An Ultimate Guide on What Kitchen to Buy: 5 Fitted Kitchen Ideas

For many, the kitchen represents more than just a single room in a home. It’s often the place where family members gather around to be with one another as they cook a meal. It’s where holiday dinners are prepared. It’s even where the most mundane of life’s memories are created, such as the kids finishing up their school work around the kitchen island. 

For a room that involves so much of life’s greatest moments, it’s only natural to want to plan for the best. So we’ve created an ultimate guide on what kitchen to buy. We’ll walk you through why fitted kitchens are a great option, what to consider when buying a fitted kitchen, how to plan for it, and 5 fitted kitchen ideas to inspire your space.

What is a Fitted Kitchen?

A fitted kitchen involves cabinetry, appliances, and more that all fit the exact measurements of your designated kitchen space. When you buy a fitted kitchen, you’ll use the layout that your home already offers. Then, a designer can help you determine how to properly set up your cabinetry and appliances to suit your needs. 

Why Are Fitted Kitchens Great? 

Fitted kitchens are an excellent option if you’re looking to buy a kitchen. That’s simply because they are designed to fit your home. It won’t look odd or out of place since the units are customised to your specifications and measurements. 

Even more so, fitted kitchens are easily customisable to your lifestyle. For example, if you need plenty of seating areas around the kitchen for your kids to sit and do their schoolwork, you can add that into the design. If you’re looking for something with plenty of smart kitchen storage solutions, then that can be incorporated, as well.  

No matter what, it can be personalised and designed to your needs to create your dream kitchen space.  

Carraig Kitchen Design

What to Consider When Buying a Fitted Kitchen? 

Buying a fitted kitchen is a large step to take. So before purchasing, you’ll want to consider what to look for when buying a kitchen. 

We recommend keeping these top three things in mind: 

Your Lifestyle

Next to the allotted kitchen space you have in your home, your lifestyle plays the biggest role in what to look for when buying a kitchen. 

You’ll want something that covers all of your basic needs and necessities. So, consider this when buying a kitchen: 

The best thing you can do is answer each of these questions. But, also take time to walk through your daily routine. Pay close attention to what you do, what you use, and how much time you spend in the kitchen area. That will guide you in your decision-making process when it comes to what kitchen to buy. 

Fitted Kitchen Materials

Once you know your lifestyle as it pertains to your kitchen, you can start deciding the best types of fitted kitchen materials to look for. 

From cabinetry to worktops and even to kitchen appliances, finding the right materials is crucial for the longevity of your space. Often, many people will try to save money by investing in lower quality materials. 

However, high quality materials, such as stainless steel appliances or stone countertops end up saving people money in the long run. That’s because these materials are durable and can withstand the daily wear and tear that comes with kitchen use. 

Your Home’s Layout

Finally, your home’s layout is the final thing to consider before deciding what kitchen to buy. As fitted kitchens are customisable, knowing how and where you want your major appliances and worktops situated is important. 

Understanding your home’s layout will also help you decide what’s suitable for your space so you don’t overcrowd it. For example, a relatively small kitchen may not be ideal to host a kitchen island but it could be a great opportunity to incorporate a galley style kitchen. 

One of the best ways to go about understanding your home’s layout is to work with interior designers. They’ll know how to best maximise your space so you get the most bang for your buck.  

How to Plan for Buying a Kitchen

Once you’ve considered those three main areas before buying a kitchen, it’s time to plan for investing in the space. 

Here are the top 3 things to help you plan for buying a kitchen: 

Determine Your Kitchen Budget

First and foremost, you’ll want a kitchen budget that you can stick to. This will help you keep everything in perspective as you make your kitchen decisions. Without a budget, you may get your hopes up about what you want, only to find that your family can’t afford it right now. 

Determine your budget away from kitchen designers and showrooms. Then, take your budget with you when you start looking at showrooms. Be honest and upfront about it with any designer that assists you. They will help you stick to the budget. 

Choose the Best Kitchen Layout for Your Lifestyle

When you know your home’s layout, then you can decide the best kitchen layout that suits your lifestyle. As we mentioned, knowing what your space allows for will help you determine what’s possible in a kitchen layout. For example, small spaces might not be able to fit an island comfortably. But it could fit a peninsula style kitchen, a galley kitchen, or even a U-shaped kitchen. 

Before buying a kitchen, our design consultants can help you decide what the best kitchen layout for your home and your lifestyle will be. 

Valentia Kitchen Design

Prioritise Based on Your Needs

It may not be possible to get everything you want. If that’s the case, then start with what you need. Select your priorities based on your lifestyle and how you use your kitchen space. Decide what your priorities are before you step foot in a showroom. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting overwhelmed with what you truly need by all of the options that are available to you. 

5 Fitted Kitchen Ideas to Inspire You: 

Create a Colour Scheme That Matches Your Home’s Aesthetic

The perfect paint colour scheme does wonders for your home. It can create a cohesive look between your kitchen and the rest of your home’s aesthetic. So, if you’re looking for fitted kitchen ideas to inspire you, we highly suggest starting with this one. 

Make your kitchen look bigger, brighter, and more open with a lighter colour palette. These colours, such as whites, creams, light greys, and light blues, yellows, and greens all reflect light and create the illusion of a larger space. 

Create drama and visual interest by adding contrasting colours between the major elements of your kitchen. For example, if your wall colours and cabinet colours are lighter, then opt for a darker worktop material. Doing so gives the eye something to focus on, which keeps the space from feeling too uniform. 

Choosing paint colours for your home is a separate task in itself. But doing so can create the elevation and sophistication you may be looking for. 

Burbidge Fenton Kitchen Design

Add an Island for Extra Worktop Space

If you have an open plan concept in your home, then you may be able to accommodate a kitchen island. These are excellent options to add more worktop space to your kitchen. 

That always comes in handy if you’re often preparing large meals and need more counter space to move comfortably. It’s also handy if you frequently have more than one person in the kitchen with you. 

Islands are also incredibly versatile and can fit many different aesthetics. From a country kitchen to a modern kitchen, islands can easily look and feel the part with a little added decor. 

Burbidge Brompton Kitchens Design

Go for a Bold, Modern Fitted Kitchen Design

A modern, sleek fitted kitchen design creates visual interest and adds drama to any home. Opt for sleek, streamlined cabinetry that doesn’t incorporate any bevels in the design. Adding in stainless steel appliances is a great added touch, as well. 

Many bold, modern designs use at least one dark colour, as well. If you love the bold look, don’t be afraid to go darker with at least one kitchen element, such as your cabinets or walls. If you’re apprehensive to use darker colours for all of your cabinets, try using a dark paint colour on just the upper or lower cabinets. It adds the same drama, yet you’re not stuck with all dark colours. 

Adare Anthracite Kitchens Design

Keep It Classic with a Traditional or Transitional Design

For those that still prefer the look of the classics, get inspired with a traditional design. Or if you can’t decide between traditional and modern, choose a transitional style. To keep the look of a traditional design, choose painted cabinets in a lighter colour, such as white or grey. Find countertops that use natural stone, like granite or marble. And to tie the look of tradition together, opt for hardwood or laminate flooring.

As for a transitional design, you can mix and match elements of both a modern fitted kitchen design and a traditional one to create the in-between aesthetic.  

Burbidge Chartwell Kitchens Design

Don’t Forget Custom Storage Solutions

Finally, don’t forget about your custom storage solutions. To keep your kitchen from feeling too cluttered, which can impede your ability to efficiently work in the kitchen, use plenty of storage. 

Through our fitted kitchen consultations, we can help you design a kitchen space that incorporates plenty of custom extra storage solutions. You’ll have a place for everything, without having to settle with leaving it on the counter. 

Burbidge Brompton Kitchens Design

Your kitchen is an integral part of your home. Having your dream kitchen is completely possible through our fitted kitchen designs. We’ll work with you and your budget to help you create the space you’re imagining. 

Book your free consultation with one of our kitchen design experts!