Renovating a Kitchen: Process Guide & Helpful Tips

Posted by Rhian Burrell, on February 14, 2024.

Here at Cherrywood Bespoke, we understand that renovating a kitchen can be a thrilling yet daunting task. The kitchen really is the heart of the home, so any renovation effort warrants some significant planning to ensure that your transformation ticks every box. 

We’re about to take you through the entire process of planning a kitchen renovation – from start to finish. Whether you are a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a first-time renovator, these helpful pointers will be the foundation for your kitchen refresh. 

Planning a kitchen renovation: mapping out your transformation

Before diving into the renovation process, take some time to assess your needs and desires for your new bespoke kitchen design. Establishing a design concept early on in your kitchen renovation process will help you to communicate your vision perfectly.

What is your current kitchen missing?

The objective of your kitchen transformation project should be to add new value to the space – in terms of practicality, purpose, and style. To get clear on this, we’d suggest thinking about the things that your current space is lacking. Consider the kitchen functionality that you’ll require, the aesthetic you desire, and any specific features that are important to you for your new bespoke space – whether it’s family friendly touches, or statement kitchen islands. This initial step will help you to prioritise important aspects of the renovation, setting a clear direction for the project.

What style preferences do you have?

Conceptualising the design of your new space is definitely the most exciting part of any kitchen renovation effort. Considering factors such as layout, kitchen colour schemes, and the style of cabinets and worktops – our Oxfordshire kitchen showroom is a great place to help trigger this kind of inspiration. 

Tips on establishing your budget

Determining your budget is a crucial aspect of planning a kitchen renovation – and it’ll vary depending on the kind of changes you’ll be making in the space.

The total cost of a bespoke kitchen renovation will vary by project, as sometimes the scope can be more significant, resulting in a larger investment. Once you have a rough estimate of the total budget you’re working with, our kitchen designer will be able to help you to understand how it’ll be split across the project.

Decide whether you’ll be making structural changes to the space

We’ve worked on a handful of projects that have involved building extensions. If you’re looking to increase the space available in this way, architectural drawings, contractors, and building costs will need to be factored into your investment.

Consider the specification & longevity of your kitchen

Here at Cherrywood Bespoke, we only source the best quality material components for our kitchen renovation projects – and this is testament to the fact that we install kitchens that serve our customers homes for years to come. The long-term assurance that this provides is invaluable, and it’ll ensure that your kitchen is enjoyable to use years down the line. 

Our customers can source their own appliances, but we’re always on hand to make recommendations. We’re also advocates for finding ways to incorporate elements of the previous space into your new kitchen design – for example, our Eydon kitchen project made use of some stunning original tiles, and other renovations have involved upcycling old taps and handles. 

Is there a set rule for how to focus your kitchen renovation budget?

There’s no clear-cut approach for splitting your kitchen renovation budget, as every project has its own intricacies. Our kitchen designer will create a comprehensive quote for your kitchen renovation, and we’ll be able to give you an overarching breakdown of what it covers.

Kitchen renovation project plan: step-by-step guide

So, you’ve done your initial conceptualising, and you’ve got a quote for your bespoke design, we’ll be able to get started on bringing your dream kitchen to life. We’ve created an overview of what you can expect from this point, helping you to understand the stages that are involved in one of our typical bespoke kitchen projects. 

1. Is there a set rule for how to focus your kitchen renovation budget?

At the start of every project, we’ll create a detailed timeline of the work that we’ll be carrying out. The time frames will be realistic in terms of sourcing, refining, and assessing the quality of your material components, and we also account for potential delays.

2. Structural changes

If your renovation does involve structural changes, such as moving walls, adding breadth, or creating new spaces, this is the time to tackle those tasks. We’ll work closely with architects and contractors to ensure the changes meet all relevant safety standards before we move on to fitting your dream kitchen.

3. Plumbing and electrical work

Making changes to plumbing or electricity sources might be a necessity for your new kitchen layout, especially if you have had any structural work done. Typical tasks at this stage include moving water pipes, adding electric sockets, or rewiring to accommodate your new appliances.

4. Installing your cabinetry and worktops

Once the groundwork is laid, we’ll start bringing the bulk of your bespoke kitchen design together by installing your cabinetry and worktops. From mapping out your working triangle, to ensuring precise measurements are followed to create sharp, sleek lines – we’ll focus on creating a polished, functional kitchen at this stage. We’ll also add the character that you’ve chosen at this point – painting your new units to add charm to the space.

5. Upgrading appliances

Once the cabinets are in, it’s time to install your new appliances. Once they’ve been fitted, we’ll make sure that they are properly connected, and in working order.

6. Final touches and finishing

Finishing touches really do make a world of difference to a bespoke kitchen design. We’ll work towards completing your kitchen renovation by adding the final touches, such as backsplashes, statement lighting fixtures, and hardware.

7. Inspection and quality check

No bespoke kitchen renovation is complete without our signature quality check. Our projects are defined by our attentive, meticulous eye for detail, and we’ll inspect our own efforts to ensure they meet our own standards.

Embarking on a kitchen renovation journey requires careful planning, a comprehensive budget, and a well-executed project plan. By following the steps we’ve outlined in this guide, you can navigate the process with confidence, and enjoy a beautifully renovated space. 

We’ve perfected our process when it comes to installing bespoke shaker kitchens and premium plywood kitchens, but the best way to envisage how your own project could take shape is by booking a free home consultation. To arrange an appointment, simply contact us, or request a free brochure online now.