Getting your kitchen renovation underway is quite a daunting task. Even the keenest of home improvers can come unstuck when it comes to project managing a big kitchen refurbishment. With so much to consider it can be hard to know where to start, and it’s all too easy to forget about the small things that matter.
If you have the budget, working with a good kitchen design company, such as The Brighton Kitchen Company, will ensure your kitchen refurb delivers on both aesthetics and effortless functionality. Whether you have a design team on board or not, Dakota Murphey has provided you with 7 of the basic aspects you’ll need to get right to make your kitchen remodel a rip-roaring success.

1. Design style and cabinetry
Explore kitchen designs that suit your personality, your lifestyle and the style of your home. There are no right or wrong conventions, but the style of kitchen you choose should blend perfectly with the rest of your interiors.
If you’re the proud owner of a period property you may be considering a traditional kitchen style. In a contemporary property you’ll have a mandate for much more minimalist and streamlined modern designs. That’s not to say modern kitchens can’t be embraced in older homes, so long as it blends with the rest of the home and is tastefully done.
Once you have chosen an overall design style, then start narrowing down the options within that range. For small kitchens or awkward spaces, a bespoke solution could be well worth the investment.

2. Flooring
The type of flooring you choose, along with its colour, can have a huge impact on the look of your kitchen. Limestone or marble tile floors are elegant bases for large traditional kitchen spaces. Funky vinyl flooring can add real wow-factor to modern kitchen designs. Kitchen flooring options include:
• Hardwood
• Bamboo
• Laminate
• Rubber
• Vinyl
• Concrete
• Tile (marble, slate, travertine or limestone)

3. Worktops
As with flooring, worktops can make or break the overall look of the kitchen. Countertops are the workhorse of your kitchen, so durability should be factored into your choice. You’ll need to think about practicality of material for everyday use, the overall style and the colour. The main options for worktops are:
• Granite
• Quartz
• Marble
• Hardwood
• Laminate
• Glass
• Solid surface composite – Corian, Myre, Encore
• Stainless steel
• Concrete
You may also want to consider using different materials for different areas, either for practical reasons, or to break your workspace up into distinct work spaces. This is especially useful for kitchens embracing the theme of open-plan living, as it helps to differentiate cooking and living areas.

4. Sinks and taps
There are plenty of style options and sizes when it comes to choosing a humble kitchen sink. There are also a wide variety of tap types to match. The kitchen sink is probably one of the most hardworking pieces of equipment in your kitchen, so it’s an important design aspect to get right.
Whether or not you have a dishwasher will likely influence your sink choice. Do you want a double bowl, half, or single sink? You’ll also need to decide on a modern, traditional, or vintage style. The sink needs to fit in with your overall theme.
Taps also need to complement the overall style. Tap choices include Twin taps, Monobloc, Mixer or Pillar taps. Pay attention to function, as well as form.

5. Appliances
Appliances are probably the second most costly component of your kitchen renovation project. Do your research, and compare prices and reviews before you buy. You’ll want appliances that not only perform the functions you need them to, but also deliver on style, and fit seamlessly in with your kitchen design.
Designer appliances are a nice investment, but if you’re not much of a cook, there’s no point adding an expensive 6-burner range cooker. Make sure the appliances you choose meet all of your lifestyle and cooking needs.

6. Lifestyle and kitchen functionality
Your overall kitchen design needs to work for you and your lifestyle. Functionality is as much king as the overall style. Visit kitchen showrooms to get an idea of the types of layouts that might work for you. If you have a kitchen designer on board, make a list of the things that are important to you when you are working in your kitchen. A great kitchen designer will incorporate your individual needs into the design.

7. Budget
Set your budget first. Finish is important, and cabinetry (possibly the biggest expense in the kitchen renovation) will be the visual proof of your investment. Bespoke cabinetry is definitely worth the investment if you can afford it. However, match pre-fabricated cabinets with clever design ideas and you can still manage to pull off your dream kitchen.