So, it’s finally time to get that brand new kitchen you’ve been dreaming of! Perhaps you’re full of ideas about what you want the space to look and feel like, or maybe you’re facing a bit of indecision around the colour palette or the finer details.
Either way, it’s important to take a step back and really consider your design choices so your new kitchen is a space that brings you both joy and functionality for years to come, rather than becoming something you grow tired of in a few years.
At Laings, we’re well versed in designing and installing home kitchens that are built to last. To help you make your dream kitchen a reality and ensure it stands the test of time, we’ve shared our top tips for designing with longevity in mind…
Before you fall in love with an image of a beautiful kitchen on Pinterest or in a magazine, it’s important to take a step back and consider your wants and needs. Although it can be easy to get carried away by inspiration, balancing what you want with your needs and budget is key for designing a kitchen that you love.
For example, if you like a clean and minimal space but have a busy family home which easily accumulates clutter, open shelving for pots and pans might not be the best choice, no matter how stylish it looks in a brochure.
By making a list of your must-haves and nice-to-haves for your new kitchen, you can prioritise what matters most to you and aligns with your lifestyle.
Great design is about more than just aesthetics; it’s a seamless balance between form and function. As the beating heart of any home, a kitchen should not only look great, but also meet your day-to-day needs with ease and practicality.
Before jumping into how you want your kitchen to look, consider how you use the space and the role it plays in your lifestyle. For instance, if you're a couple who loves hosting dinner parties, creating an open and accessible space that lends itself to socialising will be key. On the other hand, if you have a busy family home, practical storage solutions will be essential to keep your space organised. You might also benefit from a kitchen layout that defines separate zones for cooking and relaxing, so you can keep an eye on the little ones while preparing meals, but keeping them safely out of the way.
Stand in your current kitchen and try to look at the space with a fresh perspective. What’s working well, both functionally and aesthetically? What are your biggest frustrations? How do you use the space and what would make it more user-friendly? Answering these questions honestly will help lay the foundation for a kitchen design that fits your needs.
Although it can be tempting to focus on the finer details and features that are pleasing on the eye, the key to a kitchen that stands the test of time lies in investing in high quality materials. Your kitchen sees years of cooking, dining and washing up, so durability should be a top priority if you want the quality to last.
We work closely with German kitchen supplier, Häcker, which places quality at the core of its manufacturing processes. Not only does the brand have advanced quality control systems in place, it meets very strict international quality and environmental guidelines to ensure that every kitchen it produces is of the highest possible standard.
Consider durable worktop materials, such as Silestone or Dekton. Both are available in various colours and thicknesses and are timeless in style but also highly resistant to everyday wear and tear. An often overlooked feature is the flooring. With so many steps and spills, it’s important to choose a kitchen floor that can be as robust as it is stylish. Choose materials designed for heavy traffic, such as porcelain tiles to ensure your kitchen can withstand daily life.
If you’re investing in a high quality kitchen with durable materials, it’s important to choose aesthetics that will still look appealing for the next decade.
Colour is great for bringing warmth, depth and personality to your home. Although we would never discourage bold shades if you’re someone who loves a vibrant hue, opting for classic tones will ensure that your kitchen won’t date too quickly.
Trends are a fantastic source of inspiration, but staying true to your personal style is essential for creating a kitchen you’ll love for the long term. If you find yourself drawn to a particular design simply because it’s trendy, try to consider whether it truly resonates with you.
Timeless elements like simple shaker door fronts, and quartz worktops are lovely kitchen design choices that don’t seem to be going anywhere any time soon. By balancing your personality with classic design principles, you’ll create a space that feels fresh and stylish for years to come.
With rising living costs and growing environmental concerns, energy efficiency has become a top priority for many homeowners trying to future-proof their property.
One of our trusted suppliers, Häcker, is renowned for creating kitchens with sustainability and modern living at the core. All of its kitchens are carbon-neutral and energy-efficient, with the use of water-based paints throughout many designs, and recycled materials in its lacquer laminate fronts. Häcker kitchens are a testament to environmentally conscious design, which is why we’ve maintained a close partnership with the brand.
A Quooker boiling water tap is another excellent feature in terms of convenience and energy efficiency. Using a COMBI tank, it provides boiling and hot water from a cold feed, and uses 50 percent less energy than a household boiler thanks to its high-vacuum insulation.
Investing in energy-efficient kitchen appliances is a smart way to reduce your long-term costs and environmental footprint. Even small decisions, such as opting for LED lighting that lasts longer and consumes less energy, or installing water-saving fixtures for sinks and dishwashers, can make a big difference in the long run.
As time goes on, our lifestyles inevitably change and with the best will in the world, it can be difficult to predict what the future holds. That’s why incorporating some flexibility into your new kitchen design is a smart move to ensure it can adapt to your lifestyle both now and in the coming years.
For example, if you’re a couple considering having a family in the future, opting for more storage space than you currently need is a good idea. Multi-use spaces, such as breakfast bars that double up as workstations, or an area that could be used for formal dining or relaxed seating, is another practical way to future-proof your kitchen.
By prioritising versatility in your design, you’ll create a kitchen that grows with you and can remain functional no matter how life changes.
Ready to design your dream kitchen? Visit the Laings showroom in Inverurie to browse our stunning displays and chat with our expert in-house design team. Or, find out more about how we can bring your vision to life with our kitchen design process…
