EXPERT GUIDE

DESIGN FIRST STEPS

With any decorating project, the hardest part is knowing where to begin. ‘Your kitchen is unique to you, says Matt Wells, store manager at Homebase. ‘It’s where memories are made, but it ultimately has to be functional, too.’ Matt suggests these first steps: 1 Gather inspiration from magazines as well as online from places like Pinterest and Instagram. Visit showrooms too and take pictures as a reminder of the styles and ideas you like. 2 Consolidate your ideas with a moodboard. Whether this is an online collection, or a physical collage with cuttings from magazines or a collection of samples (see right), use it to try out different colours, design themes and combinations of materials. 3 Figure out your top three requirements for your kitchen and work around these. If you love to bake, you might want a double ‘hide and slide’ oven. Or if space-saving is key, look for clever ideas, such as pullout larder shelves and cupboard carousels. 4 Utilise the expertise of design consultants. At Homebase, we offer a free planning consultation with accredited designers, and the virtual kitchen visualiser allows you to see what your new kitchen could be like, from the comfort of your own home.