Questions to Ask Before Designing a Kitchen

Designing a kitchen is an exciting process, but before layouts, materials or colours are discussed, there are some important questions worth considering.

Taking the time to answer these early on will make the design process smoother, more focused and ultimately more successful. A well-designed kitchen is not just about how it looks, it is about how it works for the way you live.

Here are the key questions to ask before designing a kitchen.

How Do You Actually Use Your Kitchen?

This may seem obvious, but it is often overlooked.

Do you cook daily from scratch, or mostly at weekends?

Is the kitchen primarily for family life, entertaining, or both?

Do multiple people cook at the same time?

Understanding how you use the space informs everything from layout to appliance choices. A keen cook may prioritise generous worktop space and high-performance extraction, while a household that entertains frequently may focus more on seating, flow and connection to living areas.

Function always comes first.

Will You Be Extending or Reconfiguring the Space?

If you live in a period property or terrace, you may be considering a side or rear extension. Before designing the kitchen itself, it is important to understand the architectural framework.

Are structural walls being removed?

Where will natural light enter the room?

What ceiling heights will you have?

These factors influence where cabinetry can go, how tall units can be positioned, and whether the kitchen is best placed in the original part of the house or within a new extension.

Good kitchen design should respond to architecture, not fight against it.

What Style Feels Right for the House?

Before choosing finishes, it helps to decide on the overall direction: modern, transitional or traditional.

In older homes, a more classic or transitional kitchen often complements original features beautifully. In contrast, a clean lined modern kitchen can create a striking yet balanced contrast when handled carefully.

Being clear about the overall aesthetic early on avoids a disjointed result later. The cabinetry style sets the tone for the entire room.

How Much Storage Do You Really Need?

Storage is one of the most underestimated aspects of kitchen design.

Take stock of:

• Small appliances

• Pantry goods

• Crockery and glassware

• Cleaning products

• Recycling and waste

  
  

Do you need a dedicated pantry cupboard? Full height larder cabinets? Deep drawers for cookware?

It is far better to plan generous, well organised storage from the outset than to realise later that there is nowhere for everyday items to live.

Where Will Tall Units and Appliances Go?

Fridges, freezers, oven stacks and larder cabinets all require uninterrupted wall space.

This is particularly important if you are working within a reconfigured layout or extension. Windows, doors and structural openings can quickly reduce available wall space, leaving limited room for tall elements.

Planning these early avoids compromise and ensures the kitchen remains both practical and visually balanced.

What Is the Budget Range?

Having a realistic budget in mind from the beginning helps guide decisions clearly and confidently.

Budget affects:

• Cabinet construction

• Worktop materials

• Appliance specification

• Internal storage solutions

• Lighting and finishing details

  
  

Clarity here allows for thoughtful prioritisation. It is always possible to design beautifully within a range. The key is knowing what that range is.

How Important Is Natural Light and Where Should It Be?

Many people assume the kitchen itself must sit in the brightest part of the room. In practice, this is not always necessary.

Working in artificial light is perfectly comfortable. Dining areas, casual seating and living spaces often benefit far more from direct garden views and daylight.

Considering how light moves through the space helps create a layout that feels balanced and enjoyable throughout the day.

Have You Considered Ventilation and Services?

Extractor positioning, ducting routes and service runs are practical considerations that should be resolved early.

Is the hob on an external wall?

Can ducting run directly outside?

Will it need to be concealed above cabinetry?

Would a recirculating extractor be more suitable?

Addressing these technical aspects before finalising the layout avoids costly changes later.

How Long Do You Plan to Stay in the Property?

A kitchen designed for a long term home may prioritise durability and timelessness. If the property is likely to be sold within a few years, broader appeal may play a greater role in decision making. This question helps shape material choices, layout investment and overall design direction.

Bringing Clarity to the Design Process

Designing a kitchen is not simply about cabinetry and colour palettes. It is about understanding how space, light, storage and architecture come together to support daily life.

By asking the right questions at the beginning, the design process becomes more focused and far less overwhelming. Decisions feel considered rather than reactive.

A well designed kitchen starts with thoughtful questions. The layout and aesthetics follow naturally from there.