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25bh | edwardian terrace94 | 25bh october 2017``````Lauren White, Ikea kItchens expertInsightJohn SimS-hiLditch, neptune``````consider lighting optionsincluding natural sources``````an island is a versatilechoice for prep and storage``````combine hidden storagewith open shelvingexpert eye ‘Planning your dream kitchen shouldalways start with inspiration. Do some research andfind aspects of kitchens that you want to incorporateinto your home. A mood board can be a great way ofgetting your ideas in one place to see what works best’Looking to update? Follow Lucy and AndrewSmith’s lead and plan a practical schemePlanning a Perfectkitchen l ayout###### Designing your dreamkitchen from scratch isan exciting yet dauntingprospect. Careful planningis the key to success, backed up withplenty of expert advice to ensure theend result is a practical space the wholefamily will want to spend time in.Ask the expertsIf the kitchen you have isn’t as spaciousas you would like, consider the potentialof increasing the room’s square footageby reconfiguring the space. If you dodecide to steal space from a hallway,utility room or garage, consult anarchitect. Lucy and Andrew visitedtheir architect’s home to get an ideaof his style before instructing him.Unless you are buying direct fromthe manufacturer, it’s hard to beat adedicated kitchen designer for in-depthknowledge on the latest appliances andmaterials. Book a consultation withat least three companies to make surethey understand your needs before``````committing. Ask family, friends andeven your builder if they can make anypersonal recommendations.Practical decisionsBegin by taking into account immovablefeatures like windows and doors, thenwork out how your cabinetry can beconfigured. Aim to create a workingtriangle, with the sink, cooker andfridge in close proximity. Also thinkabout the use of each area; Lucy andAndrew chose an island to defineseparate zones in their open-plan room.It’s the finer details, such asworksurfaces, f looring and appliancesthat can make a kitchen work. Beforeyou meet with a designer, decide on yourpriorities to avoid going over budget.Don’t get blinded by high-tech kit;decide precisely which gadgets you canor can’t live without. If you prefer togo solo to save money, companies suchas Ikea offer free 3D planning tools.Take in your measurements and akitchen consultant will help with plans.``````Feature``````stephanIe Durrantprofessional advice‘the first thing to determineis how much money you haveto spend. once you have a setfigure, it’s not too difficultto look at what you have andwork out where to go fromthere. You need to consider how long youplan on staying in your home – don’t spendall your savings on a kitchen you only planon using for the next five years.``````In order for a kitchen designer to startlooking at options, it’s really useful forthem to have measurements and a goodidea of what they are working with. Ifyou’re asking for a fully kitted-out kitchenwith an island and tall larder cabinets ina small cottage, this may not be feasible.``````the first rule of budgeting is to pick a priceand stick to it. next, look at what you want toachieve; will it require a complete revamp withbuilding work? these are factors that needto be determined right at the start, as anywork to your home will cost time and money.Generally, planning permission isn’t requiredwhen installing a kitchen unless it’s part ofan extension or a listed property. For adviceon these matters, it’s best to speak to yourkitchen designer or consultant who will havea good knowledge of what would qualify.’address book■ Neptune, 01793 427300, neptune.comQuality kitchens in four classic styles, madebespoke to suit your space and lifestyle■ Ikea, 020 3645 0015, ikea.coma diverse range of affordable cabinets andworktops with in-store experts■ DeVOL, 01509 261000,devolkitchens.co.ukbespoke kitchens, bathrooms, flooring andaccessories in classic and contemporary styleswith a free design service