How to design a kitchen

Find kitchen inspiration

To get started with your kitchen design, gather all the things you’d love to see, feel and experience in your kitchen.

This can include the styles, trends and interior themes you adore.

Or it could be practical features that you feel would make your life easier, such as built-in appliances or storage ideas.

Find your kitchen style

Understand your kitchen goals

Before beginning any kitchen design project, it’s important to think about how the space is going to be used day to day.

Modern spaces now have to accommodate multiple cooks, they are sociable hubs to enable flow of conversation, and could even double up as a space to eat, work, study or entertain. 

The kitchen often provides different functions for each member of the family, so have clear goals and understand everyone’s needs.

Do you want your kitchen to...

Find your kitchen inspiration

Create a kitchen moodboard

Our kitchen design service means working with a dedicated kitchen designer who can make suggestions after getting to know you, your personality, and your lifestyle requirements. But the best way to support this process is to have a moodboard ready.

You can do this with a Pinterest board (see the Magnet Pinterest for ideas) - and don’t forget to create a wishlist of things you want to see in your dream kitchen. While space or budget restrictions can sometimes lead to compromises, our design team will work with you to ensure you have a design that matches your perfect kitchen as closely as possible. 

Tips on moodboard creation

Understand your storage needs

One of the most important aspects of planning a new kitchen is storage. Not having enough storage is a common challenge and while many people believe there simply isn’t enough space in their home, the real problem usually lies in poor design. 

Every Magnet kitchen is carefully considered with smarter storage in mind, and we go beyond just your basic cupboards and drawers. We can make family life run more smoothly and help you keep your kitchen in order - and it all starts with having somewhere to store things so your surfaces are clear and free from clutter. 

Think about worktop space

Your worktop space is extremely important and will need to be ample for smaller appliances and other kitchen accessories.  

In addition to how much space you have, you’ll also need to think about the different material options, such as quartz, granite, marble, ceramic, Corian, Minerva, laminate or wood. All of these vary in pros and cons, as well as price. 

For instance, if you want a high-end luxury finish, marble is a popular design option for many homeowners. If you want durability and easy maintenance, our designers may recommend quartz. Or for low-budget worktops, laminate and wood can both be great options. 

Find out more about worktop materials here.

How to design a kitchen island or breakfast bar

Highly sought-after features in kitchen design include kitchen islands and breakfast bars. Both can add value to your home, and both provide multifunctional benefits. 

To design a useful, practical and beautiful kitchen island, here are some things to bear in mind:

1. Rethink your space - kitchen islands aren’t just for huge kitchens and there are ways our kitchen designers can utilise ergonomic design techniques
2. Try zoning - use your island to separate your kitchen space into different areas
3. Turn it into a feature - elevate the area to make it a focal point in the room
4. Make your island work harder - consider multifunctional use 

Get more useful tips on kitchen island design here. 

View kitchen islands

Don't forget about lighting

Last but not least, lighting is the final touch that can bring your space to life. A well-lit kitchen can make the cooking process easier, set the right mood and ambience, and make your room appear cosy or more spacious. 

On the flip side, bad lighting can cause unwanted shadows or make it hard to see what you’re doing. So it’s important to work with our design team to get this right. For modern kitchens that fulfil more than one purpose, it can also be helpful to modify lighting for different areas. 

But don’t worry if you’re not sure how to do this. Our team of kitchen design experts will ensure you have all the creative support to turn your dream kitchen idea into reality.

Book a design appointment