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            How To Design A Kitchen

            As culinary spaces become multifunctional areas to cook, entertain and relax in, understanding how to design a kitchen is key to creating a personalised and practical interior. With more than 25 years design experience and six million kitchen plans under our belt, we know a thing or two about creating a tailored setup. This kitchen advice breaks down all the steps involved in a new project, from gathering ideas to finalising a floor plan. We also demonstrate how our free kitchen design service, which includes a home survey, plus access to in-stock products at depots nationwide, makes measuring, budgeting, and planning a kitchen easy.

            The first step of designing a kitchen is to gather inspiration and reflect on any likes or dislikes of the current layout. Then, set a budget and get the experts involved. A trade professional can advise on fitting considerations, while our designers will measure up, provide product insight, and draw up a 3D plan as part of our free home survey service.
            • Work on a wishlist

              Start off by listing everything you want in a new layout. Remember to think about accessibility to ensure the design is enjoyable to use for everyone.

            • Get inspired

              Whether browsing brochures, scrolling on social media, or reading our inspirational articles online - we have plenty of ways to get your ideas flowing.
            • Set a budget

              It's easy to get carried away in the excitement of planning a kitchen, so define a budget to keep a renovation on-track and achievable.
            • Bring a builder on board

              From offering fitting tips to providing custom solutions, involving a trade professional will ensure your new cooking area is built to your standards.

             
            Explore our Kitchen Visualiser

            Whether testing door styles or playing with colours and layouts - our Kitchen Visualiser tool allows you to experiment with products from the comfort of your home. The finished plan can be downloaded on any device, ready to share with a designer or your trade professional.

            See Kitchen Visualiser

            Our design experts say that the perfect kitchen layout maximises the footprint of an interior and makes it easy to use. On your appointment at a local Howdens design studio, they will explore how to achieve this with different layouts, cupboard options, and products to ensure everything is exactly as you want it.
            • Ergonomic design

              Make a space easier to use by positioning cooking, cooling, and washing areas in a triangle - this method is a firm favourite in big interiors with plenty of room.
            • Multifunctional features

              Ensure hybrid or small spaces work harder by adding in plenty of multifunctional features, such as islands or breakfast bars.
            • Clever cabinetry

              Build a bespoke base that matches your lifestyle and space with our cabinetry collection, which boasts more than 500 designs.  
            • Personalised touches

              Whether you're a fan of farmhouse style or a lover of luxe interiors, explore your aesthetic with our designers to ensure a scheme reflects your taste. 

            Kitchen Design Service

            We want to achieve a design that's spot-on, so our designers will visit your home to capture the room’s dimensions, offer product recommendations, and provide style tips. They will then create a 3D floor plan that can be tweaked multiple times until it’s absolutely right.

            Book a design appointment

            With thousands of products available from local stock, there are many options to complete your space. A practical set-up includes hardwearing surfaces, innovative equipment, functional fixtures, and smart storage. Our designers will work with you and your trade professional to find styles that match your budget, aesthetic, and interior.
            • Worktops

              With more than 300 styles available, including different colours and sizes, you can count(er) on us to have a surface that suits your scheme.
            • Appliances

              Helping to feed hungry mouths, it's important to pick cooking equipment that gets the job done, while lowering household bills and enhancing a layout.
            • Sinks and taps

              When paired correctly, a sink and tap are a dream team. Speak with product experts at your local Howdens to find the best options for a washing area.
            • Storage

              Give every item a home while making the most of every inch of space with our storage options, which come in several styles to match any setup.

            From the cupboard style to the colour, finish, and texture, our designers will explain all the different ways you can create a personalised cooking space at your design consultation. Our kitchen collection offers more than 5000 ways to customise a space, including decorative units for those wanting a bespoke interior.
            • Find a favourite shade

              Embrace your individual aesthetic and create a custom look in a cooking area by choosing colours that embody your personality.
            • Select a door style

              For a design that's in-sync with your style, pick fronts carefully. Shakers are timeless, slabs offer simplicity, while built-in handle doors add modern details.
            • Compare finishes

              Add visual interest, intrigue the senses, or cut-out clutter - the right door finish will elevate a cooking space - just ask our designers how.
            • Add decorative details

              Dial up a traditional look or introduce modern accents with our selection of decorative options to create an interior that is completely tailored to you.

            Ready to get started?

            • Explore our fitted kitchens

            • Book a design appointment