Creating a Beautiful and Functional Kitchen

Are you bored of the way that your kitchen looks? Do you hunger for sleek, new appliances that will make light work of your domestic chores? If you answered yes to these two questions, take a look at the five steps below and start creating a beautiful and functional kitchen in your home today.

1.      Make a list of everything that you really desire.

This is a wish list so it does not have to be completely practical, that comes later. Just sit down and make a note of every appliance and piece of kitchen furniture that you would love to own. If you have always wanted to buy a spacious Britannia range cooker then write it down. At this stage, there is no need to worry about whether you can afford any particular item or whether there will be enough room for everything that you want in your kitchen.

2.      Sleep on it.

Once you have completed your list, sleep on it – literally. Put it somewhere safe and go to bed. You will find that when you look at it the next day, some of the items on your list will appear to be less desirable than others. Strike out the ones that no longer seem to be as attractive as they were the day before and you should now be left with a list of things that you really do want to have in your kitchen.

3.      Consult an experienced kitchen designer.

Unless you have worked on home improvement projects of this nature in the past, it is best to consult a professional before you get started. Whether you decide to hire the designer in question or not, at the very least he or she will be able to tell you which of the items on your list will fit nicely into your kitchen. If you do decide to hire the person you consult, they should be able to suggest lighting improvements that will help you to conserve energy and point out other ways in which you can save money by incorporating efficient design elements. Ordinary homeowners without extensive experience will find it very hard to come up with these types of refinements.

4.      Work out your budget.

Once you have a basic design that includes all the must have items from your list, you can add up the cost of each item, together with the fees charged by your designer and any workmen that you will need, to come up with a total cost for your kitchen renovation project. If the total should exceed what you are willing or able to spend, you may need to leave one or two pieces of furniture until such a time as you are able to buy them without overstretching your finances.

5.      Meet with the contractors you wish to use.

A short meeting, attended by the contractors and the designer that you hire, will give everybody involved an opportunity to ask for clarification on any points about which they are unclear. Whist this could be done via email, face-to-face meetings are usually far more effective and help to ensure that nothing is overlooked.

By following the above steps, you should end up with a beautiful kitchen that has everything you desire and that does not leave you broke. If you are confident that you know how to use credit cards sensibly, you can always pay for some items with your flexible friends rather than with cold, hard cash. It is also possible that your bank or building society will approve a home improvement loan for the amount that you require.

About the Author:

A company whose staff have been in the kitchen business since the 1970s, Cameo Kitchens is a reputable provider of many branded appliances and fittings, including  Britannia, AEG, Blanco, and more.