Before you start any kitchen renovation project, you need to establish a budget, and have a margin of around 10% to cover any last minute expenses. When you decide on a budget and stick to it, you won’t get yourself into copious amounts of debt, and you’ll be living within your means. It might be uncomfortable to talk about money when you’re renovating your house, but it has to be done!

When you choose to renovate your kitchen, you have the freedom to add that kitchen island or breakfast bar you’ve always dreamed of, and you can really make the most out of the existing space (especially corner space – you can fit so much in dead space and corner space). This is a great time to think about your needs, designing your kitchen and choosing your kitchen cabinets around that. If you’ve got a large family, then why not consider a farmhouse style kitchen (permitting you have space of course!) Remember, you can be really clever with the storage solutions – from corner units to larder storage, built in wine racks and spice racks, the world is your oyster.

Now you’ve decided what you’re going to do with the space, you need to measure the existing carcusses so that you can get the right size units. Find out how to measure your kitchen cupboards in this helpful guide. Once you’ve done this, you can decide whether you want bespoke, made-to-measure cupboards, or standard units.

Now that you’ve sorted out the budget, measurements and sorted out what you’re doing with the space, you need to decide what style you’re going to go for. In most cases, your budget will dictate the style you go for. 

Handleless doors

• Great for smaller kitchens
• Look sleek and sophisticated
• Handleless doors costs a little more
• Can show finger-prints and dirt, especially if high-gloss
• As dirt shows up, not so great for busy households with pets or kids

Shaker doors

• Traditional, classic style kitchen
• Shaker doors are available in a range of colours
• They are durable – great for busy, large families
• Can choose from square, arches and rectangles – many different styles

Slab style

• Slab doors are a great option for smaller kitchens
• Looks good either fitted in the unit’s frame or hanging over 
• Can choose either a handleless design or add your own handles
• Costly but looks great in high-gloss or matte finish

High-gloss style

• Looks modern, sleek and sophisticated
• Light bounces off on lighter colours, making the room look bigger
• Enhances slab style or handleless doors
• High-gloss doors are available in a limited colours

Painted doors

• Painted doors have phenomenal visual impact
• If top coat hasn’t been applied properly, paint may chip after a while
• Can choose bespoke colours
• You can paint kitchen cupboard doors yourself

Natural wood

• Natural looking – gives farmhouse look
• Highly durable 
• Wood doors can warp over time due to heat and humidity

So, you’ve got your measurements, style of door, layout and budget sorted. Now, it’s time for the exciting part – choosing the colour scheme. There are many stunning colour schemes that suit smaller kitchens and larger kitchens – you just have to choose which one is right for you. Whether you’ve always loved that cool, grey look, you want a splash of bold colours, or you’re a fan of caffeine inspired browns and creams, you should consider the size of your kitchen, your lifestyle and the colour of your appliances.

Now that you’ve got all of the big decisions out of the way, why not take your kitchen design to the next level and implement under-cabinet lighting? Whether you want LED strip lighting that runs underneath the units, or you’re going for inside lighting to enhance the internal cupboards that have glass doors, it’s a great way to give your kitchen a facelift. Find out how to choose the right kitchen cabinet lighting.

Accessorising is perhaps one of the best parts of choosing units for your kitchen, as you can choose kitchen accessories that will give the space a truly unique look. From choosing your own fixtures and hinges to switching out the cupboard handles for something more modern, it’s a great time to make your kitchen truly yours. You can also choose brand new kitchen appliances such as a bread bin, kettle and coffee maker – all of which will go with your new style.

For advice or information about how to choose the right kitchen units, get in touch with the experts at Lark & Larks. Find out how to make your kitchen more eco-friendly.