How To Buy A Kitchen: 10 Tips For A Successful Project

A new kitchen installation is exciting, but if it’s your first experience it can be a learning curve.  To help you navigate, we’ve put together these essential tips to ensure a smooth journey from planning to completion. 

Whether you're renovating or starting fresh, these expert insights will  help you avoid common pitfalls and achieve the kitchen of your dreams.

Tip #1: Start with Inspiration

The best way to start your journey to creating your kitchen is to soak up lots of inspiration, to help determine what you do and don’t like.  

Take time to visit showrooms to explore designs and materials in person. This hands-on approach allows you to visualise how different styles might look in your home. 

Pair this with online research and image-based online tools like Pinterest, Instagram and Houzz, to hone your preferences. By starting with a clear vision, you’ll make the design process smoother and more enjoyable.

Our Wigmore Street showroom has two floors of kitchen design inspiration, so it’s the perfect place to start.  

Tip #2: Communicate Effectively with Your Designer

Good communication is key to a successful kitchen project. The more detailed the brief you can give your designer, the better. 

Try to be as accurate as you can on your budget, and ready to discuss your lifestyle and style preferences on your first meeting to help your designer develop a clear picture of what it is you’re looking for. This is where your inspiration gathering will really help. 

Our clients will often bring vision boards, or Pinterest mood boards to share which are excellent starting points  for discussing style preferences and motivations. 

It's important to keep in mind that creating a great kitchen design is a collaborative and time-intensive process, so be prepared to allow enough time for this process!

Browse our client portfolio of completed projects to see how various styles and layouts have been brought to life. 

Tip #3: Account for Future Needs

When planning your kitchen, think beyond the immediate future. Opt for materials and designs that will remain stylish and functional for years to come. 

Consider how your storage needs or family dynamics might evolve over time, and incorporate solutions that allow your kitchen to adapt. 

Our Head of Design, Graham Robinson says, ‘Investing in a timeless design, and quality materials and appliances  today can save you from costly updates later.’

Tip #4: Trust The Experts 

Choose a kitchen designer with a solid track record and substantial experience in the industry. 

An experienced designer will possess in-depth knowledge of the best materials for your project, a thorough understanding of appliances, and the foresight to anticipate potential challenges. 

This expertise allows them to guide you in making the best decisions for your dream kitchen.

We are extremely proud of our long-standing team, and believe this is why we have so many excellent reviews from clients which we are very proud of.  You can see some of our reviews here.

Tip #5: Choose Appliances Wisely

Choosing the correct appliances is a crucial part of your kitchen’s functionality. Our designers have excellent industry knowledge so can guide you on this depending on your needs.

However, we do recommend visiting appliance brand experience centres  as they will be able to assist you with live demonstrations and even cookery courses to ensure the appliance is right for you. 

Ashley Collins, Senior Designer adds, ‘It’s so valuable to try appliances first hand. We often have clients who are certain they want to stick with a gas hob, but after testing out an induction have been complete converts, and they now love cooking on induction.’

Gaggenau, Fisher + Paykel and Miele all have an experience centre close to our  Wigmore Street showroom, where you can make an appointment to be guided through the appliances.

We are also proud to be the home of Novy in the UK at our Wigmore Street showroom, contact us on 020 7486 3080 to make an appointment for a specialist to assist you with your choices.  

The Novy induction hob with specialised ventilation tower rises to capture odours and steam immediately at the source, and is concealed back within the surface after use.

Tip #6: Budget for Hidden Costs

Hidden costs can happen during kitchen renovations, especially when it’s part of a more extensive home renovation. So, it’s wise to budget for the unexpected. 

Issues like outdated pipework or faulty wiring from previous installations can increase expenses. Having a financial buffer in place will help you handle any surprises without added stress.

Tip #7: Plan Your Timeline Carefully

A realistic timeline is vital for a smooth kitchen installation. Start by allocating sufficient time for the design phase, which often involves multiple revisions to create a perfect fit for your space. Once the design is finalised, lead time for your kitchen can vary.  

For example, a bespoke German kitchen will typically take from 6 – 10 weeks depending on specifications. 

The installation will then take around 1-2 weeks with an additional 7-10 days for worktop templating and installation.  

Asking your kitchen supplier to be super clear on the process and timelines will allow you to plan appropriately for the process. 

Take a look at our service to understand more about how we manage our projects.  

Tip #8: Prepare your Living Arrangements

Installing a new kitchen can be disruptive, so planning your living arrangements is essential. 

Many of our clients find it most comfortable to temporarily relocate during the installation process, especially if they have the option of staying with family, an alternative property or even going on holiday. 

If relocating isn’t feasible, we can help you with setting up a small temporary kitchen with the essentials to keep your daily life manageable. We’re always happy to help you plan for this stage to ensure minimal inconvenience.

Tip #9: Be ready for installation 

Before the agreed date of installation it’s important to make sure that the room is ready and the appropriate work complete before your kitchen installer arrives. 

Before your installations begin, ensure wall painting and major decorating is complete.  Electrics and plumbing are complete and ready to be connected to appliances to prevent any delays.  

At Halcyon, we will liaise with your builders, plumbers, and electricians to ensure everything is ready for your fitting date. 

Tip #10: Protect your investment 

Once your kitchen is complete, protect it properly to enable it to stay beautiful.  If tradespeople are still working on site, we strongly recommend sealing up the kitchen to ensure the space remains protected. 

Read your appliance hand books, and importantly register them on the appropriate websites to ensure the guarantees and warranties are live. 

Be clear on the appropriate way to clean and maintain your appliances and cabinets, and ensure that anyone cleaning your kitchen also knows this! 

At Halcyon, we’re always on hand and happy to help with any questions you have about your new kitchen.  

Summary

We hope these helpful tips, gathered from Halcyon’s 40 years of experience within the kitchen industry, provide valuable guidance for your kitchen project. 

For more kitchen design advice or to discuss your new kitchen project with our kitchen interior designers, book an appointment at one of our showrooms here.