January 2021 is looking set to be a long, wintry and potentially locked-down month, but there is a silver lining. If you’re dreaming of a new kitchen in 2021, you’ll have plenty of time to plan it!
To help you come up with fabulous ideas for your new kitchen, here’s our roundup of the most inspiring kitchen design trends for 2021…

Dramatic dark colours
All the kitchen design experts agree – dark tones are very much in this year. Black is no longer just an accent colour. The trend at the moment is to use it absolutely everywhere, from the units to the walls, to create a rich, luxe and dramatic space.  You’ll need to be brave and have a real vision for your space, but you’ll end up loving your inky-toned kitchen once its finished.
  
Double islands
Islands are usually at the top of kitchen trends lists every year, but something a little extra is happening in 2021. There’s a real demand for double islands, where a pair or configuration of central units create so many more options for prep, cooking and entertaining. If you have the space and the budget, go for it.

Wood revival
Wood surfaces and finishes are experiencing a resurgence in popularity in 2021, after falling out of fashion for a while. The best looks for this year are soft, pale tones and subtle-grained woods such as ash. Pair with a stone worktop or island and your kitchen will be bang up to date.

Downdraft extractors
Extractor units have been completely transformed for 2021. You no longer have to put up with a head-height extractor hood ruining your open-plan kitchen. Instead, you can fit a downdraft extraction system. These clever gadgets nestle neatly in the worktop, capturing odours and vapours straight from the hob before they can disperse into the room.
Clutter-free simplicity
We all love a kitchen gadget, but this doesn’t mean everything has to be on display at once. Embrace the minimalist approach and either Marie Kondo your clutter, or hide it away behind sliding doors or pantry units. As an added bonus, clutter-free kitchens are so much easier to clean.

Handle-free units
Another consequence of the push for clutter-free minimalism in kitchens is that we’re losing door and drawer handles. Instead, drawers can be opened with a push, or even a nudge of the hip in some higher tech models - ideal if your hands are full. These handle-less units offer clean lines and a pared back look, and they’re also easy to keep spotless.

Greens and blues
Throughout 2020 and into this year, two kitchen unit colours have been growing in popularity. People are being bolder with their colour choices, moving away from plain black, white or cream towards moody blues, and emerald and forest greens. These strong colours certainly make a statement, but pair them with the right colour palette and materials and they can look more stylish than you think.

If you have exciting plans up your sleeve for a new kitchen in 2021, don’t leave it too long to speak to a kitchen fitter. The team here at A&J Kitchens can help you figure out what works best and of course, deliver an exceptional finish when the time comes.
​

One of the biggest trends in kitchen design at the moment is hands-free. It’s easy to see why – it’s cleaner, more hygienic and more convenient. With the right technology, there’s no need to touch taps, drawers or appliances with messy hands when you’re cooking up a storm. This saves you cleaning time later on, and makes your kitchen more convenient and intuitive to use.

Of course, hands-free tech doesn’t come cheap. But if you love the idea of a smart kitchen, and hate the idea of scrubbing stains off surfaces, this could be the right design approach for you.

Here are some touchless technology ideas to think about:

Touchless taps
Taps were one of the first kitchen fixtures to go hands-free. They use motion sensors to automatically turn the flow of water on and off. Simply swipe your hand near the sensor, and you can wash your hands, rinse dishes and prepare vegetables without ruining the pristine gleam of the stainless steel.
Hands-free taps are at the more affordable end of the scale when it comes to smart tech in the kitchen.

One-touch drawers
While there are more advanced systems which use motion-sensors to open drawer and door fronts automatically, a more practical option for most kitchens is one-touch drawers. These use innovative one-touch technology to open and close kitchen drawers wherever you touch them. And crucially, you don’t have to use your hand. You can use your knee, hip or foot and the drawer will open automatically – which is pretty cool.

Sensor bins
This is one of the most popular products in touch-free kitchenware – the motion sensor bin. With a lid that opens and closes automatically, there’s no longer any need to touch the most unhygienic item in the kitchen.

Smart lighting
Motion sensor lighting not only saves you having to physically touch light switches (potentially with messy hands) – it can also save you money on your energy bills. Smart lighting is particularly useful in under-used areas such as pantries, switching on automatically even if you’ve got your hands full.

Smart appliances
If you’re already in love with virtual assistant AI technology, you’ll adore how it can transform your kitchen. Many of the latest smart appliances can be connected to your home assistant, so you can control them using your smartphone or even your voice. There are smart fridges which recommend recipes after scanning your fridge for ingredients, and dishwashers which automatically reorder detergent when you’re running low.
You can use your smartphone for everything – from throwing an impromptu kitchen disco to setting the oven while you’re out. If you find cooking and cleaning a real headache, and you have the budget, these kinds of kitchen tech innovations could be a real time-saver.
​
Need expert advice on your smart kitchen design?
Get in touch with the friendly team here at A&J Kitchens – we’ve been fitting kitchens of every kind for over 20 years, including kitchens designs featuring the very latest technology.
Call us on 01942 873781 or email kitchenfitter@me.com and we’ll get right back to you.

​
1. Consider using a professional
Even if you’re a keen DIYer, there’s no shame in bringing in a professional to tile your kitchen. Remember that you’ll need to live with this kitchen for years to come - wonky tiles and grouting gaps will only drive you up the wall. For a perfect finish, it could be a worthwhile investment to use a skilled, experienced professional.
2. Don’t rush
While there’s a certain pressure to finish before adhesive or grouting starts to set, it’s better to take your time with tiling. Grouting in particular requires a degree of care and attention. And once it’s fully dry, that’s pretty much it – so it pays to get it right first time.
3. Always prepare the wall surface properly
Failing to prepare surfaces is one of the biggest mistakes you can make with kitchen tiling. But uneven surfaces covered in debris, lumpy plaster, protruding screws or nails can ruin the finish of your tiling project. As with all home improvement work, it pays to prepare properly.
4. Use waterproof, mould-resistant adhesive and grout
Kitchens are steamy, moist places, so when choosing adhesive and grout – treat it like a bathroom tiling project. Go for specialist kitchen tiling products and you’ll avoid problems with mould and tile slippage later on. 
5. Plan out the pattern before starting
Dreaming of a beautiful herringbone design using metro tiles, or a particular sequence of patterns and colours? Plan it all out on the floor or worktop before you start. You can play with the pattern and get it just right. Plus, you can work out how many of each tile you’ll need. 
6. Buy 10% more tiles than you think you need
Tiling projects nearly always have some wastage, usually during cutting. To prepare for this, a good rule of thumb is to buy 5-10% more tiles than you think you’ll need.
7. To tile or not to tile? Remember that tiles are easier to clean than paintwork
While it would be madness to tile floor-to-ceiling (unless you have your heart set on it), tiled areas are usually much more practical than paintwork. If it’s in a key ‘splatter zone’ near the hob, sink or food prep areas, go for tiles. They’re much easier to wipe down and look after.
8. Balance out colourful, patterned tiles with neutrals
You may love complex patterns and bright colours in your tiles, but be careful not to go overboard. To avoid a chaotic look, plan out which areas you’d like to make a feature of. For example, the splashback, or a small-medium section of wall tiles. Then you can keep other areas (including floor tiles) neutral.
9. Use spacers
Think you can tile evenly by eye? It’s actually really difficult to get straight lines and evenly spaced tiles, without using spacers, battens or at least a spirit level. Spacers are super cheap and easy to use, so it makes sense to get some. 
Need help with tiling? As part of our professional kitchen fitting service, A&J Kitchens works with expert tilers and tradespeople – so that all parts of your project are completed to the same incredible standard. Get in touch to see how we can help you with picture-perfect kitchen tiling.
​

So, how do you get a super-practical kitchen? Bear these tips in mind when drawing up the plans for your new or renovated space:
1. Choose hard-wearing flooring
Flooring is perhaps one of the most crucial parts of any practical, durable kitchen. You may love the look of a particular floor surface, but it’s the wrong choice if it isn’t hard-wearing, anti-slip and easy to clean. Steer clear of thin, super-cheap materials, opting instead for flooring that is proven to stand the test of time.
2. Go for wipe-clean, quality paint
Choose a dedicated kitchen paint and never skimp on quality, as the paint you choose needs to withstand the daily wear and tear of the space.
3. Don’t forget the extractor fan
Do you really need an extractor fan over my cooker? The answer to this is yes, absolutely. A good quality cooker hood can help to get rid of lingering cooking smells and excess moisture. Miss out this essential element and you could end up with problems with mould or damp.
4. Avoid blocking thoroughfares
If your kitchen leads to another part of the house, such as a conservatory or outdoor space for example, you need to plan the layout carefully. Go for a streamlined design, such as a galley kitchen with sliding rather than opening doors, so as to remove obstacles. And it’s also worth considering whether an island unit is the right choice if your kitchen is a well-used thoroughfare.
5.  Splashbacks are essential in cooking and cleaning areas
This is another often-overlooked feature in the kitchen, but splashbacks really are important from a practical perspective. When placed behind cookers and sinks (and when they reach the right height on the wall), splashbacks can catch spills, stains and splashes before they ruin your walls and paintwork.
6. Get clutter off the worktops
The more you have out on display, the more you’ll have to clean. It’s easy for grease, dust and cooking mess to build up on items like knife racks and utensil pots. You’ll also need to move these items whenever you want to clean the worktops. The solution? Fix storage onto the walls, making use of clever solutions such as magnetic knife racks and hanging rails. You can also hide appliances like microwaves and coffee makers away in specially designed units. It’s all to create a sleek, minimal, easy-clean kitchen.

The demand for pantry larders and cupboards is right up there with kitchen islands. According to a recent kitchen trends survey by Houzz, around 30% of UK homeowners are installing pantry cupboards in their kitchens. And 1 in 10 lucky homeowners with enough room to spare are creating walk-in pantries.
The pantry is undoubtedly a practical feature, giving you a space to store bulk-bought, preserved fruits and vegetables and endless baking supplies. It’s also a great place to hide away kitchen clutter, and is perfect for those who love a super-organised home. But the pantry is also an aesthetic choice – as seen by the thousands of Instagram posts with the hashtag #pantrygoals.
If you’re dreaming of having a pantry larder in your kitchen, here are 5 of the essential things you need to be thinking about:
1.Creating a walk-in pantry – what are your options?
First things first, you need to have the space available for a walk-in pantry. Otherwise, you’ll have to make do with a pantry cupboard in your main kitchen.
 
There are a few options available - convert an underused broom cupboard, or an alcove/recess, or add a small extension to the side of your kitchen (remember that a pantry doesn’t necessarily need to be heated). Alternatively, you can create space for a pantry by moving a kitchen wall, rather than knocking through to open up the kitchen to the dining room.
 
2.Pantry cupboard options
If you’ll be installing a pantry cupboard in your kitchen, you have three main options. The first is a narrow pull-out pantry, perfect for utilising awkward spaces but not be the full-size pantry you dreamt of. The second is a corner cupboard, which offers lots of storage space but can be difficult to access unless you have lazy Susan organisers, and the third is a double batwing-style pantry cupboard that mimics the interior of an American-style refrigerator.
 
3.Utilise the full height of your kitchen
Whether you go for a walk-in or a cupboard, you’ll get the most out of every square inch of your new pantry by extending it all the way to the ceiling. Remember that you won’t use your pantry as much as your kitchen, so a handy step-stool is perfectly adequate for reaching the top shelves.
 
4.Be smart with shelving
The layout for a pantry should ideally be U-shaped, around 5 ft x 5ft for a decent size walk-in. And if you have a pantry cupboard, the doors when opened will create the U-shape. This shape is best for giving you easy visual and actual access to everything stored in the pantry.
 
Open shelves will give you the best access in walk-in pantries, and spice rack shelving on the inside of doors on cupboard pantries are a must-have for maximising storage space. Before installing shelving, remember to measure your largest and smallest items so you can create custom spaces that meet your needs exactly.
 
5.Finishing touches
Motion sensor lighting is a lovely (and energy-saving) touch in both walk-in and cupboard pantries, but there are other details to remember too. Your pantry needs to be cool and dry, so you may need to install a dehumidifier. And to plug this and other appliances in, you’ll need to get an electrician round to install some power outlets.
 
Need help fitting a pantry, or advice on where to put one? Get in touch with the kitchen fitting experts at A&J Kitchens.

Flooring often gets overlooked when redesigning or revamping a kitchen. When you’re reconfiguring units, picking out appliances and planning lighting, it’s easy to forget about the floor.
But flooring could actually be the most important choice you make for your new kitchen. It takes up a considerable surface area, so will play a big part in how the finished kitchen looks overall. As well as looking amazing, your kitchen floor also needs to be practical, durable and easy to clean.


Which type of flooring to choose
Let’s start by taking look at a few of your options when it comes to kitchen flooring material:
​
1. Wood​
Solid wood flooring looks incredible, especially in a country-style kitchen. Unfortunately, wood isn’t a fan of moisture and changes in temperature, which you’ll find in abundance in most kitchens. If you choose a wood floor, make sure you seal it properly with the right protective finish.


There’s also the option of engineered wood flooring. This can be cheaper than solid wood and is less prone to warping when exposed to moisture.


2. Tiles
Tiled kitchen floors are versatile, easy to lay, durable and really easy to maintain. You can also find tiles that realistically mimic almost every other material, such as wood or concrete.


3. Stone
Stone floors are more expensive than some other floor types, but they offer a high-quality, luxurious look that could potentially add value to your kitchen. Stone is also hard-wearing and durable, but only when properly sealed.


4. Laminate
If budget is a concern, go for laminate kitchen flooring. It’s a great-looking, durable alternative to real wood at a fraction of the price, plus it’s easy to install and look after. Just make sure you choose one that’s suitable for use in kitchens.


5. Concrete
It may not be the most eco-friendly option, but concrete offers a highly durable, low maintenance option. It’s really versatile too, available in a range of colours and finishes (such as polished or stone effect) that add a strikingly contemporary edge to the space.

6. Vinyl, lino and rubber 
These are all cheap and cheerful options for your kitchen floor, but that also come in a wide variety of modern, attractive patterns and colours. They’re warmer underfoot than other floor types, while still being tough and hard-wearing. Plus, some materials such as lino are hygienic.


Which floor is right for you?
When choosing a new kitchen floor, remember that it needs to complement the style and colour scheme of the room as a whole. But it isn’t all about looks. Think about how you use the space and how tough the floor needs to be. If your kitchen really is the heart of the home, it’s best to go for a practical choice rather than a material that could be damaged easily.
And if you have kids and/or pets, easy cleaning is an absolute must. The last thing you want is to be on your knees hoovering the grouting every day.

​
Installation tips
It’s worth investing in your kitchen floor, but it’s just as important to get a good fit. Use a reputable fitter with experience in fitting your type of kitchen floor, and seek recommendations and testimonials from previous customers before choosing.
Here at A&J Kitchens, we specialise in all aspects of kitchen fitting. We can either fit your floor ourselves, or call on one of our trusted partners to complete an expert, detail-perfect finish. Get in touch for advice and to get a free quote.

So many things have changed since the coronavirus crisis began, including the way we use the spaces in our homes. The kitchen has always been known as the heart of the home, but it’s become even more crucial as we’re all spending more time indoors.

If you’re in the process of designing a new kitchen, your priorities may have changed in the wake of COVID-19. You may now be looking at ways to lessen the burden of cleaning and washing up, or creating more storage space for bulk-bought goods. And some of these considerations could remain valid even as the world slowly returns to normal, even if it is a ‘new normal’.

Here are 4 post-COVID considerations you may want to build into your kitchen design:

1. More storage for dried goods
One lesson that the coronavirus crisis has taught many of us is that it’s super handy to have lots of cupboard and drawer space for storing dried goods. Buying in bulk can mean fewer trips to the shops and a steady supply of staples – whether or not you’re facing a global pandemic. 
Pantry units have always been a popular choice, as long as you have the space. If not, deep drawers or ceiling-high cupboards could be a good option. You may not use all this extra storage, but it’s good to know – especially in the case of an emergency – that it’s there.

2. Easy cleaning
During the pandemic, many of us have been cooking and preparing meals more than ever before. This inevitably means more cleaning up, especially if you’re an ambitious cook who typically uses every pan and utensil in the kitchen.
When designing your kitchen, it’s important to think about functionality. Not only just how easy it will be to find everything you need for cooking, but how you’ll keep on top of the cleaning. Wipe-clean doors and low-maintenance laminate worktops can make life easier, as can integrated sinks and under-sink bins. You may even want to go high-tech with motion-activated taps and appliances. 

3. Smarter appliances
It’s always a good idea to invest in great quality appliances that work reliably and last for a long time. This is even more important if you’re spending more time in the kitchen.

Anything that can save you time could be a wise choice. For example, an upgraded dishwasher, smart fridge that lets you know when items are running low or a smart oven with your favourite recipes programmed in.

4. More space for greenery
Many people turned to home gardening projects when lockdown began, partly because it was more difficult to access their usual shops. And those without gardens also found they appreciated their houseplants and indoor greenery more.
Creating more space for greenery in the kitchen could be a great idea post-COVID too. You might want to grow your own herbs on the windowsill, create a ‘living wall’ feature or pop some plants into an open shelving design. 

Whatever exciting new ideas you embrace in your kitchen design, remember the golden rule – fitting is everything. Get in touch with A&J Kitchens for a quality, professional-standard finish.
​

1. Replace the cupboard doors
There’s no need to rip out kitchen cupboards and units to give your kitchen a new lease of life. It’s likely that your unit carcasses will be structurally sound, so you can give them a clean and simply replace the doors and drawer fronts instead.
Stick to something simple, neutral and easy to wipe clean. It’s quick (especially if you can simply clip new doors into existing hinges) and makes your kitchen look newly renovated.

2. Replace the worktops
Smart, practical worktops don’t have to cost the earth, especially if you’re renovating in order to sell. A good quality laminate worktop, carefully fitted by an A&J Kitchens expert, could transform your kitchen for a relatively small cost.

3. Redecorate with a fresh coat of paint
An even cheaper way to give your kitchen a makeover is simply to buy a pot of paint. This will refresh faded, dirty walls and if you choose a good colour, could even give the space a whole new feel.

4. Get a new floor
However lovely your worktops and units, a shabby or damaged floor will do nothing to sell your kitchen to potential buyers. If tiles are broken or lino ripped, consider replacing it. You don’t need to shell out for a high-spec floor, just something neutral, practical and well-fitting that doesn’t detract from the rest of the décor. 

5. De-clutter and deep clean
It’s amazing what a spot of spring cleaning can do. Get rid of all unnecessary clutter and the kitchen will feel more spacious, as well as creating a blank canvas so that buyers can imagine themselves using the space.
Next, it’s time for some elbow grease. Get rid of limescale and mould on tiles and grouting, restore surfaces to their gleaming best and get those metallic fixtures sparkling. It’ll work wonders, we promise.
And lastly, don’t forget those finishing touches. Set the table, put out a vase of beautiful flowers and fill a colourful fruit bowl – would-be buyers will love it.

However large or small your kitchen project, the A&J Kitchens team can help. Get in touch on 01942873781 or email kitchenfitter@me.com for a chat about your plans.

While the coronavirus lockdown has made us all appreciate garden spaces a lot more, kitchens are still a crucial selling point when putting your house on the market. Until very recently, when gardens became so sought-after, the mantra from estate agents was ‘kitchens sell houses’.
​
This is why it’s still a smart idea to give your kitchen some TLC before your property listing photos are taken. Not everyone has the budget for a full kitchen renovation, nor is it always worth doing if you plan to sell up anyway. After all, you might not see your investment back, and not every potential buyer will share your taste in kitchen design.
A much more affordable step is to give your kitchen a spruce-up instead. You won’t spend a lot and will showcase your kitchen in its best light, while still leaving scope for potential buyers to imagine putting their own stamp on the space.
Here are 5 relatively affordable and easy ways to give your kitchen a pre-sale makeover:

If you’re sick and tired of your cramped kitchen, it could be time to extend. If you have the space, budget and the ambition, a kitchen extension could transform your home. It’ll make the kitchen the star of the show, a generous open-plan space flooded with light. 
​
Kitchen extensions can be costly, plus there are practical issues such as planning permission to resolve. But get it right, and you won’t regret opening up the space. In fact, you’re likely to find that you and your family start spending all your time in your fabulous new kitchen extension. 

Before you start your project, here are some key things to be thinking about:

• Your options for extending

There are a few ways to add extra space to your kitchen. You could knock through into an adjacent dining or reception room, extend out with a side return or build a new extension into the back garden. It’s crucial to explore all of your options, and cost them up, before making your final choice. It could even be worth seeking advice from an architect or designer. Will you need planning permission and to meet building regulations? And would your new extension affect your neighbours at all? These are all issues to look into. ​

• Is your budget realistic?

According to Ideal Home, you can expect to pay around £1,250 per square meter for a simple, single-storey kitchen extension. This includes budget fittings, and no unexpected site or building issues. If you want a larger extension or to up the specification, you could be looking at around £2,500 per square meter.

• Making the best use of natural light

Ensuring your new kitchen is well-lit with windows, patio doors and even skylights is an important part of the planning process. But don’t forget about the rest of the house. If you add any structure to the back or side of your property, it could block out the light that reaches the rest of the house. The last thing you want is to make the other rooms dark and gloomy. Bear this in mind when planning where to add windows – for example, you can opt for skylights for side return extensions where windows aren’t possible.

• Nailing the layout

It isn’t always easy to figure out the best layout for a large new kitchen extension, especially when you have new windows and doors to work around. While they may be the most appealing, open plan spaces can be the hardest to get right. It’s essential to get a good idea of the layout before starting any work on the extension, as it will affect everything. You need to know how the space will be divided and where plumbing, electrical and other systems will go.
​
After you’ve put in all that time, money and hard work on the extension, it’s crucial to get the best quality finish possible. Bring in an experienced team of fitters from A&J Kitchens for a seamless, picture-perfect finish – call us on 01942 873781 or email kitchenfitter@me.com to tell us about your plans.

You’ve been working hard choosing cabinets, handles, appliances and all those other finishing touches to make your new kitchen complete. You’ve got the layout nailed down and know exactly how the finished kitchen will look. So, now’s the time to start thinking about fitting.
​
Installing a new kitchen or renovating an old one can be an expensive business. It’s understandable that you’ll want to save some cash by DIY-ing some of the main jobs. But fitting your own kitchen could be a colossal mistake – it could even be dangerous.

Here are just 8 of the many reasons why you need to call in the professionals for at least some of the work:
1. Ripping out the old kitchen can be a messy, difficult job. It sounds simple, but it’s so easy to accidentally dislodge a hidden cable or even a water pipe. And what will you do with all the building waste? A kitchen fitter can take care of all of this for you.

2. Kitchen fitting requires specialist skills. There are many things you can do yourself, from tiling to assembling units, but other tasks require skill, training and qualifications. Your kitchen fitter can handle the joinery, door fitting and much more, while arranging for fully qualified electricians, gas fitters and plumbers to handle everything else.

3. A huge number of tools are needed. Don’t underestimate the sheer quantity of equipment – some of it specialist – needed to fit a kitchen. For your fitter, these are the tools of their trade.

4. You’ll get the very highest quality finish. A kitchen fitted with no obvious blunders or bodges is fine, but one with a stunning professional finish is far better.

5. Kitchen fitters have extraordinary attention to detail. Your new kitchen will look a million dollars once your fitter is finished perfecting the lighting, smoothing out edges and filling gaps. It’s these tiny touches that make a big difference.  

6. Got a quirky idea? No problem. Experienced kitchen fitters have seen every kind of layout and colour scheme imaginable. If you’ve got an ‘outside of the box’ idea for your kitchen, your fitter’s creativity and problem-solving skills can help to make it a reality.

7. Your fitter can supply the kitchen too. If you want an easy life and know exactly what you want, your kitchen fitter can supply the kitchen as well as installing it. You’ll only have to deal with one company, saving a great deal of time and hassle.
​
8. Ideas, inspiration and the latest design trends – ask your fitter! Kitchen fitters always have one eye on the latest design trends, and they’ve seen what works and what doesn’t in all kinds of spaces. They’re the perfect choice to ask for advice.

If we’ve convinced you that calling in the professionals is the smart choice, get in touch with A&J Kitchens to arrange a free site survey and quote for your new kitchen. Call us on 01942873781, email kitchenfitter@me.com or get a quote online.