Kitchen renovation tips: from using a local joiner to getting the lighting right, Hollie Bowden’s golden rules

Don’t whip yourself into a frenzy over worktop materials. The key to planning a kitchen is understanding how you actually use the space
A project in Mildmay Grove, Islington
Genevieve Lutkin
Hollie Bowden13 February 2023

Most of us can paint a living room or put a few pictures up, but a rip-it-out kitchen refit? Now there’s a challenge.

Like bathrooms, these are big expensive decisions that involve a lot of planning – which means it’s all the more rewarding when you get it right.

Here are five things to consider before you take a sledgehammer to your cabinets.

Be honest with yourself

Are you an actual cook, or, like me, do you need somewhere to reheat last night’s Deliveroo?

My idea of a dream kitchen is a super sociable open space that can act as a hangout, so I’ve prioritised an island with lots of barstools. Go to TwentyTwentyOne for the best selection of kitchen seating, and check dimensions carefully.

High-end appliances are now real status symbols – we use Lacanche, Sub-Zero & Wolf, Gagganau and La Cornue for our clients – but an XXL remote-monitored range might not be worth it for you. Don’t squeeze something in just because it’s a name.

This Ibiza kitchen was transformed by the table
Genevieve Lutkin

Commit to a concept

Are you most comfortable in a Plain English-style country kitchen with an AGA and copper pans dangling from hooks or do you want something super modern with everything shut away?

It doesn’t have to be a binary choice, as a big rustic dining table will completely change the look and feel of a minimalist kitchen. Minotti and Bulthaup are the crème de la crème for sleek modernity.

If you’re confident, you could go straight to a local cabinet maker or joiner. You might be sacrificing a bit of functionality for flexibility, as specialist companies are well versed in making kitchens as practical as possible, but you won’t end up with one that looks like everybody else’s.

Accept that natural materials will age

Everything that’s beautiful will need some level of care and maintenance. Wood will need to be re-oiled once every twelve months or so, while porous marble could pose an ongoing challenge for red wine drinkers.

Make sure your worktop material is compatible with how you want to use the kitchen and that you understand how it will look five or ten years from now.

For something truly unique, set up alerts on eBay for reclaimed wood and have a snoop around London’s salvage yards.

The kitchen in my summer house is made from wood we picked up from god knows where. It’s quirky, with random shelves and plants everywhere, but it works in the space.

Don’t forgo the extractor fan

Neglecting the practical bits is a recipe for pain down the line. It’s hardly surprising that my clients aren’t keen on cumbersome extractor fans, but I usually stand firm – they can be elegantly built into upper cabinets, or you can opt for a downdraft style that pops up when you press a button.

The same goes for good lighting. You’ll want that overhead source for a big gentle wash of light, but multiple layers are a must in the kitchen. Hide task lighting in upper cabinets, or make a real feature of it with artfully positioned wall lights.

Extractor fans needn’t be clunky, says Hollie
Genevieve Lutkin

Consider giving your existing kitchen a facelift

Short on funds, time or general motivation? If you’ve got a haggard old kitchen with decent enough bones, a repaint could work wonders. I like the suit jacket look, where you paint the inside of your cabinets in a contrasting shade.

Alternatively you could replace the cabinet fronts, or change out the handles. Chloe Alberry on Portobello Road always has good stock, so you can pop in there and walk out with some new knobs. We all like a bit of instant gratification.

If you’ve got the wall space (or the will to rip out upper cabinets) put up some open shelving to display objects. Maybe you collect vintage pottery, have an outrageous number of houseplants or just want to have glasses to hand. David Mellor is a great place to start for design-led kitchen and tableware.

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