Affordable Kitchen Design Ideas

There are strong indications that, although there's a tentative 'green shoot of recovery' in the economy, the housing market is still erring on the cautious side. This means that, rather than moving to a new property, many householders are choosing to invest more in their current home. This includes redesigning the heart of the home - the kitchen. The kitchen is one of the key areas that any householder looks for when they're choosing their dream home - and if the kitchen isn't 'right' then it can make a house feel like less of a home. Interior design magazines are filled with gorgeous kitchens with fabulous styling details... that can cost a fortune. This can leave you with some grand ideas, and a budget that sadly doesn't match up to your expectations. However, it is possible to take a different approach to what can be an expensive problem, simply by changing the way you look at the situation. While instinct may point towards gutting and starting again from scratch, why not work with what you already have? Replace, reuse, recycle... Unless your kitchen is in dire need of a complete workover, then refurbishment rather than replacement offers an affordable kitchen design solution. In fact, it fits in rather well with the entire principle of 'working with what you've got' that has become the mantra of many interior designers during this period of economic austerity. It's actually more fashionable to refurbish, and is also a more environmentally friendly way of tackling the problem too. Because you're keeping the basic framework of your kitchen it means that less waste is heading off to landfill sites, so a refurbishment kitchen design also adheres to the replace, reuse, and recycle principle of the green movement. But that doesn't mean your refurbishment design has to be less glamorous than a complete replacement. Using a little bit of imagination and the skills of a specialised team, a refurbishment can actually produce a real 'Cinderella' effect by transforming a drab, ordinary kitchen into something that's original, desirable and utterly chic - and all for a fraction of the cost of a replacement kitchen. Keeping the costs down And it's that last point that makes kitchen refurbishment a more desirable approach to interior design at the moment - cost. By refurbishing rather than replacing, you can cut your costs dramatically, which means you have more money to spend on the fundamentals such as hiring a professional refurbishment company to do the work for you. By taking this route you can bring on board a team of designers, installers and craftsmen that can work with you to produce the best possible result. They also have access to a wider range of options, fixtures and fittings that will give your final transformation that unique flair, marking it out as a 'designer' kitchen, rather than just an 'off the shelf' option. With a refurbishment your budget goes a lot further because you're not spending money on new units.

Kitchen Design and the Latest Trends

Just like any other form of interior design, kitchen design goes through its own trends and fashions. It may be shabby chic, or a return to the incredible design signatures of the 1950s, where the home was being influenced by science and technology (remember those 'space age' gadgets and polished stainless steel surfaces of that were all the rage after the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969?) So what can we expect to be the hot new trends as we race past the predicted Mayan end of the world and headlong into 2013? Here Is five of the hottest tips for kitchen design and trends for next year - and how you can get the look for less! 

 #1 - Art Deco makes a comeback The elegance of the 1920s and '30s is making a big comeback and Art Deco design features will be huge next year, not just for kitchens but for interior design in general. Back in the kitchen acrylic doors emulate the 'Bakelite' look of the era and will be a big statement, as their high-gloss finish works perfectly with the clean, smooth lines associated with Deco design. Exotic wood veneers combined with polished steel trim will give any kitchen refurbishment that essential Deco look, for a fraction of the cost of a new replacement kitchen. 

#2 - Radical Retro Following on from the Deco theme, Retro is back for 2013 as designers look back to yesteryear for inspiration. Expect to see ornate finishings and bespoke touches such as decorative hinges, handles and knobs that can give even the simplest refurbishment a subtle and elegant design twist. 

 #3 - The clean look The kitchen is the heart of any home and in 2013 focus is shifting back to this space and how we interact with it. That means kitchens will be seeing even more day to day activity, so wipe-clean surfaces and clutter-free worktops will be key to keeping any busy kitchen look great.

 #4 - Waking up to wood It's not all acrylic doors and wipe-clean high gloss finishes; wood is still king of many kitchen designs, particularly if you're going for a traditional Shaker style or country cottage look. However, choosing to replace your existing doors and drawers with wood doesn't mean you have to forgo all the convenience of easy maintenance materials, as wood effect patterns also come in easy care vinyls too. So even a traditional look kitchen can be created with less expense than you might think. 

 #5 - Bold and bright Don't be afraid to break out of the mundane this year - go for bold and bright patterns and colours to really stamp individuality on your design. This particular look can, like all the other hot trends for 2013, be easily achieved with a simple refurbishment, rather than a complete make-over. All of the latest design trends for 2013 are suitable for any type of kitchen, although if you really want to make the most of the space you're working with and get a show-stopping effect, talk to a professional designer. They can sit down with you and give you an objective view of what is achievable, what will work (and what wont!) and how much it will cost. If you retain the basic structure of your existing kitchen and go for a refurbishment rather than a replacement, you can have a kitchen that looks as if it stepped straight out of an interior design magazine - and all for a fraction of the cost.

Small Kitchen Design

If you are reading this then it is possible that you are looking for a new kitchen that provides better functionality of the space available to you. This article about small kitchen designs is equally applicable to larger kitchens if you are wanting to add more storage or just make your room look bigger. Dedicating a small room for a kitchen is usually a challenging decision for kitchen planning, but a well-thought use of said space can result in a functional, comfortable and pleasant room. There are many kitchen planning tips that can help us make a successful small kitchen design. Here are some ideas for kitchens that are needed to make the best use of tiny spaces. 1- Use as much vertical space as possible: cover the walls with deep/slim cabinets, shelves or racks, and install hanging hooks for your utensils. There must be plenty of floor and overhead space for you to work comfortably. Look for clever small kitchen design solutions like hidden plinth drawers, pull-out tables, etc. 2- If possible, install an island to add counter and storage space (drawers and hooks on the side) in the centre of the kitchen, and try to make use of the space above it (hanging hooks, floating racks, etc.). It could be wise to put a couple of electric sockets with security lids in the island. 3- Maximize light: more light will make the room seem bigger. A glazed ceiling would be an optimal solution where possible, but otherwise, large undressed curtains are suggested. Install lights under cupboards that are above the counter to ensure you get plenty of light when cooking. Light colours and glossy or reflective surfaces help to make the kitchen look even more spacious. 4- Use a simple colour scheme to avoid visual clutter: choose only soft, uniform colours for counters, walls and cabinets or splash it with a bold, contrasting tone for details. Alternatively, you can define the look of your kitchen in terms of materials and textures: metal, glass, marble, wood, exposed bricks, etc. Small kitchen design need not be a troublesome headache if you follow some or all of the advice above when searching for ideas for your layout. Make good use of the knowledge of your kitchen fitter, or visit a store that can provide kitchen design services, this is normally provided free of charge especially if you are purchasing from them as well.