CREATE A MOOD BOARD
Collect images and information on all your favourite things to make a mood board. It will help you express the sort of look youd like and you can add all the things you want to include in your design. Use Beautiful Kitchens for ideas and collect cuttings - this is your wish - list, so throw in everything at this point - but do give it some order, as your budget will probably require you to choose between certain items. Try to be realistic, too - you might really want that state - of - the - art steam oven, coffee machine and warming drawer, but you need a big kitchen to take lots of extras on top of the standard appliance list.
Choosing a new kitchen is one of the most exciting projects when it comes to renovating the home. It can also be expensive, stressful and time - consuming. So if this is your first, or you need help planning your second or even third design, then read on.

RESEARCHING
When youre first thinking of replacing your kitchen, take some time to look around your existing design and make a list of all the things that you like and dislike about it. This could be anything from how much storage there is, and where it is, to the types of appliances and colour of your cabinetry.
Decide whether the actual space works or if it needs opening up or extending. The most common building work involves knocking down a wall between a kitchen and dining room, so consider creating a more open - plan feel if you prefer. If youre planning to make any structural alterations, ensure you talk to your local council about planning permission and building regulations first, however. If youre using an architect, they will do all this for you.
Before you start to select the finest granite worktops and the latest electrical gadgets, set yourself a budget with a maximum limit that you know you cannot go over. Remember, plan for the unexpected! Once the old kitchen is ripped out, you never know what might lie beneath and there could be costly problems that need fixing before you go any further.

Next, make a list of all the elements youll need to allow for - this includes items such as cabinets, worktops and splashbacks, flooring, sink, tap, waste disposal and appliances. Then there are the installation costs and any preparation work - for example, plastering and painting, flooring and heating, as well as plumbing, gas and electrical work. Dont forget to factor in all plumbing, electrics and builders quotes into your overall budget as theyre quite easy to leave out in the heat of the moment.
If you want to create the wow factor, there are plenty of ways to do so, with LED lighting, electric doors and smart storage solutions. However, these will all cost extra, so youll need to be prepared to compromise if they take you over your budget.
The next thing to address is what the kitchen is going to be used for. It may sound obvious, but you need to think about who will be primarily using the kitchen - will it be the whole family, or just yourself? What sort of meals will be cooked ? How often will you be entertaining and will you need separate areas for dining and doing the laundry? Once you have an idea of what you need and want, youre on your way.

CABINETRY DESIGN
Weve looked at how to research your kitchen. Now its time to think about the look you wish to create.
Consider whether you want a modem, hi - gloss finish or a traditional painted design. Or, perhaps youd prefer a mix of materials and finishes?
Look at the amount of natural light your room receives and decide whether it can cope with a dark or colourful design, or if it needs lightening up with white or cream units. A new kitchen is a huge investment so you want to make sure youll still love it in years to come. Having said that, theres a lot to be said for injecting personality and pizzazz into any scheme.
Take into account the period of your property. It can be difficult choosing between contemporary, classic and traditional designs, as there are so many wonderful collections available, says Bernard Otulakowski, managing director for SieMatic. My advice would be to opt for a style that respects the age and architecture of your property; one that blends in with other rooms.
Ask for advice from the experts. Graeme Smith, conceptual designer at Metris and Second Nature, says, Your choice of kitchen colours and styles will be led by your own personal taste. However, use the experience and expertise of your kitchen designer to suggest combinations that you may not have thought of yourself and actually may end up embracing once youve seen them.

PLANNING
Next its time to look at your kitchen space and work out the best layout to maximise space and storage
If youre keeping your existing space, the dimensions of the room will have a huge impact on the type of layout and design that works best. If the space is modest, avoid filling it with lots of cabinets, as this will make the room feel hemmed in, says Metriss conceptual designer Graeme Smith. Instead, reduce the number of wall units and opt for some open shelving. If you have the luxury of a large room, consider curved cabinetry that wraps around the architecture for a flowing design.
Jude Keenan, kitchen planner at John Lewis Oxford Street, adds that windows and doorways are obvious obstacles to take into consideration when it comes to a kitchen layout. Also, look out for radiators, gas meters and fuse boards, she says. If you need these resited before your kitchen is fitted, the work should be undertaken by a specialist.

WORKING TRIANGLE
The working triangle is a way to create the most efficient use of space, but how exactly does it work? Used in kitchen planning for decades, its an imaginary triangular shape with the sink, cooker and fridge at three opposite ends - but in modern kitchen planning theres much more to it than that. Microwaved food normally comes out of the fridge freezer, so put the microwave near the refrigerator, advises Jude. Cutlery is needed near the table and will go into the dishwasher, so have these three items conveniently located. Use of the hob will involve pans and utensils, etc, so try to put these in one area.

SIZE AND SHAPE
Whatever configuration your kitchen, theres a layout to suit. The five main shapes are U - shape, L - shape, galley, double galley and island. Heres how to make the most of them:

U - shape
One of the most popular layouts, this has three runs of cabinets forming a U shape within the room. Its extremely practical, as you can have the cooker and hob at the centre, with a sink and fridge at either end of the U. If the room is particularly compact, try to have at least two metres of space in the centre.

L - shape
A versatile design, this kitchen comprises two runs of cabinets at right angles along adjacent walls. Here you can create the ultimate working triangle with the fridge at one end of the L, the hob on the other and the sink in between. Consider installing a bank of built - in appliances on one side for ease of use and if space allows, a small dining table at the side.

Galley
This is a kitchen with a single line of cabinets along one wall. Though its traditionally long and narrow, it can be exceptionally functional if planned correctly. Try to separate the cooking zone from the wet area with a length of worktop in between - the worktop in total should be at least three metres long.

Double galley
This has two lengths of units that run parallel to each other on opposite sides of the room and is usually the best option if theres a window or door preventing you from creating the U shape. Try to leave at least 120cm between the facing cabinets so that doors and drawers can be opened with ease.

Island
An island unit provides a multifunctional space that can work as somewhere to cook, prep, eat and entertain. Consider incorporating a hob and sink, as well as a dishwasher, wine cooler and storage. Leave at least one metre between the island and sunounding cabinetry, so that doors and drawers can be opened.

There are several options to choose from when it comes to finding a kitchen supplier:
DIY SHEDS
Places such as BbQ, Wickes and Homebase, as well as Ikea, are at the lower end of the market price - wise, but youH still get planning advice and good - quality fixtures and fittings. Expect to pay from ?5,000 for a complete kitchen - less if you install it yourself.

HIGH STREET
Choose from showrooms such as Harvey Jones, John Lewis, John Lewis of Hungerford and Magnet, who all have branches throughout the country. For around ?10,000 to ?15,000 youll get a more personal approach, good quality cabinetry, and a larger choice of designs.

INDEPENDENT RETAILERS
These are often family - owned businesses with years of experience and expertise. They sell branded kitchens, such as Second Nature, Metris, SieMatic, Stoneham, Nolte, Alno and In - toto. Dont be afraid to pop in - their designers are there to help and most good showrooms will offer a free consultation.

BESPOKE
Bespoke kitchen companies - including Mark Wilkinson, Underwood, Roundhouse, Smallbone of Devizes, Prentice Furniture, Figura, Simon Bray and Holloways of Ludlow - will create a kitchen to your exact specification, right down to the thickness of the carcass and the tailor - made storage inside. Expect to pay upwards of ?25,000.

FINALISING THE DESIGN
Once youve decided on your kitchen supplier and the kitchen itself, your designer will visit your home, take exact measurements and get a feel for the style of property. They should also ask you about how you use the kitchen - this will enable them to create a handful of designs to suit your needs. If they dont ask, or dont listen, it may be best to look elsewhere. Once youve gone through the key points, you 11 get a plan of suggested designs, which you can tweak and work on with your designer.

ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
There are so many things to consider, sometimes we forget to ask some very basic questions, such as how long its going to take from order to delivery. If any mistakes are made with the order, how quickly will it be rectified? What about guarantees - for both the products and the installation - and is the kitchen company doing the work or subcontracting it out? Find out if the cabinets have solid tops and backs and what they are made from. YouH also need to know if they arrive flat - pack or pre - constructed, as you could end up wanting somewhere to store them prior to them being installed.

ORDER NOW FOR CHRISTMAS
Assuming youve picked up this copy of Beautiful Kitchens the moment it hit the shelves, theres still time to have your new kitchen installed ready for Christmas lunch! Matt Thomas at John Lewis says, The last ordering date for a kitchen for Christmas would be around early October for the main John Lewis collection. However, with a First Collection kitchen that can be fitted by the customer, they could have it in just three weeks. Magnet has also guaranteed delivery and installation in time for Christmas if the order is placed by the end of October. So what are you waiting for?

FITTING
Youve chosen your layout and paid your deposit. Whats next?

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Its important to work out who will be doing what when it comes to creating your new kitchen. It may be a simple refresh so youll only have the kitchen supplier and fitter to coordinate. However, if its a big project, then there might be builders, electricians and plumbers to consider, too. Its good to get some form of project manager in hand, whether thats yourself, your kitchen company or an architect.
Delays and mistakes in kitchen planning can be costly. Often your budget will dictate how much project management is needed. If youre buying off the shelf from a DIY store youd expect to have to employ and coordinate a variety of craftsmen, including builders, plumbers and electricians. A number of mid - price kitchen companies provide fitting services but often youH have to get them to liaise with other trades for work outside their fitting remit.
Even many bespoke companies will not undertake first - fit electrics or plumbing, so youll have to take care of these elements yourself. Some of the high - end bespoke companies do offer turnkey services, where they will coordinate all work, but be prepared to pay a premium for this service.

CABINETRY FITTING

Depending on the type of kitchen youve bought, your units will arrive either flat - packed, in which case youll need to put them together yourself, or they will come with rigid carcasses that the kitchen fitter just places and then adds the doors to. Most kitchen fitters will then install your chosen appliances and connect them to the services created by the plumber and electrician. Many painted kitchens receive their final coats on site, so you should be prepared for the fact that you may not be able to use the kitchen until the paint is dry.

WORKTOP TEMPLATING

The final element in a kitchen is usually the worksurfaces. If youve chosen wood or laminate in simple lengths then this can more often that not be fitted by a competent DIYer. However, if youve bought stone worksurfaces or anything that needs templating then be prepared to have to wait up to 10 days between the date its measured up and the final fitting. Those buying from a mid - or high - end kitchen company will find that most will ensure you have a temporary surface to work on while you wait for your actual surface to be delivered and fitted.

WHERE TO SPEND AND WHERE TO SAVE

An important part of buying a new kitchen is deciding what to splash out on and where you can make savings...
Go for the best worktops you can afford, as theyre one of the most hardworking elements of any kitchen. Granite, composite and solid surfaces are all good investments as they are tough and durable.
Next, make sure your cabinets are of good quality. Dont be tempted to skimp on thin carcasses, as they arent likely to last very long. You want at least a 15mm thickness all round, if not more.
Think about savings on your choice of cabinet doors. We cant all afford rich wood veneers, so why not recreate the same look with a laminate or PVC foil finish instead? Even hi - gloss doors are available in different price brackets depending on whether they are lacquered or laminated.
Spend wisely when it comes to appliances. Buy the best oven and hob you can afford, but if your budget is tight, consider a less expensive brand for the washing mach

ine and do without the wine cooler or coffee maker. Its all about compromise if your budget is under strain, so spend on the things that matter.