Advice & Ideas

Advice & Ideas for planning your new kitchen

Planning a new kitchen can be exciting, but it can also feel like there is a lot to think about and this could be overwhelming. The layout, storage, appliances, colours, materials and budget all need to work together, while the finished kitchen also needs to suit the way you live in your home.

So where should you start?

At Kitchens by Nathaniel Oliver, we firmly believe a good kitchen design starts with the people who are going to use it. Before getting into individual features and finishes, it is worth looking at your existing kitchen and considering what works, what doesn't and what you would like to do differently.

Our advice and ideas are intended to help you work through those decisions, from your first thoughts about the project to the finished kitchen.

Start with how you live

A kitchen is rarely just somewhere to prepare food these days. Depending on your home and family, it might also be where you eat breakfast, help with homework, catch up with friends, work from home or simply spend time together.

That makes the way you use the room an important starting point.

Take a look at your current kitchen. Which parts work particularly well? Where do you find yourself running out of space? Are there cupboards that are difficult to reach or appliances that get in the way? Perhaps you need more room for preparation, somewhere to sit and eat, or better ways of keeping everyday items close at hand.

These details can tell you a great deal about what you need from a new kitchen.

Our Getting Started guide takes you through seven practical steps to help you develop your ideas, including how you use the space, layout, budget and when it makes sense to get professional design advice.

Make the most of every inch

Good storage isn't simply about having more cupboards. It is about making sure the things you use are easy to find and that the available space is being used sensibly.

This particularly matters in open-plan kitchens. When the kitchen forms part of a living or dining area, you may want everyday appliances and other clutter to be tucked away rather than always being on display.

It can help to think about the different things you do in the room. Food preparation, cooking, washing up, dining and even working from home can all have different storage requirements.

Depending on the space, there are plenty of options to consider, including pantries and larders, pull-out storage, deep drawers, corner storage and dedicated places for smaller appliances.

Good storage can make a noticeable difference to how a kitchen feels and how easy it is to use.

Our Storage guide looks at some of the options and considers how the right storage can make better use of the space you have.

Finding the right colour

Colour is one of the simplest ways to change the character of a kitchen, but choosing it isn't always straightforward.

You might be drawn to one particular colour, or prefer to combine different shades across the furniture, walls and other elements of the room. There is no need to follow a particular trend if it doesn't suit your home or your taste.

Kitchens by Nathaniel Oliver offers a 30-strong colour palette, giving you plenty of choice whether you want something understated or a stronger combination of colours.

Our Colour Options page gives you more information about the choices available.

Planning your budget

It is well worth considering your budget early rather than leaving it until the design is complete.

The cost of a kitchen can vary considerably. The size of the room, choice of furniture and worktop, appliances and the amount of installation work required will all have an impact on the final price.

At Kitchens by Nathaniel Oliver, kitchens typically start at £25,000, including furniture, worktop, appliances, fitting and VAT. Larger projects can cost upwards of £30,000.

These figures are a guide rather than a fixed price. The final cost will depend on the size and shape of your kitchen, the materials and appliances you choose and the way the design is developed around your home.

Having an idea of your priorities from the outset can also help. There may be features you consider essential and others where you are happy to make a different choice to stay within your budget.

Our Pricing page explains more about what is included and gives you a useful starting point when considering the likely investment.

From design to completion

There is often more to installing a new kitchen than fitting the furniture.

Depending on the project, there may be building work, electrical work, plumbing, plastering, tiling and decorating to organise alongside the kitchen installation. Having to arrange all of these separately can add considerably to the work involved for you.

At Kitchens by Nathaniel Oliver, installations are fully project managed by us. Building works, certified electrical works, plumbing, plastering, floor and wall tiling and decorating can all be coordinated as part of the installation.

The aim is to keep everything under control and on track ensuring the least possible disruption to you and your family while the work is taking place.

Our Full Service guide explains what is included and how we manage the installation from start to completion.

Bring your ideas together

You don't need to have your new kitchen worked out before you start looking.

Some people arrive at our showroom with a very clear idea of the style and colours they want. Others simply know that their current kitchen no longer works for them. Both are good places to start.

Collecting ideas can help you work out what appeals to you. Look at kitchens, furniture, flooring, taps, worktops, colours and other details. Save photographs that catch your eye, even if you aren't sure exactly what you like about them.

Over time, you will probably start to see some common themes in the ideas you have collected.

Visiting a good showroom can help with this too. Seeing different furniture, worktops, colours and appliances in person gives you a much better idea of how materials look and feel than you can get from a photograph alone.

Your kitchen, your lifestyle

Every kitchen has different demands.

Someone who enjoys cooking may want plenty of preparation space and room for a range cooker. A family kitchen might need to accommodate dining, homework, packed lunches and the general activity that comes with family life. In an open-plan room, the kitchen may also need to sit comfortably alongside a living area.

There isn't a single layout or set of features that works for everyone. The starting point should always be what you need the room to do.

That is central to the way we approach kitchen design at Kitchens by Nathaniel Oliver. We take time to understand how you use your home before developing the design.

With more than 50 years' experience, and kitchens designed and made to measure in our own workshop, we can create a kitchen around your requirements rather than asking you to fit your lifestyle around a standard design.

Ready to start exploring?

You don't need to have every decision made before you get started.

Begin with your existing kitchen. Make a note of what works, what doesn't and what you would most like to change. Collect some ideas about styles, colours, storage and features that appeal to you.

Then come and see us at our showroom in Oakham.

With ten large displays, you can see different kitchen styles, colours, worktops and appliances in a real setting and get a better feel for the possibilities. You can also talk through your ideas and requirements with the team, whether you already have a clear plan or are still working out what you want.

It could be the first step towards a kitchen designed specifically for your home.

Frequently asked questions

What should I think about before planning a new kitchen?

Start with how you use your current kitchen. Think about cooking, food preparation, washing up, storage, dining and entertaining, as well as anything else that takes place in the room. Make a note of what works well and what you would like to change.

How can I make the most of the space in my kitchen?

The layout and storage need to work together. Consider where different activities take place and how often you use particular items. Features such as pantries, pull-outs, deep drawers and well-planned corner storage can all help make better use of the available space.

How much does a Kitchens by Nathaniel Oliver kitchen cost?

Kitchens typically start at £20,000, including furniture, worktop, appliances, fitting and VAT. Larger projects can cost upwards of £25,000. The final price will depend on the size of the kitchen, the materials and appliances selected and the details of the design.

How many colours are available?

Kitchens by Nathaniel Oliver offers a 30-strong colour palette. You can choose one colour throughout or combine different shades to create the look you want.

Can Kitchens by Nathaniel Oliver manage the installation?

Yes. Installations are fully project managed. Building works, certified electrical works, plumbing, plastering, floor and wall tiling and decorating can all be coordinated as part of the service.

Do I need to know exactly what I want before visiting the showroom?

No. You are very welcome to visit simply to look at the different options and start developing your ideas. Seeing the displays and talking through your requirements can help you decide what might work in your own home.

How do I start planning my new kitchen?

Start by looking at your existing kitchen and make a note of what you would like to keep, change or improve. Gather some ideas about styles, colours and features that appeal to you, then visit the Kitchens by Nathaniel Oliver showroom to discuss your requirements and explore the options.

Customer Testimonials

"Thank you so much for all your advice, support and attention to detail."  Lesley Clifford

“…we very much appreciated your patience when discussing all aspects of the design.” Gary & Anne-Marie Burton

“Thank you for your ideas” Grant & Karen Corbett

“Gary offered thoughtful, useful advice” Gareth Williams