Kitchen Renovation Guide: How to Transform Your Home with a Bespoke Design

A kitchen renovation may seem daunting at first, especially if you’re navigating designs, tradespeople, and timelines for the first time. But with the right guidance and expert advice, it can become a deeply rewarding process that transforms the way you live.

Step 1: Assemble Your Dream Team

Whether you’re planning to make structural changes, dig new footings or simply renovate an existing space, it’s always a good idea to research and build your team first, especially if you’re not DIY confident. You may need tradespeople other than a kitchen designer, such as an architect, building company, electricians and plumbers.

Step 2: Plan for Layout Changes

Not every kitchen renovation involves knocking down walls or building extensions, but for many homeowners, reconfiguring the layout or opening up a space is a top priority. Think carefully about:

• What doesn’t work in your current kitchen?
• Do you want a larger footprint?
• Could internal walls be removed to create better flow?
• Would extra natural light enhance the space?
• Is there room for a pantry, a breakfast nook, or a utility zone?

When planning a kitchen renovation, involving your kitchen designer early in the process, alongside your architect if you have one, can make a significant difference. By working from drawings and architectural plans from the outset, we can help you explore what’s truly possible within the scope of your home and budget. This early collaboration enables informed decisions before any major work commences, helping to prevent complications or costly changes further down the line.

Our designers can suggest repositioning windows to enhance natural light, reconfiguring layouts for improved flow, and even identifying opportunities to incorporate additional features from your wish list, elements that might otherwise have been overlooked or excluded due to space limitations.

Step 3: Set Off on the Right Foot

From the beginning of your kitchen renovation journey, our talented designers will work closely with you to understand your needs and lifestyle. This is crucial to creating a successful design that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The more information we have at the start of your journey, the better. Here are a few tasks you can complete to help get your project off to a good start. 

• List what you love and dislike in your current kitchen.
• Create a wishlist of must-have features and future-proof options.
• Set your budget early.
• Gather design inspiration from Pinterest, magazines, or showrooms.
• Think about how the kitchen connects with other areas of your home.

Step 4: Understand Your Budget

Budgets are project-specific and partially dictated by the size of the space and client requirements. When hiring trades, you’ll need to factor in a budget for building work, painting, tiling, flooring, plumbing, electrics, and any additional fixtures on your wish list. During the design process, we will give you a breakdown of the kitchen costs, allowing you to feel comfortable and in control every step of the way.

Step 5: Build a Detailed Kitchen Renovation Brief

Creating a strong design brief helps streamline your kitchen renovation and ensures that the end result aligns with your vision. At Tom Howley, we focus on the following core design elements:

• Layout: We always give considerable thought to the kitchen layout, achieving optimum functionality and flow. Factors such as how you use your kitchen daily, where appliances are positioned, lighting, and walkways are all considered when determining a layout that suits your household.
• Storage: Smart kitchen storage solutions are at the top of every designer’s agenda, whether you have a compact galley kitchen or an open-plan living space. Along with storage features on your wishlist, we can help you to make the best use of architectural quirks, create bespoke storage where everything is accessible, and ensure there’s plenty of it so that your kitchen has longevity.

• Appliances: When deciding on your appliances, we assess what you may need now and in the future, whether it’s a larger hob to accommodate your growing family’s needs or sizeable fridge storage. 
• Kitchen style: If you’re struggling to decide on a bespoke kitchen style, our designers can advise which Tom Howley kitchen collection will better suit you and your property. Kitchen style is primarily a personal choice; however, influencing factors may include the era of your home, the property’s architectural style, or the overall interior styling elsewhere in the home.
• Colour schemes: During the design process, you’ll have the opportunity to experiment with worktop samples, hardware, and our exquisite selection of exclusive paint colours until you find the perfect scheme. 

Step 6: Project Timeline – The Tom Howley Experience

Designing a bespoke kitchen should be an exciting experience, not overwhelming. At Tom Howley, we offer a complimentary design service that brings your vision to life with ease and precision. While every project is unique, especially when additional trades are involved, this streamlined timeline, shared by our designer Priti, offers a clear idea of what to expect.

Showroom Visit

Your journey begins with a visit to one of our inspiring showrooms. It’s the ideal place to experience our craftsmanship first-hand, explore design ideas, touch samples, and speak with our expert team.

Design Brief

When you’re ready, we’ll arrange a consultation at your home or in our showroom. For renovation projects, we take the time to understand how you live and measure the space. For new builds or extensions, we’re also happy to work directly from architectural drawings.

Design Presentation

Next, we’ll welcome you back to review your bespoke design in detail. You’ll see scaled plans, elevations, realistic 3D visuals, and a tailored quotation that reflects your brief and budget.

Coming on Board

Once you’re confident in the design, service and pricing, a small initial deposit secures your place in our schedule. From here, we collaborate closely to refine every detail until your kitchen is exactly how you imagined it.

Sign-Off

After conducting a detailed site survey, we produce a comprehensive sign-off pack with technical drawings that are perfectly aligned with your final design. This is shared with your builders to support the ‘first fix’ stage and ensure a smooth build.

Final Survey

When your site is ready, we’ll carry out a final check to confirm everything is in place for a flawless installation.

Installation

Our experienced fitters and dedicated installation manager bring your kitchen to life with the same exceptional craftsmanship and care you experienced in our showroom, right down to the final finishing touches.

A kitchen renovation is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your home, both in terms of enhancing your lifestyle and increasing property value. With expert guidance, careful planning, and a bespoke design tailored to your life, your new kitchen can transform the way you live every day.

Ready to start your kitchen renovation journey?

Visit your nearest Tom Howley showroom or book a complimentary design consultation today.