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:
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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.

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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.
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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’.
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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. 
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.  

With environmental issues at the forefront of global consciousness, we’re all thinking harder about our choices - whether it’s the things we buy or the way we live.

Designing a new kitchen ticks both of these boxes. The materials you buy for your new kitchen all add to your carbon footprint. The way you use your kitchen also plays a part, from how much energy your appliances use to how you heat and insulate the space.

So, how do you design a more sustainable kitchen? Here are some useful things to start thinking about during the design process:
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Reuse or reface cabinets rather than replacing them
When you move into a new house with a kitchen that’s not up to scratch, pause before ripping the whole lot out. Take a closer look at the cabinets. It’s likely that they’re in great condition, and certainly solid enough to be used in the new kitchen. If you recover them with gorgeous new doors and drawer fronts, no one will ever know the difference. This is a great way to recycle and reuse existing kitchen materials.

Choose materials that will last
It isn’t just the eco credentials of the materials in your kitchen that matters. You should also consider durability. An eco-friendly worktop that needs replacing in a few years is not a sustainable choice. You should always opt for quality and a long working life, even if it means stretching the budget a little further.

Opt for a classic, timeless design
It’s so tempting to design a kitchen with the hottest new kitchen trends in mind, but will these looks still be in fashion in a few years’ time? The less a kitchen has to be renovated, requiring the use of even more resources, the better for the environment. With this in mind, always aim for longevity when considering what look to go for. Classic and timeless can still be beautiful, and can work wonderfully in contemporary homes when paired with a few modern features.

Choose energy-efficient lighting and appliances
You won’t regret spending a little more on high-efficiency, energy-saving appliances in your new kitchen. Not only will you save money on energy bills, but you’ll be future-proofing your kitchen too. Go for the latest energy-saving tech and your appliances won’t become outdated in just a few years. Smart, energy-efficient kitchens are also very attractive to buyers, should you be thinking ahead.

Go for A-rated appliances (or higher – A++ if you can) and energy-saving LED bulbs, along with dimmer switches to adjust the wattage. Another smart choice is the touch-free tap, which is not only more hygienic and easier to keep clean but it minimises water waste too. Make sure your boiler is efficient and well-maintained, as this will play a part in heating your kitchen and its water supply.
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If you’re committed to sustainability for your new kitchen, get in touch with the A&J Kitchens team to discuss your ideas and work out a plan for implementing them. We’re expert kitchen fitters with experience with all kinds of kitchens, and we’d love to help you achieve your goals. 
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​If your big project for the new year is a kitchen remodel, you’re likely to spend Christmas browsing interiors magazines, Pinterest boards and blogs to get some inspiration.

It’s important to choose elements that make your kitchen design timeless – so you don’t have to redo it in a few years when it starts to look dated. But you’ll also find lots of creative ideas and inspiration in current design trends.
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So, here’s our roundup of the 2020 kitchen design trends that experts, such as the team at Better Homes & Gardens, are predicting will be huge next year…

1. Blues of all hues
Colour matching specialist Pantone announced that Classic Blue is its Colour of the Year 2020 – a beautifully rich, deep shade that works well in many spaces within the home. Following this announcement, it’s only logical that the kitchen design trends for 2020 will feature lots of lovely blues.
Cupboard door fronts are the perfect candidate for a splash of deep blue, especially when paired with simple white touches for a gently nautical-inspired kitchen. Blue also goes wonderfully with wood worktops. When choosing a shade, opt for a soothing, classic blue – and consider lighting carefully if you’ll be bringing a dark colour into the space.
2. Brass accessories
Metallic accents have been featured on kitchen design trends lists a lot over the last few years, but in 2020 it’s the turn of brass. Use it in taps, drawer handles and light fittings for a stylish finishing touch to your kitchen. It also happens to go very well with the colour of the year – blue!
3. Creative storage
According to a study by Houzz earlier in 2019, a huge 78% of homeowners have included specialty storage in their kitchen projects. It inevitably costs more to have storage custom-made for your space, unless you’re lucky enough to find an off-the-shelf solution that fits your space, but it can be well worth it. You’ll have storage that really works for you, and be able to hide the clutter in clever ways. 
4. Exciting, colourful ovens
Have a browse online for cookers and hobs and you’ll notice a distinct trend for vivid, exciting colours. Big brands such as Belling, Smeg, Stoves and Rangemaster have all released collections in fire engine reds, pastel blues and sunshine yellows. If you want to add a dash of uniqueness and flair to your kitchen, these modern ovens are absolutely the way to do it. Pair with a neutral colour scheme to avoid overdoing it on colour. For example, colourful cookers really pop next to glossy white door fronts, so this could be a great combo to go for. 
5. Mix and match lighting
Kitchen lighting usually involves a selection of different lights – from overhead spotlights and cupboard lights to integrated worktop lighting. But one of the big trends for 2020 is to really mix it up with lighting. Design experts suggest bringing in more decorative lighting, pairing chandeliers with pendants, splashback accent lights with wall sconces. Always, always think about functionality when choosing lighting, but you can indulge your creative side too.
Not sure if any or all of these hot kitchen trends is doable in your space? Get in touch with specialist fitters A&J Kitchens for expert help and advice. 
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​There are a huge number of things to consider when designing a new kitchen. But have you considered how easy it’ll be to keep the kitchen clean? If you’re not keen on the idea of spending hours every week scrubbing, de-greasing and sweeping up crumbs, follow these 7 top tips to design an easy-clean kitchen.

1.Avoid all worktop clutter
Wherever possible, keep the worktop free of clutter. Get everything up onto the walls instead, with clever storage such as magnetic knife racks, hanging rails and open shelves. This means that the worktop is left clear, so you won’t need to navigate around or move objects when cleaning up crumbs.
 
2.Low maintenance worktops
Ideally, you should be looking for a smooth, non-porous worktop with no grooves or rough surfaces where dirt will get trapped. Stone worktops are a good choice, but laminate or stainless steel are also good low-maintenance options if budget is an issue. Bear in mind that you will need to do a little more polishing with stainless steel though.
 
3.Hands-free drawers, bins and taps
If you have the budget, why not splash out on some tech to make it easier to keep your kitchen sparkling? Taps, drawers, lights and bins that use motion sensors to operate means there’s no need to touch them with messy hands while cooking. It’s also a bit cool.
 
4.Avoid nooks and crannies
Anywhere that crumbs can hide becomes a real pain to clean. This is where the advice and skill of your kitchen fitter comes in really handy. They can help you to ensure a perfect fit, clean lines and no nooks, crannies, holes or bumps where dirt can hide.
 
5.Choose flush-fitting sinks and hobs
An integrated sink is your best friend if you’re not keen on cleaning – you can just sweep the mess from the worktops straight into it! An induction hob which fits flush to the worktop is also easy to wipe clean. You can do it as the same time as the other surfaces without having to remove any gas rings or other parts.
 
6.Go for fuss-free gloss cupboard doors
Gloss finish surfaces do show up finger marks, dust and dirt, but they’re also very easy and quick to wipe clean. Choose designs with limited detailing, so you only have one flat, smooth surface to tackle.
 
7.Get a brilliant extractor fan
If you’re working out where to prioritise your spending, put the extractor unit at the top of the list. It is absolutely worth investing in a high quality, efficient and quiet extractor fan, especially if you’re not a fan of cleaning. A good unit will get all of the grease, cooking fumes and steam out of the kitchen, so it can’t settle on worktops and other surfaces.
When you’re ready for your dream kitchen to be fitted, get in touch with the team at A&J Kitchens. You can rely on our expertise to bring your plans to life!