When it comes to renovating your home, the first thing that comes to mind is the kitchen, then the bathroom. This is not at all accidental, since kitchen is the place where the members of a family gather to "communicate". It is not exactly the food that matters, but the mood. The more stressed we are, the more we need these short gastronomic breaks to be inspired, to relax, to play the role of the chef and listen to the reviews, enjoying teasing and suggestions for the next show .
Before deciding to buy the kitchen of your dreams, you should consider the following:
the space you have available, ie exactly how many square meters you have at your disposal
your needs in appliances (refrigerators, washing machines, ovens, hobs)
the lighting of the space
the electrical and plumbing installations
the work that has been done or is going to be done in the space where you will install your kitchen
the style of kitchen you prefer
the kitchen construction materials you prefer
the ceramic elements that complement your kitchen
If you can afford it, you can consult an architect-decorator who will give you solutions and guide you to the right choices. If you still prefer to choose your own kitchen and take on all the difficulties, then you can get help from the web, but also from the company you chose to buy your kitchen. Usually, interior designers undertake to make your preferable designs, after of course you give them exact measures of your space. You will receive- depending on what you need- an offer that will show you approximately how your kitchen will look and how much it will cost. There, you can sit quietly and think about why and how and especially when it will be done. It is important to know WHEN you want your kitchen installed, because the construction of the space definitely precedes. When you renovate your kitchen, the space changes character. A lot of the old structural parts are being demolished, you may need to put some plasterboard, some paintings are inevitable and the plumbing should be renovated. Also, if you have provided for spots, or other electrical works, then be sure that you need a month (at best) to have all these changes completed. I should emphasize the time, because when you order a new kitchen model, you will be given delivery time and the dates must be kept both for you and for your supplier. For this purpose, make sure you get in writing any agreement that has been made about what you have ordered, when it will be delivered to you and how it will be installed. Also, ask your supplier if the installation is included in the cost of your kitchen.
What should you expect
Do not have high expectations for the perfection of the kitchen setup in no time. Especially in imported kitchens - experience is talking when it comes to me - many times the kits, ie the pieces that will compose your kitchen, may have been hit during the transport from country to country, so they might need to be replaced. Those little scratces here and there and the possible absence of critical spare parts may delay the installation of your beloved kitchen. But know this; when you buy an imported kitchen, the replacement, or the re-ordering of some parts and / or spare parts, may take time and in case no solution is found from the domestic market, it gets even worse. You might know that the stock does not exist today. Do not rush to blame your supplier for any mistakes in delivery and installation, before making sure he refuses to repair your damage or loss. I recommend you to calm down. Say that you buy something from an e-shop and it does not work for you, or it is damaged, shouldn't you rush to replace it? Yes, it was finally delivered after a month's waitings right ? I know that we have excessive impatience when we renovate our kitchens, but to keep calm is a key asset in such situations. Also, do not mess with the craftsmen who assemble your kitchen when issues arise with imperfections related to walls, windowsills and skirting boards. It is not their problem, it is yours. For this reason, do not hurry! And finally, put in the whole project the collaboration of the renovation workshop with the installation one!
Not what I saw in the leaflet....
Please don't expect to see the kitchen that you were fooling around with in the magazine, or in the brochures that were given to you in your home. Same as with clothes, what you see in the models does not correspond to your own reality. What do I mean; each space has its own advantages and disadvantages. Studio lighting, for example, is not the same as that in your kitchen room. The colors of wood, or lacquer in your kitchen cabinets, probably do not look as vivid as those in the photos you saw. Natural lighting of the space is completely different from the artificial one. Chill out! You want a perfect kitchen for you and your family, not for the photographer's purpose.
Let's see together, which model you would like to choose (indicative styles)!
1. you are traditional and romantic, so you want a classic type of cuisine
2. you adore metallic details combined with colored lacquer
3. do you like "mirrors" on glossy lacquer?
4. you are a vintage lover
5. you like unexpected contrasts
6. you want quality at a good price
7. do you insist on retro trends? go get some ideas from the 50's, 60's and 70's!
https://retrorenovation.com/2015/12/14/marys-colorful-kitchen-and-bathroom/ some useful info given here
the reference point for a nice retro look is colored household appliances and metal elements
70s boho in your kitchen!
8. you love the french elegance so imitate the french women; they love their kitchens and dress them with linen and crochet, adding an antique sewing machine - a Singer I suppose - instead of a small table)...
...adding flowers and fruits as decor
.... and do not hesitate to put the pot on site
For sure you have already noticed that apart from some obvious difficulties, nearly everything can be combined in your kitchen, even the vintage elements. With very small changes, say by adding the "clam" handles, or an old-fashioned kitchen island as in the photo above, along with retro devices, you will get very close to the look you have dreamed of. Colors, decorative accessories and imagination are essential for a kitchen that will be created by you, for you. Don't hesitate to intervene in the work of your decorator. The kitchen is intended for your own use, so you have the first say. Be careful and insightful. Do not go for kitchen models that you will easily get bored of and do not neglect ergonomics.
If you're interested in tips, I'm here for you. The burden of choices and decisions falls on you. Wish you the best of luck!