A new survey has revealed that UK homeowners are turning away from cool Scandi-inspired greys in the kitchen, and towards colourful pastels instead.  
 
Kitchen company Magnet found that 42% of households would prefer more colourful kitchens over trendy greys. Pale grey colour palettes have been hugely popular over the last few years, due to its versatility and modern appeal.  
 
But now, especially following the Covid-19 pandemic, it seems that homeowners are looking for interior design that ‘sparks joy’. 
 ​

Researchers found that a massive 80% of those surveyed believed the colours in our home could have a significant mood-boosting effect. Pastel colours came out on top, when respondents were asked which colours evoke happiness within the home. Nearly three-quarters (74%) said they’d consider bringing pastel shades into their own kitchens.  
 
Magnet’s Head of Design Lizzie Beesley commented on the findings, saying: 
 
“It’s no surprise to us that we’re all lusting for colour as homeowners steer away from grey, but we are amazed at the consumer response to the connection between colour and wellbeing. 
 
“When people talk to me about pastels, they often speak of peacefulness and of creating calm in an increasingly chaotic world. They are a surprisingly versatile and transformative colour palette and have a wondrous way of turning drab grey spaces into something truly special.” 
 
Tips for creating a perfect pastel kitchen 
 
Pastel shades can work wonderfully in the kitchen, but balance is key. Get it wrong, and your light and airy kitchen dream could turn into an overly sugar-sweet nightmare.  
 
Here’s a few tips to help you start your design: 
 
·       Test out the look with paint and tiling. If you’re not sure quite how colourful you want to go, start off with pastel paint or tiles. These can be easily changed if needed, while colourful units are much more costly to replace.  
 
·       Pair chalky pastels with metallic finishes for a grown-up look. Pastels don’t have to be sweet and pretty – they can be soft, subtle and modern if carefully chosen. Pale pinks, mint greens and sherbet lemons look amazing when combined with rough materials (like concrete), metallic finishes or grey tones.  
 
·       Choose a focal point. If you’re not keen on the idea of pastels everywhere, pick a focal point instead. For example, you can make a statement piece out of a brightly coloured pastel pantry or a central island, keeping the rest of the kitchen in a fresh neutral shade.  
 
·       Stick to minimalism. Pastels can turn from chic to shocking in a cluttered or old-fashioned looking space. They work best in pared-back kitchens, with sleek lines, glossy surfaces and a minimalist design. 
 
·       Contrast with darker tones.  Dark-coloured accessories create a brilliant contrast with brighter pastels and help to create a striking contemporary finish. Shades like dark grey, forest green and rich navy blue can work well. You can also layer up the look with textural materials, plus metals like gold or brass. This can help a pastel kitchen look softer and more mature.  
 
Need help designing or fitting your new pastel kitchen? Get in touch with the experts here at A&J Kitchens – let’s bring your dream kitchen to life.  

If you’re dreaming of a new kitchen but are worried about the environmental impact, going second-hand could be the solution.

Recycling a used kitchen can also be easier on your bank balance, potentially saving you 50-70% compared to buying the same kitchen brand new. Amid the current cost of living crisis, these savings could be vital.

But it’s understandable to be a little daunted by the idea of buying a second-hand kitchen. Will it look shabby and dated? Will it even fit? And where do you start looking for a used kitchen to buy?

To help you get started, we’ve put together some handy tips on how to find, buy and fit a second-hand kitchen.

Where to buy a second-hand kitchen
There are lots of places you can source a pre-loved kitchen, including:

• Online auction sites such as eBay
• Local sellers advertising on social media
• Kitchen showrooms – which often sell ex-display kitchens. You can even leave your details so they can contact you if an ex-display kitchen becomes available.
• Used kitchen specialists such as Used Kitchen Hub, The Used Kitchen Company, Used Kitchen Exchange.

Bear in mind that second-hand and ex-display kitchens will have a few differences in quality. A used kitchen will inevitably have some signs of wear and tear, and perhaps even some damage. But if you’re lucky enough to snap up an ex-display kitchen, you should find that it’s in near-new condition. However, it depends how long it’s been out on the shop floor.

Checking the quality

You should get a list of everything that’s included with the kitchen, along with detailed measurements. You might see photographs if the kitchen is advertised online, but it’s always a good idea to inspect the kitchen in person. During your visit, check the following:

• Look inside cupboards and drawers for wear and tear
• Double-check that the advertised measurements are correct, and that they fit into your layout
• Check for water damage, particularly around sink areas
• Check for heat damage, which particularly affects vinyl doors.
• How to measure for a second-hand kitchen

Before you start shopping, it’s a good idea to measure your space and draw up a layout plan. This makes it much easier to search for your ideal units, and to see how everything will slot into place.

You’ll find it much simpler if you’re keeping the current layout. If you’re not, use kitchen design software, or graph paper and post-it notes representing your units, so you can play around with the layout.

Don’t forget about ceiling heights, along with accessories such as kickboards, decorative trims and end panels.

Use a professional kitchen fitter for both dismantling and fitting

To make sure your kitchen arrives in good condition, it’s crucial to have an expert fitter taking it apart before delivery. It’s a technical job requiring skill and experience, and must be done carefully.

And when it comes to fitting your second-hand kitchen, it always pays to bring in the professionals. Making a used kitchen work in your space can be a tricky job, requiring adjustments along the way.

You may be saving money by buying a second-hand kitchen rather than a new one, but it’ll all be a waste if the fitting is done poorly. You’d end up having to replace the kitchen again before you know it.   

If you need expert advice on fitting your second-hand kitchen, get in touch with the A&J Kitchens team for a chat about your plans.

When you’re selling your home, it’s important to present what you have as well as you can. It wouldn’t make financial sense to completely replace your kitchen before putting your home on the market. Unless of course, it’s totally ruined or there’s no kitchen there at all.  
 
However, there are plenty of things you can do to spruce up your kitchen, and show it in its very best light. Here are our top tips for prepping your kitchen ready for sale… 
 
Replace anything that’s broken or damaged  
 
If you’ve otherwise got a kitchen to be proud of, any damaged elements will let it down. It signals to buyers that they’ll have a job to do before they even move in, which could be a hassle even if it doesn’t cost very much. It can also give the impression that the rest of your house is poorly maintained too.  
 
The most likely culprits here are doors and drawer fronts, panels, plinths/kickboards and worktops. Luckily, many of these components are relatively cheap and easy to replace.  
 
Ensure doors are hung correctly 
 
Wonky or misaligned doors can make a kitchen look old, tired or even damaged.  
 
But the good news is that it’s pretty easy to fix. Have a go yourself, or bring in a kitchen fitter to give the space the once-over, ensuring that all doors and drawers fit perfectly.  
 
Declutter  
 
When potential buyers step through the door, they want to imagine themselves living there. But it’s hard to do that with all your personal items and clutter everywhere.  
 
In the kitchen, aim for a stripped-back look. Remove all but the essentials (i.e. toaster, microwave, kettle etc) from the worktops, and take down family photos from the walls. And remember that the more you can declutter in the kitchen, the less stuff you’ll have to move.  
 
This doesn’t mean you can’t leave some decorative or other elements in place to ‘sell the lifestyle’. We’ll look at how best to dress your kitchen for sale in a moment.  
 
Deep clean 
 
There’s no getting away from it. Your kitchen will need the deep clean of its life before you can show potential buyers round. Get stuck in yourself or bring in a professional – whatever it takes to make sure that every surface is sparkling. The next challenge is to keep it that way until you eventually sell your home.  
 
Dress the space  
 
The last step is to dress the space carefully, so that it makes the best impression on buyers. There are lots of ways to do this, including putting out a vase of fresh flowers, or arranging ‘collections’ of decorative kitchen items on open shelving. You can put out a carefully curated selection of cookbooks, or fill a fruit bowl with a colourful display. 
 
And don’t forget scents, as the smell of fresh coffee or a freshly baked loaf can work wonders. 
Need help fixing up your kitchen for sale, or planning your dream designer kitchen in your new place? Get in touch with A&J Kitchens, where no job is too small – or too ambitious.   ​

A walk-in pantry is high on many people’s dream kitchen wish list. But adding one to your kitchen can be a little more complicated than you realise.

First of all, you need to have the right amount of space available. Your new pantry also needs to be practical, accessible and not impinge on other parts of the kitchen. And of course, it needs to look fabulous.
Here are our top tips for creating a beautiful, perfectly practical kitchen pantry:

1. Map out the space
Good kitchen design means making the best of every last inch of floorspace. You need to choose the best location for your new pantry, ensuring all your essentials are within easy reach. The last thing you want while cooking is to be trekking into a whole other room just to get a spice jar or other ingredient.

2. Think carefully about how you’ll use your pantry
As well as mapping out the new layout of your kitchen, it’s also smart to plan out storage in your new pantry. Will you be using it daily, or just for overflow storage space? Is the pantry just for crockery and small appliances, or a whole range of dry ingredients?

3. Use sliding doors to save space
If space is a little tight, there are some tricks you can deploy to squeeze in your new pantry comfortably. One of these is to use sliding doors, which can be a real space saver as well as giving you easy access to the pantry. They can also help with creating a streamlined flow throughout the kitchen, which is especially important if you have children or pets running through.

4. Personalise it
The beauty of a walk-in pantry is that it can be a totally personalised space. There are loads of clever storage solutions out there, so you can configure your new pantry exactly how you want it. It’s never too early to start planning how you’ll organise and customise the space.

5. Consider a bespoke design
If you’ve got the budget, it can be well worth bringing in an expert joiner or designer to help you create a bespoke pantry. They can help to ensure a millimetre perfect fit that maximises the available space, even those awkward corners and angles. A bespoke design can also be personalised to your exact liking, and tailored to blend with the rest of your kitchen.  

In contrast, it can be much more difficult to find off-the-shelf options that fit and match, not to mention looking the part.

6. On display or hidden away?
The last thing to decide is whether you want to hide that clutter, or make your pantry a part of the kitchen aesthetics. Some people love a sleek, minimalist look in the kitchen, while others want to show off what could turn out to be a lovely statement feature.

If you are showcasing your pantry, consider using a glass or partition door. This makes the pantry part of the kitchen, whereas a solid wall could make the space feel smaller.

Once you’ve finalised your walk-in pantry design, come and speak to the team at A&J Kitchens to ensure a professional, high quality fit and finish.

Planning a kitchen makeover in 2022? Perhaps you’re designing a whole new kitchen from scratch. Whichever is the case, it can be tricky to know where to start. 

To give you some ideas and inspiration for your gorgeous new kitchen, here are some expert predictions of kitchen design trends for 2022, courtesy of Homebuilding & Renovating.

Colourful kitchen units

The trend for bold colours in the kitchen was a popular one in 2021, and it’s not likely to fade any time soon. Homeowners are breaking away from whites, creams and other neutrals, in favour of darker, richer shades like navy, forest green and even burgundy. 

For 2022, experts predict more of these ‘heritage’ colours will start to emerge in UK kitchens. For example, metallics, mid-tone greens and jewel-like blues. 

So, if you want to create a unique kitchen look that’s right on trend, go on – be brave and experiment with colour!

Second hand kitchens

We’re all more engaged with sustainability than ever before, especially when it comes to our homes. So it’s no surprise that the recycled kitchen is predicted to be a major trend in 2022. There are lots of ways to get your hands on one, from snapping up ex-display kitchens to buying standalone second-hand pieces and upcycling them. You could save a small fortune too. 

Kitchen home office space 

Following a year of pandemic-related lockdowns, more people than ever before worked from home.
Many people got a taste for it, but found they lacked a suitable space to work. The kitchen proved to be the natural choice, allowing you to be in the heart of the home (and close to the kettle). 

This is why many kitchens are now being designed with a little extra workspace, whether on the breakfast bar or in a quiet nook concealed in a corner. 

Access to power and other connectivity points is crucial for this kind of design, but you might also want to think about privacy. Zoning the space and including subtle barriers could help with concentration, as well as drawing a line between work and home life.  

Pet-friendly kitchens

Another by-product of the pandemic was a rise in pet ownership, and more time spent at home with our furry friends. Understandably, this has encouraged more people to think about how they can incorporate pet-friendly features in their interior design and décor. 

Kitchens will always be a space pets love to hang out in – after all, it smells like food! But it’s also where all the family gather, and dogs in particular love to be in the heart of the action. 

There are lots of ways you can make your kitchen pet-friendly. One great example is building pop-out food trays into otherwise underused kickboard spaces at the bottom of units. 

Whatever your kitchen design plans for 2022, don’t forget about fitting. A beautiful design can be ruined by poor fitting, but a professional quality job can utterly transform the space. For a mm-perfect fit and incredible attention to detail, choose A&J Kitchens – get in touch with our friendly fitters today

The one wall kitchen is the simplest layout you can choose for the heart of the home. Thanks to its simplicity, affordability and compact footprint, it’s a popular choice for smaller interiors. And when paired with a feature island, the one wall kitchen can also work really well in larger, open plan spaces.

While this layout may be super simple, there are some crucial things to get right. Firstly, you need to make sure you have enough space – in terms of both storage and worktop area.

There are also aesthetics to consider. A single-wall kitchen may be popular for its space-saving qualities, but this doesn’t mean it can’t look amazing too.

Here are some design tips to help you plan a one wall kitchen that ticks all your boxes:

Build in enough storage
With just a single run of units, storage could be very tight. There are a few ways to solve this, the first being a run of wall cabinets up to the ceiling. Need more space? Consider bookending the kitchen with tall cabinets, or even a pantry cabinet. Just make sure this layout works within the space, and doesn’t block a light source.

Embrace a sociable layout
One advantage of single-wall kitchens is how sociable they can be. Everything is open and easy to access, and the person cooking is still part of the action. Bear this in mind and make the most of it when planning open plan spaces, especially when positioning your dining furniture.

Want to add in an island?
If you throw a kitchen island into the mix, the design of your single wall kitchen could change completely.
You could choose to have worktop space both sides, but a major kitchen trend right now is to have a run of tall units at the back and use the island as your sole worktop space. This will include a sink and hob, so make sure the island is generous enough to accommodate everything and that you’ll have enough food prep space. If done right, the wall of units will ‘blend’ into the wall, leaving your island to make a style statement.

And of course, there’s always the combi option – including some worktop space (such as your sink) in your single wall of units, with tall storage units either side. Have a play with options, to see what works for you.  

Be ruthlessly efficient
Careful kitchen planning is always important, but it’s even more critical with a single wall kitchen. Space is limited, so you need to strip back what you don’t need and find clever ways to include all of your essentials. One crucial thing to get right is the configuration of sink, fridge and cooker, making sure the layout works for you.

Open things up
For some people, a solid block of units isn’t the most aesthetically appealing. But there are plenty of other things you can do, such as open shelving, glass-fronted cabinets and hanging racks for your pots and pans. In fact, having a variety of shelves, cabinets, lighting and decorative features can really break up a solid wall of units – giving it more of a bespoke, high-end look.

Get the fit right
With a single wall kitchen, there’s nowhere to hide when it comes to the fit. It may be simple, but it needs to be installed perfectly, with all lines and angles in alignment.

Call in the professionals – get in touch with the expert team at A&J Kitchens, where we have over 20 years of experience fitting kitchen layouts of all kinds.

A galley kitchen can be a smart, efficient use of limited available space. Get it right and you’ll have everything within easy reach. This layout can also be quite stylish, and create a good ‘flow’ through to other living and dining spaces.
But galley kitchens can also go terribly wrong, resulting in doors that bang into each other, awkward unit arrangements and limited space for more than one cook.

So, here’s how to avoid a kitchen design nightmare and plan a gorgeous galley kitchen that ticks all your boxes:
The space between rows is crucial. The strength of a galley kitchen layout is that you have everything within easy reach. Simply turn round, then turn back, and you won’t need to clock up too many steps. So, make sure you leave enough clearance for doors and drawers to open comfortably on both sides, but not so much that you end up walking back and forth.

Arrange your appliances very carefully. When planning your layout, imagine opening and shutting the doors on your preferred oven, dishwasher, washing machine and other appliances. Are there any clashes or collisions? If so, it’s time to move things around.

Consider built-in appliances. Having too many functional-looking appliances on show can be too much for a galley kitchen. It can look too cluttered, whereas built-in appliances can be hidden away for a more streamlined effect.

Don’t squeeze in an island if there isn’t enough room for an island. The island unit is on most people’s dream kitchen wish list, but sometimes there just isn’t enough room. If you try to squeeze one in, you could end up ruining the whole layout of your kitchen – making everything far too tight.

Brighten up a tight space with colourful accents. Light, bright colours can look great in a galley kitchen, where sometimes there’s the risk of the space looking like a dark corridor. Experiment with neutral cabinets and soft pastel shades, a mix of tones and a few ‘pops’ of brighter colour.

Add depth with a statement wall. If you’re worried your galley kitchen is a little too corridor-like, you can create the illusion of depth with a statement wall. Alternatively, a patterned backsplash can have the same effect.

Need extra storage? Go for tall units on one side only. If you go up to the ceiling on both sides, it can feel as if your units are towering over you.

Open shelving can help the space to feel larger. Another way to make a narrow galley kitchen feel more spacious – and to break up the symmetry of the design – is with open shelves.

Pay close attention to lighting. To prevent your galley kitchen feeling too dark, you’ll need to plan your lighting scheme carefully. Avoid blocking windows with units, so you can maximise natural light, and use a blend of task and decorative lighting to add depth to the space.

Get a great fit. There’s nowhere to hide with a galley kitchen, and you may only have limited space to work with. This makes a millimetre-perfect fit all the more crucial. Get in touch with the experts at A&J Kitchens to start making your dream galley kitchen a reality.

Need more space in the kitchen? Whether you have ambitious plans for a glamorous kitchen island or want a dedicated space for laundry and utilities, a kitchen extension could be the ideal solution.

Here are some handy things to bear in mind as you start planning your kitchen extension:  

Plan the layout as early as possible. Before any building work begins, you need to make sure your extension can fit in everything you’re dreaming of. The space also needs to flow well, and work for everyone in the family.

Consider working with a designer. If you’re building a particularly large extension, it can be tricky to work out how you’ll use the space. You need a liveable space that doesn’t feel too cramped or cavernous. A designer can offer advice on the best layout for your needs, helping you make decisions early on about where everything will go.

Make a detailed budget. It’s easy to forget about taps, tiles and other finishing touches when you’re budgeting for walls, plastering and plumbing. But these small but essential details can derail your budget if you aren’t careful. So, get out your spreadsheet and plan your budget right down to the very last door handle.

Think about natural light. Lighting is crucial in any space, but larger extensions in particular can sometimes suffer from a lack of natural light. If the extension projects into the garden, that can leave the back of the kitchen a little too dark. You’ll need to think about solutions to overcome this, from skylights to lighting designs schemes. You can even adjust the layout so that your workspaces are positioned close to sources of natural light.

Get lots of quotes. It’s never a good idea to accept the first quote you’re offered. Speak to lots of different builders, especially those with experience in kitchen extensions. Remember that price isn’t everything, and that a super cheap price could actually be something to steer clear of. It could be just as important to have a good relationship with your builder, and put your project in the hands of a skilled, experienced tradesperson who really understands what you want.  

Be realistic about the timescale. Building an extension is a major job, so it’s likely to take time to complete. You can also expect it to be messy and disruptive, so you might want to think about relocating until works are complete.   

Think about how the new extension blends with your existing building. Its up to you whether the extension complements or contrasts with the rest of your home, but the blend of old and new will take some planning to get right. The fit of the kitchen will be crucial to this, so make sure you bring in an experienced professional like A&J Kitchens to get a perfect, seamless finish.

To talk about your kitchen extension plans and how we can help, feel free to get in touch for a chat – call us on 01942 873781 or email kitchenfitter@me.com.

So, how do you build child safety into your new kitchen design? Here’s what you need to be thinking about:

Rounded edges. When choosing worktops and counters, consider choosing something with rounded rather than straight edges. Remember that children are often at head or even eye level with counters, and a sharp edge or corner could lead to painful accidents.

Soft closing drawers. Not only do these clever devices give your kitchen that high-end feel – they can also prevent drawers and doors slamming on little fingers. Ouch!

Door stoppers. Popping door stoppers around the kitchen makes accidents involving flung-open doors and little hands less likely. It can also save your walls from dents and scrapes from doors being opened too enthusiastically.

Lowered worktop areas. Why not give your child their own dedicated worktop space? If there’s a suitable spot, install a worktop at a lowered, child-friendly height. This means your little ones can help out with cooking and baking, or just prepare their own cereal, without having to reach up to high counter.

Low-level storage for kids’ stuff. Thinking along the same lines as lowered worktops, why not give your child their own drawer? They can keep all their plates and cups in here, so there’s no need to climb or stretch for items when it’s lunchtime. With their own drawer, your child will have everything they need within easy reach.

Wipe-clean surfaces. This tip isn’t necessarily for child safety, although hygiene in the kitchen is of course important. But having smooth, easy-wipe drawer and door fronts can make your life a whole lot easier with those sticky little hands around.

Safety locks. This simple accessory can stop curious little ones getting into cupboards they shouldn’t. So, make sure you buy a pack while shopping for other kitchen accessories.

Power outlet covers. If any plug sockets are within reach of children, pop a cover on them for safety. You should also make sure you keep all electrical cables safely tucked away.

Lastly, you’ll need to have a think about kitchen layout. You need to keep dangerous things, like sharp knives and cleaning products, out of reach of children. This is easy to sort out once your kitchen is installed, but just make sure you have enough storage options while you’re at the planning stage.

Need help designing a child-safe kitchen, or are you ready to have your brand new kitchen fitted? Get in touch with our kitchen fitting experts here at A&J Kitchens – we’ll be happy to help.

Choosing a new sink for your kitchen can be trickier than you might think. To help you make up your mind, here are some key things to think about:

Match sink size to room size
The perfect sink should always be in proportion to the size of the room. If you don’t have enough worktop space, a huge Belfast-style sink is never going to work however much you love it. And in larger spaces, a meagre stainless-steel sink will look under-sized.

How to choose between undermount, top mount and sit-on sinks
Choosing the right type of sink is all about balancing the look you like, and the practicality of using the sink.

Trendy undermount sinks where the bowl nestles below the worktop are a popular choice, as you can simply sweep crumbs straight into the sink. There’s no lip and no gaps for dirt to gather. However, you will need to make sure your worktop can support the weight.

Top mount or drop-in sinks are easy to fit on almost any worktop, but you’ll need to make sure it can support the weight. There’s also the issue of the lip around the edge, which can act as a dirt and debris magnet.

Lastly, there are sit-on or apron-front sinks, such as large ceramic Belfast sinks. These are beautiful, but very heavy – so make sure you get the installation right.

Consider heat and scratch resistance


If you want your sink to stay looking pristine for 10+ years, a durable material such as stainless steel or ceramic is a good choice.

Give yourself a great washing-up view
When positioning your new sink, give yourself (or whoever does the washing-up) a great view of the garden or open family spaces of the house.


Use colour to make your sink a showpiece
If you’re looking for ways to make a style statement in your kitchen, a colourful sink could be a unique and fun way to do it. After all, who says a sink has to be white, black or stainless steel?

Functionality is nearly always more important than aesthetics
While you may have your eye on a colourful or trendy sink, always remember that your sink needs to be practical above all else. Otherwise, it’s pretty much useless.

Got the perfect sink? Now choose the right tap to go with it
Not all tap and sink combinations work, so you need to choose carefully. A key mistake to avoid is a tall, powerful tap with a shallow sink, as this can lead to water splashing all over the kitchen.

The draining board can be just as crucial as the sink
Where will you drain your dishes once clean? Look for sinks with an in-built draining board, or think about where a standalone draining board will go – and if that’s a practical option for your type of worktop.

Utilise the space under the sink
While planning your new sink, don’t forget about the cavity underneath it. This could be a really useful space.

Always get professional help with sink installation
Sink installation is rarely ever a DIY job, as it can go very wrong. Bring in the professionals at A&J Kitchens for a perfect fit with your worktop and a drip-free plumbing connection.

Get in touch with our kitchen fitting experts by calling 01942 873781 or emailing kitchenfitter@me.com.