5 Steps to kitchen planning easily

Have a contingency budget. Most projects take longer than you think and cost more than planned! It's a good idea to put aside 10 per cent of your budget for emergency building repairs and unforeseen expenses.  

BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT 

It's useful in the very early stages to look at what you , dislike about your existing kitchen. Make a list of all the things that annoy you - lack of storage space, old-fashioned design, poor layout - and think carefully about how you might improve them.

Build a scrapbook of kitchens and accessories you like, but make sure you look it over carefully and weed out things you've changed your mind about before you visit any kitchen showrooms. Try to have a clear idea of the design and color you like at the start - there are so many other decisions to make, it will help you to have a solid base.  

USE THE EXPERTS 

  Remember, from the budget DIY stores to the high-end kitchen specialists, the experts are there to help. Make use of online or in-store design systems and visit several showrooms in your budget range to get quotes.

Don't always assume a kitchen specialist will be more expensive, as many of them stock designs in a range of budgets. Make your needs and desires as clear as possible - a good designer will ask about you, your family and how you envisage using the space, as well as more practical things, such as design and cost. Start by creating your kitchen wish-list that includes your must-have features.  

CHOOSE YOUR FINISHING TOUCHES 

 A new design will often include new appliances. If you're going to a large retailer, kitchen showroom or high-end specialist, you can often buy your appliances through them. If you prefer to buy them yourself - the internet is a good place to source bargains - then make sure you coordinate their delivery after speaking to the kitchen showroom or builder.

Worktops, flooring and taps can also be supplied by the company you're buying your cabinetry from but, again, if you choose to buy direct then ensure you've got a schedule from your builder or kitchen company.  

SET YOUR BUDGET Your budget will ultimately decide where you buy your kitchen but remember your money won't entirely be spent on the kitchen units and appliances. Will your project involve building work, for instance, and are you planning to organize that yourself or are you looking for someone else to do it for you?

Even the simplest kitchen redesign is likely to involve builders to remove the old units and possibly electricians and plumbers, too, if you're changing your layout. Consider flooring and worktop choices carefully. Opting for underfloor heating will impact on what floor you choose, which will have cost implications.  

PLAN CAREFULLY

Now you need to start pulling all the elements together. Do you need a builder or an architect? Are you building an extension that requires plans? Does the design require planning permission or building regulations approval? You need to find this out at the start to avoid having to make costly changes later. Make sure to get a number of quotes and contact builders well in advance as the best are often busy.

Choose a kitchen designer who's on your wavelength. Just as important as style and price is finding a designer who understands your family's wants and needs and takes heed of your wish-list. http://fmiqed.blogspot.co.uk