Kitchen advice
Kitchen Planning Checklist
Use this practical checklist before your kitchen design appointment.
A good kitchen plan starts with accurate measurements, a realistic budget and a clear list of what must improve. Think about layout, storage, appliances, worktops, lighting and installation before choosing colours. Take this checklist to your home or showroom design appointment.
1. Write down what is not working
Before looking at new kitchens, list the problems with the existing one. You may lack worktop space, struggle with a corner cupboard, need a larger fridge or want somewhere to sit. Separate essential improvements from optional ideas.
This gives the designer a useful brief. It also stops the project becoming focused only on door colours while practical problems remain unsolved.
2. Decide how the kitchen is used
Think about who cooks, whether two people work in the kitchen together, how often you entertain and whether children use the space. An open-plan family kitchen needs different storage and circulation from a compact kitchen used by one person.
Mention mobility needs and how the household may change. Comfortable heights, reachable storage and clear walkways can make the kitchen easier to use for many years.
3. List appliances
Record every appliance to be included and note whether it will be retained or replaced. Include the oven, hob, extractor, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer, microwave and small appliances that stay on the worktop.
Model numbers and dimensions are important, particularly for existing appliances. Integrated products need suitable housings and ventilation, while range cookers and American-style refrigeration influence the layout significantly.
4. Audit your storage
Look at what is currently stored in the kitchen and where it would be easiest to reach. Pans may suit deep drawers near the hob, while dry food can work well in a tall larder. Consider recycling, cleaning products, trays and small appliances rather than only crockery.
Internal fittings are most valuable when they solve a real problem. Choose them deliberately instead of adding mechanisms everywhere.
5. Set a complete budget
Your budget should cover cabinets, worktops, appliances, sink, tap, handles, installation and any preparation or finishing work. Keep a contingency for hidden issues, especially when renovating an older kitchen.
Tell the designer your realistic range. It helps them recommend suitable products and show where a change will make the biggest difference.
Arrange a free home or showroom appointment with Ultimate Kitchen Company.
Request an appointment →6. Collect useful style references
Save a small number of kitchen images and identify what you like in each one. It may be the cabinet colour, island shape, worktop contrast or overall warmth. Avoid expecting one photograph to be copied exactly into a different room.
The designer can translate those preferences into choices that suit your space, lighting and budget. Visit a showroom to see whether finishes look the same in person.
7. Think about worktops and lighting
Worktop space is most useful beside the sink and hob and where food is prepared. Keep small appliances in mind so they do not occupy every clear area. Consider where sockets will be needed.
Plan general lighting, task lighting and feature lighting together. Under-cabinet lighting can make preparation areas easier to use, while pendant lighting may suit an island if it does not obstruct views.
8. Understand the installation
Ask what removal, disposal, plumbing, electrical work, wall preparation, flooring and decorating are included. Confirm who coordinates each stage and how long key facilities are likely to be unavailable.
A clear itemised quote and planned schedule reduce surprises. Read our guide to kitchen installation time for more detail.
9. Check circulation and clearances
Cabinet doors, appliance doors and drawers need room to open without colliding. There should also be comfortable space around an island and enough clearance for people to pass when someone is cooking. A layout can look attractive on a drawing but still feel cramped if these dimensions are ignored.
Ask the designer to explain the main walkways and show how the dishwasher, oven, fridge and bins work when open. This is particularly important in narrow rooms and busy family kitchens where several people may use the space at the same time.
10. Review samples in real light
Small samples can change appearance under daylight, warm bulbs and cooler task lighting. Compare the cabinet door, worktop, flooring and wall colour together rather than choosing each one separately. If possible, take samples home and look at them at different times of day.
Also think about cleaning and fingerprints. A dark matt door, polished worktop or textured surface may look different after daily use. The showroom is the right place to touch displays, open cabinets and ask how each finish should be maintained.
11. Prepare for the design appointment
Bring your checklist, appliance information, style references and budget range. During a home visit, show the designer anything that must stay and explain known issues with services or the building.
You do not need every answer before the appointment. The purpose is to work through the important decisions in the right order. Request a free home or showroom appointment when you are ready to begin.