Use kitchen design software

Cook up a showstopping space from the comfort of your own home

Some space-planning apps are webbased so you create an account and log in to save your design. There are some that need downloading onto your desktop, but there are plenty of free versions for both methods.

Consider how much customisation the software allows, such as floorplan arrangement, door and window placement, and cabinet and appliance options. Also, find out what the worktop and flooring options are, and if you can add different colours and materials.

Some software will also have options to import your own photos.

You can choose straightforward 2D image visualisations for your design or go for software that enables 3D renders. These allow you to pan, zoom in and out, and rotate your image to see the proportions and layout from all angles.

A branded kitchen planner is a good choice if you have a company in mind as all of the product choices will be at your fingertips ready to add to your design. Once finished, the app will automatically give you a shopping list and the price of every fixture and fitting. Independent space-planning apps will also allow you to change the features as you go.

Software that allows you to see your final design as a photo-real image is a bonus as it gives you a true feel of how your final design will look.

Kitchen

‘I was hoping to re-purpose some of the units, but everything needed replacing so I got a second job to help pay for a new IKEA kitchen. Symmetry is important to me, so I wanted the extractor hood to sit centrally on the column and the sink to be in the middle of the window. Making the most of storage was a priority so I spent a couple of months getting the design exactly right. The cheapest option was to keep the original layout, although I made tweaks to the cabinet arrangement. I had already bought the retro Smeg fridge, so I removed the built-in fridge and freezer, and chose a slimline dishwasher, which freed up more storage. I did the tiling myself, learning on the job, and chose a white palette to give me a neutral base to add texture and colour using accessories.’

Bedroom

‘I needed to tackle the lack of storage so bought the cheapest, tallest cabinets I could find and fitted them across the whole width of the wall. I originally chose Shaker-style doors and used the top of the wardrobes to store my spare blankets and Christmas decorations, but it looked messy, so I sold the doors and replaced them with floor-to-ceiling voiles. Originally, the bed was against the other wall, but it was a squeeze at the foot. By turning the bed 90 degrees I’ve revolutionised the space as it’s made room for the vintage drawers that I found on Facebook Marketplace. They were a splurge, but I’m happy to invest in quality pieces. I initially painted the room pink, but recently changed it to Lick Beige 02.’

‘I was a real novice when I moved here but I’ve learned DIY on the job and YouTube has taught me a lot’

Bathroom

‘I wanted to introduce some pastel shades into the bathroom as it’s a self-contained space, so the colour wouldn’t impact on my neutral scheme in the rest of the flat. I created a moodboard on Pinterest to gather my ideas and used Photoshop to mock up how the tiles and vanity would look. I wanted the tiles wrapped around the room and printed out a layout as I loved the idea of having a random scattering of stars. Annoyingly, the tiler arranged them in a grid pattern but luckily the grout hadn’t set when I spotted the mistake, so I asked him to take them off and start again. I plumped for brushed brass fittings and a waterfall shower to add a bit of luxe. The modern vanity unit provides more storage, and it complements the original mid-century furniture in the other rooms.’

Home office

‘At one point there were floor-to-ceiling shelves and a dining table, but we hardly ever ate there and it just got in our way and became a dumping ground for our bags. Then lockdown happened and, like everyone else, I began working from home and I needed a dedicated space to work from. That’s when this area came into its own. The old-school desk was in my dad’s garage, but it didn’t have a top, so we attached one using an off-cut from the kitchen worktop. Now, not only does it feel like a nice working space, but we’ve created another zone to use in the open-plan area.’

‘I chose white-on-white units and tiles to allow my accessories to shine. At the moment I’ve gone for a simple palette of soft green, copper and ochre, but it changes all the time’ ‘I really wanted a retro Smeg fridge but I didn’t have the budget, so I kept browsing Facebook Marketplace and this eventually came up for just £250’

‘IKEA don’t do a panel for the back of the island – it was installed with naked MDF, so I cut lengths of wood from B&Q, painted them with a whitewash wood stain and nailed them in place’

‘I love decorating for Christmas and even the bedroom gets the festive treatment. The bed is from West Elm, the curtains are from LaRedoute and the bedding is from John Lewis & Partners’ The storage shelves and drawers are from IKEA and the the voiles are from H&M Home. The white lamp is from Etsy and the black-and-white print is from Fine Little Day

‘ This Maisons du Monde cabinet was a splurge, but it’s a quality piece, looks great and has loads of storage. The tiles are from Bert & May and the gold shower is from Homary’

‘I like the way the unusual puddle shape of the mirror, from Tikamoon, contrasts with the vintage mid-century chair, a £15 Facebook Marketplace bargain. The lamp bases are from eBay and I added the shades from H&M Home’