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.

Want your kitchen to be a little different? You don’t have to buy your kitchen exactly as it comes from the manufacturer’s brochure. You can mix and match certain elements and be playful with the design, especially when it comes to colour. The end result will be a unique, interesting space that is individual to you and your tastes.   
If you’re nervous about being too bold with colour, here are a few ideas to spark your imagination and get you thinking outside of the box:

Colourful cabinets
There’s something of a trend in kitchen design for coloured cabinets at the moment. Some people are moving away from plain black, white or wood and are choosing more unusual shades. For example, some of the most popular choices are rich navy blues paired with wood and grey shades elsewhere in the kitchen, along with olive greens and even splashes of bright oranges and purples.
How vibrant you go is up to you. A light, muted pastel or deep, rich colour on the dark end of the colour spectrum can add interest without looking too ‘out there’, but you may simply love bold colour and choose to really go for it with really bright tones.

Statement bar stools
If you have a kitchen island, a great way to inject a pop of colour is to choose brightly coloured bar stools. You can also make a similar colour statement with dining furniture, if you don’t have a breakfast bar.

A touch of colour with lighting
Lighting is one of the best ways to bring colour into the kitchen. One idea is to choose brightly coloured pendants over your island, or other colourful task lighting. You can play with the colour of lighting itself, such as using blue strip lights under counters or white floor lights that make units appear to ‘float’ above the floor. You can also create warmth in the space with orange-toned lights, or use other colours of lighting to adjust the atmosphere.

Don’t be afraid to add decoration
Unless you’re a fan of the sleek, minimalist kitchen, there are absolutely loads of decorative touches you can use to add colour and a sense of playfulness to a kitchen. Examples of this include colourful patterned blinds, mosaic tiles, throws and cushions and even a string of bunting stretching across the kitchen. Pop your favourite pieces of artwork up on the wall, or place a vase of fresh flowers or a colourful bowl of fruit in a prominent position. Even a stylish tea towel can add to the vibrancy of the space.

During all of your experimentations with colour, don’t forget the golden rule. It’s essential to get your kitchen fitted by a professional, such as one of the experts at A&J Kitchens. All your attention to detail in colour and the finishing touches will be wasted if the fitting isn’t right, so make this a top priority when planning a new kitchen.

1.Open shelving up to the ceiling
Storage is one of the biggest issues in a small kitchen, but bulky cupboards can shrink the space even more. A better idea is open shelving right up to the ceiling, allowing you to store and access everything easily while ensuring that the space still feels light and open.

2.Fold down or pull out worktops
Another challenge in a tiny kitchen is worktop space – there’s just never enough. You can overcome this with extra worktop hidden away in a drawer or on the wall. When not in use, it takes up no extra space. As soon as you need some extra worktop space for prep, simply pull out or down.

3.Multi-functional furniture
If space is tight, make your furniture items do two jobs. A great example of this is a wall-mounted or fold-down worktop which also doubles up as a table with two stools underneath.

4.Scale down
Items like sinks and dishwashers can take up far too much room in a small kitchen, and they’ll also be out of proportion. Scale down these fixtures, opting for a mini size that fits better in the space.

5.Build into the wall
One of the biggest trends in kitchen design at the moment is hideaway storage, a wall of units hidden behind smooth panels. This gives you lots of storage but avoids the cluttered look that can be a real problem in small kitchens.

6.Slim down countertops.
If your kitchen is narrow, make one of your counters slimmer to free up space in the centre of the room. This gives you space for prep and for casual dining but without shrinking down the usable floor space.

7.Hang up
Wall-mounted storage such as magnetic knife racks and utensil hangers offer lots of space-saving benefits. If you don’t have drawers and need everything within easy reach, these solutions are ideal. What’s more, they keep everything off the worktops making it easier to clean and de-clutter.

8.Go custom
It may cost a little more, but getting custom shelves, units and cabinetry made to fit the exact dimensions of the room can help you make the most of every inch of space. It’ll also stop units feeling like they’ve been squeezed into a space that is too small.
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Remember that the fit is even more important in a tiny kitchen. With space so limited, everything is on display so there’s nowhere to hide a messy finish. Choose an expert kitchen fitter such as A&J Kitchens for a pristine finish – a team with lots of experience with kitchens of all sizes. 

Worktops can make the biggest difference to the finish of a kitchen space, being one of the most noticeable features of the room. However, you shouldn’t simply choose a worktop for its visual appeal, although this is a prime consideration. You also need to think about practicality, functionality and longevity, as well as affordability and value.
To help you make up your mind, here’s a brief guide to each of the most popular worktops found in UK kitchens, with the pros, cons and qualities of each…

Wood
Wood worktops can add a lovely warmth and natural beauty to a kitchen, but they do come with a few practical issues. They need to be regularly sealed using oil, and spills and water must be wiped up immediately. If you protect the worktop with chopping boards and cork mats for hot pans, you can avoid marking or scratching the surface and it will last a long time, developing an attractive ‘well loved’ look over the years. Wood worktops aren’t always the cheapest, but you can save money with products that have a layer of solid wood over a particleboard centre.

Granite
Granite is a material that will stand the test of time, both in terms of fashion trends and its durability. It’s luxurious, tough and able to withstand high temperatures, as well as being very easy to clean and maintain. However, all of these great qualities come with a price tag, and you will need a team of experienced kitchen fitters to work with this very heavy material and get a really great finish.

Stainless steel
Stainless steel worktops are a great choice for serious chefs, and they fit well with industrial and contemporary design schemes. Steel is a very practical choice, being very hygienic and easy to keep clean, although you will have to work a bit to maintain that streak-free shine. It does not require sealing and is water, heat and stain resistant, so it’s great for use around sinks and hobs. However, it is not the cheapest or most widely available option on the market.

Laminate
This is by far the most affordable option, and while laminate may not offer a high-end finish (unless you choose a really good product which mimics another material effectively), it is a practical choice. It’s easy to fit and clean, but it can mark when exposed to heat and steam.

Glass
Glass is a popular choice for colourful, contemporary kitchens, and it can be a great design feature when properly lit. It’s hygienic thanks to no seals or joints, but cleaning can be a challenge if you want a streak-free finish. Noise can be an issue, as can price – especially if creating a bespoke worktop – but glass scores highly for practicality thanks to its tough qualities and heat/water resistance.

Whichever option you choose, it is absolutely crucial to ensure your new worktop is fitted properly by a specialist such as A&J Kitchens, who can guarantee a perfect finish. 

AJ Kitchens amazing kitchen fitting services can breathe new life into dated looking kitchens, if you'd like to update your kitchen and possibly add to the value of your home AJ Kitchen can help you, as the best Kitchen fitters in Manchester we have the experience and skills to transform the most important room in your home. See a recent Kitchen makeover below to see what a difference AJ Kitchens can make.

If you'd like to transform your old or dated looking kitchen and refresh the look of your home get in touch with AJ Kitchens today.

AJ Kitchens specialises in kitchen fitting, making the most of the space in your home to bring you an amazing new kitchen that's both stylish and functional. With our unbeatable reputation and experienced fitters we can proudly say AJ Kitchens are the best kitchen fitters Manchester has to offer. See a recent kitchen fitting below to see how our kitchen fitting services can transform your home. 

You can read more about our services here and view previous projects here. If you'd like to find out how we can transform your kitchen get in touch today.

2015’s kitchens were all about luxe metallic, statement ceilings, colourful cabinets and classic ‘shaker-style’ doors, but what will next year have in store for the heart of the home? 
If you’ve got a kitchen renovation project in mind for next year, you might be interested in the 8 trends most likely to take off in 2016:

Vintage touches. For those who want a more homely, individual kitchen, there is good news – charming vintage kitchens with quirky, colourful pieces and retro-style gadgets will be in fashion in a big way next year. 

Porcelain worktops. What on earth are porcelain surfaces? If you haven’t heard of them yet, you are very likely to in 2016. Kitchen designer Graeme Metcalf is predicting that these high density surfaces, with their low porosity and a higher resistance to heat, flames and stains, will really take off next year. 

Added texture in minimalist designs. The sleek, white minimalist kitchen has been hugely popular in modern homes, and it’s not a trend that’s going away anytime soon. However, experts are predicting that this high-end look will subtly evolve next year, in the form of extra texture on walls, floors and surfaces – making use of a range of different tactile materials and patterns – adding depth and interest to the look. 

Open plan kitchens. One of the main trends that came out of a recent Grand Designs Live tour was the popularity of open plan kitchens. If you have the space, you can create a central kitchen feature giving you all the room and flexibility you need to enjoy a family space or entertain friends.

Geometric motifs. From floor tiles to splashbacks, geometric patterns are expected to dominate 2016’s kitchens, in a range of styles from the traditional to the strikingly modern and edgy. 

More metallic. 2015’s love of metallic touches in kitchens is set to continue into the new year, with copper cooker hoods and brass pendant light fittings remaining more popular than stainless and brushed steel. 

Disappearing kitchens. A rarer trend amongst those with lots of cash to splash in 2016 is the concept of the ‘disappearing kitchen’. A handful of kitchen companies are designing blocks of units that slide back into a wall cavity or are hidden by sliding doors. This gives those with less space (or those who don’t want the functional part of their homes dominating its aesthetics) the chance to hideaway their kitchens and create one large entertaining space.  

Super, clever storage. This is a common problem in modern kitchens, especially if you have a lot of gadgets and gizmos. The good news is that kitchen manufacturers and designers are getting a lot smarter with their storage solutions, and 2016 will see innovative, bespoke and tailored storage options implemented into kitchens. 
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Whatever style or trend you’d like to emulate in your new kitchen next year, make sure you always get it fitted by an experienced and reputable professional like A&J Kitchens. 

Another great kitchen fit and another satisfied customer happy with their new kitchen design. It's only a small kitchen but we make sure it is designed with the same love as any sized kitchen.