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Design lessons learned from 5 kitchen renovations

Hear how the professionals take on tricky kitchen renovations and how to avoid costly mistakes.

Words by: My Bespoke Room

At My Bespoke Room, we've had the pleasure of guiding countless clients through their kitchen renovations, turning their dreams into reality - one stylish and practical space at a time!

Throughout these projects, our designers have picked up some invaluable insights that we just can't help but share.

Interested in transforming your kitchen? We have a limited number of free consultations available with an interior designer. Reserve your space here.

1. The layout will totally transform how you use the space

My Bespoke Room: a cream country kitchen before renovation
My Bespoke Room: a cream country kitchen after renovation

Let's face it, no matter how gorgeous your kitchen looks, if it's not designed with functionality in mind, you could be in for a bumpy ride.

During the planning stage of a kitchen renovation, it's crucial to think about how you'll actually use the space.

Make sure to take note of current pain points in your space to ensure your new design offers up a solution.

For this stunning industrial kitchen extension, we wanted to prioritise space and flow to make cooking an enjoyable process.

An oldie but a goldie rule for this is the kitchen triangle: it’s an efficient arrangement of the three main work areas in your kitchen - the hob, sink and fridge. We always suggest roughly trying to form a triangle with these elements at a good distance apart to allow for smooth movement and workflow when cooking.

Giving yourself more space is never a bad thing, especially when it comes to worktops - consider incorporating a central island or peninsula to give you more workspace and even a spot for extra seating.

But wait, before you make this big purchase, try blocking out the new layout in the space to make sure the flow feels just right.

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Need help with your space? Make the most of My Bespoke Room's complimentary service and connect with a professional interior designer for up to 30 minutes. They’ll help you tackle your design dilemmas, refine your style, and share tailored tips.

2. You’ll never regret having too much storage

My Bespoke Room: entrance to a kitchen before
My Bespoke Room: entrance to a kitchen after

Have you ever heard anyone say, “Ugh, I wish we went for less storage space”? Well, we sure haven’t! 

That's because when it comes to storage, more is always merrier! Not only does it clear up precious countertop space, but it also gives your kitchen that sleek, minimalist vibe we all crave.

Of course, cabinetry is a given, but take a closer look at your design - can you squeeze in even more storage? How about adding cabinets beneath your island or tapping into that vertical space?

In this kitchen we went all out with the storage, making sure everything from the cutlery to the packet of crisps had a home.

For corners, consider swing-out ranks, perfect for those awkward nooks. And for pantry goods, picture a tall, pull-out shelving unit that maximises every inch of vertical space, saving you from diving into the depths of your cupboards.

Storage doesn’t just have to be for food goods either - we love the idea of a hidden coffee bar, keeping appliances such as coffee machines or toasters out of sight. And those larger cabinets? They're perfect for banishing that pesky vacuum and broom to the shadows.

3. Don’t be afraid to blend different materials

My Bespoke Room: Victorian house kitchen before renovations
My Bespoke Room: Victorian house kitchen after renovations

Mixing materials can feel like a risky game, but during this kitchen renovation, we truly discovered that it’s one of the best ways to create a dynamic and visually enchanting kitchen.

In this kitchen, the bright white cabinets and limestone floors give off a modern and airy feel, but this is complemented by a brick feature wall and wooden stools which create a more natural and warm vibe. 

Plus the incorporation of gold finishes pulls everything together making the kitchen feel that little bit more elegant.

This mix of materials creates a more unique and personal space which reflects the client's style and helps to create visual harmony where everything is balanced and not one element outshines the other.

When mixing materials, our best learning is to gather samples of everything from the flooring, countertops, cabinet paint and even hardware materials. This is because everything can look so different online or under showroom lighting that it’s best to take it all home and see if it truly works together.

When hiring an Interior Designer, you gain the confidence of knowing that every item you purchase is bound together, losing the fear of making any expensive mistakes!

4. Where to save and where to splurge on a kitchen design

My Bespoke Room: a pale green kitchen before renovation
My Bespoke Room: a white & navy kitchen after renovation

Throughout many kitchen renovations, we’ve expressed the same lesson to so many of our clients -  a stunning kitchen doesn’t need to break the bank!

It’s all about learning where to save the pennies and where to invest a little more.

In this kitchen design, the savvy homeowners took matters into their own hands and fitted all the cabinets themselves. They only purchased the fronts - achieving the same high-end designer kitchen look while saving a bundle of cash.

Let's talk savings: hardware, backsplashes, and lighting fixtures are perfect places to pinch those pennies. Plus, they’re super easy to switch out if you change your mind down the line.

When it comes to splurging, we'd suggest investing a bit more in appliances and worktops. These hardworking elements endure the most wear and tear in your kitchen, so durability is key. 

Not to mention, they truly elevate your cooking experience, making you want to spend even more time in the heart of your home.

Are you thinking about taking on a kitchen renovation and looking for some expert guidance?

From just £395 you can work with your own, professional designer who will help you with layout planning, colour schemes, cabinetry styles, worktops and tiling choices to bring your dream kitchen to life.

Find out more about how our kitchen finishes package can help you by booking a free call with one of our experts.


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