Your Kitchen: The Hub of Your Home

No doubt you've noticed that when you have guests over, no matter where the party starts, inevitably they end up in your kitchen. It seems to be instinctive in all of us to want to head to where the warmth and food are. So it's doubly gratifying when you can have a kitchen that is not only welcoming but expressive of your personality, an enjoyable and functional space in which to cook, eat, and socialise.

Making the Most of Your Space

The best kitchens feel cosy — not cramped! But what if yours is more the latter than the former? Can you do anything to fix that, short of knocking out walls?

Yes, you can. Fairly modest 'makeovers' — rearranging the position of appliances, removing a cabinet or two for extra 'head room,' or inserting a cooking or serving 'island' — can open up even a tiny kitchen and  make it seem bigger than it really is. Oftentimes, it's not how much space you have available but how you use the space that counts; minimising steps for food prep, having work spaces clear and convenient to the stove and refrigerator, and having deep enough sinks for easy cleanup don't require any more raw space…just careful planning.

Remember, too, that in a small space, every detail counts. Keep your kitchen neat, free of clutter, and sparking clean. This makes it feel open, airy, and ready for your next gourmet creation. With a little ingenuity, that minuscule space can give you some pretty 'maximum' results.

If You DO Knock Out Those Walls…

Remodeling and remaking your space can be a kick. It gives you a fresh new look and, in most cases, an upgrade into better, more efficient and versatile appliances and work spaces. Just be aware that replacing old walls, old counters, old appliances, and old flooring with sparkling new 'digs'  takes time — and can be among the most stressful things you'll ever go through.

It doesn't have to make you crazy, though, if you plan for it. Think about how you'll prepare food without use of your stove, oven, or sink for a while; even making coffee in the morning will be different than you're used to. The upside of that temporary inconvenience, however, is that a bespoke kitchen solves both space and efficiency problems; it's designed specifically with you, and your cooking and entertaining needs, in mind.

What's Your Dream Kitchen?

Bespoke London kitchens start out as 'blank canvases' on which you imprint your own ideas — and then let a designer and/or contractor take those and turn them into workable reality. Don't let the word 'workable' throw you, either; it doesn't mean you'll have one dream for your kitchen, and your contractor will then reject all but the most utilitarian parts! What's workable nowadays is amazing — from skylights and hanging greenery to give you an 'al fresco' effect indoors, to sleek, streamlined appliances concealed in ways that make your humble galley look like something out of a luxury jetliner.

Take that 'blank canvas' idea seriously. If you envision stainless steel and granite, ask for it; on the other hand, if you can't wait to be surrounded by oak cabinets, a scrubbed antique table, and laminate floors…contractors and designers can make those dreams come true, too.

Hubs and Hospitality

A beautiful kitchen encourages lots of use — family parties, informal dinners, and gatherings of friends 'just because.' Here's to your kitchen being everyone's favourite place!