The kitchen is the heart of the home (we also like to say that it’s the home of the heart!). It’s where families gather to cook, eat, and socialise, making it the hardest working space in the house. The post-Christmas period is often the time when many clients start the process of changing their kitchen, as we reflect on some of the challenges of entertaining in the festive period.
Our top 5 steps on how to get the most from the design process
A well-designed kitchen not only enhances the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the space but can also increase the overall value of the property. However, the kitchen design process can be overwhelming and without the right guidance, it’s easy to miss important details that can make a big difference to the final result. That’s why it’s crucial to approach the design process with a plan and an open mind and to work closely with a professional kitchen designer who can guide you through the process and help you to make informed decisions. In this blog, we will explore the importance of getting the most from the kitchen design process, discussing tips and strategies for creating a functional, beautiful, and personalised kitchen that meets your specific needs and tastes.
Understand your needs
There’s often a moment when we realise that the kitchen is no longer functioning as well as it should and we are motivated to take action. Perhaps having the family over for Christmas highlighted that an open-plan kitchen or more cooking capacity would work better when entertaining guests. For some, it could be working from home, a growing family or an accessibility need that prompts a re-think. Before you start the process, be clear about what it is you want to achieve and how you want the space to work for you. Create a list for your designer to ensure that your practical needs are fully understood and considered before floorplans are started.
This kitchen is part of a low-carbon home in Hampshire designed to meet the needs of a wheelchair-dependent client to allow her to live independently, alongside her family.
Think ahead
If your kitchen is part of a bigger renovation where an extension is involved or walls are moving, it may feel logical to finalise decisions with an architect and make a start on the building work, before moving on to the kitchen itself. However, we encourage clients to engage a kitchen design professional earlier than this. When we work with clients & their architects early on, we find that we can often make suggestions to improve the spatial flow of the kitchen & tweak the positioning of architectural features that can elevate the finished result to the next level.
In this contemporary shaker kitchen, we added a dresser unit to cover an old doorway.
It’s also important to consider the timings and when you would like the kitchen to be complete. The design process itself is very individual and can take some time. Before installation starts, we usually need between 8-10 weeks for the manufacture of the kitchen too, as every Myers Touch kitchen is made to order. It’s never too early to start sharing your ideas with a designer!
Do your research
As designers, we’re here to uncover your tastes and bring them to life. Any inspiration you have collected will help us hone in on the design details that reflect you.
Pinterest & Houzz are great tools for gathering images for us to discuss together. We also have a number of design talks created for customers at the start of the journey that will help you to think about some of the key decisions
You can also download our brochure here to understand more about our process and be inspired by recent projects.
Engage professionals
At The Myers Touch, we have good relationships with local architects & interior designers and we’re used to collaborating early on if required.
It’s important that you feel comfortable working with your chosen professionals. They’re with you on the journey and it’s crucial that they understand your needs and that honest & open discussion can take place. Sometimes it takes a little back and forth to arrive at the final design so chose someone who helps you feel at ease with this feedback process. As design professionals, our aim is for you to fall in love with your future kitchen and we understand that the best results come when we navigate our way through the many decisions as a team.
Make informed decisions
With a good designer, you should feel comfortable that at every stage of the process, multiple solutions to your practical and aesthetic needs are considered before suggestions & final decisions are made. For example, weighing up the pros and cons of different worktop materials, understanding quality and functionality available across the different appliance brands and the practical implications of the various approaches to the layout itself. By engaging a passionate kitchen designer, as opposed to a kitchen planner or salesperson, you will become educated along the way and not feel rushed into making decisions before being fully informed.
If you’d like to hear more about how we work with clients or to discuss your initial thoughts about your project, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Either call the studio on 01962 600 700 or contact us here and we’ll be in touch.
