Furthermore, web stores allow you to compare and contrast a multitude of different styles at the click of a button, giving you more opportunities to find the perfect design. And with sites like Lark and Larks’ allowing you to submit your own specific requirements via e-mail, you get all the responsiveness of a conventional store with none of the pressure.

1.    Small details that have a big impact

While this might be surprising to some people, it’s often the most intricate details of a kitchen that have the biggest impact on the viewer. Kitchen door handles, for example, can transform the look of your units, and considering that you can get quality, visually exciting handles for a relatively low cost, they’re a great way to cost-effectively upgrade your kitchen’s design.
Alternatively, filling the spaces between units, worktops and appliances with strips of solid wood can add an interesting element that offsets the negative visual effect of cheaper materials. Try fitting a strip of mahogany or other visually complementary wood in between your cooker and worktop and see how an inexpensive highlight can add a subtle richness to your overall aesthetic.

2.    Don’t underestimate the value of good lighting

You can have the best designed, most luxurious kitchen in the world, but without the right lighting you’ll never be able to get the best aesthetic return from your investment. Fortunately, the opposite is also true. Through smart use of spot lighting, you can accentuate the best design features of the kitchen while drawing the eye away from the less appealing aspects. Furthermore, well-implemented ambient lighting can bathe kitchens in a warm, soft glow that complements virtually any design choice. And if all else fails, a simple dimmer switch can take an unappealing kitchen out of the spotlight when you’re entertaining.

3.    Invest in appliances

While your appliances might just be your biggest source of expenditure, it’s really worth investing in items of a decent quality. Not only are they a very prominent element in kitchen design, they’re also expensive to replace if they break down. Having an appliance that costs a bit more but lasts for years is better than opting for a cheap but fallible alternative, and is more cost-effective in the long term meaning that it’s better for your budget. A quality appliance will also lift the visual standard of the entire room, and can easily shift the attention away from cheaper materials.

4.    Combine unconventional elements

If your kitchen has a uniform look, it tends to emphasise the quality of the materials and this can be a bad option if you’re on a tight budget. Instead, why not consider mixing and matching different materials to give yourself a cut-price contemporary aesthetic? Combining cheap units with alternately coloured, high-gloss doors or a striking stone worktop can really help to highlight your interesting design choices over the materials themselves. As well as being cost-effective, this method allows you to be creative in your design and gives your kitchen a really unique, individual look that’s many times more valuable than an expensive but uninteresting kitchen.

While laminates are famed for their durability, hygienic qualities and ease of maintenance, it is perhaps their versatility in terms of design that makes them stand out as a real contender. Whether you’re looking for a classic stone aesthetic or something unconventional, the breathtaking range of colours and patterns on offer is sure to surprise, making laminates a fantastic all-round choice for your worktop.

Yes, Lark and Larks take the hassle out of planning a new bedroom by offering a service that’s tailored to each individual customer. Whether you’ve got an awkward alcove or a corner that you just don’t know how to use, our design expertise and experienced fitters could help you make the most of every last inch.

From majestic corbels to exquisite mantle sets and end panels, we offer a full selection of additional features that act as the perfect complement to our wide variety of high-end door designs. By taking advantage of the complete package of kitchen accessories available, you can ensure that your kitchen has a beautiful, unified aesthetic that makes the most of your door choices. It really is the best way to get the most out of your investment.

The answer: practically anything. These types of handles combine the best of both worlds, bringing the rich quality of wood into perfect fusion with the sleek style of steel. Whether you’re looking to give a modern design a more homely tone or bring your country kitchen into the 21st century, a combination or insert handle could be the thing for you.

And that’s not to ignore the huge design potential of kitchen tiles. Available in almost any colour, you can use tiles to create patterns or mosaics, or simply go for one bank of colour in differing shades to give your design that nuanced edge. What’s more, you can combine tiles with other forms of decoration to give your kitchen a varied and versatile look. And don’t worry about having to replace them every few years or so, as tiles are usually very durable and hardwearing. While they’re perhaps more vulnerable to chipping than other surfaces, they’re also relatively simple to repair and replace.

But how do you go about choosing and fitting kitchen tiles? In terms of the type of tile you choose, ceramics are by far the most popular type of material and will work well in virtually any kitchen. This is partly because they conduct heat so well, meaning that they can accommodate hot pans and keep the kitchen cool in hot weather, but it’s also due to their impressive cost-effectiveness. They’re also available in a wide range of shapes, sizes and colours, meaning that they offer the most flexibility in aesthetic terms.

When it comes to fitting your tiles, you’ll need the following equipment:

•    Tile, tile adhesive and tile cutter
•    Grout and grout spreader
•    Plastic spacers, gloves, trowel and spirit level

Once you’ve got that to hand, you’ll need to deal with the electrics. Make sure the power is off before removing the covers of your switches and sockets, and then use a sponge to clean the wall. Use a rag to get it dry again, and then apply a small amount of adhesive to the wall. You’ll want to work in small steps, because if you apply too much adhesive then you’ll be in a rush to fit the tiles before it dries out. It’s also a good idea to start from the centre and then work out towards the edges.

When placing the first tile, hold it gently against the adhesive to ensure that it’s firmly in place and then use the plastic spacers to help line it up with the other tiles. Use your spirit level to make sure it’s not at a funny angle, before repeating this process with the rest of the tiles. When you get to the outer edges, use the tile cutter to get the right fit. When everything is in place, then you can start to grout in between the tiles. Make sure the grout is spread evenly and use a sponge to get rid of any excess.

Once that’s done, you just need to wait around 5 or 6 hours for the grout to dry before giving it a final once over with the sponge. And there you have it. Fitting your tiles really is as simple as that, which is why they’re such a great choice for some casual kitchen DIY.

That’s why pull-out taps are such a great choice for the kitchen. With their detachable spout and tactile form offering versatility in the face of difficult tasks, they offer a whole new route to kitchen convenience.

By taking advantage of Lark and Larks’ kitchen design service, you can be sure that your kitchen will be well-proportioned, easy-to-use and effortlessly stylish. By giving us some basic details about your dream kitchen, we’ll draw up a custom design that makes the most of the space. What’s more, if you then decide to buy your kitchen from Lark and Larks, then the service is completely free.

One interesting idea is to use multiple spot lights across the room. This style makes the room’s light feel indirect, giving it a soft effect that’s perfect for creating a relaxed atmosphere. It also gives you more flexibility and, when combined with a significant natural light source, can offer a versatile solution to your bedroom lighting needs.