Welcome to the Kitchen Compare Blog. Here we introduce you to many of the key sections of the website, focused on saving you time and money in the search for your dream kitchen. Don't forget to check back regularly for new posts.
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!
Island Living (Part 1) highlighted the popularity of islands when planning a new kitchen. While looks are important, deciding on the functionality of the design is key. Have a look at the options below to help you decide which set-up is right for you.
Kitchen islands are the focal point in many modern kitchens supplementing worktops and providing an extra cooking, food prep or socialising area.
Open-plan living is a key trend and one of the most important features of an open-plan kitchen design is arguably, the island. As well as providing the focal point and a casual dining and entertaining area, it often marks the space where the kitchen ends and the living space begins.
Technology and social media continue to advance at a pace. While having access to so many different platforms can seem overwhelming at times, there are many advantages which can be hugely beneficial when it comes to renovating or refurbishing your kitchen.
Research shows that most of us spend a few months gathering and looking for inspiration prior to starting a project. The most common sources of inspiration continue to be home interest magazines, retailer brochures, visits to showrooms and talking to friends and looking at their kitchens.
No matter what time of year, you can always rest assured that there will be a cookery show on television! The popularity of home cooking and baking is as strong as ever - The Great British Bake Off and Masterchef are just two examples that never fail to deliver impressive viewing figures.
The BBC Good Food Nation survey recently reported a 10% increase in the number of people who cook and prepare meals from scratch in the home at least once a week, and there’s now a majority (just over half) who would describe themselves as “good” cooks.
So, with all this encouraging continued interest in home baking, what are the best ways to create a professional cook-inspired kitchen at home?
Homes continually evolve and, with new fashion trends emerging each season, we are constantly tempted to update them.
There’s no reason why kitchens shouldn’t be treated and updated like any other room in the house. While stripping out kitchen cabinets and completely redecorating may be a rather extreme (and costly!) way to keep up with the latest trends, there are many other ways to reflect the latest look in the kitchen.
Below are Kitchen-compare’s top 5 coolest interior kitchen trends for this autumn / winter together with tips on how to introduce them into your own space.
Being more mindful of the environment in which we live is a topic regularly discussed and debated in the media and homes up and down the length of the country.
Over the last couple of years there have been startling statistics regarding the overuse of disposable plastics. It has prompted many of us to rethink how we live, to start making changes and to seek more planet-friendly alternatives. But single-use plastics are not alone putting pressure on the planet.
A shot of colour can create quite an impact in the kitchen. Whether it’s adding a splash or undertaking a complete overhaul, there are many ways to create a colourful environment in the heart of your home.
Ways to add colour to your kitchen – Part 1 explored injecting colour via cabinets, appliances, paint, tiles and accessories. However, there are many more alternatives – possibly some of these may inspire ….
Colour plays a vitally important role in the world in which we live and has a crucial role to play in our everyday lives. It is a form of non-verbal communication which can sway our thinking, change our actions, cause reactions and affect well-being. Colour matters… and incorporating colour into our kitchens matters too!
There are many ways to add colour – below are some great ideas that might inspire.
When it comes to refurbishing or renovating a kitchen inevitably there is a lot to think of – units, flooring, lighting, appliances, colour schemes… and then, of course, there’s a worktop to choose.
Kitchens can be the singular most expensive home improvement project when refurbishing, renovating or updating your home. On average, people in the UK purchase a new kitchen every 12 years and of course, like so many things, the cost of the project can vary enormously.
Last month’s blog focussed on creating the perfect country kitchen look. This month the focus is the industrial kitchen – a style far removed from the country kitchen but one that is equally popular and very much on trend
You’ve made the big decision to invest in your kitchen – now the hard work really begins as you start to think through all the possibilities of how you might like your kitchen to look. Whether planning a kitchen from scratch, refurbishing or renovating an existing one, deciding on the style of your kitchen is key.
As technology is continually advancing at a pace, kitchens too are developing and adapting to become more and more efficient and intelligent.
Kitchens can often be quite dark. All is not lost. There are many ways to lighten up a dark room… including a dark kitchen!
Research shows that in the UK kitchens are replaced or refurbished on average every 12 years. It is generally the singular most expensive home improvement project we undertake and most homeowners spend a fair amount of time looking for inspiration online, in showrooms and in magazines and brochures before committing to a new kitchen.
Following the latest trends can be tempting. However, kitchens can be the singular most expensive home improvement project whether starting from scratch or updating a current kitchen. Therefore, it’s important that any long-term investment stands the test of time and doesn’t simply reflect the trend of any given season – after all, it’s the one room in the house which is used day in day out several times a day!
Let’s be honest, choosing the all-important kitchen cabinet doors can all be a bit of a minefield!
The purpose of a splashback in the kitchen is primarily to protect the walls behind the kitchen surfaces, including the cooker tops and hobs. They are also really useful behind microwaves or worktop ovens, as they prevent steam and heat from damaging the wall behind.