Kitchen design is often seen as a complicated task best left to the professionals. However, here at Arena Kitchens we believe that our customers should be well informed and have access to the right information.


Kitchens	Kitchen Design	Wentworth Kitchens	Second Nature kitchens	Pronorm kitchens	Omega Kitchens

Kitchen Design

page1 - kitchen design 2 - kitchen design 3 - kitchen design 4
The most important part of any kitchen design is the one part that cannot be replaced - you the customer. After all, you are going to be using and living with your kitchens every day, so the overall layout is paramount to your needs.
We want the opportunity to provide you with a FREE design and will guide you through the process. All you need to do is complete the form at the 'Request a Quote' link and we will contact you to discuss the project.

Kitchen Design Layout
In any kitchen design the sink, preparation area and hob should never be too far apart and the fridge should be near the entrance. This all will effect where you put your basic equipment (fridge, hob, microwave and sink) and where the service points for water, electricity and gas will be. Keep the existing service points in mind in your kitchen design as rewiring and re-plumbing will take a lot of time and money. When you draw a plan try to place the sink, preparation area and hob first. Then draw 3 lines to connect the three areas. This will usually result in a triangular kitchen design. The smaller the triangle, the shorter the walking distance will be between the three main working areas. If this walking distance looks too big, try to put the three areas closer together. Another important point of consideration is that sinks will often be placed against an outside wall under the window. This will make the plumbing easier, but also gives daylight where you need it most.

Kitchen Design Tips
When measuring the size of the area, make sure that the exact shape of the walls is known. If there is an inwards corner in the room it will influence the design of the worktop and the place of the wall-cupboards.
Mark the service points in your plan, as this will define where the main working areas will be placed in your kitchen design.
The longest unit will consist of the sink, drainer and maybe a dishwasher, so it is best to place this area in your kitchen design first.
If you like to cook with a lot of fresh vegetables or you need a big freezer, consider a big fridge/freezer at the end of your worktop for loads of storage and easy access.

Kitchen Design Basics
The most important part of buying a new kitchen is the design. What shape will it have, how big is the family that will use it and how often will it be used? First it is important to choose whether you want fitted or freestanding units. If you choose fitted units for your kitchen design, you will make the most of your space, as all the difficult corners can be hidden and used for storage. You can choose flat pack, rigid or custom built units to suit your needs and budget. Fitted units will also add value to your home, but you can't take them with you when you move. A freestanding or non-fitted kitchen design however, gives an individual and informal look. You can use all kinds of furniture to create the ambiance you prefer for your kitchen design. You have to choose your furniture well though to create as much storage space as in a fitted arrangement. We take the fitted kitchen design as a starting point, but a lot of our storage and design tips will be equally as useful for freestanding kitchens..
The planning of your kitchen design is of course important whichever style you prefer! Who will use it? Different people have different lifestyles and since the kitchen is the centre of the house lifestyle is the key to design that works for you. It is obvious that a single person or a couple will have different expectations than families with growing up children. If you're a single person that eats out a lot, your room will look completely different from a family that takes their evening meals together. Assess your kitchen design accordingly. Plan how much storage space you need for your groceries, cutlery and crockery, which equipment you will use (oven, grill, hob and time saving electrical appliances) and how much seating area you need. In a small room it is obvious that a large seating area is out of the question, but a small breakfast table might just fit in. In a big room, the seating area will take a big part of the space. Decide which part you want to commit to seating and work around it in your kitchen design.