having an old fashioned, outdated kitchen to a modern, sleek design in no time at all. Or you can stick to your preferred styles whether traditional, country or contemporary and have a kitchen that feels just a little bit more up-to-date than before.

Quartz Overlay Gives An Expensive Looking Finish.

Change the Worktops

Sometimes your kitchen units aren’t the main cause of the kitchen feeling dated and unloved. Cheaper laminate worktops can start to peel away and chip with age and over time, this will start to look so bad that the final kitchen feels like it’s been neglected for a considerable time.

Nowadays, you can replace worktops by using cost effective quartz overlays which look stunning and will make any kitchen look incredible. Quartz is a man-made material that is hard and looks as good as granite, at times better and will remove the cheapness that laminate worktops tend to achieve.

This change alone can transform a kitchen and really bring it back to life!

A Subway Tile Backsplash is Cost Effective & Modern. Image credit: HGTV

Fit a New Backsplash

Old tiles that have discoloured over time will always cheapen and date the finished look of your kitchen. But with a small investment in some good quality tiles, you can give it a big lift.

Lower cost options such as subway tiles are very popular as they look great in practically any kitchen and with their timeless design, won’t date like some trends from the past. Choose tiles that compliment or contrast in colour with your cabinets and worktops and you’ll be onto a winning formula that will make your kitchen pop.

Simple Contrasting Colours Will Make Any Kitchen Pop. Image credit: Designing Idea

Repaint the Walls

When’s the last time you actually gave your kitchen a fresh coat of paint? If it was several years, then it’s time to get the paint rollers and trays to the ready!

A fresh coat of paint will do wonders to your kitchen and by choosing the right colours, will bring it back to life for sure. If your cabinets are light such as white or pale grey, perhaps choose a wall colour that is darker to contrast with the units and make them really jump out. Don’t go crazy with colour. Stick to a simple palette with just a few shades and your kitchen will achieve a look that is coherent and will last for many years.

A Fully Refurbished Modern Kitchen. Image credit: The Blooming Hydrangea

All of the Above

If you have the means, try any or all of the above suggestions and you will undoubtedly take your kitchen from the dark ages into the modern era. All of these suggestions require a little elbow grease and some expense but overall, they are a far cheaper route than replacing your kitchen entirely and will achieve the exact same results.