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How to buy a new kitchen in 2020

Sales in the New Year can be tempting if you’re thinking of a new kitchen for 2020. However, for many people the idea of buying a new kitchen seems daunting. Fear not. Kitchen-compare’s guide breaks down the process into stages to make the journey easier and, hopefully, more enjoyable!

Make a wish-list: Time to sit and think about the functions you’d like your new kitchen to serve. Food preparation, cooking and cleaning are obvious but does your kitchen need to include a dining space – either table and chairs or island and bar stools? Do you want to incorporate a relaxing zone with sofa and TV? Are you hoping to create a flow from kitchen to garden for summer entertaining? Do you need extra storage? Do you have a separate utility room or do you need to factor in somewhere to house washing machine, footwear and dog bowl? Do you need to include some workspace in your kitchen? This wish-list will be a good starting point for discussion with a kitchen designer.


Review the space: Once you’re clear about your objectives, the next step is to take a good look at the space available. Will you need to remove internal walls or build extension to create the larger-open plan space you need to accommodate island, dining table, snug space for TV etc. If neighbours have a similar property, ask to see how they have used their space. Have a look in magazines at case studies with properties that have similar floorplans.


Decide on your style: Gather images that inspire you. Use sites such as Pinterest and Instagram, flick through magazines with live projects and tear out pictures – make your own mood board which you can then take with you to show kitchen designers. Don’t forget to look at kitchen company websites as they often have photo galleries and visit as many showrooms as you can. If you have a favourite piece of furniture or picture that you want to base your room around, capture this too. At this stage it’s not about budget, it’s all about finding your style and developing ideas.


Think about must-have appliances: It’s probably been a while since you last bought key kitchen appliances, so do some research, technology moves on! Consider the latest induction hobs, review the latest fridge-freezers and dishwashers, do you want / have space for a wine cabinet with dual control temperatures? How important is having a boiling-water tap? Do you really need that Wi-Fi connected multi-function oven? The more information you can provide a kitchen company the better.


Set your budget: Be clear about your budget from the outset. There are many things to consider if working to a tighter budget. Can you simply replace existing unit doors? How about a second-hand kitchen? Could you include more open shelving and pull-out storage to cut down on the number of units you need to buy? Is this something you, your partner and/or a friend can install or do you need to factor in the cost of an independent installer or a kitchen retailer installer? …. And finally, don’t forget to budget for those final touches.


These 5 steps will provide a good foundation and starting point when it comes to planning and buying your kitchen. Next month we’ll focus on the various buying route options, how to find a supplier, lead times and the all-important payment.

18th Dec 2019