Decide what type of kitchen you want – flat pack, rigid construction, custom built, fully fitted or non-fitted. Each has their pros and cons and will also affect the price you pay.

Fully fitted kitchens

Fully fitted kitchens make the best use of space, maximising storage and working areas. These can be supplied in a rigid (i.e. built) or flat pack option, and can be fitted by the supplier or the customer themselves, depending on budget. Pre-assembled units come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, even offering excellent corner solutions. A quality fitted kitchen will enhance your home, but you can’t easily take it with you if you move house.

Non-fitted or freestanding kitchens

Non-fitted or freestanding kitchens, consisting of individual pieces of furniture for specific tasks, are becoming increasingly popular for that informal or destructured look. Whilst the furniture can be moved and used elsewhere, it does not make such good use of storage space and may therefore be better suited to larger rooms.

Rigid factory built kitchen furniture

Rigid factory built kitchen furniture can be either of a traditional glued and doweled or similar construction method or they can be dry assembled with what are commonly known as ‘metal cam and dowel’ fittings. In general, the choice of cabinets is large allowing substantial flexibility in the design.

Flat pack or self-assembly furniture

Flat pack or self-assembly furniture has been developed over many years to help speed up the supply chain, reduce costs and to satisfy the huge DIY market in the UK. This type of kitchen furniture is still quite rare in Europe and is more common in the UK. The choice of cabinet sizes is generally more limited although recent years have seen vast improvements in the range of products available.

Bespoke kitchens

Bespoke kitchens allow you to have the ultimate kitchen designed for you. Some companies use the term to cover kitchens that are not one-off designs, but which do offer a range of shapes, colours and materials. There is a difference between a fully bespoke kitchen and one that is built using a range of fixed dimension manufactured cabinets, tailored to fit your home. An unusually shaped room or problem corners and windows can be overcome by a good bespoke design.However there is often a price premium to be paid for a truly bespoke kitchen, and installation times will often be longer.

Kitchen worktops can be made from a variety of materials – solid woods, natural or synthetic veneers, man made boards – even stone or steel! All have their advantages and, understanding a little more about the products used, can help ensure you choose the product most suited to you.

Apart from the differences in materials and finishes, the most important things to consider when choosing your kitchen furniture are the purposes for which you need the items, taking into account their size, strength, durability and after care requirements.

Worktops

Kitchen worktops are a very important part of your kitchen; possibly the most important, as they will take the brunt of the wear and tear and come into regular contact with water, fats, juices, oils, hot pots and pans, as well as knives and other utensils. Buy the best and most durable you can afford. Note that not all worktops are equally durable and you may still need to use worktop savers such as trivets or chopping boards to prevent damage to them. There are numerous options not only in terms of construction but also in appearance.

Solid wood

A great choice for colour and character, but remember wood will scratch, cut and become stained if not cared for. Hot pans will burn a wooden worktop, and they can be unhygienic when used as a chopping board themselves. Wood worktops can be advantageous in that slight surface damage can be refinished. Using solid wood worktops for a breakfast bar as a contrast to say laminate worktops elsewhere can give the kitchen a very individual look. Solid wood worktops do require regular maintenance.

Laminate

Laminate worktops are very popular and are lower in price and offer an extensive choice of colours and finishes.

Solid surfaces

There are other solid surface worktops available - most commonly a solid synthetic/mineral mix surface with colour pigment all the way through. The best-known example is Corian. Worktops of this nature are durable and reasonably maintenance free; they are often repairable and offer numerous styles and colours. Scratches however can be expected. These worktops will often be more expensive than some of the other options, but not necessarily as expensive as steel or granite. The main advantage with this type of worktop is the fact that almost invisible joints are achievable giving your worktop run clean, elegant, unbroken lines. The same material can sometimes be used for cabinet doors, handles, sinks, side cladding and wall cladding panels.

Granite or marble

These are the most common natural stones used in worktops. They tend by their nature to be very expensive, but are very durable. There is a huge choice of colour but being natural products some flaws can be expected, especially in large pieces. Unlike granite, marble tends to be more porous and can stain more easily. If the budget will not cover granite or marble worktops all the way round the kitchen why not use granite or marble for targeted zones, such as the hob or sink area, and use laminate elsewhere?

Tiles

Tiles are easy to maintain and the options you can choose are almost endless. Cost can vary considerably depending on the type of tiles used. Whilst tiles themselves are durable and largely maintenance free, grout and edging materials can need care to ensure they don’t stain or discolour. Tile worktops can be less hygienic if care is not taken where grout breaks or cracks. Certain grouts are available which are resistant to heat, dirt and water.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel is also becoming increasingly popular. This is a hardwearing and durable surface and of course extremely hygienic but it can give your kitchen a 'clinical' look. It will also require some ongoing maintenance to keep in visually good condition. Stainless steel faced doors are also relatively expensive.

High Gloss

High gloss PVC, acrylic or lacquered doors are available in a wide range of colours and are currently popular. Dark colours, such as jet gloss black, can more readily show up the effects of finger prints and scuffs and hence these particular colours may not suit all lifestyles. Paler colours are however generally satisfactory.